Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Also as if I owe an apology.
Ever since reading the thread "Bi-polar brainwashing" and some of the responses by some of the respectful and intelligent people here, I have had to give some of my own previous post serious thought.
Though I will say that I do agree with the majority of what the OP wrote in her thread and is the major reason why I, myself do not take medication, I also realise that is my opinion and I have no right to try and push that opinion on others or sit in judgement of people who disagree. If my intent is to help others who wish to try and live with this illness w/out the use of medications( And it is) than I first need to accept and acknowledge the opinions of those who use medications.
I do want to add on disclaimer to one thing that was written on the thread "Bi-polar brainwashing" however. It was suggested that those who can manage this illness w/out the use of medication must only suffer from a milder form of BP.
I just want to say that I have been Dx'ed with BP1 with rapid cycling and my prognosis wit out medication was to say the least grim, yet I am here and maintaining fairly well w/out meds.
Finally, I would like to offer an apology to any I may have offended in the past as a result of my stance on medication. I will continue try to offer alternatives to medication but in the future will try not speak negatively about them or those who use them.
Ever since reading the thread "Bi-polar brainwashing" and some of the responses by some of the respectful and intelligent people here, I have had to give some of my own previous post serious thought.
Though I will say that I do agree with the majority of what the OP wrote in her thread and is the major reason why I, myself do not take medication, I also realise that is my opinion and I have no right to try and push that opinion on others or sit in judgement of people who disagree. If my intent is to help others who wish to try and live with this illness w/out the use of medications( And it is) than I first need to accept and acknowledge the opinions of those who use medications.
I do want to add on disclaimer to one thing that was written on the thread "Bi-polar brainwashing" however. It was suggested that those who can manage this illness w/out the use of medication must only suffer from a milder form of BP.
I just want to say that I have been Dx'ed with BP1 with rapid cycling and my prognosis wit out medication was to say the least grim, yet I am here and maintaining fairly well w/out meds.
Finally, I would like to offer an apology to any I may have offended in the past as a result of my stance on medication. I will continue try to offer alternatives to medication but in the future will try not speak negatively about them or those who use them.
On here, we have all had to offer apologies or reconsider our position on a specific topic. THAT is what I call growth - when you can put yourself in other's shoes.
I will clarify what I mean by that.
I just meant if your cyclothymic and your swings aren't as noticeable or troubling you may be able to handle yourself without meds. Or even in some cases treatment. I know that is what I got an initial dx of at 22 (by a neuropsychologist)..and it was blown off by a psychiatrist. So I went from 22 to 32 without help. It progressively got worse between 22-30 and by 28 I was drinking heavily and abusing alcohol. BUT between 22-28 I was managing enough to work jobs and get along with people without being singled out as a freak yet. I was very creative and eccentric and people socially accepted that about me without question. I was non medicated but I did drink but mainly on weekends and one night a week.
By 28 I was obvioulsy failing. By 31 after my child was born I went off the chain. I had no idea what to do with myself. NONE. My coping skills were destructive. I had no safe place besides my parents and that was an illusion in itself.
So anyways it took treatment and skills for me to get stable. I believe now that someday I may ask..(after child is raised) to try to go off meds and just use the DBT skills and probably have the PRN as well. Maybe I can do it but it was not going to ever happen without the treatment I got.
So I just feel that people who can naturally manage without meds or any teachings/therapies for skills (like dbt) must have a lessor form at that time. I just don't know how people can do it after the threshold has been stepped over...and the illness blown out of control...without skllls.
You Wiccan have had skills training. I can see why you are doing as well as you are. Because you rely on those skills for your life. I hope I can try that sometime..but feel insecure right now.
I just don't know how people can do that (go without meds) after the threshold has been stepped over and the illness blown out of control without meds.