Disturbed and astounded by the ignorance that most medical professionals have about this illness and its treatments. Have had such poor care by so many, I decided to buy and read the classic textbooks myself. More convinced than ever that the vast majority are just winging it. Trying various drugs and seeing what sticks. Treating symptoms and not patients. Dismissing complaints about unbearable side-effects unless they are life threatening (who needs a memory or creativity or a healthy weight). Lumping all manias into an easy label of "hyper" without an understanding of a its various manifestations. A cruel sensitivity to sound and color for some of us. Instead of violence or irritability - a delusional belief that we are one with the world. Claustrophobic sense of connectedness. Etc.

Then there are the meds. I have been put on antidepressants alone > mania. Been told (3 times) that side-effects I was having had nothing to do with the drugs I was taking though they were well known side-effects that dissappeared with disuse. And on and on. Five doctors from three different states.

Then there are the hospitals.

Is this the standard? How can you rely on such a damaged system?