Home Menu

Menu


View Poll Results: How do you envision your life with bipolar?
Medication for life 6 18.18%
Medication for life
6 18.18%
Therapy for life 1 3.03%
Therapy for life
1 3.03%
Medication and therapy for life 12 36.36%
Medication and therapy for life
12 36.36%
Eventually be free from medication and/or therapy 9 27.27%
Eventually be free from medication and/or therapy
9 27.27%
Other 5 15.15%
Other
5 15.15%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 04:41 PM
wotchermuggle's Avatar
wotchermuggle wotchermuggle is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,612
What do you envision for your life with a bipolar diagnosis? Please feel free to share details if you'd like to explain your choice more.

advertisement
  #2  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 05:01 PM
comicgeek007's Avatar
comicgeek007 comicgeek007 is offline
Grand Member
 
Member Since: Aug 2012
Location: The edge of my wits
Posts: 818
It's a dream I have, I guess, to be able to be med free by the time I want to have kids. I think I'd get more depressed if I envisioned it any other way.
__________________
Bipolar 2 (in remission), anorexia (in remission), and trichotillomania, also have conversion disorder that seems to be rearing its ugly head again.

100mg Lamictal
Hugs from:
anneo59
Thanks for this!
anneo59, wotchermuggle
  #3  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 05:01 PM
~Christina's Avatar
~Christina ~Christina is offline
Legendary Wise Elder
Community Liaison
 
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 22,450
I feel it is possible to go med free and Therapy free for myself. Why?

Typically everyone is in a crisis when they are started on Psyc meds . The object is get you stable so that you can start working on coping skill and learning how to manage your life ect..

I think there are many people that do need Medications for life , Its not that don't practice all self care and whatnot . It just is what it is.

However anyone with Bipolar has to set up there own "game plan" in dealing with it all.
__________________
Helping others gets me out of my own head ~
Thanks for this!
anneo59, BipolaRNurse, manymiles
  #4  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 05:10 PM
A Red Panda's Avatar
A Red Panda A Red Panda is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Member Since: May 2013
Location: Gallifrey
Posts: 4,166
I'm only just starting on meds... and I made it clear to my GP that I don't want to be on them for forever. That terrifies me.

Also, I've done quite well for the last 10 years and have a lot of good coping strategies. I'm just currently having a hard time adjusting to my new life situation, and there's not too much I can do about that. So will likely keep on meds until I am fully adjusted and resigned to my environment.

(also, I know that next year's group of students is going to make it a really tough year, so it's best to get myself sorted out so that I can handle it... or I'd likely have a breakdown)
Hugs from:
anneo59
  #5  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 05:18 PM
Anonymous32734
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Just to feel normal. If i have to take a pill or pills everyday, so be it. I do that for my blood pressure

Sent from my C5170 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for this!
anneo59, BipolaRNurse
  #6  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 05:22 PM
venusss's Avatar
venusss venusss is offline
Maidan Chick
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: On the faultlines of the hybrid war
Posts: 7,139
Doing it on my own for now. I am willing to consider therapy (if I get over the fact it's bit expensive), but not for life.

will see where life takes me.
__________________
Glory to heroes!

HATEFREE CULTURE

Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #7  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 05:48 PM
cool09 cool09 is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern MD
Posts: 1,514
Well, I've never heard any PDOC say nor have I read anything about bipolar disorder going away by itself. My PDOC in '91 told me that some mood disorders burn themselves out but I have not experienced that.

Listened to NPR (Science Friday) yesterday and discussion was DSM-V, "Bad Diagnosis for New Psychiatry "Bible"" (w/Guests: Director of NIH, President of American Psychiatric Association and a Psychotherapist). Discussed why and why not DSM-V should be used as guidelines for Mental Disorders plus other topics including links between BP and Schizophrenia, the positive track record of med therapy for mood disorders, how Psychiatry needs to be furthered and the problem of DSM-V being based on symptoms and not the causes. It was a really interesting program. (Audio is in link I posted below.)

http://forums.psychcentral.com/curre...bible-npr.html
__________________
Forget the night...come live with us in forests of azure - Jim Morrison

Last edited by cool09; Jun 01, 2013 at 05:49 PM. Reason: add
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #8  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 07:22 PM
wadingthruemotions's Avatar
wadingthruemotions wadingthruemotions is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 595
I have never heard that BiPolar could be managed without meds.

I have talked to my Dr at length about this actually and last year early we did try to take me off them but that did not go over so well and the results are not good. I am back on all the meds I was on plus an additional med for insomnia.

I can see taking them for life and I am ok with that if they make the quality of my life better and able to cope with all that come with this.
__________________
"Death is easy, peaceful: Life is harder"

"The Day You Turned On Me Is The Day I Died,
And I've Forgotten What It's Like,
And How It Feels To Be Alive" (Daughtry-Gone)

"And you always want what you're running from. It's always been that way." Bittersweet Lyrics by Ellie Goulding

"The reason I hold on, cause I need this hole gone." (Stay by Rihanna)

"The opposite of love's indifference." (Stubborn Love, The Lumineers)
Thanks for this!
anneo59, BipolaRNurse
  #9  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 07:30 PM
Nessa213's Avatar
Nessa213 Nessa213 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 589
Knowing myself personally I probably will have to be on something indefinitely. And I'm ok with that for myself. Knowing my past, unmedicated, and knowing that I've gotten steadily worse, I'm more scared of a life without it if I'm being honest.

But I'm also willing to say that I may change my opinion. I mean... I do that a lot. It's how I do.
__________________
.age: 34 female .bipolar I .psychosis .panic/anxiety disorder

Seroquel XR 100mg

Labetalol for high blood pressure
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #10  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 07:44 PM
anneo59's Avatar
anneo59 anneo59 is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: US
Posts: 1,615
Quote:
Originally Posted by wotchermuggle View Post
What do you envision for your life with a bipolar diagnosis? Please feel free to share details if you'd like to explain your choice more.
not quite sure bout this one yet
Thanks for this!
wotchermuggle
  #11  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 07:47 PM
A Red Panda's Avatar
A Red Panda A Red Panda is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Member Since: May 2013
Location: Gallifrey
Posts: 4,166
Quote:
Originally Posted by wadingthruemotions View Post
I have never heard that BiPolar could be managed without meds.
My up periods are mostly harmless - I get myself into awkward and annoying situations and don't always make the best decisions... but mostly my up periods are just a major increase in activity and talking. I'm alright with the ups. My depressions are bad, but I've learned a lot of coping things for myself for that and can manage it alright enough on my own.

Of course... I'm not diagnosed with anything yet!
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #12  
Old Jun 01, 2013, 10:10 PM
Trippin2.0's Avatar
Trippin2.0 Trippin2.0 is offline
Legendary
 
Member Since: May 2010
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Posts: 11,937
I've quit my meds some time ago, looking into starting T to help adjust to some changes atm...

As for the future? I'm planning on doing more of "other" which includes self-management instead of being doped up or putting my head in the sand. I want to start yoga as part of improving my "other"....
Hugs from:
anneo59
Thanks for this!
anneo59, venusss
  #13  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 01:00 AM
BipolaRNurse's Avatar
BipolaRNurse BipolaRNurse is offline
Neurodivergent
 
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: Western US
Posts: 4,831
I'm resigned to the need to take medications for the rest of my life. Looking back over the years, I can now see how the illness grew and grew until I could no longer ignore it; and as bad as it is WITH meds, I don't even want to think about what life would be like without them. {{{{shudder}}}}

As for therapy, well, I hope one day to be stable enough that I don't have to go to the psychiatrist or therapist as often as I do now. Someday it would be nice to be able to go in only once or twice a year, even 3-4 times a year, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards at this point.......it's been over 15 months and I still don't have a firm diagnosis yet (although if there were a Bipolar 1.5, that would probably be it. LOL).

Sometimes I feel like I'm being a time vacuum; other times I catch crap because I don't call my pdoc until I'm in a full-blown crisis. But either way, bipolar disorder is a permanent part of my life and so are the treatments I need to keep it at bay. It took me a long time to accept that fact, but it is what it is. I'm also older and have been taking meds for diabetes and blood pressure for years; BP is merely another chronic condition that has to be managed.
__________________
DX: Bipolar 1
Anxiety
Tardive dyskinesia
Mild cognitive impairment

RX:
Celexa 20 mg
Gabapentin 1200 mg
Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM
Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN
Lamictal 500 mg
Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression)
Trazodone 150 mg
Zyprexa 7.5 mg

Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com
Hugs from:
anneo59
  #14  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 03:06 AM
manicdepressive07's Avatar
manicdepressive07 manicdepressive07 is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 160
I think people who are diagnosed Bipolar truly have a chemical imbalance in their brain... one that OFTEN times requires medication to remain stable. I know that I will be on medication for the rest of my life and I'm fine with that. People have to take medication everyday for a number of physical ailments: high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorder, chrones disease etc etc.They take these medications everyday to prevent symptoms and to help keep them healthy. Taking bipolar medication is no different. We have something wrong within our brains so we have to take medication to stay stable. There is no shame in that! And I don't know why people are so afraid or worried about having to take medication forever. Like I said, you would obviously do so for the other problems I listed, why is Bipolar Disorder any different? Why would you ever want to stop taking something that makes you feel better and keeps you sane?

Also I want to say that although I voted for medication & therapy for life... I'd like to change that to medication for life only. I think WITH medication and time and plenty of therapy, you can learn live a stable, normal, happy life without the need to see a therapist ongoing.
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #15  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 05:12 AM
Faraway tree Faraway tree is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Aug 2012
Posts: 138
Hey guys,

I think I will be popping pills for life. My default setting seems to be hypo manic and depressed at the same time, so drugs aren't too bad comparatively.
Hugs from:
anneo59
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #16  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 05:15 AM
venusss's Avatar
venusss venusss is offline
Maidan Chick
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: On the faultlines of the hybrid war
Posts: 7,139
Quote:
I think people who are diagnosed Bipolar truly have a chemical imbalance in their brain... one that OFTEN times requires medication to remain stable.
this is a THEORY, though. Many psychiatrists don't even subscribe to it anymore.

The "chemical imbalance" myth

it's not that simple.

Quote:
And I don't know why people are so afraid or worried about having to take medication forever. Like I said, you would obviously do so for the other problems I listed, why is Bipolar Disorder any different? Why would you ever want to stop taking something that makes you feel better and keeps you sane?
Because to many meds don't keep them better or sane. They make them fatter perhaps... and that's the best case scenario, for some. I don't think people who are having no problems and meds make them feel better want to stop that much. Mostly it's peeps who have horrid side effects or feel they are losing their personality on meds.
__________________
Glory to heroes!

HATEFREE CULTURE

Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #17  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 06:50 AM
Nessa213's Avatar
Nessa213 Nessa213 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 589
Gravity is also a theory technically. :P

My apologies I'm just sassy today. I'm not trying to start anything. lol

That could be just a case of semantics too. It may not be chemical (I know just about nothing about anything medical so anything I say to that end would sound terribly ignorant) but it's still a chronic legitimate illness. I know for myself, sometimes my "coping method" has just been to run to the bathroom or take a long drive so people don't see me break. But the break still happens regardless.

For me there are other things going on too than just a mood disorder. Positive thinking won't get the voices in my head to stop yelling at me. I couldn't possibly think positively enough to make sure I sleep through the night. Being so hypo that I shake, that my blood pressure is higher... I wish I could control those things without medication. And for 15 years I tried... just about destroyed my life in the process... but damn I tried.

"Chemical imbalance" is just a nice, neat little way of saying "we have no idea"... but that doesn't make it any less real. Gravity or evolution are both scientific theories. It's all just semantics.
__________________
.age: 34 female .bipolar I .psychosis .panic/anxiety disorder

Seroquel XR 100mg

Labetalol for high blood pressure
  #18  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 09:11 AM
venusss's Avatar
venusss venusss is offline
Maidan Chick
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: On the faultlines of the hybrid war
Posts: 7,139
I posted in an other thread about seeing predator drones. And as a Czech I would never ever recommend "positive thinking". That is a cruel simplification of life philosophy. I derive my from Buddhism and other eastern philosophies. which are NOT "positive thinking" (which is imho a western atrocity and probably never existed in any other culture).

sorry for being "sassy" today too.
__________________
Glory to heroes!

HATEFREE CULTURE

Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #19  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 12:57 PM
Eliza Jane Eliza Jane is offline
Grand Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2010
Posts: 761
I expect to be on meds forever, but I'm okay with it. I tried to go off meds during a "good period" of my life and I was a suicidal mess in weeks without any trigger. My pdoc (who allowed me to do it) said "I told you so." But, he was an a-hole.

Therapy is more up in the air. I've been in for 10 yrs, but t hasn't been helping lately. I think I will be in therapy episodically, at least.

EJ
  #20  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 02:43 PM
bunnifoo bunnifoo is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Aug 2012
Posts: 220
I have no issue with being on meds forever. The meds I take have changed and probably will change. I don't have an issue with the idea of being in therapy forever either. Both meds and therapy have been positive for me.

Okay, so the medication did make me gain weight and I'm currently a women's US Size 20, but part of that is my fault for eating like crap. I know the meds increase my appetite/give me cravings and so I give in. And I don't exercise. But my current doc is trying to get me on something weight neutral to deal with that.

My life before getting a diagnosis and before getting treatment wasn't great. My personality, frankly, was off putting to a lot of people, and I hurt a lot of people or treated them badly because I had no filter. No filter and a lot of uncontrolable anger that came from no where.

My life isn't perfect and in some ways it's way better than it was just 3 years ago and in some ways it's worse than it was 3 years ago (major life change happened around that time, I was actually diagnosed with Bipolar disorder about 14 years ago).
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #21  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 05:53 PM
cool09 cool09 is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern MD
Posts: 1,514
Quote:
Gravity is also a theory technically
Gravity isn't theory. It's reality. Very large masses create a gravitational field. And orbiting masses proves that gravity exists. Orbits of planets and satellites can be precisely calculated using Physics equations that are a function of mass. And Einstein's theory that gravity can bend light was proven about a dozen yrs ago using the Hubble Telescope. Over the past few mths the orbits (and speeds) of large asteroids passing the Earth have been calculated precisely.

(Sorry to get off-topic.)

What about all of the correlations of genetic mutations within BP and schizophrenia? I don't believe a holistic approach can help lots of people with these disorders. I've lived healthy my whole life and have gotten absolutely no where.
__________________
Forget the night...come live with us in forests of azure - Jim Morrison

Last edited by cool09; Jun 02, 2013 at 05:56 PM. Reason: add
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #22  
Old Jun 02, 2013, 06:08 PM
Nessa213's Avatar
Nessa213 Nessa213 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 589
Oh I wasn't saying that it wasn't at all. Just in the strict literal terms of how scientific research defines the word "theory", gravity is "technically" a theory. It's really a flimsier definition than the majority of people are led to believe. I also think that under the strict sense of the term, the fact the earth revolves around the sun is also a theory. Again... technically. They are reality, clearly. I think I had heard that the reason it's still a "theory" (gravity) is because they can't pin down what actually causes it. And that's just in the very strict scientific sense. I was only remarking on the irony of the semantics at play.

But... off topic.
__________________
.age: 34 female .bipolar I .psychosis .panic/anxiety disorder

Seroquel XR 100mg

Labetalol for high blood pressure
Thanks for this!
anneo59
  #23  
Old Jun 04, 2013, 12:05 PM
anneo59's Avatar
anneo59 anneo59 is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: US
Posts: 1,615
Quote:
Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse View Post
I'm resigned to the need to take medications for the rest of my life. Looking back over the years, I can now see how the illness grew and grew until I could no longer ignore it; and as bad as it is WITH meds, I don't even want to think about what life would be like without them. {{{{shudder}}}}

As for therapy, well, I hope one day to be stable enough that I don't have to go to the psychiatrist or therapist as often as I do now. Someday it would be nice to be able to go in only once or twice a year, even 3-4 times a year, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards at this point.......it's been over 15 months and I still don't have a firm diagnosis yet (although if there were a Bipolar 1.5, that would probably be it. LOL).

Sometimes I feel like I'm being a time vacuum; other times I catch crap because I don't call my pdoc until I'm in a full-blown crisis. But either way, bipolar disorder is a permanent part of my life and so are the treatments I need to keep it at bay. It took me a long time to accept that fact, but it is what it is. I'm also older and have been taking meds for diabetes and blood pressure for years; BP is merely another chronic condition that has to be managed.
am older too, a former military officer, teacher, and writer. Got chronic conditions also I must manage. But I'd like to do what I can as cheaply and naturally, but it's just not possible with everything. Would also like to focus on the "wellness" but always have to make allowances for these conditions, for various reasons. I can relate!
Thanks for this!
BipolaRNurse
  #24  
Old Jun 04, 2013, 12:06 PM
anneo59's Avatar
anneo59 anneo59 is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: US
Posts: 1,615
Quote:
Originally Posted by VenusHalley View Post
this is a THEORY, though. Many psychiatrists don't even subscribe to it anymore.

The "chemical imbalance" myth

it's not that simple.


Because to many meds don't keep them better or sane. They make them fatter perhaps... and that's the best case scenario, for some. I don't think people who are having no problems and meds make them feel better want to stop that much. Mostly it's peeps who have horrid side effects or feel they are losing their personality on meds.
also these meds can give you many other actual illnesses and conditions to contend with, as well!
  #25  
Old Jun 04, 2013, 12:07 PM
anneo59's Avatar
anneo59 anneo59 is offline
Grand Poohbah
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: US
Posts: 1,615
Quote:
Originally Posted by VenusHalley View Post
I posted in an other thread about seeing predator drones. And as a Czech I would never ever recommend "positive thinking". That is a cruel simplification of life philosophy. I derive my from Buddhism and other eastern philosophies. which are NOT "positive thinking" (which is imho a western atrocity and probably never existed in any other culture).

sorry for being "sassy" today too.
very helpful post for me, Venus, thanks!
Reply
Views: 2258

attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:16 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.




 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.