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Living in Crazy WorldOn taking medicinePeople that don't suffer from bipolar disorder may not realize the role of medicine in the bipolar sufferer's life. Just like any other illness, bipolar is treated with an assortment of different medications. The only problem is that because severe mood disorders can vary greatly from person to person, it might be hard to find a treatment that is correct for a particular person. Many, after trial and error for possible years, finally develop a "cocktail" of medicines that work for them and keep them stable. Others are stable with just one or two medicines. The complexity of personal medication for different patients is far greater than I can comprehend as of now, but i would like to eventually know much more and maybe even become a psychiatrist in the future. One day I decided I was interested in mood medications and I dilligently started a "project" where I look up every single medication known to ever be used in a mood disorder and make a page for it in word and then put it in a binder with tabs separting the different classifications. I did about thirty different medicines so far and I plan to continue my research as it greatly interests me. I want to know as much as possible, because in any case i can ever recall, knowledge is power. Power power power. The power to heal, to fix myself and others, to create stability for someone, anyone. I know it is not my job to fix the weaknesses of others, but i would like it to be. Some people with bipolar become, in a way, addicted to their manias. Some manias are pleasant and drug-like. People claim to like this feeling and refuse to take medicines, or switch back and forth from taking medication to not taking medication claiming they are "fixed" or that they are not the same person. Bipolar is not who you are. It has nothing to do with yourself as a personality. It is infectious to your mind. A DISEASE. Medicine helps. Medicine is working for many people. Also, many people with bipolar kill themselves or are committed to mental hospitals. MANIA CAN RESULT IN DISASTER. In fact, In my opinion it is almost inevitable. There is no hiding from this sickness. An extreme high is almost sure to be followed by the most depressing low you have ever experienced. When manic, there is a possiblity of snapping to psychotic at any time. Left untreated, bipolar is known to become increasingly worse. I am a strong believer in medication and psychotherapy combined. I think that medicine will help you with the serious mood swings and therapy helps you deal with everything that has happened as a result of your illness. People that refuse to take their medicines are writing their own prescriptions.. for doom, for failed relationships, for instability, for craziness, for so many other things besides the occasional good moods that accompany mania. And trust me, not needing sleep is another NO good reason (i found personally) for not taking your meds. Although you may get more done in the short run, your body will inevitably crash, either physically, mentally or both. People think that who they are in mania is a "fun" or "exiciting" person. It may be true. It is also true that it may not last, may not even occur ever again. You can be the person you were born to be while at the same time treating a mood disorder that has so unfortunately crept into your life, mind, and soul like a parasite. People will love you for who you are, don't lose hope. Maybe what comes across to you as exciting in mania is actually kind of weird to other people watching. Distortion, what i like to call unreality, is very common in the mind of a manic depressive. Medications can help that. From mood stabilizers, to anti-psychotics, to anxiety, adhd, or depression medicines, remain hopeful that there is something that will work for you, some combination that will bring you the pleasure of feeling ... normal(er.. if thats a word). And god forbid maybe even HAPPY. Remember to give your medicine time to work. I know firsthand how hard it is to be patient when your world is shattering in front of your face everyday, over and over again. But most medicines are for the long term and need to build up in your system before they can work. also, most medicines have to be started at a lower dose and gradually built up so that the side effects are not intolerable and your body can become adjusted. It just takes time. And I also know firsthand how frustrating it is, especially when the medicine you've been waiting for to work never ever does. Not even close. Instead, you are left with all of the side effects and none of the benefits. Again, please don't become discouraged. If at first you don't succeed, try again, try again. I still haven't conquered my illness and the ill-effects of past medications, but i remain confident in medicine and its definite healing power. It is only a matter of finding the correct one. Another concern of treated bipolars is the side effects of medicines and their impact on coordination, sight, memory, and other important mental or physical issues. Again, I urge you to keep searching medications until you find one that doesnt make you feel like you are "underwater" or "living in a dream" or "fake" or "doped up drunk". Not every medicine will be like that, and some medicines will be like that for some people and not others. Also, if the medicine is really working, consider discussing lowering the dose with your doctor, as that might easily solve your side effect concerns. I hope to eventually get information on many different kinds of medications on my site and opinions from real people who take them. Keep checking back at my site as i am very passionate about this and I really want people to be encouraged to take medicine to treat bipolar, as well as go to psychotherapy. Thanks for reading my lecture like ramblings. |
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