Medication Can Help You Successfully Manage Bipolar Disorder

Medication is the second component to the Western World’s treatment approach to bipolar disorder. The other component is therapy.

The majority of modern research focuses on the use of medication as the foundation for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

That being said, each person’s journey is completely unique. Bipolar may be the common diagnosis but everyone is different in their symptomology, how they react to medication and their overall biological makeup.

If you have any questions about medication management, speak with your doctor. Always take your meds as prescribed and NEVER stop taking a medication without the supervision of a doctor.

Medication in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

My experience has proven the importance and necessity of medication to manage my bipolar disorder—both long-term and daily.

That being said, I am also a big believer in adopting a healthy lifestyle. This can only happen if you make healthy choices related to eating, exercise, sleep, relationships, and how you live your life.

Make sure you find a doctor to discuss all of your treatment options. Bipolar disorder is a serious illness and needs to be treated that way.

I am a strong believer that our differences will help dictate our overall treatment plans. However, medication is the glue to hold everything together.

You must find a medication regime that works for you, get on it, and take it consistently without fail.

The Impact of Stigma

The news is plastered with stories about individuals committing violent crimes and making questionable decisions while having bipolar disorder (or other mental illness). Most of the time, these individuals were not taking their medication.

Not only am I advocating for you to take your meds to manage your illness but also to fight the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder that plagues our society.

I kept my diagnosis of bipolar disorder hidden for a long time. Decades.

We need to come together to fight this powerful stigma. Those of us with bipolar disorder can show the world we deserve to live a full life free of prejudice and judgment. Taking our prescribed medication shows we are taking personal responsibility for our illness.

I am in no way saying it is an easy process to find the right cocktail of medications. It took me close to 10 years. Even still, my medications must be tweaked now and then to maintain stability.

Personal Responsibility with Medication Management

As an individual living with bipolar disorder, it is imperative that I take personal responsibility for my actions and how I manage my bipolar disorder.

Personal responsibility means I must take my medication every day. I have kids and a wife and they are all dependent on me. I want—and need—to be the best father, teacher, and person I can be, to my kids. To my wife, I want to be the best husband, best friend, and the best version of myself.

It is within my control, and thus my responsibility, to take all the measures I can to prevent severe fluctuations with my bipolar disorder.

Medication also allows me the opportunity to be a positive contributing member of society. This is another part of personal responsibility.

It is easy to play the role of the victim. Do not become another victim. Stand your ground and fight your bipolar disorder!

Bipolar disorder is an explanation, but it is in no way an excuse to treat others poorly.

Treatment

I want to be clear. I am not saying medication is the only thing you need to treat bipolar disorder. Proper medication management is one piece of the overall puzzle. I am merely saying that medication is part of the foundation you need to successfully manage bipolar disorder. Lifestyle choices and your belief system are two other important pieces of the puzzle.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

Evidence shows working with a provider—such as a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner—along with a therapist, provides for greater success in treating and managing your bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness. There is no cure (right now) and can only be controlled with the tools we have at our disposal.

For those of us living with bipolar disorder, current medication options have freed us from the walls of long-term psychiatric facilities. Decades ago, we would have been forced into mental institutions and asylums. Today, we have the chance to live long and fulfilling lives because of advances in medicine. New medications allow us this personal freedom.

Am I Better Off Without Medication?

If you have not already done so, you will eventually ask yourself, “Am I better off without medication?”

It is an important question to ask.

Before you make any snap decisions, first talk to your doctor. They will lay out all of your options. More than likely, you will need medication. Remember, we are talking about a severe mental illness that impacts your mood, energy level, motivation, and overall ability to function.

Why People Stop Their Medication

I see more and more posts/articles exploring the idea of whether to stay on your medication or go off it. I love a lively discussion, but when it is at the expense of someone’s health, I find it my responsibility to step in and say something.

“Taking medication makes me feel different.”

Taking medication does not make you any less of a person. Society likes to make us think otherwise. Do not fall into this trap. If you feel this to be an issue for you, speak with your provider or therapist.

Never allow the judgment of others to dictate your treatment plan. Remember, bipolar disorder is an illness. Like any other illness, you need to treat it.

“I want to treat bipolar disorder naturally.”

I think people today are searching more than ever. They are searching for the best job, house, car, relationship and the list goes on.

It makes sense that people are searching for different treatments to manage their bipolar disorder. I know I always do my best to keep up with the current treatment options.

Experience has shown me how complicated it can be to manage bipolar disorder.

I found that it isn’t a simple either/or question. It is not “this” or “that.”

My crisis and treatment plan consists of the medical model of treatment as the basis of my plan. Remember, the medical model is composed of medication and therapy.

I utilize other “natural” remedies in addition to my foundation of treatment.

These “natural” remedies—which work in tandem with my medication regime—include:

• Daily Exercise (I enjoy weight lifting)
• Aromatherapy
• Meditation
• Art Therapy
• Supplementation
• Drinking Plenty of Water
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Gratitude
• Downtime
• Mindfulness
• Sleep Management

Experience has shown me that you have a greater chance of success at managing your bipolar disorder if you combine treatment modalities from both Western and Eastern philosophies of medicine.

Look at all your different treatment options to make an informed decision.

“Medication inhibits my creativity.”

I can empathize with this statement. It is a legitimate concern.

When I am in a full-blown manic episode, I am not in my right mind. I start numerous projects that I never end up finishing, have no sense of focus, have an infinite amount of energy, and ultimately, become psychotic.

Here’s the problem: there is too much chaos.

If you can maintain stability, you can finish your projects.

You are not creative because you have bipolar disorder.

You are creative because that is who you are as a person.

I have experienced stability on my meds and the fallout from being off them.

One time, I forgot to take my medication for a couple of days. It was not intentional, but I just forgot. This experience occurred right around the date of my original diagnosis.

Forgetting my meds for those few days triggered a mixed episode. Since then, I have done everything in my power to remember my medication. I maintain a strict schedule of when I take my meds each day.

The Bipolar Spectrum

It may help you to understand bipolar disorder if you look at it as a spectrum—the bipolar spectrum.

Bipolar disorder is represented by a straight line.

One end of the line indicates the high severity of symptoms. As you go down the line, the intensity of symptoms decreases.

The bipolar spectrum can also be extended to the type of bipolar disorder versus the severity of symptoms.

The setpoint of our bodies changes as we age. Our hormones change along with everything else inside our bodies. As time goes by, medications can stop working or you can experience different side effects.

The type of bipolar disorder you have can change along with the symptoms you experience as you get older.

Because of these reasons, the bipolar spectrum is in a state of constant flux and indicates the severity of your bipolar symptoms.

Remember though, bipolar disorder is bipolar disorder just like suffering is suffering. It does not matter the kind but they are all just as difficult to deal with for each individual.

Last Thoughts

Find a medical professional that you are comfortable with and trust. After speaking with your provider and coming up with a treatment plan, follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Your best road to success is to find a treatment plan that works for you and your situation.

No matter what, stay on your bipolar medications and do not make any changes without first talking to your doctor. I cannot stress the importance of staying on your medication enough.

Be extremely vigilant about the information you consume about your illness. You can find all sorts of wonderful ideas on the internet but you can find just as many bad ones as well.

You are in the driver’s seat of your life. Do not allow anybody else to bully you into doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable or with which you do not agree.

It takes discipline and hard work to fight the daily battle of bipolar disorder.

You are not alone.