Posted by Mitch on September 5, 2001, at 23:56:10
In reply to Hypomania sans depression, posted by Maisy on September 5, 2001, at 8:51:42
> Hello all! My brother has been diagnosed as being hypomanic but the only thing his psychiatrist has done so far is throw large amounts of valium at him, which of course he mixes with alcohol. Here is my question for everyone... what can I do to help my brother gain insight into his condition? His behavior is very destructive and I am afriad it will be the cause of his demise. It seems he has been hypomanic his entire life, or at least as far back as I can remember. He is now in his mid-forties and his behaviour pattern is so engrained it is difficult for him to see that there is any problem. He only went to the psychiatrist under duress and gives the guy lip service. The only change that I can see in his behaviour is that now he has added valium to his list of substances to abuse. I know you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink, but I would like some advice on things I can try to do to help him, at least for myself, so if he does pass on I will feel at ease knowing I did what I could. Any helpful hints will be appreciated.
You say that he only went to the pdoc under duress. Does that mean that he went on his own volition with his family's insistence, or was it a court mandated thing? Either way, what was going on that *specifically* brought him to the attention of a doctor?
You say he was diagnosed as "being hypomanic". Can you clarify? Was it bipolarI, II, or cyclothymic? Was this a diagnosis which was conveyed to you by him or his psychiatrist?
poster:Mitch
thread:77808
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010902/msgs/77926.html