[gina_re]

Anybody else feel like they can only be successful if they stay on their meds? I've been doing well, I'm finally getting through school and should be graduating with my undergrad this fall. But my meds were adjusted a couple of months ago and I've been extra moody until I found a psychiatrist who knows what he's doing. So hopefully I should back to 'normal' soon. At any rate, until that happens I've been a mess. I've actually been at the same job for three and a half years (longest EVER!) because I've been stable all this time. But lately, I'm just bored and tired of this place. And I'm wondering if it is because my meds kept me this way....

[Merlin]

You can view it as being a slave to meds or view them as your servants. I need meds to function at my peak, but I need food, sleep and exercise and no one views me as a slave to them. I need oxygen too, tried to go without it one, not a good idea. I suppose the point I am trying to get across is that you can view your need for meds as a negative or just as a necessity.

As for the job, perhaps it's time to look for another job. People who don't struggle with bipolar, or other illnesses, get bored and tired of companies and staying longer than you are interested can lead, as it did in my case, to poorer performance. Start looking for a new position and give your two-weeks notice when you find a position.

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by Merlin

You can view it as being a slave to meds or view them as your servants. I need meds to function at my peak, but I need food, sleep and exercise and no one views me as a slave to them. I need oxygen too, tried to go without it one, not a good idea. I suppose the point I am trying to get across is that you can view your need for meds as a negative or just as a necessity.

As for the job, perhaps it's time to look for another job. People who don't struggle with bipolar, or other illnesses, get bored and tired of companies and staying longer than you are interested can lead, as it did in my case, to poorer performance. Start looking for a new position and give your two-weeks notice when you find a position.

Never really thought about it that way. One of my psychologist told me, just like a diabetic needs insulin, you need your medication. So I guess that makes complete sense once I actually think about it. I do want to look for a new job, but I have no idea what to do with myself. I'm finishing my bachelors in Psychology this fall semester, but I'm not sure what the next step is. I need more experience before applying for a Master's and this job is not at all related to my major. I feel like I hate it when my meds are off, and I love it when they are in balance. It's that whole, 'what to do with myself now' feeling.

Sounds like this is more of a "what to do with myself now" thing than a med thing. You are a bit at a crossroads in your education and career; the feeling is pretty normal. Normal's good, right?

People have to take meds for so many reasons and no matter what the reason, I don't know any who love having to take them. But, if they keep you healthy whether it be physically or emotionally, then we have to just think of them as our friends, make them as routine as we can, and keep on moving.

My dear husband has so many health and mental health issues so his pillbox is pretty ominous. But if he doesn't take his blood pressure medication, the blood pressure goes up, he feels awful, it actually affects his mood, and of course he puts himself at risk. He takes medication to control diabetes. Again, it just isn't an option to allow his blood sugar to get out of control; the consequences are too potentially life-altering. He has a neurological pain syndrome and has to be sure to go in to have his internal pump refilled; if he doesn't, the consequences are awful. AND, he has bipolar disorder, so he takes bipolar meds too. Yes, he does feel a bit of a slave to his medical conditions, but he tries to see his meds as tools to help him stay in control of those medical conditions rather than seeing the meds as the problem. Make sense?

[jlmass]

I would say that if given the option i would rather not take meds but i would much rather feel good and the only way that is going to happen is with the meds. I don't feel like i am a slave to them they are no different then having to eat every day.

Yep. Correctly prescribed, they're a big help.

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

Sounds like this is more of a "what to do with myself now" thing than a med thing. You are a bit at a crossroads in your education and career; the feeling is pretty normal. Normal's good, right?

People have to take meds for so many reasons and no matter what the reason, I don't know any who love having to take them. But, if they keep you healthy whether it be physically or emotionally, then we have to just think of them as our friends, make them as routine as we can, and keep on moving.

My dear husband has so many health and mental health issues so his pillbox is pretty ominous. But if he doesn't take his blood pressure medication, the blood pressure goes up, he feels awful, it actually affects his mood, and of course he puts himself at risk. He takes medication to control diabetes. Again, it just isn't an option to allow his blood sugar to get out of control; the consequences are too potentially life-altering. He has a neurological pain syndrome and has to be sure to go in to have his internal pump refilled; if he doesn't, the consequences are awful. AND, he has bipolar disorder, so he takes bipolar meds too. Yes, he does feel a bit of a slave to his medical conditions, but he tries to see his meds as tools to help him stay in control of those medical conditions rather than seeing the meds as the problem. Make sense?

As my meds get leveled out as they should be, I know I'll feel better. But yea, I am at a crossroads at my life that I need to figure out whats next. I'm sure that is 'normal' for most people, but I've never felt like a 'normal' person... But I appreciate your advice, I love how everyone is so supportive here!!

Originally Posted by gina_re

As my meds get leveled out as they should be, I know I'll feel better. But yea, I am at a crossroads at my life that I need to figure out whats next. I'm sure that is 'normal' for most people, but I've never felt like a 'normal' person... But I appreciate your advice, I love how everyone is so supportive here!!

It is easy to lose sight of our "normalness" when we are dealing with stuff like this. We question every mood and thought as somehow being a product of our illness, when in fact, we are still quite capable of having normal changes in mood just due to having a good or a bad day just like the rest of the world. Not everything we experience is necessarily the product of bipolar disorder. It is easy to lose sight of that. It's frustrating trying to sort it all out, isn't it?

[Victoria'smom]

Anybody else feel like they can only be successful if they stay on their meds?

Successful has been greatly modified over the past couple of years

lately, I'm just bored and tired of this place. And I'm wondering if it is because my meds kept me this way....

Maybe a series of temp jobs is for you. Companies seem to be hiring per project lately anyways. Maybe that way you can find a job you like.

[Confusedinomicon]

I found myself getting better when I didnt question my state of mind. I dont spend a lot of time questioning if my disorder is a reason someone dislikes me. If its true that 1 in 17 has a MI then your behaviors are normal. Unless its directly mood related I dont think of bipolar disorder.

Honestly, I believe the culture develops and cultivates mi. We are programmed to worry and to ruminate which makes symptoms way worse. It becomes an overwhelming thing on our shoulders. The culture doesnt breed a 'present' mindset. You have things in the future to worry about, you have things in the past that you havent overcomed. So much struggle and there is no time to live. If you know that you need experience, try to look for a lab or shadow. Be proactive but dont worry yourself sick about it. There is no rush.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Merlin

You can view it as being a slave to meds or view them as your servants. I need meds to function at my peak, but I need food, sleep and exercise and no one views me as a slave to them. I need oxygen too, tried to go without it one, not a good idea. I suppose the point I am trying to get across is that you can view your need for meds as a negative or just as a necessity.

I find the analogy brilliant.