As a researcher of most things that interest me.
I find ,and read as much info as I can.

OCD may play a part in this also.

I also mean that it took me a long time to be able to read a book too.
I could hardly do sentences due to my scatty head at first.

I kind of do both but I favor more to asking people that's been there...

I read... some... but to behonest the information I find best is from fellow bp individuals that can carry a conversation when I have questions about the information. I Like to know to much (if thats possible) and so I ask LOTS of question. Anytime I ask about say a med... I have already researched it to include reading the doctors information on the drug and its research process and results. Sometimes I know more about the uncommon side affects then my doctor... I helped my doctor find my pernisious Animia (low b-12 folled by low iron as a result of the b-12) cause... it was a drug... stop the drug and treat it and I stabalize...

But that information doesnt replace real human experiance. I have read some books on BP but I end up with more answers then I started with.

So I guess I fall inbetween

interesting. curiosity can kill this cat, but agreed.. there are times where i can't focus beyond one sentence.

Reading and researching info on bipolar has given me a foundation to work with.I agree..talking and shareing with people who have gone through the "real thing",has given me a deeper understanding on how diverse and incidious this brain disordr is.

Oh... anoughter example... I got the "flu" from Ambian... I took the drug and woke up the next morning with the "flu" in the summer. I did reaserach talked to people on a sleep disorders board and found that my idea was right called the doc changed my med got meds to stop the 'flu' and refuse to ever take it again

so read... AND... ask questions

It hurt when I couldn't find a Holy Grail type cure from a book.
I was stood in the shop, flicking through the pages manically....." Hey, this is telling me what's ALREADY happened ! I wanna know what's GOING to happen !"
That kind of stuff.

Pluck....when I find reports or research on "what can happen"...it scares the bejees out of me.
That's when I know ,I have to keep searching (with my Pdoc) to find the right meds.
An unmedicated old bipolar person is a sad thing.

been there, done that pluck. i think it will never tell you what "will happen,' because we have the power to write our own endings to the story of our lives.

sometimes i wish things were so black and white. but then, where would the fun be in that?

thanks numbtomyself and dancingd.Two replies one after the other that were great.

I am an ardent reader, or used to be before my brain turned to scrambled eggs, but have been reading everything I can on BP for the last 3 months.
My new pdoc said I should STOP doing that...he prefers his patients to be totally ignorant. DUH!

My psych warns me to not to read too much then the bastard borrows my books.
hahaha

He also warns me off DS.
Yadda Yadda Yadda as you say here.

I dont think our Pdocs want us more informed then them. While to much information in the wrong hands is a bad thing the right information in any patients hands Is the most benificial. When I do read I try not to fall into 'loving' or hating an idea or info on say drugs... I present it to my doc(s) both pcp and pdoc (they keep each other in check) and then I either accept thier advice on the info or I question them more.

I have to say that " Bipolar For Dummies"
was refreshingly human.A lot of the admin stuff didn't apply as it was American.
I didn't mind.It felt that the authors were talking TO me rather than at me or down to me.