Without meds I inevitably end up hurting myself severely. Without meds I am in the hospital all the time. Without meds I'm a wreck and can't function enough to take care of my son.

I used to be upset about taking meds but now it's just something I have to do. I can't say I'll never try to be without but for now I'm doing so well I wouldn't chance it. My pnurse even suggested last session that we lower the Invega because I keep skipping my period but I said no. I don't want to take a chance that the mania and psychosis will come back.

Of course it took three years to find a combination that worked for me without side effects. And I still fall into terrible depressions. Believe me if exercise and meditation helped at all I'd be doing that. But it doesn't. Meds are the only thing that seem to keep me stable. And I'm fine with that now.