I am working on my 17th year of being Bipolar, since I am aive to tell about it I would like to share with you some serious issues I have noticed. You are over medicated.

When someone is first diagnosed with Bipolar, it is usually because of a Manic or Depressed episode. These episodes may require alot of medication to speed up the process but is it necessary to take the same meds continuously?

With MY experience NO.

I have recently been on alot of Mental Health Forums and joined groups like Yahoo Groups called Bipolar World. I sit and watch thises people talk in the room and they are having serious problems and meds they are on are so shocking.

When I was first diagnosed I was put on Lithium. After a year or so it was changed to Depakote. Along with these drugs were also an anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and sleeping pills. I fed my body so many different chemicals the same time my left and right brain were fueding and instead of someone noticing this, I would just be diagnosed with a "sub" disorder and given more medication. I look back now and think "Thank God I am alive to tell about it"

When I first noticed this problem first hand I was hospitalized. There was a girl in the next room who had the same last name as mine and the same first initial. We also had samiliar exterior features, so when I got her medication and she got mine that was how they explained it happened. My medication was Ambien for sleep and hers was Thorazine. I was told she was Schizophrenic. An hour after taking her meds the only thing I remember was waking up everybody and dragging them to the mirror and showing them there was two of me. The other girl was sound asleep.

This continued for 3 days, I was hallucinating, I couldn't sleep but the other girl was fine. So, from this I take that she may have not been Schizophrenic, maybe it was the meds. I know for a short time I was.

It took a long time before I found a Doctor who actually trusted me and my self perception.  Upon finding that Doctor I pray she stays well because I am scared of not having one that believes that I dont need so many meds.  I currently just take an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety and it has been that way for years.  Yes I have my ups and downs but I can control them much better if I am not so medicated and I can't recognize myself. 

Hopefully, you will be able to find that doctor and I assure you it will get better and even when it is sooo bad, remember, This too Shall Pass.  It always does.