Does the meds really help when you have by polor i ...

I am bipolar as well. At first I did take medication but it just seemed like it was covering up the problems. I personally have found that exercise, eating right, and avoiding stressful situations helps me the most. I am not saying not to take your meds but maybe you should talk to your doctor and tell him/her how you feel. I started having a lot of trouble like you are now and my doctor referred me to a councilor. Believe it or not just talking about my feelings was helpful. Having someone to listen to you even if you say the same thing over, and over is a wonderful experience! Good luck and God bless!

Please share these concerns with your doctor. Above all else, do not self-diagnose and stop taking your medications; suddenly stopping any medication (whether for bipolar or other illness) can be extremely dangerous and may cause more harm than good.

Your doctor should be willing to listen to you and work with you on a mutual goal to control your illness with as little medication as possible. Your job is to be honest with yourself and truthful with your doctor so that the two of you can eventually meet that goal.

If your current doctor is not willing to assist you, then change doctors until you find someone who is. Good luck!

I agree with holden31. I am bipolar and was on meds and I really went nuts. Got a DUI and Secret service came to my house. Yes they did. I got off the crap. I was having such weird dreams I'd dream I hit my head and they were so real I'd wake up in bed and rub my head and realize that I was asleep and didn't bonk my head. Horrible absolutly horrible dreams! Plus they made me crazier than I ever though I was. My brother who also was bi polar and on meds hung himself 4 years ago. Don't take the crap. This is a pill for everything society. Take a pill if you're fat. Take a pill if you aren't happy. My sister in law is on Prozac and I swaer it's like she is on speed now. She doesn't work can't cook and her house is filthy. I don't take anything now. Do I get depressed yes do I get angry yes but I aint awake all night having weird dreams and I will never have another DUI and I hope (if I can keep my big mouth shut) that Secret Service will never come to my house again. There is no pill that can make you happy. You got to do it yourself. And you can. And I found it's okay to be mad sad or angry. It's okay to be me. It's okay to be you. Got it?

I take Lamictal- and it was a miracle drug.  I would also recommend charting your moods- every day, write down on a scale of 1 to 5 how manic,anxious, and/or depressed you felt, how many alcoholic beverages if any you had, and how many hours of sleep you had, and maybe if you exercised or not.  This will help you notice patterns and identify what triggers mood swings.

lastly it is so important to stick to a schedule.  don't go too many days without sleep, get enough exercise etc.  

And remember.... there is hope!  this too shall pass!

Please, if you have bi polar, use the meds just to see if they help,there are many meds out there for this, please give them a chance, it is much better than living as you are.

Brooke, you gave a wonderful and insiteful answer..too true,,god bless,,

Thank you Sharon. I know first hand. I am agnotic but God don't make no junk. And there isn't a pill for everything. It's okay to feel emotions withou having to go take a pill for it.