When a Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder
Having someone close to you diagnosed with a mental illness may have been the
last thing you ever expected. Now that it has happened, you may find yourself
consumed with additional responsibilities related to your loved one's special
needs. There may be times when you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to
cope. This is understandable.
When a loved one is diagnosed with a mental disorder, family members sometimes
feel ashamed or guilty. They may believe someone is to blame. In fact, no one
should feel shame or guilt and no one is to blame. Bipolar disorder is thought
to be caused by imbalances in brain chemistry.1
Coming to terms with the fact that bipolar disorder is real and is not going
away can be difficult. Acceptance does not mean giving up on the person you
care about or giving in to the disease. Accepting that your loved one has a
mental illness may mean taking on a new role for that person, for your family,
and for yourself.
There may be many adjustments ahead for you. As you learn about things you can
do to help your loved one, you will also learn what you need to do for yourself
in order to cope and stay strong.
Supporting Your Loved One
The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your
doctor or health care professional about how to manage and treat bipolar
disorder. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like
more information about SEROQUEL, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you
and your doctor can decide if SEROQUEL is right for you.
Important Safety Information About SEROQUEL 
This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full
Prescribing Information with your health care provider.
SEROQUEL is approved for depressive episodes and acute manic episodes in bipolar
disorder; long-term maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder in combination
with lithium or divalproex; and schizophrenia.
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with
reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine
are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). SEROQUEL
is not approved for treating these patients.
Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in
some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting
treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal
thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability.
Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms
immediately to the physician. SEROQUEL is not approved for patients under the
age of 18 years.
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High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with SEROQUEL and medicines
like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family
history of diabetes, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar before
starting SEROQUEL and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop symptoms
of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased
urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be
serious and even life threatening
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A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with SEROQUEL and medicines
like it is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have
very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse,
heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment
should be stopped if you have NMS
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Another serious side effect reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it is
tardive dyskinesia (TD)—uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, or other
parts of the body. TD may become permanent, and the risk of TD is believed to
increase as the length of time on and the amount of these medications increase.
While TD can develop in patients taking low doses for short periods, this is
much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away
partially or completely if treatment is stopped
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Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have high cholesterol or
have a history of, or are at risk for, seizures or a low white blood cell (WBC)
count. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment
and every 6 months thereafter. Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur in
bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about
death or suicide. During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or
lightheaded upon standing. Since drowsiness has been reported with SEROQUEL,
you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery
until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking
SEROQUEL because SEROQUEL increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming
overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL
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Common side effects: The most common side effects are dry mouth, sedation,
drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, sudden drop in
blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, weight gain, sluggishness, high
blood sugar, nasal congestion, abnormal liver tests, and upset stomach
Talk to your doctor about prescription SEROQUEL.
Click here for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the
FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch
or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
REFERENCES:
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Keck PE, Perlis RH, Otto MW, Carpenter D, Ross R, Docherty JP.The Expert
Consensus Guideline Series: Treatment of Bipolar Disorder 2004. A Postgraduate
Medicine Special Report.The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; December
2004.