[LiteraryLark]

It's been over a year since I've been diagnosed with bipolar where I spent two weeks in the hospital thinking I was Harry Potter and I still worry that I'll go crazy again. I used to have nightmares of people chasing me, now I have nightmares that I am delusional or go crazy. I get paranoid that the meds will stop working and I'll snap and have to go back to the hospital. What is the likelyhood that this will happen? So far the meds have been working fantastically: I've only had a couple set backs regarding the medication and I am hoping to go completely off the zyprexa soon. I've lost ten pounds after gaining 40 and the doctor said that once I'm off the zyprexa the weight will really start to come off.

Is there anything I can do to stop worrying about going back to the hospital?

[RunningEagleRuns]

keep taking the meds helps alot with no being hospitalized.

and keep being compliant with treatment.

good luck!

[bluematador]

I am happy to hear your meds are working. My various combinations of meds have not worked well for me so I have had to visit the hospital far too many times. We have a great hospital here. I call it the spa. I am thankful it exists and it helps keep me alive. I'm committed to doing what ever it takes to staying alive. If your meds are working you should be fine. Once you find the right combo they can work for years.

[forever]

I completely understand, I was hospitalized delusional and manic six years ago, dx BP1 with psychotic features. My personal cocktail of medications is Lamictal, Lexpro and Buspar. I haven't had anything even close to another manic episode or suffered any delusions.

I have fought the fatigue and mild to moderate depression on an on going basis. I will tell you that I have never quit taking my medication. I don't always feel great but I don't ask for a change in medication, I have come to accept that I will be living on the lower side of the spectrum. At least for me, it seems like a small sacrifice not to be manic/ suicidally depressed or psychotic again.

[faerie_moon_x]

I understand. I was delusional thinking people were after me for several years. I was never hospitalized, though. Now I always wonder when I worry about something if I can trust it. I still have paranoia but I can't tell if it is okay normal paranoia or bad. For example, my boss and co-boss will be whispering and I automatically think they are discussing me.

I also had auditory hallucinations and I get them sometimes. All of that worries me.

I am not on meds and never been hospitalized. I've heard of reality checking. I try to do it but I don't know if I do it correctly. Basically when I think something I ask myself questions to try and see if the answers are logical. For example, when I had hallucinations before I heard a phone ringing and it would ring for hours, but stop when i would enter the room to answer it. So now, i reality check. "It is not logical that a phone will stop ringing on purpose. It is not logical that someone is observing me to see when i enter the room and hang up."

That's the only advice I have. I understand, I'm scared of dropping over the edge, too.

[Victoria'smom]

I have yet to be hospitalized but because of the length of my sister's stay I am deathly afraid of the psy. hospital. Even the normal hospital DH stays walking the halls and passing out in chairs if need be. What really help me was to do a health directive plan. It tell when you need to call your souport team (Pdoc, and therapist), when hospitalization is required, who will make your decisions while you can't and how everyone will know when you can go home. I'm really not that worried now because I know EXACTLY when and if I need hospitalization. If your proactive you should be good if it is needed your stay should not be that long.