Help

I have just started researching bi-polar disease. My husband and I are wondering if our son may have it. We have three kids, 27, 22, and 20. The 27 and 20 year-old live outside the home and are doing fine. Our 22 year old son, Jason is at home. I will try to make this long story as short as possible. Jason: good student throughout school, was football team quarterback all four years of high school, very successful. Soon after football ended during his senior year, he basically dropped out of school. Found out he had been cutting school. He drank, smoked pot, and smoked cigarettes and didn't seem to have any direction. Didn't graduate in June, but got his diploma during the summer with a friend of the family on "independent study". Tried going to the local Junior College, and tried out for the golf team, just missed making it, stopped going to his classes, dropped out. Still drinking, pot, and cigarettes. Would be passed out when we got home from work. Drank and drove and got in a minor fender-bender and left scene. Spent part of one night in jail to dry out. The closer it got to go to court, the more upset he got. Tried going for a long time to a counselor, no luck. One night he was drunk and we had to call 911 because he was threatening suicide. They took him overnight to mental health. Released him next morning and my husband drove him down to Hollywood my brother's for one week. My brother is a recovered alcoholic for 15 years, and Jason loves him. Dried him out with water, good meals, and long walks and hikes and going to the gym. Went to court, 5 years probation with promise to go to an outpatient recovery. Husband and I went with him to this, and he didn't drink during the recovery, but could not "graduate" from recovery because he had tested positive for marijuana. During recovery he did admit he was an "alcoholic". Did not respond or keep in touch with anyone whom he befriended during recovery. Since then, he tries to quit, goes up and down, doesn't leave the house too much. He DOES work full-time from 6:30 to 2:00 M-F, but when he is home he stays on the couch and watches tv. He sleeps on the couch. When he is depressed he drinks himself into a stupor, says he wants to quit the drinking, then the pot, tries but of course can't. Won't go to AA.
This is way too long, isn't it? Is this someone who is bipolar? Help!

[Gypsygirlmom]

Hi Marge,

I really don't know too much about bipolar as my daughter (13) was just recently diagnosed. And she was attempting to self-medicate herself with pot to control her manic-ness. We had her tested by a psychologist. It certainly sounds like he is going thru depression tho, seems everytime he doesn't have or get what he wants (sports) he gives up, becomes depressed and starts the drinking and drugging. I think if someone has low self-esteem, when they "fail" (in their mind) it can really set you off to feeling worthless. Has he gone to the Dr. for depression? When my daughter was depressed she would spend days in her jammies in bed. Have you considered seeing if he would be willing to go to a psychologist for testing? Sometimes, antidepressants, even just to get over the hump can be a godsend. I copied part of an article to post here. It is from Mayo Clinic :

Signs and Symptoms


Bipolar disorder is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition.

For many people, the manic signs and symptoms include:

Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem
Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity
Poor judgment and recklessness
Difficulty sleeping
Tendency to be easily distracted
Inability to concentrate
Extreme irritability

In the depression phase, signs and symptoms include:

Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness
Disturbances in sleep and appetite
Fatigue and loss of interest in your daily activities
Difficulty in concentrating
Recurring thoughts of suicide

I wish I could be more of a help. I'm sure someone else with more experience will come along shortly.