Compliance Issues
Medications are the primary method of treatment for bipolar disorder (manic depression). The long-term prognosis is good for those treated with the proper drugs. However, medication compliance is a problem. Side effects are often intolerable and the meds often seem unnecessary for those who find stability. Found here are resources and information relating to this topic.
5 Bad Reasons Not to Take Medications
There are more than five bad reasons not to take medications, but in this article we look at some of the most common reasons people either refuse to start or stop taking meds. The common thread in these bad reasons is that they can all lead to serious, even life-threatening problems. Part 1 covers two reasons people don't want to take medications at all.
There are more than five bad reasons not to take medications, but in this article we look at some of the most common reasons people either refuse to start or stop taking meds. The common thread in these bad reasons is that they can all lead to serious, even life-threatening problems. Part 1 covers two reasons people don't want to take medications at all.
Have You Had Bad Experiences From Stopping Your Meds?
It can be dangerous to stop taking your bipolar medications. Have you done this? Tell us about bad experiences you've had from stopping your meds.
It can be dangerous to stop taking your bipolar medications. Have you done this? Tell us about bad experiences you've had from stopping your meds.
Have You Stopped Taking or Decreased Your Meds With Good Results?
In patients with bipolar disorder, more often than not stopping taking medications has bad consequences, but some people report improvement in mood or function. Are you one of these people? Tell us about it.
In patients with bipolar disorder, more often than not stopping taking medications has bad consequences, but some people report improvement in mood or function. Are you one of these people? Tell us about it.
Stopping Medications - Would You Do It? Why?
A lot of people with bipolar disorder stop taking their meds. Many others want to stop but don't. What are the reasons you stopped - or what keeps you from stopping?
A lot of people with bipolar disorder stop taking their meds. Many others want to stop but don't. What are the reasons you stopped - or what keeps you from stopping?
Stopping Medications: What Consumers Have to Say
Many people taking medications for bipolar disorder wish they could stop taking their meds. Stopping on your own, especially all at once, can have serious consequences. Stopping medications or changing dosage without a doctor's permission is called "noncompliance." So why do people stop and what happens when they stop? These articles will give you food for thought as you examine your own attitudes toward taking your medications.
Many people taking medications for bipolar disorder wish they could stop taking their meds. Stopping on your own, especially all at once, can have serious consequences. Stopping medications or changing dosage without a doctor's permission is called "noncompliance." So why do people stop and what happens when they stop? These articles will give you food for thought as you examine your own attitudes toward taking your medications.
Medication Struggles Continue
As we juggle the medications to try to find the right "drug cocktail" to promote mood stability and weight loss, now the insurance company starts to interfere. From the "I'm Bipolar" series - the introduction to the article below, "Disastrous Medication Changes."
As we juggle the medications to try to find the right "drug cocktail" to promote mood stability and weight loss, now the insurance company starts to interfere. From the "I'm Bipolar" series - the introduction to the article below, "Disastrous Medication Changes."
I Don't Want to Rely on Meds
A forum member asks, "My therapist yesterday wanted to explore why I am resistant to the idea of having to rely on anti-anxiety meds to get through the normal stresses of the day. ... for some reason I criticize myself for not being able to handle anxiety without these little white pills." In his answer, BrianHost gets to the heart of why relying on meds is not a weakness.
A forum member asks, "My therapist yesterday wanted to explore why I am resistant to the idea of having to rely on anti-anxiety meds to get through the normal stresses of the day. ... for some reason I criticize myself for not being able to handle anxiety without these little white pills." In his answer, BrianHost gets to the heart of why relying on meds is not a weakness.
Bad Experiences From Stopping Meds
Have you thought about stopping taking your medications? Members of the About Bipolar Disorder forum tell of bad experiences with stopping meds. Problems include the return of mania or depression, severe mood changes, feeling suicidal, or winding up in the hospital.
Have you thought about stopping taking your medications? Members of the About Bipolar Disorder forum tell of bad experiences with stopping meds. Problems include the return of mania or depression, severe mood changes, feeling suicidal, or winding up in the hospital.
Disastrous Medication Changes
Don't try this at home! Changing medication dosages without consulting your doctor can have devastating effects. Part of the “I’m Bipolar” series by Marcia Purse.
Don't try this at home! Changing medication dosages without consulting your doctor can have devastating effects. Part of the “I’m Bipolar” series by Marcia Purse.
Good Experiences With Stopping Meds
More often than not, those who stop taking the medications that treat their bipolar disorder experience bad, even dangerous effects. Some members of our forum reported good experiences after stopping their meds. Here is what they had to say.
More often than not, those who stop taking the medications that treat their bipolar disorder experience bad, even dangerous effects. Some members of our forum reported good experiences after stopping their meds. Here is what they had to say.
About Stopping Your Meds: Reasons Why or Why Not
Taking medications is an important part of the treatment of bipolar disorder. Non-compliance with medication therapy is not uncommon. We asked people why they have considered going off their meds.
Taking medications is an important part of the treatment of bipolar disorder. Non-compliance with medication therapy is not uncommon. We asked people why they have considered going off their meds.
What Do You Think About Stopping All Your Meds?
Experiences and insights from bipolar people who have gone off all medications at some time in their lives, from our Speaking from Experience series.
Experiences and insights from bipolar people who have gone off all medications at some time in their lives, from our Speaking from Experience series.