Bipolar Disorder Controversy with Medications

[freud]

I found this great article that discusses this very topic.
http://www.huliq.com/17658/bipolar-diso ... edications

Many of these medications that are taken have some unknown side effects. The brain and the psyche is a complicated thing and drugs can act upon a person much differently that it did on someone else.

[Honesty]

Medications used to treat Bipolar disorder are worrying some patients that they will incur medical problems in the future. While patients voice their concerns, doctors try to present the benefits of the medications. For some people, the side effects are too much to handle, and they will refuse treatment. For others, taking medications has become routine as they vow to take their chances.

For people with bipolar disorder, being on medication is a lifelong struggle. It is typical that a person will change medications more than once throughout their life as well.

[watson]

I am not a huge fan of medicines to treat psychological disorders. As Watson stated, any person can be trained to become any individual. All psychological disorders can be explained through behaviorism. Reinforced ideas and concepts make people who they are. If bad behaviors are reinforced, then that leads to the disorders. By treating people this way, they can be cured.

[S. Earl Martin]

I was diagnosed with Bi Polar disorder in high school. I was given medications to treat it. I can't remember which ones and any records are not available. I didn't like the side effects. I quit taking the medicine and I learned to deal with the symptoms on my own. I had a rough time following instructions. Not because I couldn't do what was asked, but because I didn't think the same way as other people.
For instance. If I was told to do 1234. I might do 2 first or 3. This frustrated the person giving the instructions and they would assume I was not following directions. The end result would be the outcome they were seeking, but because I didn't do it like they wanted they would insist that I follow their methodology exactly. For me this was not possible. I compensated by becoming self employed. I started my own business when I was 12 and built it into a successful construction company. I have a very strong will and I can make changes to my life style or habits much easier than most people I have experienced. I just learned to compensate for the problem areas and used the positive attributes to my advantage. The main thing I learned was to set realistic goals and work to achieve those goals. Also be willing to change or modify the goals as the situation changed.

[Johnfloyd6675]

I myself have rather sever bipolar disorder and so I am taking medication right now. I'm 19, but my first full-blown mania was at 14, and without medication in the last year I flew off the handle and ended up in the hospital.

I think that lithium and semisodium valproate (Depakote) are the CORRECT openers in treating bipolar disorder. They are mood stabilizers. Antipsychotics and anxiolytics (Klonopin, Ativan), which are used all the time as the first line in treating bipolar disorder, especially in children.

One thing to keep in mind with bipolar disorder is that drugs that give you a little boost, yknow, can push your mood cycle and get you manic. Like, you'd have to be in bad shape for them to prescribe straight-up antidepressants. And good luck getting anything decent for ADD, because the PDR is very clear that methylphenidate or amphetamine plus bipolar disorder equals patient getting manic and robbing a bank,

[S. Earl Martin]

I agree with you. It is best to find what works for you. When I was being treated it was I would estimate about 30-40 years ago and the medications have changed alot. Still I found in my case trying to be "normal" was not possible and learned to turn as much of the condition to my advantage as possible. Working with it rather than fighting it. Although I have struggled with it all my life and have fought depression off and on. The manic phase can be used to be very productive and I have written some of my best poetry and songs while depressed. Some of histories best artists and inventors where Bi Polar. Just try and maintain a positive attitude as much as possible. Also keeping a journal can be helpful. Avoiding alchohol and drugs that effect your seritonin levels should be avoided.

Good luck to you! Peace 

[sure]

the doctors would prescripe anti-sadness.pills, if my family was upper-class. and wouldnt ttreat my for ages with something else and against something else. for they make experiments. but not with depressive disorder. it's scientifically solved. and not interesting. poor people the do experiments with. like about schizophrenia, other sicknesses that aren't proved, yet.