[James Cadden]

Am I alone in feeling that psychiatrists dealing with bipolar patients medicate their patients in a way to msedate them and leave their functioning at a lower level in order to keep them from going high instead of giving them a normal life

[rockgal]

Hi. It sounds as if you are feeling that your current medication regimen is not allowing you to live your life as well as you want to. If that is the case, then it might help to write out the difficulties you are having and present them to your doctor to get some open discussion going. If you are having a hard time communicating with your doctor, then it might be time to look for another.

I know beyond a doubt that the doctor who treated me for several years wanted very much to get me to full health and a good quality of life. She worked very hard with me to try to deal with side effects that I couldn't tolerate, such as tiredness and brain fog. I've moved to a new state and although I don't know my new doctor that well yet, so far he seems responsive and listens respectfully to my concerns.

There are conscientious, caring doctors out there, so don't give up.

rockgal

[Slothrop]

Originally Posted by James Cadden

Am I alone in feeling that psychiatrists dealing with bipolar patients medicate their patients in a way to msedate them and leave their functioning at a lower level in order to keep them from going high instead of giving them a normal life

To some extent this is a limitation of our current med choices. Depending on what you take, the meds that reduce dangerous behavior and suicidal thoughts can "even you out" a little TOO much.

However, I don't think a good doc will be content to merely sedate you. S/he should be experimenting to get you to the best level of functioning.

My psychiatrist prescribes stimulants to offset the sedative effects of my bipolar meds. (I'm bipolar II, so my risk of mania is pretty small.)