not always.

There have been times where I've said, "f*** it. I don't like meds. I'm not taking them anymore!" (This attitude usually happens when I'm either depressed or feeling normal.)

I'm currently at the point where I don't want to take my meds anymore.

If you do take meds, what do you do when you don't want to take them anymore? My

[LadyShadow]

I remember the times I was hospitalized because the symptoms always ALWAYS come back. Every time I have gotten off my meds it would lead me right back to the hospital and they would pump me up with EVEN MORE meds. I will just stick with what I have and stay compliant.

[raspberrytorte]

I'm usually med compliant. I mean, I have to be now.

[MusicLover82]

Remind yourself that your episodes are less bad on meds, your brain is better off on meds (bipolar episodes without meds are probably more likely to cause brain damage and make bipolar worse long-term), and if you feel too off-balance, go complain to your pdoc so he/she can make changes/tweaks as needed.

Our thoughts can be irrational during episodes, so remind yourself that the idea of getting off meds entirely is irrational. Talk to your T about it if need be, also. Have you tried journaling so you can rationalize with yourself and keep a list of pros and cons of being on meds? You could journal when you are stable and then go look back at what you wrote when you are feeling unstable next time.

HUGS!! Stay on your meds.

I'm too scared to go off meds. Every time I try and go off my ap I get really paranoid, so best to just stay on them. I don't want to end up not sleeping again and psychotic....

[OctobersBlackRose]

If I don't want to take meds, I tell myself.that my symptoms may come.back.worse than they were before, and that my psychiatrist will hospitalize me...It usually keeps me.taking my meds.

Originally Posted by OctobersBlackRose

If I don't want to take meds, I tell myself.that my symptoms may come.back.worse than they were before, and that my psychiatrist will hospitalize me...It usually keeps me.taking my meds.

That's a good way of putting it

I don't want to be hospitalized either. (Well, no one does.) I should use that as motivation.

[whoamihere]

I'm usually med compliant too. But like you, there have been times when I feel normal that I decide I'm cured and stop taking them. I've also considered myself to be an amateur pharmacologist when I'm feeling really bad and I adjust my own med cocktail. Neither approach works. I always, always feel worse. The depression always comes back with a vengeance when I stop talking my meds and I always regret it. I vowed after never to stop taking my meds again the last time I did it and so far so good. However, I do still tweak things on occasion. I just make sure I tell my pdoc.