Which time?

First time? Room mate brought me to an ER when I was 19. Didn't stick.

Second time? After a few days of non-stop ranting and carrying on, and years of mood swings, husband said go get help.

Right now? Not on medications. Why? Don't feel they're needed, don't see evidence that medications work as a prevention and don't see medication (to prevent episodes) as worth while especially when considering side effects and risks associated with the drugs.

I learn to cope with the bipolar and even question the legitimacy of the diagnosis. The experts have ideas, some even have experience but, they don't have good science and even if they did do they have my experience? No. What you get from them is a worst case scenerio plan and a gamble.

When my last round of medication worked well enough for me to notice the side effects, I knew it was by time I weigh the pros and cons, plan to cope and get off the drugs.

If I become desperate, I'll take 'em and only then, in a "acute" situation.