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With my marriage tottering on the brink of separation, I finally took the right step and I sought professi onal help. I don't regret making this move. It brought some relief to me when I learned that Manic Depression (in part) is a biological problem with a biological solution. I was placed on a newer "anti-convulsive" (called "Lamictal") which helped me deal with Manic Depression for a while. In addition to Lamictal, I began to see a Psychologist. Lamictal seemed to be working for a while. The only main side effects I experienced were occasional fairly intense headaches and insatiable cravings for junk food. This continued for about 3 months and then I went SPLAT! The shit hit the proverbial fan. I was taken off of Lamictal and I was given nothing in it's place in order that my Psychiatrist and Counselor could observe me for a couple of weeks while I remained off of any medication. I thought this was ludicrous, it made very angry and livid. I felt like I was being observed like some guinea pig in a medical laboratory. What about my feelings, thoughts, anxiety, and life?! What about my Manic Depression!? What about hitting major manic or depression cycles again!? I was not about to go "nuts" again so my Psychiatrist and Counselor could "observe me." I did some research and I found out about two very helpful alternative meds: an Amino Acid called "L-Tyrosine" and a herb called "Kava." In addition I found out I have a lot of copper in my blood (this too contributes to my behavioral problems) -- Zinc cleanses copper from the blood. I started taking L-Tyrosine,Kava, and Zinc. The difference in my life was dramatic due to the combination of these three meds combined with counseling and new coping skills I was learning. My wife noticed the improvement in me almost immediately! I've been taking these meds consistently and thus, with the combination of counseling, meditation, kinesiology, yoga, personal responsibility, my own eclectic blend of spirituality, stream of consciousness journaling, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (q.v. Albert Ellis), and Reality Therapy (q.v.William Glasser) my life is much better. I still have occasional tough days, but these occasional black days are nothing in comparison to full fledged untreated Manic Depression.
If you have Manic Depression there is hope. Seeking help can be a very difficult step but it is absolutely crucial that you do so if you have Bipolar disorder. For over a decade I foolishly put off acknowledging my problems and getting professional help -- it cost me dearly. Untreated Manic Depression puts a very heavy strain on yourself, your marriage, your jobs, your significant other, your family, others that you work with, your friends, others you associate with, and ultimately, if untreated it can cost you your life. With treatment, however, your life can be "NORMAL". All you have to do is find the proper treatment combo, i.e. Counseling, proper medication ASAP (either the alternative medicine or pharmaceutical drug route), coping skills, etc.
My heart goes out to those who suffer from mental illness and based on 16+ years of suffering with previously untreated Manic Depression it is my desire to help others effectively deal with their Bipolar disorder. Don't be stubborn, stupid, and hard-headed like I was, the sooner you get help for your Manic Depression the better it will be for you. If I have been able to educate you about Manic Depression and if I have been able to show the absolute necessity of getting treatment then I have fulfilled the purpose of sharing my testimony with you. Remember, if you have Manic Depression, you are not a freak, it's just one of those things that Life has dealt to you. You can overcome it with help and with some sort of proper drug treatment. You can live a normal, healthy, and productive life. Now, on to the meds.
Medicine treatment (also known as "drug treatment" or "drug therapy") is the most accessible hope for many who have mental disorders. Their are two routes you can take: the "anti-depressant - mood stabilizer - anti-convulsive" pharmaceutical drug route or the alternative medicine route. They both have pros and cons. There are many people who are both sides of the issue but the key for you is to learn as much as you can.
Psychiatry is the professional/medical stance on treating mental illness with medication. Psychiatry deals with the pharmaceutical " anti-depressants", "mood stabilizers", and "anti-convulsives". Psychiatry isn't an "exact" science and adjusting to the side effects of the various mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and anti-convulsives can be a pain in the ass for some people. However, once a person's metabolism has adjusted to the right drug treatment they'll be on course to a healthier, more peaceful life. The major risk you run with pharmaceutical drugs is, if or when the pharmaceutical drugs cease to work you are worse off than before. Then you have to go back to the drawing board again and you have to wait several weeks before your new medication takes effect. It is a trial and error experiment. Please educate yourself about the many drugs out there and their side effects because it's your body, it's your health, and it's your life we're talking about. Don't lose heart though, the good news is there are many great resources out there as well as many caring, helpful people.
For some people, various "anti-convulsives" like "Lamictal" or "Neurontin" are prescribed to treat Manic Depression. Anti-convulsives can be taken by themselves to treat Manic Depression and as a general rule their side effects aren't as harsh as compared to the anti-depressants or mood stabilizers. However, in many cases anti-convulsives may not work by themselves. If this is the case, then they are taken in conjunction with mood stabilizers and/or anti-depressants.
For others, various mood stabilizer drugs like "Lithium", "Depakote", "Valproic Acid", and "Tegretol" are frequently prescribed. Generally speaking mood stabilizers are used to control extreme mania and aggression. In some cases they are taken in conjunction with anti-depressants or anti-convulsives
"Anti-depressants" such as "Wellbutrin", "Serzone", "Effexor", "Zoloft", "Effexor","Remeron", "Prozac", "Elavil", "Paxil", and "Ludiomil" are among the most frequently prescribed. Anti-depressants can be taken by themselves, however, they are not as effective if taken alone in treating Manic Depression. There are two big catches with anti-depressants. One, in many cases they don't work by themselves. Two, taken by itself it can make one floridly manic. Therefore, one must take them either IN CONJUNCTION WITH A "MOOD STABILIZER" or a "anti-convulsant".
For SOME PEOPLE, the pharmaceutical drugs ARE effective in treating Manic Depression. If one can stay on them for their entire life with minimum damage to one's health...Great! However, after talking with staff and clients in the Mental Health system, IMO, the cons outrate the pros when it comes to taking the anti-depressant, mood stabilizer, and anti-convulsive drugs. ALL of the anti-convulsives, anti-depressants, and mood stabilizer pharmaceutical drugs have side effects that range from minor to potentially lethal. It becomes a crap shoot that hopefully matches your metabolism. There are no guarantees. Talk to your Doctor and/or Psychiatrist for details, but dont' rely on them solely for details. Do your own research too. The pharmaceuticals (after prolonged use) have a tendency to damage the mind/brain; they create dependencies; they can have potentially terrible side effects; they do more harm to a person's body than necessary (after prolonged use); they don't teach personal responsibility, and the pharmaceutical companies are run by multi-billon dollar industries that care more about the Almighty $ than they do about individuals who suffer from Bipolar illness. Please understand this is not the rantings and ravings of an ignorant, misinformed malcontent. I have heard negative comments about the pharmaceutical drugs from numerous clients, counselors, and even a Psychologist. Also, I've worked in the Mental Health system (part time), I've volunteered in the Mental Health system (part time), and I'm currently pursuing a degree in Psychology.
On the positive side, the various anti-convulsives, anti-depressants, and mood stabilizers work very well for some people. More power to them. Concerning alternative medicine and Manic Depression, the Amino Acid "L-Tyrosine", the herb "Kava", and Zinc capsules have been very effective in helping me. These things work for me and my metabolism -- THEY MAY NOT WORK FOR YOU. Once again, the key is educating yourself because it's your body, health, and life we're talking about.
Alternative meds aren't panaceas either. On the negative side of alternative medicine (to be devil's advocate), there is little if any regulation and it's difficult to determine the exact properties of the herbs,minerals, or Amino Acids that work effectively against Bipolar disorder.
IMO, the combination of counseling, alternative medicine (or pharmaceutical drug treatment as a stop gap measure), various coping tools, and good 'ole personal responsibility are the most effective paths in treating Manic Depression. This is coming from someone who has suffered with Bipolar for over 15 years. Another issue that's worth addressing is, can a person be healed from Manic Depression as opposed to being treated for Manic Depression? I'm not sure but this question comes to mind often.
As for me now, I am holding down one near full time job and I am enjoying being a husband, a father, and a friend to others. I love my wife and son very much and I thank God for them. I haven't given up on life and
I'm not about to anytime in the near future. I still do have occasional intense struggles and nothing is a panacea, however,life with Manic Depression for me now is ten times better than life with untreated Manic
Depression. I wish you the best and may you be a blessing to others. I love e mail. To send your questions, comments, input, feedback, praises, confessions, critiques Click
Here.
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