Learn all you can about your illness...

When I was finally Dx w/ BP I began research that very day! And didn't stop until I felt knowledgeable enough to be an active participant I my treatment with my doc. It's empowering to know all you can about your illness, medications and their side effects etc., as well as therapy. You actually participate and work with your doc on meds and can ask educated questions about whatever issue you may be experiencing. It seems that too many of us rely completely on the docs for our treatment, which there's nothing wrong with, but you, know you best. So, who better to have I input and decisions regarding all treatments than the one living it! And it's beneficial in many ways, boosting your self esteem, you'll start to trust yourself a bit more, or at least just feel in control of treating your illness. It's highly recommended. I can't state how much it's given me confidence and I don't go along with everything the doc says, I ask why, I will refuse certain meds due to knowing the good and the bad about quite a few common BP meds. Think about it! love & hugs to you all!!

Much love, Diane

Exactly. We need to empower ourselves and take responsibility for our well being. It's far too easy to go in blind and expect all to be taken care of by someone else. Sometimes the person treating you will even allow it to go on like this and string you along with no progress. Then you get stuck in a vicious circle of resent and confusion.

I'm a firm believer of we know ourselves best. I'm happy to have input when my mood is stable but if I'm going through a bad episode my judgement is often impaired and I have to admit I put a lot of faith during these times to my pdoc for getting me on the right meds at the right dose. Hugs.

I'm always investigating things. I know all the meds ( old pdoc made sure of that

With my first pdoc I was to scared she'd hospitalize me especially since she threatened often. She had me in a 2 yr. mixed episode and "non" compliant because she wasn't listening to me. So when I moved I was like he|| no I'm not going. After a while I did go. My pdoc has been wonderful and I've made it very clear what my requirements for meds. I'm very lucky to have a therapist that lets me say all my scary stuff and doesn't over react.

I agree that it's better to be informed than to just let yourself be dragged along blindly. I think this is true of anything. We don't have to be victims of circumstance. It's like that commercial on t.v. where the guy stands there and everyone else is dressing him and cutting his hair. It doesn't have to be that way.

When I got my first dx in 2011, I bought books and researched BP. I checked out information on the internet and came to this forum. I also get the Psych Central newsletter. Last summer my boyfriend, who is an R.N., told me about a smart phone app called Epocrates. It has info on all meds and gives side effects, doses, and even the average cost of the meds. I've found it a great help. Pdocs can only give you so much information because they're busy people. I think it's best to be informed about my MI and research is the best way to stay informed.

After the denial, anger and the humiliation, you betcha I learned EVERYTHING I could! I am still learning and probably always will be.

Absolutely agree, you need to be an active participant in your treatment to ever get any type of stability. Relying solely on meds and pdocs will not give you the full life you deserve.

Feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall here sometimes trying to get this through to people. There are also many that blindly accept their diagnosis when it is clear that it is incorrect. How many people could be saved from the suffering with the correct treatment!

I actually developed a very strong passion for bipolar disorder through a book my pdoc recommended me (prior to my bipolar diagnosis). I loved the disorder and my pdoc revealed the diagnosis following a SPECT scan. Turns out he had wanted me to know about the disorder and come to terms with it, as he suspected it, before giving a diagnosis, so I was surprisingly excited to find out I was a bipolar. I continue reading about it and enjoy keeping up with the latest research

Diane -- AWESOME POST. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!

When diagnosed with bipolar 6 years ago after no meds for 12 years previously. I researched as much as I could, read books, participated in online education research studies/course. Not able to find a local support group. I have found the PC website to be very informative and by reading peoples experiences and ideas, I have some ideas to discuss with my pdoc that would not have come to me if I was independently looking.
Thanks to the PC community.