I was once diagnosed as someone with symptoms of bi polar disorder. I felt I had this from about age 14-25. I was on meds (Depekote, Celexa, Buspar, and Klonopin) for almost 2 years. Age 23-25ish. After I got off, I felt much better. And now I'm 27 and have to do very little to stay "normal."
Have any of you had this experience? Why do you think I have been feeling fine for all this time? Did the medicine "cure" me? Opinions?
2006-07-14 09:20:50 · 8 answers · asked by happymommy 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I am bipolar. I've known since I was young, and I'm only 21 now. I was on several medications for 2 years after a bad episode. I decided to go off the medication because it numbed me too much from feeling good or bad feelings, also, it was expensive. I find that medications don't "cure" your disease, you just treat it and keep it under control.
This is something that you will have for the rest of your life but may not bother you. You may have a bad maniac day every 6 months where you clean the whole house, and people don't understand and just think you're clean, or a BAD depressed day every couple of months but it's a symptom. Or you might have a bad month and everything will be up and down, but it will even out eventually.
I find that with diet and exercise and a stable living and home environment it's much easier to control and stay "normal." Only my family, boyfriend and a few close friends know, and my friends only know because I told them when I was first officially diagnosed when I was not with my boyfriend.
Keep up the good work in eating and staying healthy. It's the only key to being "normal" Drugs are only a temporary solution in my book unless in very severe cases, which does not sound like the case here. So good job!
2006-07-14 09:32:35 · answer #1 · answered by heavensangel_3_20 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ok - Stay busy, try to be around people and go out. Take up hobbies, adopt a pet, work for a charity. Exercise, Join clubs - hang out with family.
The key is staying busy and not getting mixed up in drama and don't stress too much.
Avoid things that make you sad.
I have the same problem you do - expect I'm not manic, I have go from low to lower...ya know? So if I just stay busy, I don't have time to get depressed. It's worked for the last 10 years =)
The medicine isn't a cure - some people (like myself) grow out of it as they grow up. Hormones are hard to deal with when your a kid...You might have just grown out of it.
See, the meds are a treatment, which means they arent a cure. i found that the meds had horrible side effects and made me groggy, I did not like them at all. They changed my personality, and lessened my ability to 'feel'.
Again, I think your hormones stabilized as you got older. It's all about chemicals in the brain. Your also older and wiser now - there's a lot to be said about 'peer pressure' and 'teen angst'.
I can say I wasn't misdiagnosed, I doubt you were either - It's just a matter of learning to cope with life =)
Good Luck and Congrats!
2006-07-14 09:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by Corn_Flake 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cured may be a strong word. More likely is that you have just been in a good part of the cycle. That can last for long periods of time--years even. But then it can cycle up or down again, and then you would have to go back on meds. Keep in contact with your doctor so that you have one when you need one, OK? I'm glad that you are having an easy time with this, at the moment. I hope it stays that way for a long time!
2006-07-14 09:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Waferette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, you should give him a shot. It sounds like you have been hurt several times in the past and you have trouble coping. First of all, are you still taking your medications for bipolar? It's very important to keep taking them even when you feel okay. As far as this man, give him a chance. He's sounds like a good guy, and you shouldn't give up on the relationship just because you're afraid that he might cheat or you might break up in the future. Try with all your heart. As far as him understanding you, maybe he has suffered with depression or another mental illness, they are really common. He will probably be supportive anyway, and I'm sure you know how important it is to talk about your feelings. Always remember that there are people out there for you whether it's by phone, in person, or on the internet...Please don't cave in to your temptations, you are strong and you can overcome this!
2016-03-27 05:31:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is no "cure" for bipolar disorder its just like diabetes you have to take meds for the rest of your life. you said u were diagnosed as someone with symptoms not actually have it so maybe the meds helped you thru whatever u were going thru be happy your not bipolar.
2006-07-14 11:20:01 · answer #5 · answered by butterflyharmon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you were young at the time, you may have "grown out of it." I'm happy for you. I guess the best thing to do is to keep yourself healthy, eat right, sleep well, and avoid drugs and alcohol, because you don;t want the bipolar to flare up again.
2006-07-14 09:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think you were misdiagnosed. Some doctors do not take the time to talk to a patient long enough or observe them adequately to make a diagnosis. I had that diagnosis mistakenly made by a doctor who never talked to me.
2006-07-14 09:25:40 · answer #7 · answered by ringocox 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your Doctor if you are cured now!
HOPE SO!
GOOD LUCK!
2006-07-14 09:24:42 · answer #8 · answered by Isadora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋