Secret that is a good point.

I had a very similar experience in January. I'd been off meds since losing my job in 2008, and I knew I needed help and was very depressed. My longtime partner married me and put me on his insurance so I could get some meds, and because finances were an issue I went to my GP (big mistake) and asked for something generic.

Within a week I was off the charts manic and deep into a flashback/reaction to this drug that is very rare (about 1% of people taking it have it). I went back to the GP's office and they acted like I had the Plague. You could see the fear on their faces. They called the ER and told me to drive myself there or they'd have to have a police car come and take me. I wasn't threatening or violent, just very very manic and suicidal at the same time. By the time I got to the ER I thought I was back in 1967, it was so terrifying. They hospitalized me for 10 days and got my meds sorted out and made an appointment with my old psychiatrist who remembered me immediately and helped them to get me on the right meds.

It was my first and I hope only hospitalization, but now that it's on there I can't have a hangnail without the GP looking like she will pee herself. It's so unfair.

I guess I just have to get used to it and rise above, be proactive. But you nailed it. A lot of it has to do with how familiar people are with the illness.

Thanks for your post.