-
Featured Books
"Discover How You Can Take Home A Lifetime Of Monthly Disability Checks And Free Medical Care From Social Security For Your Bipolar Disorder. . . Without Paying An Expensive Lawyer...And Without Going Through Denial After Unfair Denial..."
If You Allow A Bipolar Husband, Wife Or Partner To Be A Part Of Your Life, Married To Mania Is The Owners Manual You Must Have To Survive. Before You Or Your Partner Makes One More Mistake Resulting In Financial Or Emotional Devastation, Read This Book.
Input Needed, Bipolar and Wacky Weed. The Effects Are Horrible
Hello My Friend.
I have had better days than today. I sure have.
You guessed it, my brother is on a rampage.
You know, it is days like today that I am so thankful that I started this Blog because it gives me the ability to reach out to the Bipolar community and share my feelings with them.
I know you can all appreciate what I am trying to say and I know that someday, maybe even today, someone will see this post, someone who can relate, and perhaps they will see a response which can help them.
You know it really is not about me though and the way I feel at the moment. Or is it?
Have you ever been affected by a loved one who has Bipolar Disorder but smokes that wacky weed (Marijuana) on occasion? If you have you are not alone and I sympathize with you. You see I have known for a long time that my brother smokes the wacky weed. It is rare when he does it but he does. I will say about every three months he gets a hold of some of this crap and turns into a complete asshole. He becomes an amplified version of a ticking time bomb. A bomb who has Bipolar Disorder. Nothing I can say to him, can help things when he gets to this point. In fact everything has the reverse affect. He becomes very defiant. He lashes out verbally. It is like he has Bipolar Disorder times one hundred. He basically goes through Manic, Depressive, and Mixed Episode mode all at the same time. It is horrible to watch. It sucks to say the least and I hope someone can help me understand how I can help him stop this destructive behavior.
I have certainly learned a lot about Bipolar Disorder since my brother was diagnosed with it in January of 2004. Anyone who has a family member with Bipolar is automatically enrolled into Hard Knock University. You are forced to sit through class after class. Some classes are wonderful, some classes are funny, they will make you laugh so hard you will cry. Bipolar people can he so humorous and beautiful. They bring out the inner child with their sayings and their tactics. But then there are the classes where the whole world comes crashing down and you are at a loss. You feel hopeless. you stand by and watch while they verbally abuse you. Such a day is today January 23, 2007.
The sad thing about it is the fact that the behavior that my brother is engaging in today is a byproduct of Bipolar Disorder and it does not have to be. Is he being selfish or does he simply not know any better because he has a disorder called Bipolar? One thing is certain though, he is choosing to smoke wacky weed because he says it makes him feel good.
Face it, everyone knows a person who smokes the wacky weed. The people that choose to smoke wacky weed have every right to do what they want to as it is their business. It is their choice. Some people need it for medical reasons and others smoke it to get a certain high.
My brother, like I stated above, is one of the people who smokes it because of that elevated feeling. The problem with this is that HE SHOULD NEVER SMOKE WACKY WEED, because it AMPLIFIES his Bipolar Disorder. He hurts a lot of people with his actions. He becomes very selfish. He cusses like a sailor. (if you are a sailor..no offense..It is an expression) When he smokes wacky weed, he does not eat, he does not sleep, and sadly he refuses to take his medication, and when he does it DOES NOT HELP. Basically he becomes an entirely different person. Someone no one wants to interact with.
Through my research on Bipolar Disorder I have discovered that people with Bipolar Disorder need all of their normal sleep. They need to eat regularly. And most important of all they need their medication, all the time. It should never be skipped. Not even once.
So you see why the Bipolar is amplified when wacky weed enters my brothers system. Mind you, even if he still ate his regular meals and still slept his full eight hours and still took his medications, he would still go through all of the symptoms he is now, when he smokes that crap. The only difference is it would not quite be as bad. But the moral of the story is Wacky Weed and people with Bipolar Disorder do not mix. Period.
Most people who do not have Bipolar Disorder and who smoke wacky weed are not affected by the crazy mood(s) that wacky weed brings into those with Bipolar Disorder. They go through the normal high but they do not get delusional and verbally abuse. I don’t think they do anyway. If they do, heck maybe they have Bipolar Disorder. Who knows? Wacky weed may be a good trigger.
My dilemma is simple. How do we stop him from doing this? It is such a painful experience to have to live through. It might last for three days or one week, it just depends as it is never the same and it happens about every three to four months.
By The Way, this also happens when he drinks beer or hard liquor. Just not as bad.
Do you have any suggestions, or do you know anyone who also has Bipolar Disorder and engages in this type of behavior?
Please comment and let me know.
I appreciate you very much.
Disclaimer: Please know that I am speaking on my personal experiences, by what I see in my brother. Not everyone who has Bipolar Disorder may be affected by wacky weed like my brother is. I don’t know as I am not a doctor.
Comments
31 Responses to “Input Needed, Bipolar and Wacky Weed. The Effects Are Horrible”
Leave a Reply
Jerry
It is very common for people with Bipolar Disorder to abuse drugs. It sounds like that is what is happening with your brother. I have a cousin who lives in New York City who is very similar to your brother. It is as if you were writing about him. Not only is his drug abuse a major problem but he has access to it at virtually every corner. That is a major concern as people who live in more rural areas do not have the access that people in bigger cities do.
My question for you is “Does your brother have access to his ‘wacky weed” whenever he wants it or does he have to go through certain channels to get it?
I have a reason for asking this question and I will await your response.
Best Of Luck To You
Sam
Sam
Thanks for the question and the great comment. I guess it made me feel better knowing I was not alone in this.
After I posted this latest entry I found some information which said it was very common for Bipolar Disorder people to abuse drugs especially when they are in “manic” mode. So I guess that kinda answers that question but it still does not solve the problem.
To answer your question, Sam, he usually gets it from a source which lives close to where he lives. This person usually brings it back from the city and resells it. Personally I would like to turn this horrible person in but that can be very dangerous.
Like I said in the post, he goes on this spree about every three to four months but that is too often as it affects all of us and he is very mean and rude when he is in “drug induced stage” or as I like to call it. The “Ticking Bipolar Time-Bomb”
He needs outside interference but we cannot help him with this problem unless he wants help. It is that simple. He usually is in denial about his actions when he goes back to normal and I wish there was a way I could drive home the point that he is a completely different person when he is on the “wacky weed” He says everyone else is the one with the problem. But…This is the Bipolar speaking and not my brother.
BTW: HE IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST PERSON ONE COULD WISH TO BE AROUND WHEN HE IS ON HIS MEDICATION.
I appreciate you Sam.
All My Best As Always
Jerry
As someone with bipolar disorder, I am oh so grateful that weed did nothing for me when I tried it a few times when I was young. Strangely enough, what affects my disorder the most is caffeine and sleep, two things I either have too much or too little of.
It’s tough. Every time I drink I ask myself “am I drinking just for a little fun, or am I drinking to calm the rage, to mute the manic head?” I can’t even imagine how difficult this must be for you and I hope there is some way your brother gets help and discontinues his self-medication.
Hello Alicia
Thank you so much for the comment, I truly appreciate hearing from you. It means so much to me and my family when we hear from other people with Bipolar Disorder.. Every post helps us understand our family member even better.. and that of course is the primary goal of this blog..
You have actually raised another concern I have had for a while. Is Caffeine affecting my brother? This guy loves Mountain Dew about as much as I love “Subway” lol..He pretty much will drink any high sugar sodas. He drinks sodas constantly and sometimes does have trouble sleeping.
My question to you is..Has the doctor told you that Caffeine will affect your Bipolar Disorder directly? What can you tell me about that and does it affect all people with Bipolar Disorder the same way?
You have raised an excellent question when you said “Am I drinking just for a little fun, or am I drinking to calm the rage, to mute the manic head“? I think it might be the latter. it is unfortunate that people with Bipolar Disorder can NEVER enjoy the social experience of having a few drinks with friends. My brother goes “off the wall” when he does as any alcohol will trigger “manic mode” almost instantly. He should never drink..Not even a drop..
It is a very sad but a true fact that most people with Bipolar Disorder, will never have the pleasure of hanging with friends while enjoying a alcoholic beverage without triggering some sort of a Bipolar side effect.. We have experienced the social side effect “shunning” very often as it make these so called “friends” very uncomfortable..
I am sure you can relate to most of what I am saying and that part must be very tough for you as well. I respect you immensely my friend. Please stay in touch and be well.
With Love and Concern as Always
Jerry
Caffeine is a major trigger in bipolar symptoms. If your brother is drinking Mountain Dew all the time he is getting way too much caffeine and sugar, both of which can blow him into a full-blown manic state. I’m sorry for everything you have to deal with. I am Bipolar I but I am very well medicated and compliant with my treatment. I feel for you. I know how hard it would be living with me without my compliance with my treatment.
-Martha
Jerry,
I fell upon your page thru a link from Faces of Recovery (@blogspot.com). It seems what is missing here is the voice of your brother. Are you his ally or his keeper? Everyone has the right to mess up their life, and those around them have to choose if they want to watch or do something to take care of themselves. I left behind a great friend that was a cocaine addict, because her behavior was so destructive and I felt like I was enabling her. I miss her everyday almost. As a person living with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, I had to choose my life and not let others choose for me. I have succeeded in life by finding my voice, listening to it, and nurturing it with others that are like-minded. Does your brother have access to role models that are living well with what doctor’s call bipolar disorder? Some websites to check out: http://www.power2u.org, http://www.dbsalliance.org, http://www.gmhcn.org, http://www.mentalhealthrecovery.com
I can tell you love your brother alot, but I just hope for more than hear you talk about his problems on this site. I hope to hear his voice about what he has learned on his journey with a mental health issue…
Peace,
Carol
Hi, I saw your video on You Tube, and hence found my way to your site. I am a thirty-two yr. old Bi-Polar Type 1.
I’m very happy to learn that there are such people as yourself out there whom are both supportive, & advocative to the “community” if you will. In regards though to cannabis use/abuse, I can only personally say that when I do use,
it definitely has more of a medicinal effect. (Albeit, it can indeed induce and or worsen a current manic or depressive episode if over-done.)
I have very carefully examined myself and its effects as far as both the pros’ and the cons’;& as I’m sure you realise, we’re akin to snowflakes, in that no two cases can be called identical. I.e., we all may have/experience different effects of such use. I have in my past, (before any prior knowledge of my disorder), experimented w/ drugs in my early teens, to mid twenties. And I must say that at least in my personal case, marijuana not only eases my stomach pains, and helps me to re-gain an appetite; but it also assists with inducing restful sleep.
And smoked in a proper dosage, actually reduces both my stress, anxiety, and amount of panic attacks. (Mine are particularly extreme, to where I have been hospitalised multiple times, for I experience what is known as non-seizural psychotic episodes.)
I admittedly do become more manic @ times, as far as rapid speech, etc. But not in any detrimental way. (aside from possibly annoying someone with a motor-mouth! =) As an artist, it helps to seemingly like a switch, turn back on my creativity, and productivity, (as odd as that may sound.) As well as assist me to regain my attention and focus.
When I do consume it, I do it as responsibly as possible, & I hope that in that case, your brother does as well.
That is to say, he doesn’t attempt to drive while under the influence, etc. Aside from steering clear of any illegalities, I would just like to say that I think that there is a great possibility/potential that marijuana does indeed have medicinal effects in bi-polar/manic-depressive patients.
It does of course depend on the current episode one is in, etc. If not most importantly, the amount of consumption must be first determined as far as what is safe/tolerable to the individual,(that is to say, doesn’t do more damage than help.) I feel if one uses it with responsibility, & can in fact do it with proper supervision if need be, it can in fact prove to be of some relief.
As I’m sure anyone can attest to, the majority of Dr.’s whom so willingly supply and put us on benzo’s, & other hard-core meds’, one surely must question and weigh in this particular topic, exactly which is more damning/damaging.
Allow me to suggest a book to you, and anyone else who may review this entitled: “Your Drug May Be Your Problem.”
by Dr.’s Peter Breggin, & Dr. David Cohen.
It explains quite a bit about just how damaging the laundry list of psychiatric meds’ that are on the market, and so typically prescribed. In comparison, they make marijuana seem docile. (One word of caution, I myself even found the book quite disturbing, in the way of what it reveals in truth, not only about the medical & pharmaceutical fields, but the drugs that are used to “treat” us.) It does also help in the way of explaining how one can go about seeking Dr.’s who work in medication “minimilzation.’ (not sure if that is technically a word =)
Anyhow, I just wanted to give a different aspect I guess in regards to the marijuana debate. I feel if taken in moderation, and depending on the individual, it may just help more than the typical/atypical psychiatric meds.’ Both my psychologist, & psychiatrist are aware of such usage, & both do concur that as far as my case goes, that its’ benefits have outweighed those of conventional medications. In fact, if it were legal medicinally where I reside,
I would have gotten a prescription granted by now. I think its sad that we cannot even suffer in privacy due to political b.s.
Well, I don’t know how much sense any of this may make, nor am I trying to advocate drug use for any manic-depressive, or any sufferer of mental illness. Indeed, it can be a trap for some. I just wanted to let you, & others know, that there is always a flip-side to the coin, and possibly, your brother does find/can find relief in it. I would say to just monitor him as best you can as far as how it effects him. It could be he is simply “abusing” in the way of intaking to much.
A controlled dosage/consumption may prove to help alleviate even one negative effect of the disorder. Which is far more than I can say for meds’ such as Ativan, Klonopin, & the like. Which are the most addictive, destructive meds’ a Dr. can prescribe a patient. In reality, & as I had aforementioned/suggested with the book, (I unfortunately was not warned of this myself, and somehow, managed to be able to endure the suffering of cold-turkeying off it); these particular drugs are basically the equivalent of Meth. Both in addictiveness/with-drawl effects, and actual scientific compound makeup.
Well, hope you somehow found this to be of some help. I would at least sincerely suggest looking into that book.
It will help to shed more light on the subject, and may just help to bring your brothers’, & others like us, some relief for a change. Unfortunately, the majority of Dr.’s are more concerned with their wallets and credentials,
than the well being of their patients. So, we have no choice but to be proactive, even if it means experimenting in what may not be “accepted”/”suggested” by the majority of society. After-all, I’ve yet to meet a psychiatrist who would personally know what we suffer from. Aside from the one author, Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison.
In closing, I am by no means a bible-tosser, but I do believe that God exists, and therefore, created all living things. Which of course would include plants, and hence the “Whacky Weed” =) One cannot say the same for what goes into the drugs we are prescribed, that are manufactured with all kinds of damaging, unnatural ingredients.(Which all do some sort of irreparable damage to the body/mind.) Remember, the Romans first used salt baths to try to “calm”/ “cure” the mentally ill, and marijuana has been around and used in many societies successfully for thousands of years. It was here before we were, and I cannot help but believe it was created for a reason.
(And by this I do not infer to illegal means.)-(Granted, Freud and his experimentations with cocaine were not exactly helpful in the end!)
Good luck to you and yours, and never give up the fight!!!
God Bless!
Sincerely,
paul~`
I done the wacky weed thing and I have bipolar. It sent me into a seizure, the type with lots of dejavu. It was awful. I don’t suggest him doing that anymore. I know it feels good and calms him down some .. it does me too, but you are right, the two don’t mix. Good luck to both of you!!
I have bipolar and can see the reasoning in why the wacky weed is so attractive. Besides the fact that most bipolar people have addictive/compulsive personalities, we all what our peace. I am talking about shutting down those voices who talk to you wheather you are in a cyle or not.
Sometimes what I wouldn’t give for all the noise & confusion to stop to have peace, it is so very rare. And yes some of us may seek that peace in the wrong or harmful way. I am sorry this causes such concern and pain.
Being bipolar is a long a hard road to understanding and atabalization, if we even get there. Please just be as kind and understanding you would want us to be if the situation were reversed.
Thanks, Leslie
this was in the news…
Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Smoking pot can have antidepressant effect at low doses: study
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 | 9:43 AM ET
The Canadian Press
A component of cannabis in small doses can act as a powerful antidepressant, but too much of the drug can cause the polar opposite effect, finds a study released Wednesday.
The study, published in the Oct. 24 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, was conducted jointly by McGill University and a research institute affiliated with the University of Montreal.
It finds that a form of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis or marijuana, increased serotonin levels in the brains of laboratory rats when given in low doses. The depletion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls moods, leads to depression and in some cases psychosis.
Anti-depression medications work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain.
However, when the doses were increased in the rats, the effect was described as completely reversed.
McGill researcher Francis Bambico said the study seems to support anecdotal evidence that human smokers of marijuana experience positive effects, but they also experience unwanted effects like anxiety and agitation.
Hello. I am a 20 yr.old with bipolar 1. I have no idea about the effects of marijuana on bipolar people, but I have quite a bit of expirience with caffiene.
Moderate amounts (like 2 cups of coffee) can have strong effects on me when I’m manic, or especially in a mixed state. It kicks up my already high energy level, often making it harder for me to sit still, giving me the shakes, or even increasing my risk for panic attacks. Drinking coke black when I was hypomanic was QUITE an expirience. My doc has told me to cut out coffee and only have one cup of tea or soda a day, but that’s partly because of the med I’m on. Your brother is probably addicted to caffiene by now, so I’m not sure how that would affect his reaction to caffiene. This is definitely a good question for his doc, though.
In my limited expirience with alcohol, I find it only slows me down unless I’m very manic. Then I’ll be bouncing off the walls (or rolling on the floor…). When depressed, it only konks me out. But drunk personalities vary widely in people who DON’T have mental disorders, so it’s no surprise that we’re different.
You should try to convince your brother to get some help for his drug problem. Filming him while he’s high might not be a bad idea.
I can totally relate to everything you said and while I’m sorry you have to experience the same horrible things that I do I’m glad I’m not the only one. You see, my husband is bipolar and he self medicates on a regular basis. Abilify was the miracle drug that gave me back my husband for a few months but at $400 for a 30 day supply we had to find other treatments. I read that vitamins and minerals help and in some cases cure bipolar people so he began taking them. It works wonders until he drinks or smokes and then all hell breaks loose. I’ve tried talking to him about it but he says it’s not him it’s me…that because I don’t believe in drug or alcohol use I’m just telling him that to get him to stop. I was starting to think maybe it was just me, that maybe something I was doing was causing his behavior. I got online today to try and find evidence that marijuana, alcohol and bipolars don’t mix so I can show it to him and try to convince him yet again that he needs to lay them down. That’s how I found your post and found that it’s not just me…someone else has experienced it as well.
I try not to get mad at him. I tell myself he has this horrible disease and he can’t help his behavior but then I think wait a minute…he is choosing to smoke and drink. Those are the things that trigger his awful behavior. So he can help it. I’m just so frustrated. I know that he does it to find relief from what is going on in his head but he’s doing it at the expense of me and our boys. I don’t know what to say to make him stop. If someone told me that something I was doing was hurting the ones I love the most in this world I would immediately stop but this disease is selfish and I don’t know how to get through to him.
Anyway, I’m sorry for my rambling. I just wanted to thank you for your post and let you know that I will keep you and your brother in my prayers.
Thank you so much for the comment. I am with you on this one and know that your Husband is not intentionally trying to hurt you, and I know you know that. The crazy thing is that he and my brothers do not really know how they are acting when they are self-medicated. They are not in the right frame of mind to know these things and we cannot hold their behavior against them.
The bottom line is… this disease is very painful and emotionally draining to the loved ones.. We are in what is known as the splatter zone and the more they abuse drugs or alcohol the more we get splattered. It really is not their fault thought because they are looking to fill the void in their brain which is caused by the chemical imbalance. Please stay patient and love your husband more than you have loved anyone in your life. The more you love him when he is in this mode, the more he will respect your dedication to his well being. RESPECT is the KEY to HIM getting help! That may not make sense right now, but trust me on that one..
Be Blessed and Merry Christmas. Say hello to your husband on behalf of me and my family and tell him we understand his pain. So many times we tend to forget the sadness that Bipolar people have to live with day in and day out. We only focus on the pain their behavior causes. FOCUS on the GOOD DAYS and know there will be more.
Kindest Regards
Jerry
Hello, I am a wife and a mother of three sons. My sons are ranging in the age of early twenties to late twenties. They have displayed servere behaviors as far as drug usages to committing crimes. They were very hard to manage growing up. Yet, they have very sweet personalities. They had servere mood swings. In and out of Junivile facilities and etc. They are now incarcerated. Their crimes involves shoplifting, Sexual misconducts, to bank robery. I have been married to the same guy for over thirty years and in the past ten to fifteen years have noticed the servere mood swings in him. He had gotten so bad that he had to hospitalized. They are seeing what they believe to be a biopolar disorder. Which would explain the problen in these boys. I am glad to know what has been going on all these years. Now, my question is how to help my boys, because they probabaly inherited this from their dad. They have smoking problems, some digest huge amounts of coffee, and one is not taking anything to cope at all. But before incarsceration, he was into street drugs of all kinds. From marj. to cocain. My husband got to a place he couldnt hold a job down and we lost our home because of his adverse behaviors. He’s a middleaged man and these things did not show up till now. He has even talked of sucide. Can anyone relate. He was hospitalized on yesterday.
Im bipolar and weed makes me feel depressed and paranoid as hell. It sucks since I want to find some way to get away and I guess drugs and alcohol just dont do it for me.
Hi Jerry,
First, props on the youtube video… it really was very touching. I wanted to ask you what you and your family’s reaction was to your brother’s initial diagnosis. Did you know what bipolarism was? Once you educated yourself more on the issue, how did you feel about the situation and about your brother? Did your view of him change in any way? Did you feel like you had ‘lost’ him or that he was now a child that you had to protect/pity/protect from pity? Do you feel like he is no longer the person you knew? Do you feel like giving into a bipolar diagnosis meant that your brother now had a broken spirit? What was your brother’s reaction to the diagnosis and what is his reaction now? I ask these questions because I am bipolar and my family and I had a very strong reaction to the whole thing. Also, I would be rerally interested in knowing more about your book and how far along you have come. Thanks so much!
I have a spouse with Bipolar disorder - you are NOT alone - i see major changes in his bipolar when he drinks hard liquor - beer seems to be fine - but the hard stuff brings out “something realy eerie” in his behavior - Its so hard because we have to sit back and watch the self destruction when they refuse to get help. I have been working on getting him help - as he is in complete denial and always has been. I remain positive though - Its a slow process but I will continue to fight on…………..
the effects of marijuana weed is not as harmful as the legal ones the kids get their hands on its up t the person that takes the drug, if you dont know what ya doing then any type of stimulant would be dangerous in your hand.
i hate to admit this, but i’m 55 and was just charged with shoplifting. i don’t know why i did it. i’m so nervous. i have court this thursday. does anyone have any advise for me. thanks
I don’t know if I am adding anything here, but my husband is Bipolar, and when he smokes marijuana, it is a hideous thing to be around him.He is mean, cruel and verbally abusive, and he impulzse spends like you woulod not believe. Last week it was $1000.00 at a Home Improvement store. We can hardly afford this, and this happens on a regular basis. I have had to put off eye exams and dental work, much needed, because of his impulsive spending . I used to have compassion for him, but my ‘compassion capacity’ is running about a quart low, if you know what I mean.Life with him can be pure hell.He will not listen to anything I say, and I am seriously thinking of calling his psychitrist, and telling him that my husband uses marijuana and that he drinks as well.I am at my wits end. Any ideas anyone?We have been married for 43 years now. I am very ill, and before I was ill, he was much eaier to tolerate, but now, it is becoming just too much.Should I call his Dr., or should I just leave ???
You love him right?
ALWAYS remember your HUSBAND has BiPolar and he is only trying to fill the void that the BiPolar robs him off… He needs you, and yes I know it is very painful..
What do I do when my brother falters and smokes weed?
I CALL HIS DOCTOR.. Because I love and care about him..
Let me know how things work out..
ON YOUR SIDE
Jerry
hello am a 23 yr old women with bipolar2 and i find it very hard to cope with it i hate it i wish i never had it at some points i blame my mother who i shouldnt as she had no contole over this. i am also a smoker with bipolar and i am trying very hard to stop i have cut down lots as its taring my bf and i apart and my life i hate it i wish weed was not around, for my sake and the ones with bipolar it sucks, my mood the next day are bad am not in the right state of mind at all and i to can relate to ur brother i know excailly what he is going threw his head and u as i have to sit there and watch my bf go threw the pain he did not cause , sometimes i just wanna rip him apart for no reason and i have no contole over my moods swings althou am on my meds. i dont think they are helping me but i guess thats what they are there for, i didnt take my meds for 5 yrs as i found out i was having a baby and had to stop but am back on them and smoking the wacky weed so to me theres no ponit in taken them if all am gonna do is smoke that stuff. but am trying sooo hard and its hard i must admit theres place for me but i feel i can stop if it wasnt around me. lots of my friends smoke it and my bf too as he has stop pretty much for my sake and his, so i find it hard, but i kinda belive in my self and once i have tottaly belive in my self i can stop. my moods are never happy am up and down like a yoyo and i hate it i wish i could take a part of my brain out and live life normally like the ppl i see on the street. and am very irratated and lash out at ppl mostly my bf see this side of me cuz he has been around me for 3 yrs and dealing with this we also have broken up due to my bipolar and it sucks . am also a.d.h.d and i dont sleep some day i can be a wake for 48 hours and some days i can sleep a full 48 hours it very hard woundering what mood u’ll be in when u do wake up, i never know what i want i spend money crazy the min i get it its gone and it also sucks, one min am happy the next min my mind is racing like speed car trying to win a race, it never stops and it drives me crazy some day i feel like ending my life so i dont have to deal with this stupied disorder i have to other sisters and none of them have it it just not fair i feel like am the only one with it and now i have red this post and am kinda glade i did, so i can also relate to alot of u its very hard and it sucks. but u just gotta deal with it .. thank for reading ,,
sonia..
Jerry, I am sorry for not saying Thank You for commenting on my post here sooner. Today is an exact rerun of wht I typed before.Ready to go run errands just like I posted before, and he is high as a kite from weed. I did not cll his Dr’, as did talk with him, I mentioned calling the Dr., and he said he would not do this again, and I’ll be damned, he did !! For us, going on errands means an hours drive from our home, we live in a rurual area with just a small town, so these ‘errands’ are very important. I dont even want to go now, and he is refusing to put it off for tomorrow, when he is not high. He is SO manic, I cannot stand it. I am literlally sick at my stomach with nerves. I DONT WANT to go with this ‘person’ when he is like this, yet he needs to be looked after, or he will spend all of our money.This is a pattern with him.I am also angry at myself, for NOT calling his Dr.I may end up leaving him. I am feeling that I have no choice in the matter.It is my health versus his insanity with his manic behavior. I SHOULD have listened to you. Thanks for letting me rant.I cannot take much more, and I kn ow that he will continue to behave like this. Call to the Dr. or not !! Damn, this is just not right, or fair to me. Thanks for listening,once again.ps, I have cardiomyopathy(congestive heart failure ) and I am just to sick to handle this any more.:-(
PS. My heart go’s out to everyone who has to go through this, all who have posted here, and to those whom are bipolar, who know what to do and NOT do when you have this disorder. BRAVO to you !
I am bipolar and I smoke weed daily…it makes me less nervous and I think it helps my condition. I don’t get abusive, I get happy. And I take my meds.
First please stop calling it Wacky Weed…sounds like something from the 50’s and definitley indicateds a sense of naivetivity.
It is what it is… marijuana. So that out of the way let me say:
I am Bi-Polar - I have smoked marijuana since my brother intorduced it to me 30 years ago. I was perhaps Bi-Polar before (in the ensuing years) but it never displayed itself other than in ocassional spats of depression that lasted 3-5 days. Smoking has always help calm me and relax me. OF course in the beginning it was the culture and just “getting high” but after I graduated colllege, worked for a very large software company (you all know their name) as a Tech Support Engineer and then a Manager for 13 years I had a total breakdown, went through PTS and ended up on the other side diagnosed as Bu-Polar (and boy am I ever). For a long time after I took so many meds that didn’t work, had horrible side effects and warnings and nothing helped…I’d still rage out of control and then crash into bed for a week copletley depressed, only to repeat the cycle again in a month or two. Thins is that marijuana has been the ONE drug that eases the madness and anxiety and allows me to “be normal”.
If it were legal as it should be I’d smoke it everyday. As it is the stress caused by attemping to obtain usually override the actual event. However when I do use, as an escape mechanisim, it is the most effective drug in the world and suceeds greatly. I’m only saying this becasue I’m not sure it’s the marijuana that casues what you describe as you yourself admit this also happens with other drugs such as alcohol. I think being Bi-Polar is like being a snowflake, each one is different. We all have differnt triggers and we all have different ways of trying to deal with them. Some of us (like me) seem to have it all rolled into one with thousands of triggers and just as many inappropriate responses. I DO know that smoking some good marijuana will instantly relax me, make me retrosoective on how bad I’ve been acting without making me depressed and ultimatley has been the best resource for maintaining my sanity over the past 5 years (when used in moderation). SO i guess my point is that it’s my opinion (and we all have one) that the marijuana itself is just releaseing what’s been building up in your brother like a pressure cooker. Obvioulsy it’s not the right thing for him but please don’t condem the drug itsekf as it helps many, many people. In no position to give advice here but assuming your brother is talking with a psychologist and being open about his usage then it seems there are other underlying issues. Bi-Polar for me has been like an onion as each layer has been pealed away another more stinky layer lies underneath. I would only suggest you first try to get your brother to realize that this sems to trigger him in a bad way (I apologize if you’ve already stated that you tried this…as I’ve just stumbled upon your blog). Of course tyring to be too forceful could cause a fallout so it’s your decision as to if and how you do this. Second it really sounds as if there is something else going on in your brothers head (God knows theres plenty in mine) that causes this “release” when he smokes. Discussion with a GOOD profesional is the key to this …at least it has been for me. Not that I don’t still strugggle daily with the possibilty of going either way seemingly uncontrolably (I know in my mind I have some control) and i lose just as often as i win. but i am open about it with my psychologist and it helps to talk it out and be able to lash out at someone who doesn’t react negativle but only points out how what I just did exlimpifies my issue and then we discuss it. SO what the world am I rambling about…I’m not sure other than don’t blame the drug…some of these perscription drugs are MUCh worse (and I’ve been through them all). I applaud you for having this site. I just totally blew up on my brother last night (because unlike you he doesn’t and isn’t an understanding person when it comes t omental illness…he rather think it’s something that can be cured). I am going to send him to this site (If he’ll go) and perhaps the insight her will help us. SO THNK YOO AND GOOD LUCK! Whatever you do DON’T give up on your brother…he probably needs you more than you know (and I’d bet he knows it too).
PEACE
Dusty
Omg, I know exactly what you are going through. My ex, he was diagnosed with Bipolar II right around the time I was pregnant with our baby. I loved him so much. It has been almost 3 years…and I still love him. But when my ex would smoke pot, he became a raging crazy emotionally abusive, and I am sure physical if I wouldn’t have left, person. It was like I never knew him at all. My life has been turned upside down by the illness. Unfortunatly, our daughter now has to grow up without a father because he thinks weed is the way to cure his bipolar disorder. It has been the worst thing in the world for me to endure. Can you imagine God showing you your soul mate, then taking them away? Now I live with the fear of never finding my true soul mate.
I agree with the wacky weed. Have you ever thought that the reason he acts that way is because at one point he got some weed with something laced in it? The thought crossed my mind with my ex. Because the change was within a day. One day, we were madly in love, the next, he hated me…up and down all the time. I wonder if someone gave him bad pot. Maybe your brother got a hold of the same batch?! I hope you find some strength to get you through this. I know it is not easy. *HUGS*
Hang in there!
My son with ADD and “mood instabibity disorder” becomes verbally and physically abusive when he engages in the “recreational activity.” His so called “friends” know this and continue to engage him. I don’t blame them for his choices. I blame them for their choice to assist my son in his downward spiral. He was just withdrawn from his private school for his senior year due to the uncontrolled rages. He currently has no job, no car, no school and no home. He left with a 3.5 GPA. He is under psychiatric and medical care that is effective when taken as prescribed. As soon as he starts “partying” he goes off his meds, his personal life spins out of control. He is 18 and I am helplessly watching the demise of his promising future. Please pray for us.
Distraught mom
Many of you are inferring that this person’s brother has a drug abuse problem, but he/she specifically stated in his/her writing that he only uses every few months.
I have bipolar disorder, and will occasionally partake in a smoke, yes it makes me feel a little stranger than normal for a few days but when it comes to mood, I’ve felt it all. For some people with bipolar disorder, marijuana is somewhat of a miracle, it gives them the strength to get out of the bed in the morning.
All I’m saying is that just because this person has had a bad experience with bipolar and pot, doesn’t mean everyone will. In fact, many will have the opposite.
Im very srry bout ur brother, but, I dont think its the weed, as I smoke it, an I have bipolar, an I do it cuz its funn(I dont do it cuz I have bipolar or cuz I NEED it, most pplz misunderstand weed, an that its not always a bad thing is using right!), but thats besides the point, I dont get like that at all, an he HAS to b doin sumthin else, cuz weed makes u HUNGRY, not full, an personaly I would say its cuz he doesnt take his meds is y he gets like that, I no if if I didnt take my meds an didnt eat an sleep, I would get very agary, agumeitive, ect.,…, matter of fact weed makes u tired as crap, so my point here is hes got to b doin sumthin else an him not doin his stuff right is making him cycle.
So, I have quit smoking weed recently. I am not diagnosed as bi-polar but I can certainly tell you that I have had depressive episodes the most severe of which is what made it SO clear to me that I had to quit smoking. Now that I can once again think clearly I can look back and see that EVERY depressive episode was like a time delay of smoking weed. I would smoke and 1-3 months later I would become depressed or manic or just have rapid mood swings and feel totally out of control. I would quite literally feel schizophrenic and bi-polar. I’ve quit smoking and started talking to others who have quit smoking and many of them see the same pattern. There is new research coming out now in the field of psychology that shows marijuana as being a possible CAUSE for schizophrenia and Bi-polar. I can also tell you that while I was smoking weed I would defend it PASSIONATELY, there was no way my weed could be the cause (yet it is supposedly not addictive.) My sister who also used to smoke weed says it took her about a year of not smoking before her schizophrenic and bi-polar type symptoms went away. A lot of people I talk to about weed even some who still smoke it but feel they can’t give it up think it has almost a mind of its own. I feel like I gained a lot spiritually and mind opening wise but I’m done because the depression isn’t worth it. I quit smoking about four months ago after my most intensive smoking period and feel into a depression unlike any other before (and at the time i was blaming anything but the weed for the cause of my depression including a relationship i didn’t even want to be in)… after about two months of being horribly depressed I started to feel a little better, I would still have rapid cycling mood swings. I would be ok one hour then down for two or some other such pattern. By this time though I could think clearly enough to know that this was not normal for me… it was like removing a fog that had been placed over my life. It steadily gets better every day and I am confident that as long as I stay off weed I will be able to get back close to what I used to be. I am glad I didn’t smoke intensively for very long because I think weed makes you think that you NEED it to be happy. I used to think that way for sure but never ever thought I was addicted til i stopped using. The worst part is feeling like this reality just doesn’t matter, I lost friends I pushed family away I was irritable and impatient and gave up all my hobbies and my job. None of it mattered anymore because weed showed me the TRUTH of this reality and in that truth everything we do here doesn’t matter in the end except for what we learn and who we love. The latter of which was ironic because on weed I became so insecure I was virtually impossible to love. Who knows maybe the “profound” thoughts I had on weed were enlightening but the fact of the matter is it made me not want to be in this existence but I am here now and not smoking weed lets me enjoy this moment… the here and now. If what people have been telling me is true I have another eight months of much more tolerable hell til I am out of the woods. The worst part is over which is a blessing.
A side note one of the people who convinced me to stop smoking weed describes himself as a former bi-polar. He smoked for about 3 years and was diagnosed as Bi-polar a year into his smoking. He self medicated because he thought it helped and eventually decided to give it up. He says about three years later he felt normal again and hasn’t had a depressive episode since that time period. He claims weed caused his bi-polar. I am tempted to agree with him.