Hi @Butterfly18
So sorry for the late reply as I only read your post now. The tag didn't take as there needs to be an @ in the beginning of the person's user name for them to be notified of a post.
How did the medication effect me? There is a very long history there and different medications had different results which varied greatly. Over the years the type and amount of meds have improved somewhat as well and the dose cut down dramatically - for me anyway. There was some years a long time ago where I was on 28 pills a day - uppers, downers - horrible. I have had ECT which didn't work for me.
Currently it is changes in lifestyle, changes of my thought processes from catastrophe, negative to more positive ones and learning coping strategies that have helped me the most deal with my disorder. The disorder itself has improved and has stabilised to where I need no meds for now - but I did relapse some months earlier and went on sleeping meds as I can be up all night and emotions everywhere - then I will crash with very low, lows, irritability and high anxiety. Controlling worry and stress factors can help prevent that. It really isn't black and white. Also my GP ran medical tests and discovered I had physical disorders that triggered bi-polar (thyroid and hormonal imbalances etc) which helped regulate the symptoms but indeed was not the only cause.
I had a family member make an attempt on my life when 7 in the home and that triggered a psychotic episode and multiple personality disorder in me (which now they call DIDs). This was hushed up and "I received no treatment". It was a nightmare. I also continued to be abused mentally, emotionally and physically. The psychosis and MPD lasted for approx one year and went away on its own (it happens) - indeed unadvisable to not have treated as I went through hell - I was lucky there it fixed itself. But I did have extreme moods swings still, displayed risky behaviour, one one minute, down the next, alcohol addiction - the list goes on and a bi-polar diagnosis was made in my late teens.
My mental health issues and treatments have a long history. Mood regulators helped for awhile but the side effects of most meds where very problematic as they were worse in cases than the illness (turned me into a zombie after being on them for too long so tried periods without). Only ending up back on them - on and off with some ant depressants added in the mix (some helped, others did not).
The last couple of years I am doing well without meds (except sleeping meds) but I do relapse occasionally (have flip outs) - but with the support of my husband and other methods mentioned I can get myself back on a somewhat even keel. Sleep, routine, healthy lifestyle,,positive thinking, keeping my mind and body fully active and focused (distracting from negative thoughts), abstaining from alcohol completely and correcting any physical problems helped me a lot. So it was not just meds that contributed to my stability today.
Hope all went well with the appt and I hope the above helped.
x
