Looking for Awesome Bipolar MFP Friends!

First off, BP II did not cause you to gain weight........eating too much and not exercising caused you to gain weight. I deal with 1000s of individuals who are mentally ill and they have many ways to cope some would say what you did was coping. Comfort eating is the worse thing you can do and each individual that uses this type of coping tends to say they have no control. Wrong.. I see it as an excuse to eat too much, and I know I was heavier than most people on this site at one time in my life.

I believe in responsibility and accountability in treatment as well as everyday life. Also, if your meds are causing adverse side effects you need to have them reevaluated by a psychiatrist. Again, I understand where you at but don't place your weight gain on a diagnosis.


Signed, Therapist, Psychologist, QMHP, and counselor.

Wow I'm glad you're not my psychologist. Every heard of empathy or even listening to what people actually say?

This is just such an unsupportive response I can't just ignore it.

(a) totally unhelpful response

(b) if you actually read the post the OP never said the bipolar caused her weight gain

(c) nor did she mention comfort eating

(d) she never said she had no control, in fact is demonstrating the opposite

(e) meds often lead to weight gain; it is generally a trade-off between this and severe mental health problems - as she stated her psychiatrist knows about the weight gain already and wants to keep the meds the same, so no it doesn't mean she needs to change them if her mental health is good

(f) why are you recommending she change her meds when you just said it has nothing to do with weight gain and she can take control over it...

I don't need to go on. You call yourself a psychologist yet you have no empathy, understanding or listening skills as far as I can see.

I wonder why you felt the need to list four things at the end of your post that essentially mean the same thing. I'm really wondering if you have any experience or qualifications at all or are just a random troll.

Finally, I would like to see you take lithium and quetiapine, deal with mental health issues and not gain any weight.

OP, hi there, sorry I couldn't just let that slide. Good for you for taking control, I'm so glad things are going well for you mentally, and well done on the weight loss so far! Have added you

First off, BP II did not cause you to gain weight........eating too much and not exercising caused you to gain weight. I deal with 1000s of individuals who are mentally ill and they have many ways to cope some would say what you did was coping. Comfort eating is the worse thing you can do and each individual that uses this type of coping tends to say they have no control. Wrong.. I see it as an excuse to eat too much, and I know I was heavier than most people on this site at one time in my life.

I believe in responsibility and accountability in treatment as well as everyday life. Also, if your meds are causing adverse side effects you need to have them reevaluated by a psychiatrist. Again, I understand where you at but don't place your weight gain on a diagnosis.


Signed, Therapist, Psychologist, QMHP, and counselor.

Considering you have no knowledge of this person's medical or treatment history, it seems inappropriate to make specific suggestions. You may have worked with thousands of people who are struggling with mental health issues, but your response is filled with "I" and that says a lot about how you approach treatment.

OP:
It is awesome that you have found a treatment approach that is working for you. Many times people will gain weight with the addition of meds because they finally start feeling better, but it is great that you are expressing all of your concerns with your treatment team. A healthy mind is an important aspect to a healthy body. I wish you the best.

I also have BP2 and struggle with my weight. That's with the added PCOS, though.
The struggle for me with BP2 is that I did gain a lot of weight when on the various meds they put me on to help with my mental health. I had to get off the Seroquel immediately though, because it made me SO sick!

Lately it's just finding my motivation to get out of bed and get exercising. I have to remind myself daily that excuses don't burn calories.
Also, I'm off all my meds for 6 months now and doing pretty well with handling depression/manic episodes.

Ignore the person earlier to was just being a jerk. I *know* where you're coming from and I know how hard it can be. Keep going!

First off, BP II did not cause you to gain weight........eating too much and not exercising caused you to gain weight. I deal with 1000s of individuals who are mentally ill and they have many ways to cope some would say what you did was coping. Comfort eating is the worse thing you can do and each individual that uses this type of coping tends to say they have no control. Wrong.. I see it as an excuse to eat too much, and I know I was heavier than most people on this site at one time in my life.

I believe in responsibility and accountability in treatment as well as everyday life. Also, if your meds are causing adverse side effects you need to have them reevaluated by a psychiatrist. Again, I understand where you at but don't place your weight gain on a diagnosis.


Signed, Therapist, Psychologist, QMHP, and counselor.

Wow I'm glad you're not my psychologist. Every heard of empathy or even listening to what people actually say?

This is just such an unsupportive response I can't just ignore it.

(a) totally unhelpful response

(b) if you actually read the post the OP never said the bipolar caused her weight gain

(c) nor did she mention comfort eating

(d) she never said she had no control, in fact is demonstrating the opposite

(e) meds often lead to weight gain; it is generally a trade-off between this and severe mental health problems - as she stated her psychiatrist knows about the weight gain already and wants to keep the meds the same, so no it doesn't mean she needs to change them if her mental health is good

(f) why are you recommending she change her meds when you just said it has nothing to do with weight gain and she can take control over it...

I don't need to go on. You call yourself a psychologist yet you have no empathy, understanding or listening skills as far as I can see.

I wonder why you felt the need to list four things at the end of your post that essentially mean the same thing. I'm really wondering if you have any experience or qualifications at all or are just a random troll.

Finally, I would like to see you take lithium and quetiapine, deal with mental health issues and not gain any weight.

OP, hi there, sorry I couldn't just let that slide. Good for you for taking control, I'm so glad things are going well for you mentally, and well done on the weight loss so far! Have added you

well said!!

HI OP! I'm not BP but borderline (which is a lot like BP but with more rapid swings (more or less) and I too struggle with my weight. I've been off my meds for a few years now because I didn't like how they made me feel (though I totally support other people on medications, it just wasn't right for me) and learning more each day on how to deal with my episodes and how to not binge eat to deal with them!

You are more than welcome to add me as a friend, I log almost every day and try my best to be encouraging to everyone!

Also, ignore that first poster, what a jerk! It sounds like someone needs the APA to reevaluate their license.

HI OP! I'm not BP but borderline (which is a lot like BP but with more rapid swings (more or less) and I too struggle with my weight. I've been off my meds for a few years now because I didn't like how they made me feel (though I totally support other people on medications, it just wasn't right for me) and learning more each day on how to deal with my episodes and how to not binge eat to deal with them!

You are more than welcome to add me as a friend, I log almost every day and try my best to be encouraging to everyone!

Also, ignore that first poster, what a jerk! It sounds like someone needs the APA to reevaluate their license.

I'd say this is why he/she keeps their profile set to private..I was curious if they actually were whom they claimed to be and tried searching for their name and status on google and couldn't find anything...who know maybe I entered it wrong.

First off, BP II did not cause you to gain weight........eating too much and not exercising caused you to gain weight. I deal with 1000s of individuals who are mentally ill and they have many ways to cope some would say what you did was coping. Comfort eating is the worse thing you can do and each individual that uses this type of coping tends to say they have no control. Wrong.. I see it as an excuse to eat too much, and I know I was heavier than most people on this site at one time in my life.

I believe in responsibility and accountability in treatment as well as everyday life. Also, if your meds are causing adverse side effects you need to have them reevaluated by a psychiatrist. Again, I understand where you at but don't place your weight gain on a diagnosis.


Signed, Therapist, Psychologist, QMHP, and counselor.

Wow. When did the OP blame her diagnosis? Must be interesting being one of your clients, especially if you're required to read their case notes before the initial consultation :noway: :noway:

Hi BP2BABE

Firstly, really well done for wanting to tackle your weight gain. I'm not bipolar myself, but have been on psych drugs myself for 21 years. I wish I'd tackled my weight gain quickly, but I always assumed I would come off the meds soon enough (my condition of paranoia was started by illegal drug taking, so I hoped it would dissipate once I stopped taking illegal drugs). Unfortunately 21 years later, after a couple of failed attempts to come off the meds, it seems I pretty much need to be on them permanently.

So about 16 months ago I joined MyFitnessPal. Here's some things that have helped me. Hope they are of use to you.

The first thing was realising that the meds made me hungry and so I ate more than I needed to. Up until starting to diet I didn't know whether the meds affected my metabolism too. I'm pretty sure they don't as I have been able to lose weight by eating what MyFitnessPal recommends.

Logging food made me realise that I need far less food than I had been eating previously. However I am basically permanently hungry and I think, as you have spotted yourself, this is the main problem with psychiatric meds (at least, the one I take - Sulpiride).

I have basically trained myself to get used to feeling hungry for much of the day. It's actually quite good for me mentally to be a little bit hungry - after all, lots of people fast when they want to focus their minds.

I fairly quickly found going to bed hungry to be fairly depressing, so I tend to save a lot if my calories for the evening. I appreciate this is really inverted to how people often suggest that one diets, but I just don't like to go to bed hungry and thankfully I have been able to lose weight with this regime.

With regard to tiredness caused by the meds, I've completely cut out both wheat and dairy after seeing a nutritionist and this has massively increased my energy levels. You might want to consider that.

Not sure if any of this helps, but it seems to be working for me. Feel free to choose me as a friend - there's only so much I can say here.

Really well done for wanting to get on top of your weight so soon after going on meds - I wish I had done the same.

All the very best

Greg

I invite you to be on Seroquel and LIthium (I have!) and NOT gain weight.

These are chemicals going into your brain. Although they are needed, they do have these side effects (very common, I may add; a quick Google search that show you that).

Good luck finding patients that will stick with your methods. People go to counselors for help, not to be verbally battered.

Maybe this profession isn't for you.

If anyone would like to add me, I'd be more than happy to oblige. I'm also Bipolar Type II and am struggling with weight loss.

bump

BP1. I've gained a total of ~75lbs since starting medication. I managed to lose 20 last spring but put on 30 in the past year. The constantly hungry thing sucks. Also I work in a bakery which doesn't help haha. I've struggled with mild depression over the last year and that contributed to my overeating and lack of motivation as well. I'm trying to get back on track but it's definitely hard. Anyone feel free to add me if you want.

Hi OP, I'm also Bipolar II. I also gained a lot of weight when I was first diagnosed and was put on Seroquel and Depokote. So much the doctors immediately took me off both because of the weight gain and they made my depression much worse. Also at that time I didn't have the strength or energy to leave my house, let alone worry about eating right and exercising.

I am now on the right meds and have an awesome medical team treating me so be patient while they figure all that out. And exercise will help immensely with your mental health.

Feel free to add me as a friend. I'm very active on the site and interactive with my friends.

If I can lose weight so can you.

First off, BP II did not cause you to gain weight........eating too much and not exercising caused you to gain weight. I deal with 1000s of individuals who are mentally ill and they have many ways to cope some would say what you did was coping. Comfort eating is the worse thing you can do and each individual that uses this type of coping tends to say they have no control. Wrong.. I see it as an excuse to eat too much, and I know I was heavier than most people on this site at one time in my life.

I believe in responsibility and accountability in treatment as well as everyday life. Also, if your meds are causing adverse side effects you need to have them reevaluated by a psychiatrist. Again, I understand where you at but don't place your weight gain on a diagnosis.


Signed, Therapist, Psychologist, QMHP, and counselor.

Wow, just wow.


You have no background information or diagnosis to make any comment, you also have about as much empathy as a barbed wire fence.... I am glad I don't work with you.

Signed, secure forensic mental health unit liaison officer.

Hi guys!. Newbie here and I have Bipolar II Disorder. I was diagnosed on 2011 but formally receiving treatment on July 2012 after almost a month of hospitalization. From that time on I gained 50 lbs (from 120 to 170 lbs, and I stand 5'4).

Although I'm contented with my current mental state the side effects of my meds (Lithium and Seroquel) is making me hungry and sleepy a lot. My doc dont want to change my meds coz of my marked improvement and just decreased the dosage of my Seroquel but still. My case manager enrolled me in a free gym program but the schedule does not fit my availability so I have to do it on my own. It finally hit me this year coz my doctor don't want me to gain more weight and I cant imagine myself obese. I'm so focused on healing my mind first that I tend to forget that mind/body must always be in harmony.

Although I managed to keep the first 10 lbs off since January 2014 IVE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME STAYING ON THIS COURSE. I lost another 10 but gained it all after being on holiday. So I really hope that MFP is able to give the right social media support given my circumstances,

PS. I only accepting and inviting friends with the same page as I am (at the moment)/relatives or friends with Bipolar or anyone with other mental illness struggling with weight loss. But I give way to those with exceptional supportive nature and enthusiastic about their health ;-)

They are not totally sure what I have yet, but it is either bipolar or schizoaffective with generalized anxiety disorder. I have been in the hospital for 2 weeks several times. I am currently on my meds ( lamictal, lexapro, abilify, and antianxiety drugs) and started gaining weight but kicked it in and I have pretty much lost it all. I am not a great friend online but I do like people who share a similar mental struggle. Many of my mental issues are tied to my weight and just being unhealthy and out of shape. I just start feeling so bad about myself for not keeping up with things like the house and everything else and beat myself up about it.