[lucidity11]

My son is diagnosed bipolar, he has been taking respitol for about three months, he said he doesn't need it so he isn't going to get a new script. He just want to stop taking them when they run out. I have explained that just stopping this medication can cause him to become psychotic again. Last psychotic episode he drove his car into a building. He is still recovering from the injuries he received and thank god no one else was hurt. Any advice would be appreciated. He'll be out of medication in 7 days.

[Victoria'smom]

Can you pick up his script for him so he has it anyway? Just in case.

[manicminer]

In my experience, he feels he doesn't need it because he feels well. However, he's forgetting that its the medication that's helping him to feel well and without it the symptoms will most likely return.

[raspberrytorte]

I agree with miguel.

Can you pick up his prescription for him?

[mugwort2]

Wish I knew what to tell you. Hoping you can find a solution to your son not taking his Resperidal.

If he's really fighting you on it, he'll probably have to experience enough of these humiliating, costly self-destructive delusions of independence from treatment on his own to realize that he does need the medicine to function.

[lucidity11]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Can you pick up his script for him so he has it anyway? Just in case.

I hadn't thought of that. I could go back to the psych ward and see if they will just write a script. Thank you. That helped

[lucidity11]

Originally Posted by Lefty the Salesman

If he's really fighting you on it, he'll probably have to experience enough of these humiliating, costly self-destructive delusions of independence from treatment on his own to realize that he does need the medicine to function.

He told me he always believed he would die violently. He didn't die in the car wreck. Almost but didn't. thank god. I just think if he goes off again he will end his life. It seems to be the pattern. He becomes psychotic and get into altercations he can't win. This all just started in june. By that time he lost his gf in january due to his behavior. Than he lost his job in april. By june he was completely manic, got arrested, went to a psych ward for two weeks than went home. Two weeks later he drove his car into a the front of a brick building going about 90 miles per hour. When he's not psychotic he's ok. He can be good with his sons and even be kind to me. I think the use of weed set him off. He isn't a regular pot smoker. His gf thought it was a good idea. NOT It just doesn't seem that he is making his way back. I am afraid he will kill himself if he gets into another psychotic state. I love my son. And I see him still in there. I just wish he would come back.

[alincdytyourmeds]

No words of advice, but I just cried at your last three sentences, how I wish my mom would have those words for me.Keep advocating for your son. He may not see it now, but he might in the future.

[lucidity11]

Originally Posted by alincdytyourmeds

No words of advice, but I just cried at your last three sentences, how I wish my mom would have those words for me.Keep advocating for your son. He may not see it now, but he might in the future.

Thanks you for your encouragement.

[Row Jimmy]

BP isn't curable. It's only managed either by medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. It's a common mistake for people to think they're "cured" simply because the medication makes them feel better.

Many alcoholics do the same thing - after a period of stability, they either say "I'm OK now" or "they were wrong, I'm not an alcoholic" and they spiral back to the same dark place they were in before treatment.

BP, in many ways, is no different. In fact, studies have shown that BP actually gets worse as we age.

[vjdragonfly]

Having the prescription ready does sound like a good idea. I don't know how close you are to your son, but have you tried voicing your concerns. It is hard being the person on the outside looking in cause you see what is the reality when the bipolar person doesn't so much. I wish you the best of luck and I hope your son changes his mind and stays on his med.

[vjdragonfly]

Originally Posted by Row Jimmy

In fact, studies have shown that BP actually gets worse as we age.

I didn't know this , great, more to look forward too.

[Row Jimmy]

Originally Posted by vjdragonfly

I didn't know this , great, more to look forward too.

But if we are able to manage it, we can get by quite nicely. I was probably BP for 30 or so years, undiagnosed. (In retrospect, it's easy to measure these things now that I know I'm BP).

OK, so In my 40's, I started to decline rapidly, lots of drinking, dope, and violent episodes involving objects and threatening people. At the urging of my family, I basically got myself evaluated because something was seriously wrong and I was diagnosed with BP2. Today, I'm doing fine and don't really feel myself slipping long term. I have bouts here and there but I'm mostly stable. However, I don't feel I'm getting "better" and am good about trying to keep up with my treatment program.

Originally Posted by Row Jimmy

In fact, studies have shown that BP actually gets worse as we age.

Just to chime in with Mr. Jimmy's assertion with some anecdotal evidence of my own, my disease has become much more pronounced and disabling as I age. Happy face emoji!

Also, pot is really bad for me when I am psychotic. Tell his GF if you feel comfortable doing so.