Being Bipolar: the ups and downs

It is first I hear that 12 step recovery aa is the most effective means. Where did you get that data? And no, social acceptability of coffee is not equal to social acceptability of alcohol - I can sit in a business meeting with a cup of coffee but not with a glass of vodka. Don't you see the diff?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effecti...lics_Anonymous

a very good, thorough article

I won't post anymore - thanks Dubblemonkey

Genetics: re "
I think you intimated earlier in a thread that you were virtually required to drink coffee to keep your job. If that's truly the case, you have a lawsuit against the group directing that as an order. Caffeine is one of the most psycho-active drugs available; it would be the equivalent of demanding that one drink alcohol to work.", no, I did not intimate that, I said that I was falling asleep on the job, would you as an employer keep an employee who falls asleep? My company is a typical Silicon Valley company, and as typical for this Valley, it runs on coffee, it offers free coffee knowing how important this energy fuel is, and the hacker who is responsible for the siteup of this forum most likely drinks several cups of coffee during his or her day on the job so indirectly you consume someone's coffee-fueled energy, just as you probably consume novels by Jane Austen - novels that she most likely wrote whilst drinking caffeinated tea. And no, the analogy to acne and other side effects is not valid - I seek a counteragent for the side effects and sometimes I find it (hypothyroidism and acne are virtually taken care of so that I can continue with Lithium) and sometimes I do not. But I seek. It is a valid request to find a counteragent for sleepiness that is socially acceptable. It may be that siesta is the best, most physiological treatment for midday sleepiness and research backs it up but it is not culturally, socially acceptable in Silicon Valley which is where I need to survive. If you would like to respond, please do so on my thread dedicated to caffeine, not here. Thank you.

I drink coffee out of necessity, not enjoyment. The necessity is exacerbated by the intake of psychothropic drugs. Since many people on this forum simultaneously work outside the home and take psych meds, the need for caffeine is especially pronounced. I have a thread about that, and from the multitude of responses and approaches you can gauge that it is not a fringe problem. A blanket, unrealistic prohibition is not welcome in such circumstances. As for the interplay between caffeine and metabolic disorders, I have never heard of that even though I am fairly read up on diabetes, and stand ready to be educated, therefore. Going back to the beginning, I am very glad you realize that loss of enjoyment is a consideration of great importance before issuing lifestyle-changing recommendation.