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Originally Posted by neverending
I m not sure what you consider long term. I m in my 60s and have been taking APs steadily since my 20s. I started when I was 18. From 22 until 28 I guess I was off them and from then on have never been off them again. So I have taken both old and new generation APs. I don't have dementia or memory problems. And I am not at death's door either. I don't know how much longer I will live but it doesn't seem as though I will have an early death due to bipolar. So I don't believe APs cause dementia. In addition I take benzodiazepines and suffer no ill effects from them either. So sometimes the meds aren't so bad. I have had very bad effects from the ones I can't take but on the right cocktail of meds I seem to be doing ok. So don't let the fear of meds ruin what could possibly work. For me too it is a choice of taking meds or going in and out of the hospital. I much prefer the meds.
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A lot of antipsychotics can cause tardive dyskinesia (sp?) too, though, as well as metabolic syndrome and liver/kidney issues -- so it's not just dementia that you have to worry about. But I am still primarily concerned about dementia. I think 60s is a bit young for dementia to occur, but if we're talking 70s and 80s, then the risk is greater, especially since a good chunk of our grey matter has been destroyed.
I've never been to the hospital before, so I can't speak to that.