Life with Bipolar Disorder: Coping Strategies

[bit188]

Hello. I am a thirteen year old recently diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder with psychotic features.

Thing is, my meds don't always work. I can't deal with the voices when I am sick. My only coping strategy is my iPod. Are there any ways to make them go away? Thank you *so* much.

 

[wuliheron]

I would tell my physician if the meds don't always work. Sometimes it can take two or three years to find out what kind of meds work best for you as an individual.

You are lucky you were diagnosed so young.

 

[Moonbear]

I agree with wuliheron, if your meds are not always working, tell your doctor. S/he can adjust your dose or put you on a different medication. Always keep in touch with your doctor about anything that doesn't "feel" right when on a new medication (or even an old one if it seems to stop working), whether it's because the medication isn't doing enough to treat your symptoms, or is having some side effects you don't like, or even if you are feeling unwell for an unrelated reason and are considering an over-the-counter medicine to check that they are safe to mix.

 

[Math Is Hard]

You might also explore the possibility of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While it doesn't always reduce the severity or length of auditory hallucinations, it may help with getting some control over how you allow them to affect your life. I found an abstract for a study on CBT and "coping training" (involving patients with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders) that looked promising.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11380310&dopt=Abstract

Cognitive behaviour therapy with coping training for persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: a naturalistic follow-up study of the durability of effects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the durability of positive effects of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with coping training on psychotic symptoms and social functioning. Method: Forty patients with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders and refractory auditory hallucinations were given CBT and coping training in an integrated single family treatment programme. In a naturalistic study patients were followed after 2 and 4 years since the start of treatment. RESULTS: The treatment improved overall burden of 'hearing voices', with a generalization into daily functioning. Improvement with regard to fear, loss of control, disturbance of thought and interference with thinking was sustained by 60% of the patients while one-third improved further. Complete disappearance of hallucinations occurred in 18% of the patients. CONCLUSION: CBT with coping training can improve both overall symptomatology and quality of life, even over longer periods of time, but a status of persistent disablement indicates a continuing need for mental health care.

Anyway, just something you might ask your doctor about.

 

[bit188]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'll definitely be talking to my doctor about meds.

Thanks again, bit188