[RenjiCat]

The first time I was put on medication I stopped without talking to the prescribing doctor. The second time I was put on 3 medications and again, I stopped all of them at once without doctor's approval. I got help a third time and was put on 7 medications. I did good.. I was faithful to my medication schedule for over a year, but yet again I stopped. I didn't discuss it with the doctor and what's more I stopped seeing my therapist too!

I've come to the realization that I need to be medicated. I am trying to accept it. But before I try once more I want to get my mindset right. I want to be sure that I can stick to it this time. (Each time I stopped my meds I got worse- I don't want to get any worse than I already am.)

So how?? How do you stick to your medication?

I was told by my therapist to look at it as if I had diabetes, but to be completely honest even if I had diabetes I'm not sure I would stick to my meds.

Any advice that anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated!!

[Victoria'smom]

I Constantly talk about this with my therapist. You really need to figure out why you come off your meds.I have Never been able to stay on medicine, until I had a doctor who listen to me and why I tend to go off meds. My therapist tried the whole diabetes thing and I was very clear that I would have more difficulty with that medicine and would require an insulation pump. Now that I have other medical issues that require medication I think she is understanding. For me I need meds that can be taken at night 1x a day and a slew of other demands.

[BipolaRNurse]

Ah, this is a tough one. It's hard to stick to medications if you haven't fully accepted the need for them, although it can be done.

Perhaps it would be easier for you to stay on your meds if you know that every time you have a mood episode, the more apt you are to have another, and the more you have, the worse they get over time. That's what kept me on the straight-and-narrow when I was fighting the urge to go off my meds during a mixed episode ("what the hell good are they doing me, anyway?!").

I knew that if I made it through that one, I DEFINITELY didn't want to experience another one like it, so I stuck it out and kept taking the pills even though I was sure they weren't working. Finally I got to a high enough dose of the AP that everything more or less went away, and I'm doing great now. But I'd never have gotten to this point if I'd given up on medications. YMMV.

I dont take mine perfectly, I've skipped a day here and there but never completely gone off my meds. I dont have a choice. I dont live completely on my own so that question gets asked, did you take your meds? Also I fear the depressions, I dont want to ever feel them if I can help it. And they always follow a mania or a mixed episode. So the best thing for me is to take the meds and stay as even as possible. Or at least keep the episodes as short as possible.
My other motivation though is staying around for my kids and future grandkids. I want to grow up to be an old lady.

For me it's simple...I take them so my child has the best chance of having a stable mum.

[A Red Panda]

I take them because I chose to go in and get them - I wasn't at a point where I 'needed' medication and certainly have had loads of times in the past where I needed them more - I just decided that I was done with the bulls*** and was going to try out meds. So I completely chose to, which I remind myself on the days I'm mad.

Also. Habit. I am a creature of habit. I wake up, use the washroom, then take my birth control pills. I've been doing that since I was 18. So just going "take my birth control and lamictal" was a fairly easy step.

[coleychi]

I used to stop my meds by myself but every time I did, I would relapse and have really bad anxiety/depression. I've accepted that I need them even though it's a hard thing to accept. I think that's the first step.

The other reason I stopped my meds is because my meds made me gain a lot of weight and that made me feel bad about myself. Are there any side effects from your meds that you don't like? Could that be contributing to your stopping the meds? If so, definitely discuss your concerns with your psychiatrist. There are other meds you can try to avoid certain side effects.

I also dispense my meds on Sunday for the week in a pill box. That way, they're super easy to take at night before bed. I don't even have to think about it.