Speaking from Experience

Our community members are generous in sharing their experience with others who live with bipolar disorder (manic depression). We have compiled some of their words - some of pain, some of hope, some of wisdom, some of practical advice - in these pages on many topics of interest to bipolars, their families and friends, and those who treat people with manic-depressive illness.

Pages about individual medications are listed at the bottom.

Cutting and Other Self-Injury
Why do people do physical harm to themselves? What feelings trigger the need to cut? What techniques are there to stave off the urge to do self-injury?

Electroshock Therapy
In answer to the question, "What was your experience with electro-convulsive therapy?" several people shared what shock treatments were like for them.

How Family Can Help
Family members of bipolar people have been asking us, "What does it mean to 'be supportive'? How can we best help our bipolar loved ones?" Our community members responded.

Managing and Remembering Medications
It's a plain fact that bipolar people tend to forget their medications or deliberately skip doses. Here our community members share their ideas for keeping up with meds.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Research studies are now being conducted regarding the use of Omega-3 as a treatment for bipolar disorder. In this Been There/Done That, our members talk about their own experiences with using Omega-3 fatty acids as part of treatment for themselves or their children.

Psychiatric Hospitalization
Our community members talk about their experiences with being in and working in psychiatric hospitals. Some have good experiences to report, some not. They also discuss legal issues including involuntary commitment.

Psychiatric Inpatient Experiences
Cassa gives a detailed description of her experiences during several hospital stays. Illuminating for anyone who might be facing time in a psychiatric hospital or a hospital's psychiatric ward.

Social Security Disability and BP
Yes, you can get disability benefits if your bipolar disorder interferes with your ability to work for a living. Forum members relate their experiences and give lots of insights into and advice about the process, including filling out the forms and helping adult children.

Stopping Medications
Another common characteristic of bipolar people is that many stop taking their medications. This is not something we recommend! But hear from people who have done it: Why they stopped and what happened when they did.

Experience With Specific Medications

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) - Mood Stabilizer / Anticonvulsant
Lithium - Mood Stabilizer
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) - Mood Stabilizer / Anticonvulsant
Topiramate (Topamax) - Mood Stabilizer / Anticonvulsant
Venlafaxine (Effexor) - Antidepressant