Here is a fantastic testament to how a solid treatment plan with personal changes can make a difference with the illness. I have known Sandra and her comments on this site for quite a while and know that she has gone through many, many changes in the past year in order to reach this level of stability. It takes time to get better, but positive change is possible. I love hearing about it directly from readers!<\/p>\n
Hi Julie,<\/p>\n
Now that I’m on the right medications, I am able to answer yes to your questions.\u00a0(See the blog entry below) \u00a0Only a few months ago, I couldn’t answer yes to each question.\u00a0\u00a0 Before, I wasn’t on any medication that addressed my bipolar symptoms, so I suspect that the antidepressants I was taking actually made my bipolar symptoms worse.\u00a0 (I learned that from you and was able to talk about this with my new psychiatrist, who agreed!)<\/p>\n
Besides the new medication (Depakote), regular sleep patterns and medication compliance are essential to help me stay on track.\u00a0 I’ve also learned to take life at a more even pace; I think before all of these changes, I used to try to get too much done in too little time.\u00a0 For example, this year for Christmas I didn’t make all of the different types of cookies I’ve made in years past and no one has objected!<\/p>\n
\u00a0It also helps me to make a daily to-do list and prioritize what needs to be done.\u00a0 I think the medication changes have also helped me to slow down racing thinking so I can begin a project well in advance of its due date.<\/p>\n
\u00a0I haven’t overstretched my budget.\u00a0 This year, I told my family that I just could not afford Christmas gifts; I plan to start graduate school in January and money is tight right now.\u00a0 They all understood.\u00a0 Being able to get my budget in control and eliminate debt has helped me to relax more.<\/p>\n
\u00a0I think that’s it for now.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Sandra<\/p>\n
(Sandra is correct- those with bipolar disorder should NEVER take antidepressants unless they are included with a mood stabilizer and or antipsychotic. Depakote is an anti mania drug that is in the classification of an anticonvulsant, though it is regularly called a mood stabilizer. It can take time to find the right medications- it took me many years, but it is very possible. Thanks to Sandra for giving us hope!)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here is a fantastic testament to how a solid treatment plan with personal changes can make a difference with the illness. I have known Sandra and her comments on this site for quite a while and know that she has gone through many, many changes in the past year in order to reach this level of stability. It takes time to get better, but positive change is possible. I love hearing about it directly from readers!<\/p>\n
Hi Julie,<\/p>\n
Now that I’m on the right medications, I am able to answer yes to your questions. (See the blog entry below) Only a few months ago, I couldn’t answer yes to each question. Before, I wasn’t on any medication that addressed my bipolar symptoms, so I suspect that the antidepressants I was taking actually made my bipolar symptoms worse. (I learned that from you and was able to talk about this with my new psychiatrist, who agreed!)<\/p>\n