My gosh CelticWitch. That is a horrible story, and it isn't uncommon I bet. You have every right to be angry at a medical society and sometimes a person's own family and the failure to recognize such despondency. I'm sorry what happened to you and your Aunt. Personally, I stopped therapy with a psychiatrist/psychologist years ago. Many people get tremendous help with the medical profession, but it didn't work for me. My general practitioner writes my prescriptions for bipolar meds. Like your son I find my healing through other sources.
I hope mbken and serene are well with issues for themselves and others. Takes the wind out of one but keep fighting for the good and healthy.Thank you sir.
So glad your son is doing well. Sometimes not being on medication is a good thing. Not often, but he sounds way better off now. Low libido isn't a side effect in all medications. His lack of emotion is something that has occurred in me. There are so many medications for depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, stress, PTSD, etc. that side effects are different in all of them with many overlapping. Trouble is psychopharmacology lags so far behind in long term affects very few meds are not prescribed anymore. The only medication that isn't really used anymore is imipramine. Long term use has shown a great effect on short and long term memory. Some meds are still prescribed even though there is a chance of a person committing suicide. I just think the whole industry is somehow rigged to where the pharma companies want doctors to whip out their prescription pads and proscribe anyone showing the least bit of trouble. Medication has been a Godsend in many cases, but at what cost in the long run?
Personally, I haven't made sacrifices, just lost out on what is "normal" in life. Never married with no children. No career to look back on with accomplishment. I'm 61 next week and I am just starting to live the life I want to. I am very lucky in that way that I can look forward to the good days ahead! A terrific friend has taught me that valuable lesson in the last few years and I am grateful.
Why some bipolars come off their meds is many-faceted. (Schizophrenics also are known to come off meds too). Side effects is probably the main reason. Many meds affect libido, and it can be very frustrating. I have changed meds dozens of times in the 46 years since I was diagnosed. Some make you tired, some make you wired, some make you feel out there, the list goes on.
Also, when you have a mental illness that is viewed so negatively, you just want to be "normal", and being on meds makes you feel like something is really wrong with you. All the above has happened to me at one point, but I finally found two medications that help. I'm also learning diet is extremely important to mental health. Maybe your son can supplement his self-healing with learning about a healthy diet.
I understand your frustration. It sounds like the story was covered up. Justice wasn't served too well. I do believe the perpetrator should be punished, but 40 years in this case is excessive.
As far as caregivers are concerned, I hope they have an avenue of care themselves wherever they live. In alcoholics anonymous, there are groups that meet for the affected loved ones of alcoholics. Maybe the same can be established for the carers for the mentally ill.
There is no excuse for their behavior. If you have recourse to complain, I would do so. I had an upstairs neighbor who was bipolar and would talk to himself loudly at 3am every night. I asked him to please be quiet at night but he kept going. I complained to the landlord and he tried to rectify the situation but to no avail. Next time I was going to call the police, but apparently he moved out.
You have the right to live in peace weather someone is bipolar or not.
I don't know the laws in Ireland but maybe the sentence was stricter for killing a policeman. I do agree the sentences were unfair as the woman seemed to get less than what she deserved.
I'm of the mind that there is no excuse for any crime because of mental illness unless the guilty perpetrator is extremely ill. They should be held in an institution instead of prison for the same amount of time of the sentence.
Weather someone is on or off meds makes no difference either. Bipolar is a condition not an excuse. I was embarrassed about my condition because of stereotypes and negative cultural views. But then I realized that I am a human being and no different from anyone else. I am on medication because I want to live a good life. I am also on medication for type II diabetes for the same reason.
Any other questions you have I will be glad to answer.
I did not see the other blog about mental illness.
What do you mean by "the other side of the matter"?
I've been on CS since 2005 and used to write a lot about me having bipolar disorder in the forums. I no longer discuss it unless a blog interests me, or if someone asks. I am an open book on the topic and don't mind talking about it, good or bad.
I saw the band Dramarama about 25 years ago. They have a song, Last Cigarette, and I got one from a friend and threw it on stage. The lead singer picked it up and lit it. He then asked me why didn't I throw a joint?
My dad had his prostate removed. He had 6 weeks of radiation afterwards, but it didn't get all the cancer. He eventually died of brain cancer that originated in his prostate and travelled through his lymph system.
Men over 50 should get a PSA test every year. It's a blood test that can be done with other bloodwork. The PSA test isn't always accurate though so ask your doctor (preferably a urologist) all about what to look for in a PSA score and how aggressive it is. Nice blog...
The threads were so busy it was hard to keep up. Today it's like molasses. The instigators were even interesting
Not to generalize, but I remember an overwhelming amount of battles back then were between women more than men. There wasn't much oversight by the mods either. One day the mods just did a purge and CS has really never been the same.
online today!mbken Blog Comments (198)
RE: Past care givers lament.
My heart goes out for you.