I am curious to find out if the symptoms of bi-polar disorder can be somewhat similar to meth and drug abuse. I am allowing my girlfriends cousin to stay with us in our home for the time being. Her behavior is erratic and unpredictable, and I want to get some opinions as to what others think may be the cause.

She has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, and does not seek any medical help or counceling for her issues.

Her behavior clearly swings up and down, and her personality is completely different with each mood swing. When she appears to be manic she:

1. Will only get 2-3 hours of sleep per night for 4-5 days.
2. Will organize, clean, and do other types of activities throughout the night.
3. Is often quiet and seems to be deep in thought.
4. Hardly eats
5. Is always on the move or fidgeting with something.
6. Constantly talking on the phone or chatting online—mostly at night
7. Will create to do lists and other goal types of spreadsheets
8. Will catch up on all of the chores that are neglected when she is down.

When she is in the down cycle she:

1. Will not want to get out of bed or perform any tasks. Just wants to sleep
2. Personal hygiene suffers. She will stay in her robe for days if possible
3. Bad attitude, very argumentative and provoking
4. Will eat constantly. Mainly comfort foods
5. Will not do any chores around the house like dishes or laundry
6. Complains about being bored and just not satisfied with anything.
7. Lack of patience with anything
8. Bad temper and the smallest issues get her going.
9. Gets angry when people question her attitude and claims she is being picked on
10. This type of behavior lasts for up to a week.

I have questioned her about her behavior and actions. I have asked her about why she does not want to seek help and she gets angry by telling me I don’t understand. I even questioned her if she was on drugs because her mood did a complete change within one day. During the weekend, she seemed depressed and then an hour later, she doing 20 different things at once. I don’t know what to think. I know she would never admit to doing drugs, but I don’t want to convince myself she is without proof. I know she did have issues in the past with substances, but has been clean recently. (about a year).

Another thing that confuses me is she left her boyfriend once because she found a substance in his possession. She told him that she looked at that as cheating on her and it will not be tolerated. This happened 4 months ago. Would someone who is using drugs themselves act like this, or can it really be a mental condition??

Well, actually, my father went through the same thing.
He was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder almost two years ago. He was also addicted to pain medication he had been prescribed previously for cancer treatment.
It's always hard to tell what exactly the human body is dealing with. Sometimes the symptoms say things, but mean another.
My advice to you is to confront her about it.
Ask her what is going on.
If she will not give you a straight answer, encourage her to a specific doctor or psychiatrist.
I understand some people don't want help, medical advice & such, from others, but if it's for her best interest, persist to help.
Good luck & god bless.

Hi,
Myself, being not only bi-polar and a recovering drug addict/alcoholic can see this situation from the inside,been there,done that.
From my perspective,my actions were all justified and seemed rational.
If you TRULY WANT TO HELP,get more help from a support group/counseling for yourselves,the stronger your knowledge base of bi-polar/addictions is the more you will be able to cope with this situation,she doesn't see anything wrong with her actions!
Remember,rational thinking and a manic phase are like flowing water to a raging waterfall,
Rational thinking to a depressed phase are your best efforts to help and understand ,ours to run and hide,you might see us as we see ourselves,dark,unacceptable,loathsome people who can offer nothing and only take(reluctantly)

This is a little bit of MY experience in MY bi-polar disorder,Perhaps if you g/f cousin reads some of this she might see a similar account of what life is/or in my case WAS,before medication,acceptance of who and what I am,and the need to be free of the bondage of self.

Hope this helps,
Ken

I am not an expert in the field of mental health,I am in the community for support and give my opinion of things as I see them.

I can hear the frustration, and I feel you. Living with someone who is bi-polar and untreated is not a fun place. I am bi-polar and recovering alcholic/addict, and the symptoms you described sounds exactly like BI-POLAR DISORDER W/RAPID CYCLING. Raped cycling means that her moods swing from one extreme to the other very quickly. Right now she feels very alone, afraid, confused, probably suicidal, and lost. If she doesn't know what is wrong with her, she's never going to believe anyone else can understand. Unfortunantly, it can take years for a person to get the right treatment, therapy, and medication. I applaude your efforts at trying to help her, I know that it is frustrating and I wish that I had someone who knew what bi-polar was, maybe I wouldn't have suffered so long. Her perception is not based in the reality you or I live in, and she can't help it. When she is in the depressive episode is the best time to try and talk to her. Let her know that there are people who know what she is going through, that you don't, but you want to, and that you want to help her. If she agrees to see someone, take her to a psychiatric hospital where she can be stabalized. And get yourself some help, this disorder affects everyone involved, and she is going to need a lot of support to get through this. No one likes to admitt they have a mental defect, would you? Learn all you can, your support, patients, and help just might save her life, as most bi-polar patients left untreated commit suicide. I hope that this has helped, and I pray God gives you the strength to help her.:)

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Originally Posted by rolljeep

I am curious to find out if the symptoms of bi-polar disorder can be somewhat similar to meth and drug abuse. I am allowing my girlfriends cousin to stay with us in our home for the time being. Her behavior is erratic and unpredictable, and I want to get some opinions as to what others think may be the cause.

She has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, and does not seek any medical help or counceling for her issues.

Her behavior clearly swings up and down, and her personality is completely different with each mood swing. When she appears to be manic she:

1. Will only get 2-3 hours of sleep per night for 4-5 days.
2. Will organize, clean, and do other types of activities throughout the night.
3. Is often quiet and seems to be deep in thought.
4. Hardly eats
5. Is always on the move or fidgeting with something.
6. Constantly talking on the phone or chatting online—mostly at night
7. Will create to do lists and other goal types of spreadsheets
8. Will catch up on all of the chores that are neglected when she is down.

When she is in the down cycle she:

1. Will not want to get out of bed or perform any tasks. Just wants to sleep
2. Personal hygiene suffers. She will stay in her robe for days if possible
3. Bad attitude, very argumentative and provoking
4. Will eat constantly. Mainly comfort foods
5. Will not do any chores around the house like dishes or laundry
6. Complains about being bored and just not satisfied with anything.
7. Lack of patience with anything
8. Bad temper and the smallest issues get her going.
9. Gets angry when people question her attitude and claims she is being picked on
10. This type of behavior lasts for up to a week.

I have questioned her about her behavior and actions. I have asked her about why she does not want to seek help and she gets angry by telling me I don’t understand. I even questioned her if she was on drugs because her mood did a complete change within one day. During the weekend, she seemed depressed and then an hour later, she doing 20 different things at once. I don’t know what to think. I know she would never admit to doing drugs, but I don’t want to convince myself she is without proof. I know she did have issues in the past with substances, but has been clean recently. (about a year).

Another thing that confuses me is she left her boyfriend once because she found a substance in his possession. She told him that she looked at that as cheating on her and it will not be tolerated. This happened 4 months ago. Would someone who is using drugs themselves act like this, or can it really be a mental condition??

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Really sounds like she's using drugs and a stimulant like speed meth prescription ADD meds like adderal or coke. As for her bi polar, my Dad was Bi Polar then they called it manic depression, I mention that because it best describes the disease, manic when up high manic he would feel like he could

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sink the japanese navy with his urination.

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gross, but that's from his generation WW11! Also, the down side does not seem closly resembling the depression side. Sounds more like crashing lack of the drug.

It IS a hazy line between bi-polar and drug addiction
And usually
The person is BOTH!
I live surrounded by bi-polar drug addicts
The more drugs they do the more they clean and act irradically
One minute they are ricochet rabbit looking for drugs and the next they are
Sweeping the middle of the street from one end to the other accomplishing nothing more than stirring up dust.
I use to think my ex was impossible to live with because of grouchiness because he was high
Later I realized he was grouchy due to withdraw.