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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sister on March 18, 2003, at 23:57:40
Does anyone think that a bipolar teenager who has been on medications for the past 5 years, can go off them all b/c he is now 18 and legally can, manage his illness with just his mind and councling 1x every 2 weeks?
Posted by stjames on March 19, 2003, at 16:45:00
In reply to bipolar without medications, posted by sister on March 18, 2003, at 23:57:40
no
Posted by noa on March 19, 2003, at 16:59:24
In reply to bipolar without medications, posted by sister on March 18, 2003, at 23:57:40
Probably not, but I bet it is common for kids to try this. Does his therapist know he intends to do this?
He may be 18, but if like most teens, still dependent on parents financially, so there may still be some leverage to use to get him to handle this decision more carefully and responsibly, ie, consulting with psychiatrist and therapist, creating a plan to monitor how he is doing off meds, what would be sign he needs to go back on, etc. Or use leverage to keep him on meds altogether, but hearing his concerns seriously and working with him on the decision might be more feasible (and effective in long run).
It sounds like a tough situation.
Posted by whiterabbit on March 26, 2003, at 2:01:29
In reply to bipolar without medications, posted by sister on March 18, 2003, at 23:57:40
I'm telling you from experience, if he suddenly quits taking his medication after 5 years, the consequences will be serious. In the first place, no amount of therapy will "cure" bipolar symptoms.
Although therapy is helpful for learning coping skills, and symptoms can be managed somewhat by avoiding caffeine and alcohol, you can't be "talked out of" manic depression any more than you can be talked out of diabetes or cancer. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that generally grows more destructive with age. Without medication, your brother may well become violent or suicidal. If you love him, please DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN to educate him about this disorder. The more he knows, the less likely he will be inclined to quit taking his medication,
which he really does need. A good source for educational material is NAMI, "The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness" www.nami.orgIf you give your brother this helpful information
and ask him to read it before he makes the decision to stop taking his medication, then you will have done the most and the very best that you can possibly do.-Gracie
This is the end of the thread.
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