Posted by Janice on June 4, 2000, at 21:47:11
In reply to I'm back with a new post., posted by Ima Lamer on June 3, 2000, at 13:55:31
>Hi Ima,
I a rapid cycler, or recently ex-rapid cycler.
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> Can't I live with out the meds?the general tendancy of most rapid cyclers is for the illness to progress. My highs continued to get higher, and my lows continued to get lower (until I could no longer get out of bed for 3 days). Also I found as I aged, the depression took a stronger hold on my illness, and my wonderful highs became less and less.
so, yes you could probably go without meds--for a while anyway. From what I've read, the illness gets harder to treat as it progresses. I just spent 14 years trying to get the right diagnosis and medications.
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> Really, I do well with out meds for BiPD, but should I look into an anxiety medication?Yes, look for a medication for your anxiety. I had terrible anxiety too. Many bipolar people have anxiety. I actually treated my anxiety with my bipolar medications.
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> Funny story, when I was about 15 I thought God would come down and make me raise up in the church, almost like I was Jesus.I often got confused between fantasy and reality. Even now, occasionally I have to stop and think whether or not something I'm talking about is real, or did I fantasize about it so much, it just seems real.
I also felt special, gifted, unable to be understood, choosen by God (I felt like this both during a mania, when I was normal and even sometimes during a low). Many of my manias involved God and religion and spirits.
Anyway Ima, you sound like a nice young man.
I'd really want to say, get on your meds and don't come off them (I'm 34 and finally stable). But it's your life. If you have any more questions or concerns, please ask.
Are you concerned about the stigma of having a mental illness?
Any tips on how to tell people about this kinda stuff would help.
My policy is to never tell anyone (strangers) until I've spent at least 10 hours talking to them.
If you're talking about people you already know, I'd present it like it is a biological illness, which it is. Maybe give them a phamphlet on it or something.
I never tell anyone when I am depressed or suffering from a mania, or extremely unstable. Simply because I'd be too vulnerable to their response.
peace, Janice
poster:Janice
thread:35871
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/36041.html