The Important role of Proper Medication and Montoring~

                                   Good afternoon Readers. I hope and pray that today is not a bad day for you. I know all too well how quickly moods change with Bipolar and depression. This entry is going to address the topic of the importance of medication and how it plays a very vital role in staying stable and being able to function.

                                I know who likes to have to take meds? They do play a role in how well you will be able to function from day to day. Don’t get me wrong Medication is not the end all solution, its only part of the very big puzzle that we need to have put together. It’s a combined effort of a Good therapist, one that you feel comfortable with, it’s learning healthy coping skills, it’s figuring out what medications will work for you, because just like we are all different as people, medications affect people differently.

                           One thing I’ve learned over the years of dealing with bipolar is I had to be very open and honest with my psychiatrist, so they could help me figure out what combination of meds would work best for me. I also learned as time went on to do my research, most meds out there will have some kind of side effects, trying to figure out which ones have the least amount is important. Its about weighting the pros and the Cons.

               Like I said no one likes to take medicine, but it’s out there to help us and there is no shame in taking it. But I will state this right now, there is no magic pill, there is no happy pill, yes it sounds wonderful maybe, but, dealing with mental illness is also about learning healthy skills to help you cope with things that trigger the depression and mania.

           I’m no therapist, but I dealt with Bipolar on a very severe scale for many years. I had it all counseling for years, medications up to 24 pills a day. And in and out of the hospital, now im stable. I have been for years, when I went on to college; I even took psychology courses because I understood it so well and was fascinated by how the human brain works.

            I remember those roller coaster days, when my moods were ever changing and I never knew how I would feel from moment to moment. When I did find the right combination of meds years ago and I started my new routine of taking them every morning, afternoon and evening, after a while I started to feel better. So I thought I don’t need my medication anymore, the thing was the reason I was feeling better, was because the medication was working. But sometimes dealing with bipolar, we can’t think clearly, we can’t see the whole picture and I was quick to stop taking them, I felt I no longer needed them.

        This is where it can be very dangerous, not just because the medication helps us function, but also because since some of more severe side effects than others, it’s not safe to abruptly stop them, especially without a doctor’s consent. Be honest with your doctor, there were times I needed more meds than other times and higher doses, but those were times and seasons, remember it’s not just about the medications it’s about talking out your feelings, learning coping skills, so when the stress hits and the emotions rage, then you will be able to act rationally and not act out on those feelings. Above all having Hope, my FAITH has helped me so much and of course a healthy support system in place is important as well!