Thanks, Venus.You seem like a very independent and determined person, and I've been intrigued by your decision to tame your bp without meds.

I'm sickened by how that pdoc treated you. So many people here report being discouraged from achieving their life goals, be it finishing an undergrad degree or returning to work after a harsh episode of illness, by their pdocs. Yes, we are more delicate because we have bipolar, and stress can affect our illness negatively. But we need to have something to live for if we are ever to recover! We need to see ourselves as competent, as survivors, not victims, of bipolar.

The pdoc I saw at home this summer told me that he treats a lot of bipolar doctors and lawyers. He told me that I was strong and intelligent, and that I would accomplish something with my life. At times, this annoyed me. Oftentimes, I don't think that I am strong and smart. I feel like the greatest loser ever to breathe, and I am in indescribable amounts of pain. I respect him, however, for treating his patients like this. He believes in us, and that is one of the reasons why I consider him the best pdoc I've seen.