Many Non-Treated Bipolar Disorder Patients
One of the most serious side
effects of untreated bipolar disorder is the bipolar violence associated with
it. This is most of the time because of noncompliance with a treatment plan. When
you stop taking your medicine you can be a danger to yourself and others.
Studies show that a large percent
of people do not take medications as prescribed. With psychiatric medicines the
percentage is higher. For bipolar disease, a lot of bipolar patients will stop
medication in the first year of treatment; usually because they will experiment
with their dosage or go off their medication altogether because they enjoy
their highs.
Some do not believe they have an
illness. The side effects are the most common reason given for people who stop
taking their medicine. Side effects can be controlled and be kept to a minimum.
Sedation people do not want to feel like they are in a fog but in most cases
the feelings if the occur are reduced in a couple of weeks. Gaining Weight not all medicines cause weight
gain, but people sometimes the consequences of being left untreated are worse.
The weight gain can be watched and if need be. People believe they have no need for medication
because they can handle the issue on their own without medicine. People think
they will perform better without taking their prescribed medicines; they
believe they are more creative without medication; some people believe they get
more done without their medication.
Bipolar Violence can be the
result of untreated bipolar disorder. Not to taking medication in the early
stages of treatment is fairly common;
the usual reason to seeking a doctor is for depression when it lifts some
people stop the medication because hey feel better. The statistics of people
who stop taking their medication are shown in the suicide rates the result is
significant.
If you are having problems with
your medication, discuss these it with your doctor. There are many options and
many different medications that are used.
Combinations of medications or therapy in addition to medication can
prove to be effective. It is a lo0ng road to recovery and since it is a
lifelong disorder adherence to treatment is imperative.
"Discussing medication problems with your doctor" can be meaningless when your doctor leaves you on the medication. There are only two categories of medications available to effectively treat bipolar - without sending one into mania (antidepressants). Those are antipsychotics and anticonvulsants. My experience with antipsychotics has been a nightmare. I had serious cognitive deficit, incontinence, motor control issues and others. I finally stopped taking them and feel so much better. Now I am only taking a small amount (300mg) of Lithium and the lowest therapeutic dose of Oxcarbazepine. I am tired of taking those and plan to stop soon. I am tired of being a zombie.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you are having so much trouble with medications The only thing AI can suggest is for you (If you can) find a better doctor who can find and keep you on a medication with fewer side effects. I am fortunate or unfortunately able to tolerate high doses so I do not feel like a zombie I stay on medication and have for most of my life because it takes the edge off of my symptoms which are severe enough to keep me on medication. Keep that in mind if you choose to go off The symptoms are sometimes worse than the side effects
ReplyDeleteGood luck
bywena