TRIGGER ALERT!!!!

DXED 25 years ago--LOVED lithium but had to get off it within 3 mos. due to kidney malfunction (do have some kidney damage from that short period on it). Depakote helped w/agitation but not depression (was in a mixed episode) so got off it. Tried Geodon (fell asleep while driving & had acute dizziness-only lasted 4 days on it as falling asleep while driving & having to lie down on the floor at work {& work in the public!} due to dizziness is not exactly a good quality of life). Was on Abilify for 20+ years (started on it when it was supposedly "weight neutral"--now says weight gain & metabolic syndrome are side effects which I have--gained 50+ lbs. & on meds for blood pressure & cholesterol & blood sugar too high). BUT it did help tremendously w/paranoia & get me on track as far as thinking so I could benefit from therapy (DBT specifically so I could get off Abilify when my thinking was clear).

Also for last 25 yrs.: Provigil (for excessive daytime sleepiness; EMDR helped a lot for insomnia until I started having major pain issues; had sleep study & don't have sleep apnea but severe insomnia & interrupted sleep even before pain stuff started); Concerta (ADHD); Xanax (until I had a relapse of hypo mania for about 5 mos. & then crashed into a depression despite being "medication compliant" & ODed on Xanax & wine & ended up in the ER so changed to Klonopin for anxiety--mostly take low dose at night, rarely during the day as it makes me sleepy); Trazodone for sleep; Lamictal for mood stabilization; Wellbutrin one winter--now use a full-spectrum light for SAD & off Wellbutrin...

After OD & insomnia was really bad pdoc wanted me to take Seroquel but I refused due to already gaining so much weight on Abilify.

When I finally got well enough to benefit from it DBT & indiv. therapy have been my "medications", too.

Also took numerous classes from NAMI (Peer-to-Peer, IMR, WRAP)...

My mother had schizo affective & did not fare well. I've been ill severely since 15 (57 now) but just keep working at it. Married 37 years to high school sweetheart & have 2 wonderful grown children (who have had issues w/severe depression but are well & functioning at a very high professional level; I'm a college drop-out).

Just have to learn what your triggers are & how to deal w/your individual symptoms. Good luck to all...