heres the bottom line people not pointing ne fingers and can we just all leave it alone no one can say wat is going wo workon us we are all individuals and wat might work on one may not work on another but i think the common goal here is to share information and share our experiences and yes at the same time we are all human beings and we dont feel well and we are going to say things we didnt mean or we didnt think about before we said it but cant we just say sorry and move on i feel like i helped create this whole situation and i am sorry about it its like a snowball that keeps getting bigger but at the same time i shouldnt be chastised for what i think also but i think i will choose my words more closely next time that said cant we just all get along laugh

i'm sorry that I made you feel attacked lornar,but i've known people that have very seiuos psychotic episodes when they go off their meds and when I read that it brought back too many memories. I am very very sorry I made you feel attacked.

Hey Paint, you wouldn't believe how many times it's happened. It's Ok. I understand you did it out of concern. If the meds worked so well than why would anyone go off them? Or why wouldn't they just go back on them? Instead I've lost 2 friends myself. I almost lost myself. I'm glad they work for you honey. you are the lucky one. Peace.

it's very common for bp's to go off their meds when thier working, i've done it a number times, we start feeling more normal and think we don't need them anymore.

Hey don't leave. Sometimes we just get really down and don't know where to turn. We really are here for your and worry about you. We are all in the same place just going about it differently. One persons treatments are different than others. It doesn't make one more right than the others. Please stay.

Please dont go.

everything is a process. i think it is neither good nor bad that you are trying to get off of your meds, i think its just part of your process. in my opinion it is a non-issue. everyone's process is different, and you will find what works for you. i think you should go with the flow. understand that there is alot of stigma especially within the bipolar community about the effects of whether or not one takes one's medication. within this thought you are bound to meet with some resistance along the way. and because of the dramatic influence that medications have had on many of our lives, it is natural for those of us whose lives have been impacted to encourage you to consider medication. it is just another form of people trying to help you in their own way. it is just as important for you to be open to those of us who believe in medication as it is for those of us who do not believe in not medicating to be supportive of your position with regard to not taking meds. it is all relative. come or go, do what works for you. the bottom line is that we are here to support you as one of us. that is the nature of what we do here. when that is what you truly seek, regardless of your opinion regarding medications, i belive you will fine it here. perhaps taking some of the emphasis off of our differences will help put emphasis on our similarities and personal experience.

I just hope you can find the support you are looking for. I can't say I know much about you and I won't presume to know you through this agonizingly redundant discussion. I don't know why I kept reading, I guess to see if anyone had anything supportive to say. Which, very sweetly some did. Its a wide wide world and some people just clash. It is a merciful blessing to find people who understand and support you in every way. If you cannot find it here, that's ok, I do so hope that you can find what you need and stay strong.. I do know some people personally who have conquered much of their illness med-free and are still doing well. Keep believing in yourself.. this is a quote I keep on my fridge...
'keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great.'
M.Twain

(not to say you
are not already great!! :D)

You know, I am no expert. However, we all have to do what we think is best for us. For some that may mean no medication, for others is medication. Therapy or not. I am new to this site, but everything I have read gives me OPTIONS. It doesn't mean I try or not try everything. But I know this...I have found the only people who truely understand what I am going theu is another person with Bipolar no matter how mild or severe they have it. I hope you chose to stay. It is not my place to tell you what you should do, but to let you know I support you no matter what. Here is hoping the best for you.

I'm med free and you can message me anytime. I'd be glad to chat w you about your feelings/concerns.

Hi Lorna,

The last thing you should do is disconnect yourself from any type of support even message boards, we are all here to support each other. I am also active on another board on About.com
Its under Bipolar and it is also a great board to post on, should you want to venture over there too.
Its good to have a variety of places to visit.
Hope you are feeling better.........

I know nothing in this world is by chance. We all have deep inner feelings we should listen too. I felt the same way you did abt medas and went off several times. Once for abt a month I felt good. Then the cycle came. Maybe it is your time,but we are here for you. If you need to have some space take it it is there. Don't feel guilty but don't be alone. We are only given what we can handle. I know when it got to be too much I cried out to God for help. He answers and calms me . Wheter I'm alone or with someone else. Take baby steps we are all just children of different stages.