Good there is recognition of bipolar today. 25 years ago family doctors had no clue, so people went untreated. The support group website is good, except it didn't include the most obvious symptoms of manic episodes. Constant talking and excessive spending compulsions, creating lifetime debts, are key symptoms recognizable by others. No amount of talking cures that, but it's good if guidance resources are available and hopefully, put in place during a depression cycle. Having the connection in place can reduce the consequences of later manic episodes. Normally the person doesn't seek help while feeling grandiose.
While environmental depression and chemical depression may look alike, chemical is just one cycle of the other half.

What do you mean by "chemical is just one cycle of the other half"?

Please explain.

Incidentally, psychiatrists have been quite familiar with Bipolar Disorders for well over 25 years.

Cholo, you must learn to read. You say psychs, I said 'family doctors', who for depression hand out some uppers. Even today FAMILY doctors rarely, if ever, get this right. Even today it often takes several cycles for PSYCHS to recognize BI.
Why do you spout on things you know nothing about ? ?
External environment meaning, family died, disease, divorce, etc, people feel depressed, and some talking and pills can help ease until passed.
Not the case with BI - polar....meaning biological, chemical, illness with TWO ( BI ) repeating/rotating cycles. One being extremely high (manic), then extemely low cycle (depressed), followed by exteme high, etc. People tend to get help for depression, not for feelings of grandiosity, often going untreated through cycles... often leaving 'spending spree' debts that can't be covered.

Psychiatrists/mental health professionals have been familiar with Bipolar Disorders for decades.

I don't agree "that it often takes several cycles for PSYCHS TO RECOGNIZE BI". I agree that there are some "FAMILY doctors" who have failed to properly diagnosis bipolar disorders. However, many are willing to seek a professional consultation with a psychiatrist/licensed mental health professionals if they are confused about a specific diagnosis/differential.

My best guess is that fewer and fewer "FAMILY" docs are so quick to "hand out some uppers". What pills are your referring to?

It's not uncommon for individuals who are hypo-manic or in a full blown manic episode to come to the attention of the police. Most police will immediately present in an medical emergency room with the individual whose behavior seems to be out of control. Their concern is often that an individual may be a possible harm to him/herself or to others. If the individuals is determined to be a harm to self or others, they are then transferred to a local psychiatric emergency for a more complete assessment. It takes time to make a proper diagnosis immediately because drugs/alcohol sometimes mimic a clinical diagnosis and cloud the clinical picture.

When a patient is held involuntarily, their is time to observe and to conduct a proper psychiatric evaluation/differential.

Incidentally, I'm quite fluent in English and I read quite well. I do have professional training/licensing in the field of mental health. I'm retired. I'm also an artist.

Jane? I'm sure you have lots of experience I this area. Feel free to contribute.

It is also not uncommon for manics to charm and spin (talk) their way out of most situations including with law enforcement. Less so, as years pass, and cycles become more extreme. Law enforcement is usually not involved in early cycles.
Like I said, it is not easy to find competent professionals regarding bipolar.(many just think they are). All they know and all they've studied they have learned from family members who have lived with it 24 hours/day for years. Plus there are kooks who went into the field for their own needs.

I hope that mental health professionals and pediatricians come to realize that symptoms of bipolar disease can occur as early as the puberty and sometimes even in late childhood. Chemical depression can also occur without the manic episodes, especially if the individual is constantly exposed to stimuli that creates "emotional" depression. The brain's chemistry can "learn" to function that way, when the body continually produces stress inducing chemicals. Not only does society need to continue to recognize these diseases without the stigma, we need to start recognizing, treating and "de"- stigmatizing these in teens, so they can get the help they need.

Support Groups in Pleasanton, CA: Web Link

I found simple notes on calendars, journals even better, by all parties concerned is immensely helpful for future accuracy and understanding. All doctors have is information you can provide.

It must be tough early on with teens, since they already have chemical changes going on. Don't want to be too hasty. Caution and journaling would be prudent.

The possibilities for discussion are endless within this current dialogue... between Cholo and Family member. Taking what I've already read... the Stoneridge Mall appears to be Bi-polar haven at this very moment... mania and depression everywhere. If you are sounding off... to comfort yourselves...you would be providing a service to others... admitting that fact.

There are many individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

What's with the business of viewing others at the Stoneridge Mall as Bipolar?

Who are you referring to as "sounding off"? Admitting what?

pleeeze esplain...

Cholo... you, as an artist...professionally trained/licenced in the mental health field... are curious?... that's one point for you. Your best advice was providing web link...IMHO. Generalizing... that is the problem with this discussion. You don't know s..t!

you mean you doubt that I'm an educated person? was there ever a question? duh...

now esplain...what exactly do you mean by "sounding off"? Admitting what?

you can't can you? i know that it pains you be in a position to hear that I am indeed an accomplished artist/painter and a retired professional therapist...retired...now, pleeeeese esplain why it's so difficult for you accept who I am and what I've accomplished. I'm also a very good guitarist! and, i luv to garden...

tee hee hee, tee hee hee...esplain you-sef...cucaracha

Cholo, you don't take compliments very well. Indeed... you are everything I am not. As a professional therapist... how does that make you feel? What kind of rush are you having... communicating with a person without college? Isn't it true, that overestimating your own power can cripple others? Have you ever been in awe of maybe... what a patient could teach you?..maybe even becoming their student? Anyhow... your web link was your best advice. cucaracha... you remind me, with your humor, of a past Livermore elected official.

Espain what chu mean by "sounding off" and "admitting what? Avoiding the esplanation? hmmmmmmmmm...

I'm a happily retired senior citizen. Without college what?

Cripple others? Pleeeese esplain. Been had lots of lessons working with patients. Taught me lots of stuff! No kidding goo-goo guy!

I've never run for public office...done lots of volunteer work, especially with animal shelters, hospice, and battered women...in my youth.

Now esplain, wha-chu mean by "sounding off" and admitting what?

Why you so angry angry guy/gal cuca?

Angry? You must of worked in prisons... Sorry you can't get closure... really.

It is not constructive to continue dialogue... You have your points of view Cholo. Some very good! You don't have to think your points, I do.

Correction: You must have worked in prisons.

I never worked in a prison. I worked in OP clinics and ER rotations.

happy holidays!

Nope, have a Merry Christmas!

Bipolar

I have been attending this support group for the past 3 years as a regular. I have severe depression and this group has helped me tremendously. The people that attend are regulars that have been attending for several years and then there are ones that are first timers or other's that pop in from time to time. I and many other's are very greatful to the chapter leader (Al), I don't know where we would go. This is a great service he offers the community, I give him much credit for being there every week, and he also runs the Castro Valley group on Friday nights. This is totally voluntarily on his part, he does not receive compensation, this is a peer run support group, free of charge. Thank you very much for offering this group, it is greatly apprciated!

There is also a weekly recovery support group in Livermore for people living with mental illness in which people learn from each others’ experiences, share coping strategies, and offer each other encouragement and understanding.

Meetings are held at the Livermore Multi-Service Center every Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The address is 3311 Pacifice Ave. in the Conference Room. The group is drop-in, no registration required and is free.

Contact Denicia at 925- 273-4939 or Bob at 925-353-0356

It is good there is a group for those in need. I hope resource lists are provided to all. However, for BI-polars no amount of 'talking' with or to can prevent a manic episode from coming on. Hopefully, when that happens, be it 2 months, 6 months, or 10 months, they, or more likely a family member, will know who to see and what to do. You are not likely to see the manic in the group 'during' their high. An absent from group period might mean the BI is busy writing a novel or opera, busy painting, gambling, scamming, doing, doing, spending, spending, or party, party period.
Frequently, it's only the family member who recognizes, unless the person or family are not yet 'aware'. Others might notice periods of extreme talking or grandiose spending. That's where having attended or sought out information can help with coming cycles, different for everybody...maybe mild for several years, more extreme with each cycle. 'Talking' after the fact is too little, too late. Medicine in advance evens out the two extremes of too high, and too low.