Patient Stories
In these bipolar disorder stories, adults describe what it is like to live with
bipolar disorder and how SEROQUEL has helped them. You may be able to relate to
these stories based on your experiences.
While these individuals are not representative of every person taking SEROQUEL,
their stories suggest how it may work for some people. We hope that, through
these stories, you will see that you are not alone and that treatment is
available. SEROQUEL is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18,
and is also not approved for the treatment of depression. Please see the Important Safety Information below.
Tim’s Story
25 years old
California
Mindy’s Story
42 years old
Florida
Robert’s Story
52 years old
New Jersey
Tim’s Story
I was a very good student in college—in my first 3 years of college I had a 4.0,
but then I got to my senior year and I didn’t care. All I actually wanted to do
was sit, drink coffee, and watch the sun set because having to do assignments
was causing too much stress. I went to the counseling services for about 6
months or so because of suspected depression. Talking to somebody did help but
I continued to have problems. After I graduated I saw a psychiatrist who
treated me for depression.
It took almost 9 years for me to be diagnosed accurately with bipolar disorder.
My doctor had me take a screening survey; it’s like a check box thing where you
can see if you might have bipolar disorder. I think if I’d had information to
help understand the difference between bipolar disorder and depression earlier
on that would have helped me quite a bit.
When I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I thought, “Hey, this might
be it—really consider it.” For me, it was kind of like a light turning
on. Getting correctly diagnosed has been exceedingly positive, though I have to
admit that there’s still a very bad stigma associated with bipolar disorder.
That was the hardest part for me.
It took some time to get the right treatment for me. My doctor would prescribe
something and give it a full 6-month trial period and not change anything just
to let my body settle, let my brain chemistry settle and then we would
reassess. So 18 months later, my doctor prescribed SEROQUEL and within the
first 2 weeks of starting treatment, I could tell that I was getting positive
results. I did experience some side effects, but I worked with my doctor who
adjusted my dosage.
For me, my biggest problem when I was manic was with money. I would spend money
like crazy. I’m about $15,000–$17,000 in debt right now because of it. Once I
was diagnosed and put on a treatment plan, I was able to make real progress
with my finances. I went through debt consolidation and I’m now operating in
the black.
I feel more engaged and involved at work. For example, over the next 2 years
I’ll manage millions of dollars for my company’s international business
accounts. That’s something I could not handle before.
My social life is better, too. I feel a lot better when I am in crowds. All of
my friends have noticed a difference; I’m not as flakey anymore—I actually will
return phone calls, things like that.
My advice to everybody is: “Learn from me. I have this disorder; I will show
certain symptoms. If you see these symptoms in other people, know how to
recognize them.” I want to make sure nobody else has to deal with
this, and that people get the appropriate treatment they need. Treatment has
put me on a different path. For lack of a better way to say it, I feel more
human: I don’t feel different or like an outcast or like there’s something
wrong. And just that one little feeling has had so many ramifications. Having a
perspective change at such a deep level really has helped with my optimism,
with everything, really.
Please see Important Safety Information about SEROQUEL
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Mindy’s Story
My depressive symptoms really hit home when I was in my 20s. My son was 3 and I
was really overwhelmed and freaking out. I didn't know what to do with this
little kid. And I had what they called back then a “nervous breakdown.” I had
no control over my body. A friend took me to the hospital, and they just gave
me a sedative and sent me home. But that was back when people didn't really
think about bipolar disorder.
I didn’t see a therapist until a few years later and at that time the therapist
said, “Have you ever thought you might be bipolar?” But I was not able
to hear that back then.
Often when I was manic, it was like taking a magical drug, because when I was
high, I could accomplish everything I wanted. I got so much done—the house was
clean, everything was ironed, everything was washed. But there were times
everything was going too fast and I couldn't get anything done. And the
depression—that was just hell. I would stay in bed in the fetal position and
just pray to God that tomorrow would be a better day.
Over the years, I have had 3 suicide attempts and I had my first 30–day stay in
a hospital. That's when I was accurately diagnosed with bipolar disorder and my
physician prescribed SEROQUEL for my bipolar depression. When I was first
diagnosed I was relieved. It was kind of like,“Okay, so now what do we do?”
I was hopeful and relieved when my doctor explained to me that I could live a
more normal life as long as I followed my treatment plan.
My goal is to just have a steady, manageable life. I am engaged to be married
and my fiancé is really my best friend. My family has finally accepted my
illness and it helps that my sister is a psychotherapist. And as far as my
friends go, believe it or not, I have 2 good friends who also have bipolar
disorder. There are a lot more people out there suffering from bipolar disorder
than people know.
Please see Important Safety Information about SEROQUEL
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Robert’s Story
I’m 52 and I live with my friend and his girlfriend. I had been living with my
mother until I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
I was diagnosed with depression at an earlier age. I’d go from an extreme of
being very happy to being very sad. And it seemed that anyone I talked to—from
friends to psychiatrists—didn’t understand what I was telling them. My family
knew there was something wrong with me, but they were in the dark as much as I
was. I went through 10 different doctors and began to think there was no hope.
A couple of years ago I was involved in a car accident and left the scene. I’d
been drinking at the time. I had so many arrests for driving while intoxicated
that this time it meant mandatory time in jail.
While I was in jail, I finally got to sit down with psychiatrists and discuss my
life. Then the doctors consulted with each other, and from talking to me, they
diagnosed me with manic depression, or bipolar disorder.
The funny thing is, I wasn’t angry. I was more relieved that someone had finally
gotten it right. I was so tired of seeing other people happy while I was just
going around mad at myself for something that wasn’t my fault.
Of course I had seen doctors before and they put me on various medicines. When I was accurately diagnosed with bipolar
disorder, my doctor recommended SEROQUEL, and after I started on it, I began to
feel better. I didn’t argue as much with people anymore, and I have been able
to hold down a job now as a truck mechanic.
I even have plans for the future—I want to open my own auto/motorcycle repair
shop. I still see my psychiatrist, and I take my SEROQUEL as prescribed. Even
my family, who didn’t want me around the way I was before, invites me over for
dinners—things are going great.
I think anyone out there who may have bipolar disorder should talk to their
doctors and ask them about bipolar disorder. I know that getting a correct
diagnosis worked for me. I’m just thankful for SEROQUEL.
Please see Important Safety Information about SEROQUEL
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The Thinking Forward Program