[pinkisfloyd]

Any minds out there that think the power to heal is inside ourselves?

[bridgie]

I thought that for many years and I'm finding that my mind can only recognize what's going on. It has no power to stop it. If it did I would never have gone back to getting meds.

[Lauru]

I used to think I could control it without meds, truth is I can't. If someone else can, more power to them. However, that being said, I do think we can use our mind and cognitive behavior skills to boost the effect of the meds and help us out. I think it takes a combo of both. Just imho

[thinker22]

Tom Cruise says so, so it must be true.

Nah, I never wanted to be on meds, but it's the only thing keeping me from extreme depression that went on for years. Now I'm nearly manic, true, but I'm enjoying life, more sociable, liking things far more than I used to be able to because all I thought about was a way to escape the pain.

True, we can heal our wounds through therapy, but we can't erase the physical parts of our brain that don't operate normally and send us too much or too little chemicals. That is beyond our ability to wish away. We can be less triggered by certain events, but my moods are often not triggered by anything, they just pounce on me and I fight it with all my will to no avail. But I've never given up and T and meds has been the only thing to help me.

Just my experience. to all.

[pinkisfloyd]

I keep hearing the same thing and it is BS. I am a living example that meds are not needed and YES, WE do have to power to fix even our brain. I know first hand, I did it. But, I can tell everyone is brainwashed into believing they don't have the power. There is absolutely nothing beyond our ability. And, it is so well orchestrated that we believe in the doctors instead of ourselves. Just keep this in mind – the pharmaceutical industry not only have tight connections with doctors, they are involved in training them (brainwashing) to think the same way. Big business is all about repeat business. And anyone on meds is just that, a long term, hopefully for them, a life long source of income.

[Merlin]

Every time I quit taking meds, my mood becomes dangerously unstable. I believe that, for now at least, they are necessary, regardless of what the doctor or pharmaceutical companies say. My great grandmother spent a lot of time in institutions before the discovery of effective drugs, I'm glad I live in the age of them.

[phoenix47baby]

Dear Pinkisfloyd,

I have tried to control my body with my mind for 20 years. It hasn't worked yet, but I am still trying. The best of luck to you!

Phoenix47

[AAAAA]

I think it's wonderful that you've been able to recover without medication pinkisfloyd. But part of the problem with these types of illnesses or many illnessess is that what works for one person will not work for the next. Count your blessings and perhaps stop over generalizing. Every single doctor that I've ever spoken to about any type of injury or disease has said that attitude is most of the battle. It sounds as if the doctor you were seeing was not a very good one, they're not all cast from the same mold.

[thinker22]

On the road (psngr) but i must say im not brainwashed and i get my meds for free so im not really a customer. I've taken every program on mind over matter out there. The chemical imbalance still exists even though i know and do all the "right things". It's cruel to say anyone can heal their illness alone. Would anyone expect that of a diabetic? Its manageable but our brains in scans and waves look much diff than normal people's. This is not something that goes into remission for long. No one here enjoys being sick and once on the right med combo we can function. As for pharm cos I dont like them and know they overcharge and have side effects galore but until gene therapy can fix bipolar meds are it, along w/T & exercise.

[cybermember]

I went totally off of meds once since being diagnosed and got into a whole lot of trouble.

Bucking up will not rid me of my illness. If only it were that easy.

[Lauru]

It would be great if I could just change my brain chemistry without meds, but alas, I am not an advanced enough a being to accomplish that. Perhaps I will evolve someday.

[Berries]

pink--maybe you were misdiagnosed & you aren't really bipolar & that is why you don't need meds?
it is just that i've never heard of a bipolar who can get by w/o meds.

[sfu454]

I know that without my meds I would have been dead ten years ago. I don't like the thought of taking so many meds all my life, never having children, and trying to read all the bipolar books I can, but what can you do! Nothing. Just live with it everyday.

[michael 1962]

Im starting to use mind power to control my bi polar, personality disorder, ADHD ,and so on and the deeper i get into it i think well they tell me my brains not wired up like everybody elses so i need MEDS, guess what maybe this is me, this state of mind is my normal state and just because it doesnt conform to what the experts say they label me and prescribe MEDS ,well im starting to embrace my not the norm self and im luvin it,my new motto is - I AM KIND JUST NOT THERE KIND- does this mean im ill, only in there eyes doctors and pharmaceutical companies ,it time to really question are we really ill or just different .BECAUSE MEDS ARENT GOOD FOR THE BODY.

Originally Posted by AAAAA

I think it's wonderful that you've been able to recover without medication pinkisfloyd. But part of the problem with these types of illnesses or many illnessess is that what works for one person will not work for the next. Count your blessings and perhaps stop over generalizing. Every single doctor that I've ever spoken to about any type of injury or disease has said that attitude is most of the battle. It sounds as if the doctor you were seeing was not a very good one, they're not all cast from the same mold.

[Berries]

Originally Posted by michael 1962

Im starting to use mind power to control my bi polar, personality disorder, ADHD ,and so on and the deeper i get into it i think well they tell me my brains not wired up like everybody elses so i need MEDS, guess what maybe this is me, this state of mind is my normal state and just because it doesnt conform to what the experts say they label me and prescribe MEDS ,well im starting to embrace my not the norm self and im luvin it,my new motto is - I AM KIND JUST NOT THERE KIND- does this mean im ill, only in there eyes doctors and pharmaceutical companies ,it time to really question are we really ill or just different .BECAUSE MEDS ARENT GOOD FOR THE BODY.

I think one should only take meds if they have a condition that causes them distress, self-harm, or harm to others. If one is merely "different" than most people, he or she should not be coerced into taking medication.
However, if one is in a manic state, he or she may not feel like they are in distress and refuse meds and then crash into a deep distressing depression or may do very harmful and destructive things in thier manic state.

[rhonswat]

Originally Posted by pinkisfloyd

I keep hearing the same thing and it is BS. I am a living example that meds are not needed and YES, WE do have to power to fix even our brain. I know first hand, I did it. But, I can tell everyone is brainwashed into believing they don't have the power. There is absolutely nothing beyond our ability. And, it is so well orchestrated that we believe in the doctors instead of ourselves. Just keep this in mind – the pharmaceutical industry not only have tight connections with doctors, they are involved in training them (brainwashing) to think the same way. Big business is all about repeat business. And anyone on meds is just that, a long term, hopefully for them, a life long source of income.

Well, I myself am doing what I can at the moment to stay of prescriptions. I saw my doctor today and luckily he understood (or acted to). I am taking supplements. Omega-3. This is suppose to help with mood stabilizing(working so far). For mania I have started researching magnesium and vitamin-C. I am not manic, but I want to be prepared. I am looking for the power in my self. I do take meds for anxiety when I NEED them. Because when I get anxious I get grouchy. So when I can not deal with the anxiety any more I will take a small amount of Ativan.

So good luck on your journey!! I am looking forward to mine!

[AAAAA]

Our (mine and Dr) rule of thumb about medication is if the symptoms interfer with life then it may be time to give them a try.

[spiritual_emergency]

pinkisfloyd: Any minds out there that think the power to heal is inside ourselves?

I agree 100% but this is why...

The decision to get better is a decision that can only be made by the individual in crisis. In some cases, that decision also includes the choice to take medication.

When it comes to medication, I'm probably about as skeptical of the drug studies and big pharma as anyone else out there. What I'm not skeptical of however is an individual who says, "Hey, _______ is helping me." I can't help but think that if anyone would know, they would.

Maybe the ________ is vitamins, maybe it's yoga, maybe it's art therapy, maybe it's walking for hours along a quiet beach, maybe it's meditation, maybe it's medication, maybe it's all of the above and then some. To me, what fills in the blank isn't as important as the fact that the individual in crisis/recovery has identified something that helps them. Ideally, those around them can recognize it as helpful too. Naturally, we are all individuals and what helps each of us "get better" is going to be a very individual matter.

But it does all start with a belief somewhere in your mind that you can get better. And that's why I agree wholeheartedly with the basic premise of your statement.

~ Namaste

[spiritual_emergency]

berries: pink--maybe you were misdiagnosed & you aren't really bipolar & that is why you don't need meds? it is just that i've never heard of a bipolar who can get by w/o meds.

I have. His name is Steve Morgan and although he started out on medication he did eventually withdraw. What I found intriguing about his personal recovery story was that he found Jungian insights to be helpful. You can read his story here: Patient Voices ~ Bipolar Disorder. Just scroll down until you see the fellow with the big beaming smile.

The idea that people who move beyond medication were never really ill to begin with is one that I've heard repeatedly. I heard it again just the other day from a young man diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who had carried that diagnosis for several years. He's currently doing so well off meds he, too, was told he must have been misdiagnosed. Another example is Daniel Fisher; he was diagnosed as schizophrenic as a young man but he no longer takes meds and recovered to the degree that he was able to pursue a career as a psychiatrist.

Neither would it be fair to suggest that these people were somehow less ill -- their personal histories often read with the same severity as anyone else's and yet, many have recovered fully or to a significant degree. Their experience is a valid experience of severe mental illness, their face is one of many, and their voice is as necessary as any other.

~ Namaste


See also:

• Steve Morgan: Rethinking the Potential of the Brain in Major Psychiatric Disorders [PDF File]
• Daniel Fisher: Healing and Recovery are Real

[cybermember]

As I've said, I went off meds, and without doctors knowing, until things were getting way out of hand. I was beginning to be a danger to myself and others.

If anyone feels that they can handle their illness without meds, well, more power to them. But for me, I am unable to do so and will continue taking meds.

[LivingMiracle]

For Me:
Meds =
No Meds =
I will take them any day!

[thinker22]

I'm just starting to level out and I know if I quit my meds that I'd be back in the same boat I was in before starting...subject to the whims of my depression and anxiety and PTSD and wild energetic spurts with insomnia...if not in worse shape!

The support I've found here re: taking meds and going to therapy has been incredibly helpful. Maybe some day I'll be able to get off meds, but this 3 day window of relative calmness and positive energy is not enough evidence that I'm all better and fine after 27 or so years of instability. Yes, since I was 3! This didn't appear overnight, so I doubt it will go away overnight either.

But I have nothing against those whose symptoms aren't bad enough or go into remission long enough to not need meds. That's great and sounds hopeful.

[lonegael]

[ellyb]

Hi there Pinkisfloyd and everyone, I would like to think that we can control our brains with mind control, and I am sure that some people can. But I can't - although I tried for many years. However, I also tried antidepressants and Lithium and discovered a world even worse than my illness. And a great deal of FAT! I could feel myself putting on weight every week, I could feel myself growing larger and more uncomfortable.
I posted a comment some time ago about Omega 3 vs Lithium and it was not long after I had gone cold turkey on the Lithium and weaned myself off the antidepressants.
Well, here is an update that is relevant to this thread.
I have been on Omega 3 fish oil - 10g per day, plus Omega 6 in the form of Evening Primrose oil - 4g per day, a multi-vitamin and one gingko capsule a day for a few months now.
I have been getting better by the week, and now seem to be more stable and handling crises far better than at any other time of my life.
Whatever it is - I have recently taken on full time (and full on - you've got no idea!) work - have NEVER worked full time and outside of my own office to someone else's hours before. I am working long hours and also gradually learning to sleep longer. Now am managing five or six hours, sometimes even seven, rather than four or five as before.
I have a lot of work to do and seem to be managing better than ever before.
Still get a bit manic, but manage to work with it rather than let it take control.
All I can say is that it won't hurt any of you to try the 10g of fish oil per day. Just give it a go. Stay on your meds and just add it as well. Please.
I am not saying for a minute that I am cured.
But I am living again.
And that's all that matters.

[Berries]

I am happy for you, ellyb! I'm glad that you are doing so well.

I do take fish oil and a bunch of other vitamins as well.

But I also take psych meds and would love to stop. But there is so much pressure from T and Pdoc and my family that I just can't. I have even been threatened with involuntary hospitalization if I ever stop my meds.
But I am pretty sure wanting to get off meds is my illness talking.
Because whenever I go off meds I decompose.