[bewise93]

I had a family member tell me a couple days ago that I shouldn't be taking medications for bipolar. She went on and on and wouldn't let me speak. She gave examples of people she knew who "got worse" on psychiatric medications. I told her my medications work well and I feel much better on them. She said it's because they are addicting. The funny thing is she is on blood pressure meds, heart meds, stomach meds, and 2 painkillers. She said all this to me while drinking a canteen of alcohol. PAINKILLERS AND ALCOHOL DONT MIX. I tried to point out her painkiller use and she said it was "way different." She talked about how she used to be depressed but now isn't because of her attitude. The reality is she isn't depressed because she's on two painkillers. I also always get slack for taking "too many" meds. But if they work for me, and I feel good, then that's my business. I usually am very sweet with her but I told her that she cannot lecture me about my choice to get treatment. I also said that I am going to set boundaries with her and if she continues to berate me because of meds, I'm going to avoid her. I've been through this medication shaming since I was 16. And then I come off my meds, and end up in the hospital. So now I take my meds religiously. I am happy with my life now somewhat and as a 24 year old family should respect my decisions.

[Sunflower123]

Good for you for setting boundaries!!! You're right. She should not be lecturing you about your use of psychotropics. It's not her business and she's being very hypocritical. People without MI sometimes just don't get it. The stigma of MI and the non understanding and judgement really bothers me sometimes. You continue doing what's right for you. Sending big hugs.

[UpDownAround]

One of the worst consequences of outing yourself is "helpful" advice.

[Shazerac]

I agree with Jennifer. Good for you for setting boundaries!

I have a sister who is an alcoholic and untreated bipolar. she goes on anti psych rants all the time. Well excuse me but alcohol is drug too! She does nothing but sit around her house and drink all day and all night. Her husband takes care of everything, child care shopping, etc. I got so tired of her ranting and ravings that I finally even unfriended her on facebook, because I don't need to listen to that crap.

[Nammu]

Sounds like her Freudian slip is showing. She's really worried about her pain meds and alcohol use but if she can make a case against your actual useful meds being wrong that makes hers right. I wouldn't listen to her rantings or take them seriously, just nod and say yup, whatever.

[WildcatVet]

I get this all the time and I just blow it off unless the person is interested and willing to listen to what I have to say. It seems to me that the majority of people who denounce MI/psychotropics the loudest...are in denial and probably need to be taking them themselves.
Diabetics, cardiac patients, HIV patients, MS patients....etc....all take medications. So do I and because of them I am a reasonably happy, healthy, and functional person.

[raspberrytorte]

Sounds similar to my family. I shouldn't be taking bipolar and anxiety meds, but meanwhile it's totally okay that my sister needs to take meds for her PCOS. (Not saying that people with PCOS shouldn't take meds.) Oh, and it's okay that my family drinks, when I think my mom and sister both have underlying MI. So drinking is better than taking meds according to them.

[WildcatVet]

Well, self-medication is better than seeking professional help like we do, right??

[Rheincurve]

Originally Posted by bewise93

I had a family member tell me a couple days ago that I shouldn't be taking medications for bipolar. She went on and on and wouldn't let me speak. She gave examples of people she knew who "got worse" on psychiatric medications. I told her my medications work well and I feel much better on them. She said it's because they are addicting. The funny thing is she is on blood pressure meds, heart meds, stomach meds, and 2 painkillers. She said all this to me while drinking a canteen of alcohol. PAINKILLERS AND ALCOHOL DONT MIX. I tried to point out her painkiller use and she said it was "way different." She talked about how she used to be depressed but now isn't because of her attitude. The reality is she isn't depressed because she's on two painkillers. I also always get slack for taking "too many" meds. But if they work for me, and I feel good, then that's my business. I usually am very sweet with her but I told her that she cannot lecture me about my choice to get treatment. I also said that I am going to set boundaries with her and if she continues to berate me because of meds, I'm going to avoid her. I've been through this medication shaming since I was 16. And then I come off my meds, and end up in the hospital. So now I take my meds religiously. I am happy with my life now somewhat and as a 24 year old family should respect my decisions.

I cannot tell you anything about what meds to take because I am not a doctor. I'll bet you anything that your relative who gave you the advice is also not a medical professional but only a lay person. For your information, I have bipolar (no doubt) and take three meds at this time. My med needs fluctuate just as the disease does. And, yes, if I don't take meds, sooner or later I will have a relapse, just like you. And, I suffer greatly during those relapses. That is why I started up on meds again and have personally decided this time to stay on them and stop fooling myself (like I really don't need them?). The most important med for me is lithium, but I need a couple of others too to get a handle on some leftover anxiety symptoms and calm me down. The mood stops fluctuating beautifully, though, for me, with lithium....my mainstay. Hope this has helped. Stay cool!
Rheincurve

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Shazerac

I have a sister who is an alcoholic and untreated bipolar. she goes on anti psych rants all the time. Well excuse me but alcohol is drug too! She does nothing but sit around her house and drink all day and all night. Her husband takes care of everything, child care shopping, etc. I got so tired of her ranting and ravings that I finally even unfriended her on facebook, because I don't need to listen to that crap.

I have a brother that is a highly functional alcoholic. He thinks my bipolar diagnosis explains a lot and believes it but not the substance use disorder. I know it is because when we spent time together he drank more than I did, plus he would slip off and smoke weed (he knows I have been steering clear of illegal drugs for a long time). So he would have a hard time defending his behavior if agreed that my substance use was a problem.

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't talk to the rest of my family about my MI, because I'd probably get the same thing. Or worse, I don't have it that bad and just want attention.