[jpb4815]

Why is it that whenever I have a couple good weeks I start to think about not taking my meds? Do I really think I am cured?? Or does everybody do this to themselves?

[Curious651]

I think it depends on the time. It does come to everyone mind though. At least I think so

[~Christina]

It happens to most everyone.

[jpb4815]

I think I am just looking back on the good parts of being manic. It is fun until I turn that corner and get ugly.

[BlackSheep79]

I have never thought of not taking my meds no matter how good I feel. Am I weird, because I notice that everyone talks about not taking them when they are on a high? I'm am a major worrier, I think the worst case scenarios about everything. I feel that if I don't take my meds, my irritability will take over and I will lose my job and then it will spiral from there.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by BlackSheep79

I have never thought of not taking my meds no matter how good I feel. Am I weird, because I notice that everyone talks about not taking them when they are on a high? I'm am a major worrier, I think the worst case scenarios about everything. I feel that if I don't take my meds, my irritability will take over and I will lose my job and then it will spiral from there.

This is exactly how I have felt.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've never gone off my meds since I was diagnosed bipolar, but I have messed around with 'em a few times when I wanted a little hypomania. Bad idea, because it usually doesn't stop there.

I'm a believer now, though. There are times I still want to think I'm cured, but I keep taking my meds because the alternative is worse. Besides, if I were to go off meds there'd be family, friends, and doctors lined up to the California border waiting to gang-slap me. It ain't worth it.

[Crazy Hitch]

Yeah I went off my meds once when I thought I was "cured" but boy was I wrong

[bipolar angel]

Originally Posted by BlackSheep79

I have never thought of not taking my meds no matter how good I feel. Am I weird, because I notice that everyone talks about not taking them when they are on a high? I'm am a major worrier, I think the worst case scenarios about everything. I feel that if I don't take my meds, my irritability will take over and I will lose my job and then it will spiral from there.

I also have never thought of mot taking them, toooooo worried about consequences and that I might not be able to put me back together sgain.

[LastQuestion]

It's important to keep in mind that suddenly discontinuing psychotropics is destabilizing in large part, even sometimes entirely, due to having developed a dependance upon them. The symptoms presented by withdrawal from a psychotropic can be quite like those it was used to treat and even those outside of one's diagnosis.

If deciding to go off meds one needs to be methodical in their discontinuation. This includes a planned taper, having an existing and effective support structure, possessing effective coping mechanisms, and, as in my case, using diet, exercise, and specific supplements and psychotropics whose pharmacology promotes stability both during withdrawal as well as throughout recovery from withdrawal and even as a prophylaxic treatment to possibly mitigate the chances of recurrance.

In my experience, and that of many others one can find cataloged throughout the internet, outright dropping a medication is a sure way to destabilize. Going off of Mirtazapine cold turkey contributed, in a significant albeit unmeasurable extent, to the last six months of my depressive cycling.

It takes time for the brain to adapt, time that can be reduced through a planned withdrawal.

Withdrawal from psychotropics is no small matter and in no way should be decided and performed through the guidance of mere feelings. Seek the advise of your psychiatrist as well as a professional experienced with helping people go through withdrawal (I recently found a neuropsychologists who does) if desiring to discontinue psychotropics.

Anything less than this will endanger ones personal welfare to the unknowable outcome of how one will respond to discontinuation from psychotropic medications.

[psychok]

Originally Posted by jpb4815

Why is it that whenever I have a couple good weeks I start to think about not taking my meds? Do I really think I am cured?? Or does everybody do this to themselves?

A little different problem here: I started doubting my diagnosis one month ago. Maybe because I'm euthymic most of the time.

[bipolar angel]

Originally Posted by LastQuestion

It's important to keep in mind that suddenly discontinuing psychotropics is destabilizing in large part, even sometimes entirely, due to having developed a dependance upon them. The symptoms presented by withdrawal from a psychotropic can be quite like those it was used to treat and even those outside of one's diagnosis.

If deciding to go off meds one needs to be methodical in their discontinuation. This includes a planned taper, having an existing and effective support structure, possessing effective coping mechanisms, and, as in my case, using diet, exercise, and specific supplements and psychotropics whose pharmacology promotes stability both during withdrawal as well as throughout recovery from withdrawal and even as a prophylaxic treatment to possibly mitigate the chances of recurrance.

In my experience, and that of many others one can find cataloged throughout the internet, outright dropping a medication is a sure way to destabilize. Going off of Mirtazapine cold turkey contributed, in a significant albeit unmeasurable extent, to the last six months of my depressive cycling.

It takes time for the brain to adapt, time that can be reduced through a planned withdrawal.

Withdrawal from psychotropics is no small matter and in no way should be decided and performed through the guidance of mere feelings. Seek the advise of your psychiatrist as well as a professional experienced with helping people go through withdrawal (I recently found a neuropsychologists who does) if desiring to discontinue psychotropics.

Anything less than this will endanger ones personal welfare to the unknowable outcome of how one will respond to discontinuation from psychotropic medications.

Well said and smart, safe, plan.

[Tucson]

Playing with meds unecessarily messes with brain chemistry. Withdrawl symptoms or not, this can have its consequences. And let's not forget why we are on them in the first place. FWIW