Bipolar in Limerick

limerick bipolar

Hi all, Help please,

My brother had been diagnosed with bipolar for a long time now. like many others he was fine for a long period, he was taking medication etc. He then gave up on medication and guess what... it spiralled. He is now doing well again but we have no support here in Limerick that I know of. The websites are ok but generic. Grow is a bit too religious no offence intended. Aware is good but not specific for bipolar( I could be wrong)

The public health service in is hit and miss.
I am desperately hoping to get him a good G.P. and a good counselling service. I feel he is about to spiral in to a mania. (classic signs becoming apparent)

2.I would love to know other bipolar people who have found stability in their lives and what medication suit them

I am also desperate to find financial support for him. He has no job and I am unsure if his disability allowance is temporary or not. rent is gobbling up every cent.. can he get social housing? he is in his forties and has children.

lukesmom

Hi there is a website here that has information for bi-polar sufferers .

www.headsup.ie

I would encourage him to go back to his gp and maybe get referred for counselling. I'm not sure financially but if he is receiving disability allowance he could apply for council housing. There can be long waiting lists though but he could apply for rent allowance in the meantime. Best of luck, I know aware have a section dedicated to bi-polar on their website also. Have you considered ringing aware and getting information for your brother, I'm sure they would have knowledge about the issues you are concerned about.

Split

Limerick does indeed have a good range of services -

Have you seen SHINE - www.shineonline.ie

Information Helpline: 1890 621 631

Support Group: For people with self-experience of schizophrenia and related mental health difficulties: Shine's Phrenz groups are mutual support and social groups which provide a safe place for people with schizophrenia and related illnesses to speak openly and in confidence about their feelings and about the ups and downs that they may be experiencing in their day to day lives. There is a strong emphasis in the support groups on a positive outlook and approach in dealing with schizophrenia. All Phrenz groups are facilitated.
Phrenz support groups meet weekly in Limerick City, Nenagh and Ennis

For Relatives: Shine's Relatives' Support Groups meet on a monthly basis and provide a confidential place for family members and friends to meet and share their experiences, practical information and support are they key facets of these groups.

Relatives groups meet monthly in Limerick City, Nenagh, Thurles and Ennis

Education Courses: Shine provides a range of support initiatives including one to one information sessions and education courses.

The Family Education Course is designed to help relatives of people with symptoms of schizophrenia and related mental health difficulties, to learn more about the illness and to manage the symptoms and difficulties encountered. The course concentrates on the needs of the relative and promotes self development, self help and coping skills.


Finding YOUR Way is a course for people with self experience of mental ill health and supports the development of a personal understanding of the issues for the individual. It also provides information and coping skills over a six week period.

Also the HSE have day hospitals such as Tevere House (Beside St Camilluses) - GP can refer to same - free of charge

GROW is not as religious as you'd think - they have numerous meetings throughout Limerick city and country . Also their helpline is ok .

Aware also have support groups but only when patient is stabilised.



in relation to benefits - go directly to the community welfare officer for your area- if you let us know area can probably tell you who it is and when they are in . They are best palced to see is the disability for the foreseable future .

Can I also just say please mind yourself as their can be many difficult days .

blatantrereg

Regarding a good GP for this, you might talk to Matt Kiely in Annacotty. I would suggest dealing with him in preference to Willowdale, the psychiatric day hospital for people in Limerick city.

If it has not already been tried, perhaps discuss lithium with doctor/psychiatrist. It might cause side effects and is not an option for everyone, but can be very effective.

Discontinuing meds with bipolar without qualified medical advice is not a good idea. Likely to end up in 5B, which is not a nice place, to put it mildly. The only thing I would write about it here would be that it is the only facility in Limerick at the moment so there is no separation between patients (criminal, acute, non-dangerous etc). They are currently building another wing to facilitate this, so it is next door to a building site. There is only a small outside area. I think this sort of place is only advisable if the patient is at risk of harming themselves or others. Beware that refusing meds during an episode can qualify for this, and can result in involuntary committal.

I don't have bipolar but have been in role of carer for someone with it.

littlemisshobo

Dear O.P,

I think you are doing a great thing, finding ways to help your brother. I have Bipolar Type 1 and was misdiagnosed for years and put on medications that worsened my times of Mental illHealth... I would advise working with a GP with strong expertise in Mental Health Issues. The best way forward is to find a GP your brother can trust so he and be open and honest about his needs and his thoughts. If you can go with him that is a good help so you can communicate to the doctor about what your brother is like out of the depressive or elated phases. I would ask the GP to work on as low a dose as possible to achieve a stable and therapeutic level and also to send him for an assessment at Social Services in Henry Street which provide him free counselling. That is the key--- lowest poss. dose for shortest time poss. but combined with regular therapy. With Bipolar he can and should get Disability Allowance, free travel pass and fuel and electricity discounts as well as rent allowance. The GP should have a file for that; if not you can print one off www.welfare.ie or just give them a call. Citizens Information can talk you through the whole lot before you fill out the forms and they give you the best advice.

On another note when he feels more stabilised he could try Le Ceile for fun group work with others, like art classes, yoga, computers, etc... just things to focus his mind on and help him socialise and get better. If that's too much for him then something simple like a nice walk along the river or in the park can really help clear your mind.

I hope I've said some helpful things... as for the meds... Lithium is the best and safest for Bipolar but it is important to discuss with GP any interactions between medications should he require any of other health reasons and more importantly if he requires any additional Psychiatric meds... best thing I did was know my meds well and know what works well and what doesn't... socialising helps me, and I find it better to be distracted by fun happy things than focus on the negative.... easier said than done at times but music usually gets me back on track!

If you would like any advise about the medications or therapy and other things to help along with the meds, please don't hesitate to ask...

Ailis

limerick bipolar

littlemisshobo wrote: »

Dear O.P,

I think you are doing a great thing, finding ways to help your brother. I have Bipolar Type 1 and was misdiagnosed for years and put on medications that worsened my times of Mental illHealth... I would advise working with a GP with strong expertise in Mental Health Issues. The best way forward is to find a GP your brother can trust so he and be open and honest about his needs and his thoughts. If you can go with him that is a good help so you can communicate to the doctor about what your brother is like out of the depressive or elated phases. I would ask the GP to work on as low a dose as possible to achieve a stable and therapeutic level and also to send him for an assessment at Social Services in Henry Street which provide him free counselling. That is the key--- lowest poss. dose for shortest time poss. but combined with regular therapy. With Bipolar he can and should get Disability Allowance, free travel pass and fuel and electricity discounts as well as rent allowance. The GP should have a file for that; if not you can print one off www.welfare.ie or just give them a call. Citizens Information can talk you through the whole lot before you fill out the forms and they give you the best advice.

On another note when he feels more stabilised he could try Le Ceile for fun group work with others, like art classes, yoga, computers, etc... just things to focus his mind on and help him socialise and get better. If that's too much for him then something simple like a nice walk along the river or in the park can really help clear your mind.

I hope I've said some helpful things... as for the meds... Lithium is the best and safest for Bipolar but it is important to discuss with GP any interactions between medications should he require any of other health reasons and more importantly if he requires any additional Psychiatric meds... best thing I did was know my meds well and know what works well and what doesn't... socialising helps me, and I find it better to be distracted by fun happy things than focus on the negative.... easier said than done at times but music usually gets me back on track!

If you would like any advise about the medications or therapy and other things to help along with the meds, please don't hesitate to ask...

Ailis

Thank you so so much. He is on litheum and dormitol. He stopped dormitol recently of his own accord. He became v. Energetic and hard to talk to. We begged him to take it again. He says he is. Too soon to know. We are waiting for dr to send his referal letter to a dr corby rhat comes recommended. Willow dale and 5b have not been good.

littlemisshobo

limerick bipolar wrote: »

Thank you so so much. He is on litheum and dormitol. He stopped dormitol recently of his own accord. He became v. Energetic and hard to talk to. We begged him to take it again. He says he is. Too soon to know. We are waiting for dr to send his referal letter to a dr corby rhat comes recommended. Willow dale and 5b have not been good.

How is your brother doing?

I've been struggling to find any support groups and thinking of checking out Le Chéile for activity groups and things to do.

The lithium has been good for me but unfortunately I've hit a point where it's made me feel flat and very low in energy so my psych might try me on a different med soon.

hope your brother is doing well.

limerick bipolar

I just want to Thank you all for giving me your personal experience and advice.
Currently he is in 5b involuntarily as he was very very manic /high and smoking hash.

We were getting nowhere and we had to do a lot of research into his rights and enquire as to a careplan before they discharge him before he is ready. At present he has stabilized well actually nosedived and crashed into a very depressed state. While this is favorable to his High state, he is still not near ready for complete discharge
we are fearful for his safety.
His new meds are better in that he has agreed to take weekly injections therefore reducing the chance of non-compliance. WE want to get him stable but do not know where to go next.
If he gets discharged next week he is homeless*, we do not know where we can find accommodation and treatment for him in limerick.
has anyone any ideas as to what to do in order to best look after somebody that is just "crashed" after been high . ?this is all in terms of bipolar. IS there any therapy centre in limerick? can and should 5 b discharge him in this vulnerable state?
* he lost his home during his last elated stage. We are trying to work something out but we are clueless as to the best course of action... This is all in Limerick BTW.

blatantrereg

You can talk to a social worker in 5B about what options are available. Ask to talk to his psychiatrist about your concerns about his psychiatric condition. There are also peer advocates whom you can talk to if you are not happy with decisions by the psychiatrist etc.
I know some patients stay in hostels after being discharged. I wouldn't think that's ideal if he's given to substance abuse. They are monitored and obviously don't allow it, but it's not foolproof and illegal drugs can circulate there. It would be preferable for him to stay with someone he knows I would think.
His clinic might offer some sort of group support sessions. Also look up Le Chéile. Otherwise therapy is difficult to get unless you can afford to go private. Very long waiting lists for CBT. Pieta House generally will only take on suicide risks. Other free services might say they cannot offer appropriate services because of his condition.

sandra aird

HI ONLY NEW TO ALL THIS. IF YOU HAVENT FOUND ANY GROUPS I KNOW A BIPOLAR SPECIFIC SUPPORT GROUP IN TULLAMORE CO OFFALY AND ONE PENDING IN CLONMEL CO TIPP. AL LAST!