If You're Bipolar Stay On Your Meds
96Are You a Psychiatrist?
If the answer is "no," then you are categorically unqualified to make the decision to take yourself off your bipolar medications.
And yet, it's very, very common for bipolars to exclaim, "I'm off my meds!!" or "I'm going off my meds!" Interestingly, you rarely hear of patients deciding to simply stop treating their blood pressure, ulcers or asthma.
Hmmm. Think this could be mental illness at work???
Your Brain Is the Patient
How Are You Feeling Right Now?
It's no easy trick to manage the ups and downs of a bipolar brain. The treatment goal is to help you function within a normal range -- not too up, not too down, but just right.
If you're feeling pretty good, pretty balanced, congratulations! That means your meds are working!!! It means your doctor has gotten your cocktail of mood stabilizer/antidepressant/antipsychotic/anti-manic/anti-anxiety just so for your particular symptoms.
Lots of treatment choices
- Bipolar Drug Information
Find information on bipolar disorder medications including seroquel, lamictal, abilify and more.
What Are You Trying to Achieve?
A word about side effects
It's true that some medications come with some rather unpleasant side effects. Some, like Thorazine, are notorious for being pretty hard to swallow.
But with the vast array of meds available today, there's undoubtedly a substitute you'll be better able to tolerate. Talk to your psychiatrist about alternatives.
So, I bet you miss being manic, don't you?
Some patients complain that they miss the energy rush and wild exhilaration of their "high highs" once they're medicated. But I can't say I've heard of anyone nostalgizing the "low lows" of their depressive moods!
More Bipolar Resources
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The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know
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Break the Bipolar Cycle: A Day-by-Day Guide to Living with Bipolar Disorder
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Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder
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The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings
Price: $12.51
List Price: $19.95 |
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Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability
Price: $7.67
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Bipolar Disorder for Dummies
Price: $3.68
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Madness: A Bipolar Life
Price: $3.45
List Price: $14.95 |
What's at Risk if you Self-Medicate?
As a bipolar, your brain suffers from a major chemical imbalance. One way or another, it needs to be rebalanced, it craves to be rebalanced. This is why, without even knowing they're doing it, so many bipolars turn to "self-medicating" with alcohol and drugs. They are naturally obeying their brain's command to please, please stop this roller coaster and give me some peace!
How common is substance abuse in bipolars? According to some sources, 50- 60% of bipolar disorder patients abuse alcohol and drugs at some point during their illness.
If you used alcohol or drugs before you got diagnosed, it's highly likely you will turn back to what "worked" for you in the past. But alcohol and other depressants will only make depressive episodes worse. Cocaine and other stimulants can also produce abnormal mood swings. And withdrawal can produce symptoms of mania or severe depression -- so really, you're going "out of the mental frying pan into the fire" if you give up prescribed drugs and try to medicate yourself.
Think Hard Before You Quit
Assuming your meds are effective, there are two concerns specifically about quitting them.
1. If you're hell bent on experimenting, make sure you read the literature that came with your meds. These are not aspirins we're talking about. They are serious psychotropic drugs. If you're supposed to taper off and you stop abruptly, you risk going into seizures. (And obviously, this would be 1000x worse than any side effect you might be experiencing now.)
2. Once the drugs are out of your system, you're a blank canvass. Getting back on them may not be a simple matter of refilling your old prescriptions. There's a good chance your old scrips won't work. You can become immune to them (at least that's how it was explained to me). Your psychiatrist will have to start all over again -- trial and error with dosages and even drug types. Thus, if you crawl back in, miserable and desperate for relief, you may not get it, at least not right away.
Maybe I'm Cured!
Don't be fooled. Bipolar is a chronic condition. Its symptoms can be managed, and you can live a normal life. But it doesn't go away.
And the best predictor of future behavior is past episodes. As it was explained to me by a psychiatrist, if you've had one depressive episode in the past, you can expect to have more in the future. Same goes for manic episodes.
Try to remember the worst experience you had before you got diagnosed. Did you go on a spending spree that left you in debt? Did you spend two weeks holed up under the covers, unbathed and alone? Did you end up in trouble with the law, or under observation on a 5150 (involuntary psychiatric hold)? Whatever unpleasant memories you can dredge up -- amplify them by at least two. That's what's in store for you if you persist in this plan.
Still not convinced?
I'll share with you a true story of a friend of mine, a bipolar who did exactly what you are contemplating. He didn't feel anything unusual so thought he'd made the right decision. Until about three weeks later. Out of the blue he decided it would be a good idea to kill himself. He set out to drink himself to death (after being sober for three years). Luckily, he didn't succeed. The cops found him on the side of the road puking his guts out next to his car. He lost his license for a year. But he gained an important lesson -- and a new respect -- for bipolar disease.
Feed Your Head
Bipolar Disorder Resources
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Improving the Lives of People Living with Mood Disorders
- Bipolar.com - Home
Bipolar disorder support and information brought to you by GlaxoSmithKline. - www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-publication.shtml
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Comments
Thanks for sharing your personal experience, CJ. I am glad you have a cocktail that does work for you. Not sure where you live, but here in Sacramento you can get your drugs through county health. That case study example I mentioned -- did exactly that. Worth checking out. NOT a good idea to go off what works -- for any reason! Good luck with keeping your brain chemistry just where it is so you can keep up the great hubs!
Wow -- interesting stuff, MM. How many times have we read about people who have committed horrible things because they'd decided to go off their meds? Great hub. I learned a lot.
People with bipolar disorder should seek professional advice and not self medicate. I am glad you made that important point.
Thanks, Sweetie Pie. I wish it were that simple for many bipolars. Often the self-medicating long precedes getting diagnosed. And that's a pattern that can be very difficult to break, especially when your meds make you feel "blah" or "zombie-like" instead of "wheee alive."
You make some very interesting points!
I have been not happy becuase of permanent pain ive had for years! (Ankylosing Spondylitis) and the doctors are always trying to palm me off with these pills which i would never take! Thats my decision and i would not recommend others to follow my advice! I hate pills and any unnatural drug! simple!..they advise me to see a psychatrist but i have too much pride and would be too embarrsaed to see one as there is still so much stigmatism surrounding having this disease and i would not like to be seen in any of those establishments!! I am very head strong and have and deal with this alone!
I beleive, if you take pills to help the brain function, your brain loses its natural defence mechanisms that help prevent or reduce the depression and depression is a word i refuse to use!
I hear soo many reports that say people who take pills feel much better, even in tests when they were using dummie pills! (The placebo effect) or other stories relating to anti-depressants which were not good stories which make me glad i have never subscribed to these pills to the point of severe...
Im so glad to hear our friend did not kill himself!...My first love and very dear friend hanged herself from a tree because she was in a serious state of depression and other mental problems which did not help nor the pills or quacks she saw helped her!
Hi Compu-Smart!!!
You raise some very interesting points about the sanctity of the body and brain. There is a difference between situational depression and clinical depression. If you can imagine going through life -- every day, every night -- in a state of dark gray and simply not caring if you live or die -- that's depression. It is AWFUL.
You also raised a good point about the quality of the care we get. First off, I do not agree with the number of GPs who are prescribing antidepresssants like candy. I had more than my share of untrained doctors trying the latest on me and not knowing what they were doing (and me not having the wherewithal to advocate for myself). Successful treatment of any mental illness rests of a good psychiatrist -- that is an MD who is trained in the functions of the brain. That can be a true godsend.
P.S. So sorry to hear about your loss. It is a very real possibility with depression and with self-medication.
Hi Compu-Serve.
You raise some very interesting points about the sanctity of the body and brain. There is a difference between situational depression and clinical depression. If you can imagine going through life -- every day, every night -- in a state of dark gray and simply not caring if you live or die -- that's depression. It is AWFUL.
You also raised a good point about the quality of the care we get. First off, I do not agree with the number of GPs who are prescribing antidepresssants like candy. I had more than my share of untrained doctors trying the latest on me and not knowing what they were doing (and me not having the wherewithal to advocate for myself). Successful treatment of any mental illness rests of a good psychiatrist -- that is an MD who is trained in the functions of the brain. That can be a true godsend.
P.S. So sorry to hear about your loss. It is a very real possibility with depression and with self-medication.
Hi Compu-Serve.
You raise some very interesting points about the sanctity of the body and brain. There is a difference between situational depression and clinical depression. If you can imagine going through life -- every day, every night -- in a state of dark gray and simply not caring if you live or die -- that's depression. It is AWFUL.
You also raised a good point about the quality of the care we get. First off, I do not agree with the number of GPs who are prescribing antidepresssants like candy. I had more than my share of untrained doctors trying the latest on me and not knowing what they were doing (and me not having the wherewithal to advocate for myself). Successful treatment of any mental illness rests of a good psychiatrist -- that is an MD who is trained in the functions of the brain. That can be a true godsend.
P.S. So sorry to hear about your loss. It is a very real possibility with depression and with self-medication.
Excellent hub Mighty Mom! I have two members of my immediate family and one other relative who have this terrible condition. One of them goes through periods where I could swear she's not taking her meds as prescribed. It makes it difficult all around.
Jim Henry, aka crashcromwell
Sorry to hear about your family members, Crash (or do you prefer to be called Jim?). It's pretty obvious when bipolars are medicated and when they're not. I hate to generalize -- there are many types of bipolar and some of us are sicker than others. Alas, noncompliance with medical advice is a very common problem with mentally ill patients. Wish I knew how to fix that. Good luck with your family. They are in my prayers.
Hi Mighty Mom
You mentioned a good psychiatrist! that's the key word! good!! just like any professions you have people who just should not be practising and i have no idea how they got employed in these positions in the first place!
I think the problem with Bipolar is much much bigger than we think because if everyone was like me and denied and lied to them self and others to the fact they have it and goes through life pretending im happy or making excuses for locking my self away in a room for months until things subside!
Dear Compu-Smart. Sorry I missed your visit to this hub. I've been away. Biploar IS a huge problem. The hardest part is getting those of us who suffer from it into the proper care environment. It really helps to have an advocate to work through the mental health system. And don't say NO if healthcare providers don't cooperate. I aslo agree that we need the BEST psychiatrists. Not as easy to come by as they should be, alas.
I wish you all the best with your quest. We "bis" gotta stick together!
Excellent hub Mighty Mom, I am so glad you touched upon this important issue. Bipolar can be a devestating illness for both the sufferer and those who care about him or her. While taking medication is integral to staying well, I also think that getting adequate professional support in addition to the psychiatrist - by way of a community nurse, social worker and/or psychological therapist - is an important part of helping a someone with Bipolar stay well. At the very least, it helps improve 'compliance' to medication. Sadly, this kind of support is not offered to every sufferer. Thanks again for a great hub!
Thanks, Nordy. You're right. Compliance is a big problem with bipolars. The therapy is an important component of treatment, you're right. Can help prepare the patient to face triggers that he/she can't even see coming. And also suggest health complements to drug therapy.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I just started on Abilify. Does anyone have any experience with this? I have had no side effects thus far - after 8 days, at least!
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
Professionally speaking, I have seen Abilify do amazing things for some of my clients but everyone is unique of course and there is no way to tell what will work for whom other than by trial-and-error. Are you taking it as an adjunctive to Lithium or Valproate or on its own? In any case, I hope it works well for you and cheers to good mental health!
Hi Nordy, I wrote this hub from a lay perspective and my own experience. I would love to read a hub from a professional's point of view. What factors increase or decrease a person's response to treatment? Which is the "worst" or "least treatable" or "most treatable" form of bipolar? I apologize if you have already written such a hub... But would be so interested and I'm sure others would be also. MM
Hi MM: That would make a great hub - those are all really good questions. It would be hard to narrow it down to only Bipolar as there are so many other factors to take into consideration (i.e. concomitant drug/alcohol use, social network, insight, etc.) for any treatment resistive illness, but I will certainly have a go some time soon and let you know when i publish! I would like to hear more about your experience as well; you seem to really have your act together. I think that positive advice from a fellow sufferer can go so much further than a professional's for someone who is actively unwell, though i recognise that professional advice is important too. Keep up the great hubs!
both my mom and my sister r bipolar and they dont always stay on thier meds and i like them better when they dont take their meds they are nicer and funnier and even more funner than with the meds
I'm just recently being exposed to bi-polar. Initially the only person I knew with it, I prayed would stay on them because they could be violent otherwise. Now, I'm meeting more and more people with the condition. One person took herself off the meds and is determined that she is doing fine: though she is driving everyone nuts, getting into other people's posessions, even resorting to taking things that are not hers. She says that she is cured and doesn't need them anymore.
Hi Rgraf, I'm really sorry to hear about the person who took herself off her meds. It's clear from your description that she is NOT "cured" and is NOT doing fine. Sigh. I hope somthing wakes ehr up so she can get the help she needs. Mental illness is nothing to take lightly. The manic phase is what most people recognize as the "dangerous" one, but in my experience, the depression can be equally destructive and crushing. All in all, my philosophy is if you had a heart condition or diabetes or a broken leg, would you for one minute consider diagnosing and treating yourself? Of course not. Get help when you need it. Good luck to your friend. MM
ok i do like your hub i raises some very valid points but they may not be true for all
as i have a seasoinal bi-polar disorder, i can be just as depressing as othersin the winter and hyper in the summer
but after learning that the lack of light was the corse of my winter depression. i changed my lifestyle to take in what little sun England offers which proved to be an affective treatment.
Also i find that when i am down its is the knowledge that that it is my brain at fault not my mind and though that simple knowledge i will improve thats not to say feel happy but at least no longer depressed. the idea has been ingrained into me by my parents that if something is wrong i must solve it and again this dosn't make me happy persay but is a driving force to keep going because i rember the summer high and what i use them for.
in these ways i have avoided the use of drugs for treatment
i do not wish to offend any who suffer with a bipolar disorder only to share my thoughts
next i believe that a bi-polar dissorder can be put to to good use in the high stages as long as you are aware of your cycle for instance i plan events, sort out my finances, make dates for the future when i know i will be down so that i force myself to keep going even if the bed is my only friend
i would high recomend reading "think and grow rich" (no i am not taking the mic)
and i will leave by saying even Winsten Churchill had his black dog and he won a Bl***y war
Hello Lifefood! Thank you for sharing your experience. You raise some excellent points about the power of the mind over the body (of which the brain is a part). It sounds like you have a very, very positive outlook. I also like the idea of harnassing the "high" times during an up cycle to provide momentum during the low cycle. I use my up cycles too -- mostly to get done all the things that got left piled up while I was too blue to do them.
Winston Churchill is one of many great leaders, thinkers and artists who have suffered with the "black dog." Martin Luther King was another one. Here's to imperfect brains and the good they can bring to humanity! MM
Great Hub, I totally agree with you, I was wrongly diagnosed with clinical depression for 17 years until I almost committed suicide in October last year. Now I am receiving the right medication things are getting better every day. I have put a link to the hub iv written about my experiences before getting the right treatment.
Hello and welcome, AnnReys. I am so sorry to hear about your wrong diagnosis. 17 years is a long time to suffer. Glad you are on the right meds now. I know for me a big relief was learning how to not self-medicate anymore.
I will read your hub. Have a few horror stories of my own in that regard. So, so glad to have a positive relationship with a trusted psychiatrist now. And I wish the same for you. Glad you're here. Keep writing. MM
Hello and welcome, AnnReys. I am so sorry to hear about your wrong diagnosis. 17 years is a long time to suffer. Glad you are on the right meds now. I know for me a big relief was learning how to not self-medicate anymore.
I will read your hub. Have a few horror stories of my own in that regard. So, so glad to have a positive relationship with a trusted psychiatrist now. And I wish the same for you. Glad you're here. Keep writing. MM
Somone close to me is bipolar. She suffered terribly, self-medicated and was a real mess. But finally she got a diagnosis and some real help. At first she was prescribed geodon but that was almost worse than the illness. Now she takes lithium and lamictal and that particular combination has helped keep her on track. AA and giving up alcohol has also been essential. Excellent hub, from what I know about the illness from the outside.
Hi Barranca. I love your avatar -- makes me think of "Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening" by Robert Frost. Mostly makes me homesick for "real" winters.
Anyway, I'm sorry to hear you have someone close to you who is bipolar. Your description sounds so very typical. The urge to self-medicate is so strong and so natural -- we don't even know that's what we're doing it. By the time we get real help under the care of a doctor, that imaginary line into alcoholism has been crossed. I've met many, many "dual diagnosis" people who battle both alcoholism and bipolar. Seems they go together like hypertension and diabetes!
Mighty Mom,
I have a dual diagnoses of bipolar and anxiety disorder, not always running together. I just wanted to stat that i am currently unmedicated. However, it is not because i dont want to. I have a safty issue with a spouse. I have awakend from being entangled (in the act). I dont know if i should continue to take the meds that make me sleep heavly enough my body doesnt respond and become alert or stay off them and become that raving person everyone thought was gone.
Any suggestions???
I take Lithum, Lexepro and a sleep med. if not i may get 2-3 hrs a nite.
HELP
UNGLUEDKITTY
Hi Ungluedkitty. My heart goes out to you. Sounds like you are between a rock and a hard place. But something tells me this is not the right combination of drugs for you. I am NOT a psychiatrist so have not business saying what would be better for you. However, Lithium is awfully heavy duty for Bipolar. There are lots of other alternatives. Lexepro may also not be the right pick for depression. And what are you taking for anxiety? Maybe a different mood stabilizer would allow you more balance.
I do hope you will seek out a competent psychiatrist to get you reevaluated for your "cocktail." I know that dual diagnosis is rough, but it is manageable. There is no reason to have to choose between being a sleepy zombie and a raving lunatic. Good luck. And my prayers are with you. MM
Fabulous hub! Blogging this on over to my blog The Healing Waters, thank you! Have you written any about how to get someone to deal with the issue and begin some kind of treatment?
Hey there Denny Lyon -- cool new avatar! Love it! Glad you like the hub. It was written in response to a request. I never thought of writing about bipolar till I saw the request. I will give some thought to how to get someone into treatment. Wish I could say it's a 1 liner hub, but it's not!
Yeah, I hear ya on the one liner hub - so true! Since you both write well and are closely familiar with the issue I thought maybe you would be able to bring some more good thoughts to the table to help family members/good friends who are trying to get their relatives/friends into treatment. It's hard to watch someone suffering so much and unable to function well yet go around thinking they have the world fooled. The reality is that everyone they know is discussing what they can do to help them.
Yes, I have someone in particular in mind right now. I've also been asked this question many times over the years and really wasn't qualified to answer them. I really can identify with the folks who don't want to be walking zombies as many I've known with the issue are very creative and we all know drugs basically kill the creativity. I see a lot of musicians with this issue and over-medicated they would simply not be able to perform - in their minds.
You are a good deep thinker and I know you will gestate this one for awhile. Looking forward to reading your hub on this one when you are ready!
Oh, and thanks for the compliment on the silliest avatar I've put up yet. With a last name Lyon I got called Cat Eyes a lot growing up. Born under the sign of Leo didn't help either. :) Anyway, it's an offbeat humor play (like off off off yet more off Broadway like actors Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman played for ten years before being discovered) on the little kitty lioness. Hear me roar!
Hi again, Denny Lyon. Thanks for the insight into your kitty background! Being one of those Cat People (like the song) I can relate. Except I was born under the sign of Taurus -- no BS :-).
Anyway, back to the issue of getting someone bipolar to get treatment. You raise some really good points. Bipolars often ARE very creative. They also are often substance abusers (trying to self-medicate to make their brains feel more normal). So a back door into treatment could be through an intervention of sorts on the substance use. But maybe they are not abusing drugs or alcohol -- you still need to get them to consent to see a shrink. So many people have negative views of mental health professionals.
I still maintain -- and this could be naive based only on experience with only 1 type of bipolar -- there has GOT to be a medication level that keeps the person from flipping out that they can tolerate AND that doesn't make the person feel like a zombie. I know I was always afraid that I would lose my creativity and it hasn't happened. If anything, I'm a better writer now that I'm not self-medicating and getting the correct medication...
I will do some research on this. Hub to follow... sometime!
She's back... just remembered this interesting hub about bipolar and didn't know if you had seen it, maybe something for your research? It's from Tatjana-Mihaela here at hubpages. The title is "Bipolar disorder and proven natural ways of healing."
So, I'm wondering if introducing some of her ideas might prove helpful as beginning support to help right the brain chemcials that can lead to getting someone to a health professional to do the heavier lifting. I'd be interested in your opinion.
Hi Denny, I've been out of commission a couple of days dealing with "life" stuff. Thank God my own bipolar is on an even keel currently so I'm in productive mode. I read Tatjana's hub -- my goodness, there sure is a lot of stuff in there. I love the idea of natural healing, but don't know if I would honestly know where to start with all the suggestions. Since I don't know the particulars of the person in your life, but you do, I would say SURE! Go for it! If you could identify with activities suggested in Tatjana's hub, or with some of her herbal remedies, it certainly can't hurt to present them to your friend. Sometimes there is a mind over matter effect that can even out his/her moods (notice I didn't say "placebo" effect -- I don't mean that. I mean that when we truly believe in something we are doing good for ourselves, it tends to work.
Having said that, I worry that the person you are referring to is likely suffering from mood swings severe enough that they are deleterious to daily life. As such, they really do require medical attention. Do you think that ruling out a thyroid condition or hormonal imablance would be more palatable than suggesting a vist to a psychiatrist? At least it gets him/her in the door of the doctor and from there, fingers x'd into the appropriate mental health professional's hands.
Once again, I wish you and your friend (or loved one) success. Yours, MM
My experience with depression and medication has been very useful in the sense that I have found through trial and error what works best for me. My experience with psychiatrists has not been very good. It was difficult for me to find one that I had faith in and who didn't look down upon me. My last doctor told me that I wasn't experiencing the severe side effects that I told her I was suffering from. Her theory was based upon a whole bunch of controlled groups of people. Her theory failed to take into consideration one inportant factor: Me. Oh well, I aint here to bash doctors and say how much it sucks to be me. I am here to say that if in fact you are bipolar and especially if there is substance abuse present, your medications could be causing the mania and making it much worse.
A very large percentage of people on meds do not take good care of themselves. Cutting way down on coffee and caffeine is vital if you are on meds. Diet is very important. Walk, exercise, and make sure you have plenty of people that you can talk to for support. Perhaps a 12 step group could help. Your doctor may fill you in on little things like this but you are the one that knows your body best.
I am not a psychiatrist, however if I was, I would be a darn good one!!
Keep the faith
JimmyJames -- How can I not love a hubber with a Mets avatar!? I was a Long Island girl growing up. Seems we have quite a bit in common. I totally hear you on the difficulty of finding a good psychiatrist. It took me a few trials (read: horrible experiences) to find my current one. Also need to know (as you point out) that meds alone will never "solve" the problem. But if our meds are working, at least we remember to take care of ourselves. When our bipolar brains are spinning uncontrolled, who knows what we'll do? Unless you've been on the inside, it's hard to understand how horrible it feels. 12 Step groups are filled with bipolars. And yes, you would make an excellent psychiatrist! MM
I have been vesy well controlad on my Trilaptel now ilost my ins. and i can't afford it and i am back on that awful rollercoster. I am lost aswhat to so
Hi Sachell. So sorry to hear that. Don;t know where you live. But you should be able to go to your County Mental Health office and get them to see you. I have known people who did this and got prescriptions that way. If Trilaptel was working you might be able to order it online (risky -- don't really know what you are getting). If you can somehow get your hands on a prescription you can get it filled for only $4 at Target or Walmart. Good luck. The bipolar rollercoaster is no fun! MM
Amen. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the article:)
Hi Kerry43. The mind of a mentally ill person makes very poor decisions. Going off meds seems to be a common one.
I'm a HUGE proponent of putting your brain in the hands of a qualified and caring MEDICAL professional, e.g., a PSYCHIATRIST (NOT a psychologist or God forbid a primary care physician doling out antidepressants like cough drops).
Thanks for commenting. MM
I am bipolar and at times forget to take my meds. I do not do this on purpose the day just seems to get away from me. When I miss one day of meds I get shaky and very, very hyper. I just can't sit still. I can say I know for a fact how important it is for a bipolar person to stay on thier meds.
Hi RedSonja. You're so right. I didn't think missing a dose (or two) was a big deal. But these meds have really short half lives and will leave your system within a day. So it's important to keep the dosing up every day! Thanks for visiting. MM
This is a great hub. I am/was bi-polar. After having my second child my brain went wacky and my psych kept raising my meds and I got more and more depressed. In deep depression, I quit taking my meds (thankfully no poor side-effects) and stabilized. It seems in some cases major chemical changes that happen at puberty, menopause and from pregnancy can alter the brains chemistry, both causing and "curing" bi-polar. The doctor agreed when I told her, and said I was one of the lucky ones. I still have to be careful of stress since it can set off a bit of mood swinging, but it never gets bad and my family helps keep an eye out for problems.
I also found that the stigma of being bi-polar means while insurance companies may cover you, it is often double what the average person pays. Also, doctors treat you as if you are crazy, even if you take your meds like your supposed to. I reacted, according to nurses, very strongly to Valium when I went to have my wisdom teeth removed. I got very lethargic and weepy. The surgeon didn't want to mess with me and tried to have me committed, just because he decided I was "faking" it since I "wanted attention". I was fine when the meds wore off, but I encounter that behavior a lot.
Thanks for the warning to bi-polar patients. Those that self-medicate are one of the reasons that those who are careful end up being treated more poorly.
Hello Joyfull Mother. Yours is an exceptional story -- in that it's wonderful (exceptional) that it has such a positive outcome but also exceptional in that you are clearly the exception to the rule. Not that there are any RULES when it comes to bipolars.
People always think of the manic side of bipolar but the depressive side can be as bad or worse. It is essential to be under the care of a caring and competent psychiatrist.
I don't know the answer to this but I wonder if many people diagnosed "bipolar" are really "just" addicts/alcoholics whose mood swings occur based on their self-medicating.
I do know there is a very, very, very high correlation between chemical dependency and bipolar.
Anyway, glad you got your brain chemistry back in check! Hooray!!!!!
Thanks MM! In researching my own problems (and my alcoholic, drug addicted brother who we think is bi-polar)I found the correlation to be great as well. I would say that many of those addicted easily to substances are having some form of mental malfunction anyway. Even if it's not bi-polar, many can be helped through intervention.
Absolutely. But the underlying mental "malfunction" (I like the way you put that) still needs to be treated even after the drugs/alcohol are taken out of the equation. Or, if you stop drinking/drugging and the mood swings stop, then perhaps you were not bipolar to start with....
Dear Mighty Mom,
As a mental health professional and someone with a 35 year diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, I have had 25 years of being on meds without an episode, I can testify to the need to stay on your meds and the difficulties that arise when you don't. My first 12 years of the diagnosis were filled with being taken off medications and relapsing within 6 months. It's difficult to understand this tendency to go off meds if you hav'nt been there but my own experience echoes your advice. I learned to think of meds as bipolar health, not bipolar illness. I believe many times it's the mental illness label which makes it so troubling to accept and the stigma that goes along with it. By associating meds with health,not illness I found a way to come at it with a positive attitude.
Thank you Donald Kern. I checked out your blog and wanted to link to it from my hub but found it to be a "bad link."
Your words give hope. I appreciate you're taking the time to comment. MM
Chef Jeff says:
14 months ago
I stay on my meds, In the past I have used alcohol to no good effect. Never did illegal drugs, but alcohol was cheap and available.
Now with PTSD combined with BP I have a cocktail of things I take under a doctor's care. However, with no insureance while I am unemployed I only hope I can keep up with the costs of these necessary medications.
Great hub!
Cheers!
Chef Jeff