I don't know much about bipolar, but I really need to help my girlfriend. I'm asking help from those who have experience on how to deal with manic-depressive people. Any kind of help is appreciated.

I myself had an episode of major depression in last April and had to get medication for that, but right now I'm feeling so much better and know exactly what I need to do in order to avoid another episode. I would like my girlfriend to realize the same things as well. I know bipolar patients can be a little bit sensitive about advice, so does anybody have any idea how to make my girlfriend understand? For example, I have started exercising, going out on walks, and I have asked for her to accompany me, but she says she knows what works for her, so I've left her at that. But I'm concerned about her health... She eats for sorrow and it just isn't good.

Currently she's in hospital under supervision because she hasn't found a drug that would work for her and the doctors have to try something else. Lithium and Abilify were messing with her thyroid, and Abilify also made her mouth pout. She had to check in the other day because the medication triggered her to cut. She didn't cut that time but she did a few days before that, telling me that those were cat scratches (living with 7 lively cats, you can't avoid cat scratches). From her eyes I saw she was lying, but thought something would happen if I mentioned that. It's like I have to be on my toes all the time, because I never know what's going to upset her.

She stays inside 24/7 for days, and won't go out with me, because she's afraid of people. Not as much as a couple of months ago, though. Her world is distorted because she spends so much time online. I'm not saying that Internet itself is that bad, but she gets emotionally involved and thinks that Internet is the only life she can have. (I don't know how to explain this, so I hope you understand at least something what I'm trying to say.) Also, she relies on her mother a lot. She's 18 and she can't really take care of her own papers, etc. I'm not trying to come between her and her mother, but eventually she will have to deal with these things herself. Her case isn't all that hopeless, but enough to make me concerned.

How could I make her realize that there's a big world out there, where not everybody wants to make her feel like s**t (like couple of people she has met online)? How can I make her understand that excessive eating and lack of exercise are making her feel more and more miserable, and that she needs to start taking care of herself? I was able to get myself up from this same vicious circle on my own, and I want the same for her. I want her to take her time, no pressure from me.

Please, I need your help people

First if she is in a hosptial a safe enviroment the dr's can work it out. If she is cutting she may have whats called borderline personality too. She must mention this. Since I have both seroqual helped alot over the years as it can stabilize both bipolar and bpd rage or dissosciation (pardon my spelling). She may want to check into therapy as meds alone wont help the 2nd condition. I took some intensive therapy on PTSD and BPD she needs to learn coping skills. Do you have DBT therapy in your area. I highly suggest that as it helped me to cope, stop self injury, etc....I feel her pain I have been through it for years. I dont have much experience with abilify but I had some in the hospital and I didnt care for it personally made me wired??

Let the dr's handle her meds (but again do your own research too cause some doc's JMO are ignorant to meds not all but some) know what your taking, learn about the disorders. Get assistance from govt help if you dont have money. Sounds like she needs a few things. Let the dr's give her a try but she must trust her body along with taking meds dr's need to give appropriate test like thyroid. Lithium didnt do squat for me but make me tremble. Lithium is used in Manic depressive I mostly if she is mixed type or bipolar 2 usually they need to experiment a little more she may need an antidepressant (or not dr's descretion) plus mood stabilizer, plus something to help with Self injury. There is a forum i think just on that topic too.

Hope this helps some. Just stand by her, watch her, keep dr appts, keep them imformed, listen to your body (her) and watch for the signs, keep in contact with a good psyciatrist. test them out not all are the same till you find one you are comfortable with. Until then the hospital might be the best choice as they can give her a start while keeeping her safe at the same time..

Hi and Welcome to DF zazrda

The hospital is probably the best place for her right now and the doctors will be able to help her. Counseling/therapy and for you both as a couple and individually may help you both to understand.
Bipolar can be a little different from normal depression. From your post it sounds as if she has more depressive states than mania states.
You can help her by just being there and reading as much as you can, talking to her doctors. Also print out things and give them too her. She probably feels very misunderstood.

I also wanted to say that she is lucky to have someone like you.
Trace