Opinions on taking meds for mental illness?

Question

I'm just curious on peoples opinions....do you think it's better to take meds or try to self medicate? Why or why not? Also, is it possible if someone doesn't treat a mental illness that it can become worse and even form into a new illness. For instance an untreated bipolar becoming schizophrenic?

Answer 1

Severe Bipolar Disorder can have psychotic features, but the two disorders (Bipolar and schizophrenia) are rarely dually or sequentially diagnosed.

Self-medication is feasible for some people, but it's not often as safe, effective and minimally compromising as is planned out, prescribed medication.

Medication is generally something that I avoid recommending for my patients unless the severity of their disorder is such that their daily functioning is significantly impaired.

Answer 2

No mental illnesses will not morph. Schizophrenia is degenerate meaning it will become worse the longer left untreated but no mental illnesses stay as they are they do not change into new things (a heart condition wont turn into a brain tumour). Also bipolar would not turn into schizophrenia even if it were somehow possible for illnesses to morph into new things (which it is not) as bipolar is a periodic disease where is schizophrenia is random.

To clear up your other question you NEVER self medicate, doctors have extensive knowledge on the medications and not every medication works for everyone, they need to evaluate you to see what medication would work best, what dosage and such. The medications that do work are prescription only, something you cannot do unless you have a doctor once again, also a lot of herbal medications that are sold in health food stores are currently being shown as poisonous so they are not safe.

If you do not know that mental illnesses don't morph you do not have the knowledge to self medicate, not many people do you need a trained professional to PROPER diagnose you NEVER self diagnose, they know what to look for the tiny things that can set two seemingly similar illnesses apart, they have the newest updates on the newest drugs, what works best for you among other things.

See a doctor ALWAYS never self medicate or self diagnose there is a reason they are the professional in this situation.

Answer 3

I don't believe bipolar can become schizo, but it can get worse. Most illnesses gone untreated cause a unhappy life in the best scenario and homocide or suicide in the worse scenario.

I suggest medicating till you get control over it. Many doctors will tell you it will never be "in control", but I am bipolar and am no longer medicated. I learned to control my emotional ups/downs through meditation. I did it for many hours a day at first, but now I just meditate periodically.

You might even try something like yoga or taichi
Good luck.

Answer 4

If someone is bipolar, they need meds.
If they are schizoid, they need meds yesterday!
If someone feels down in the dumps, they can try some depression meds, but they might find they feel better without them.

Answer 5

If you have prescriptions, take them as prescribed.

Self medication is a no win situation. That is when addictions occur.

Yes, not treating a mental disorder can lead to other disorders.

Answer 6

I don't think bipolar can transform into schizophrenia. And you should take your meds. I'm bipolar and I take Abilify. If I didn't have it I would stil be crazy with mood swings all the time.

Answer 7

i self-medicated too long with alcohol, since no meds were helping. now i have the proper diagnosis, hence proper medication, so therefore i no longer drink everyday.

meds seems better, dontcha think?

Answer 8

yes, to do what your PSYCHIATRIST tells you

If, problem occurs with meds, ALWAYS DISCUSS with your DOCTOR.
.
NO, DO NOT MEDICATE yourself!!!
Yes!!! very possible to get NEW ILINESS.

Answer 9

depends on mental illness - me being a healthy mental person would say just get over it but idk im not ill