Forgetting hard times with OCD

[Guest guest]

It might be worth videotaping her at her worst, and play it back when she's in denial.

Judy

Re: Forgetting hard times with OCD

My sister with bipolar can't remember ANYTHING about her severe depression cycles. It's as if she gets amnesia!!! This is the HARDEST part of her disorder! When she comes out of it, she has NO memory of the severe paranoia, psychosis, anxiety, and the other odd behavior. She doesn't remember ANY of it. I've sometimes thought this was a coping mechanism because her lows are so severe, recalling them would be too painful. However, it's the worst part of her disorder because a few months later, she'll think she's FINE (and won't recall her lows), so she stops taking her meds. *sigh* She's in this cycle again. Honestly, I don't know if I can cope with another one of her severe depression attacks. I'm so worried!!! I see all the signs of pre-mania. She'll be manic by Thanksgiving, going on shopping sprees EVERY SINGLE DAY till Xmas, then..... she'll hit a HUGE low in Jan Feb-- and by March, she'll be a complete ZOMBIE. She's been doing this for 10 years (while unmedicated). When she takes her medication, her year is STABLE and BALANCED. But, if *I* can remember her patterns, I don't understand how she can 'forget' them, but right now, she's saying "I don't have bipolar and I'm getting off the Lithium!!!" OMG! Lithium has saved her life!! I can't understand it!! It's totally mind boggling how she can think she doesn't have bipolar. But, if your brain can't recall the WORST part of it, I guess she truly feels that she's ok. I'm getting my video camera ready. I swear, if she stops taking her meds (and she usually does around this time of year) she'll hit a bad low just after Xmas. I'm going to capture it ALL on tape so that she can SEE herself!! But, I can't BEAR the thought of her going through that again. I'll do everything within my power to keep her on her medication!!!So far, (10-ocd) hasn't demonstrated any signs of this 'mental forgetfulness' (or severe denial) -- he remembers all of it, thank God.Joni