There's No Shame In Needing Medication To Manage Your Mental Illness

Written by Caitlyn Kalustian I have Bipolar 1, the most severe form of bipolar. I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago. It took me about three years to get on the right meds. Throughout those three years, I cycled through episodes of mania and depression. It resulted in three hospitalizations. Once I was on the right medication cocktail, I stabilized. At least, I became as stable as anyone with a severe mental illness can be. Despite the five medications I take for my mood disorder and anxiety, I still deal with symptoms. I am a high-functioning person living with mental illness, but this doesn’t mean I’m totally asymptomatic. One of the things I struggle most with is impulse control. I have horrible impulse control. When I want it, I want it now. I have such knee-jerk reactions, and I make decisions without thinking them through. I get so stuck on an idea that I just can’t put it to rest until I do something about it. I am a high-functioning person living with mental illness, but this doesn’t mean I’m totally asymptomatic. A lot of people I’ve talked to with bipolar seem to experience the same thing, even if they are on a good medication regimen. I stick to my routine. I take my meds every day. I get enough sleep. But still, my mood disorder is there, underneath the meds, the routine and the sleep. It took me a long time to realize even though my bipolar is well managed, it still affects me. I seemed to think for a while I was doing so well t...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news