wallyjack
09-04-2009, 03:36 AM
Hi-
My father has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder type II for some time now. It runs in the family: his mother had it, and my older sister also have it. He, however, refuses to accept it. For years, his relationships between my mom and my sisters and me have suffered because refuses to go on medication, saying that it makes him feel "numb" and supresses all his creativity. He tried medication for a short period of time at the urging of my mom but didn't really give it much of a chance. Recently I've become much more worried for him because his depressive states seem to get worse and worse. I feel like I have no relationship with him at all anymore because I have to alter my approach to him depending on his mood, and even then I don't know how he'll respond. I'm wondering if it is true of most bipolar medications that they make the patient feel "numb" and like they lack emotions, or if it is possible to find the right mix of medications to make the bipolar patient feel "normal"?
I appreciate your help and information on this topic. I fear that if we cannot get my father to take medications, our family will split up, or that he might even turn to suicide.
My father has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder type II for some time now. It runs in the family: his mother had it, and my older sister also have it. He, however, refuses to accept it. For years, his relationships between my mom and my sisters and me have suffered because refuses to go on medication, saying that it makes him feel "numb" and supresses all his creativity. He tried medication for a short period of time at the urging of my mom but didn't really give it much of a chance. Recently I've become much more worried for him because his depressive states seem to get worse and worse. I feel like I have no relationship with him at all anymore because I have to alter my approach to him depending on his mood, and even then I don't know how he'll respond. I'm wondering if it is true of most bipolar medications that they make the patient feel "numb" and like they lack emotions, or if it is possible to find the right mix of medications to make the bipolar patient feel "normal"?
I appreciate your help and information on this topic. I fear that if we cannot get my father to take medications, our family will split up, or that he might even turn to suicide.