#140: Is It Time for a Medications Change?

FROM THIS SHOW:

Maybe you know that finding an effective medical treatment for bipolar disorders is not a “one size fits all” answer, whereby you leave the doctor’s office with a written prescription and no worries.

If medications are the road you’ve gone down as part of your wellness plan for living with this mood illness then you know it’s a relief to finally take something that doesn’t make you scream!

Yet from time to time these stabilizing measures can lose the fight in their designated operative abilities within your bloodstream. 

The affective agents in these medications and med-combinations (think anti-manic or anti-manic depressive “drug cocktails”) just succumb to your body's changing environment.

And when that happens, it’s cause for anxiety and fears to ramp up all over again. Because no one wants to be forced into a new hunt for these kinds of things when “a pill is supposed to be a pill” and that’s that.

So how do you know when to call in for help from your psychiatric team?

When is life just being life, and yet, when does it become something more than you can handle without the help of these interventive medicines?

Tune in as Mike does a quick share with us on how to face the inevitable in a lifelong treatment strategy for bipolar and how to immediately lower your fears.

Listen to the podcast:

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!  With every past episode at your fingertips, plus special Bonus Content with my guests, what's not to love! And if you're feeling generous, would you please leave me a review? It is a special treat to read each and every one of them. Just write about your favorite part of the show! :-) 

TAKEAWAYS

• As with any significant changes in your mood or thinking—be it a loss of the will to live, or the desire to harm yourself or others—it’s always related to the bipolar diagnosis and is nothing to feel guilt or shame about bringing up with your doctor. Get on a trust level with yourself and them that you will report these things as soon as you are able.

• Going on and coming off of psycho-active drugs like the kind used to treat mood disorders requires expertise that only your specialized and medically trained doctor is going to have. So be sure to bring them detailed notes of what you are doing to follow their prescription changes, each step of the way.

• Many times you may encounter a transition to another medication that leaves you worse off or no better than before. It is therefore imperative to explain this to your psychiatrist and to value your quality of life more than the discomfort that these changes and requests can bring. You will find the best treatment if you do not give up.

Lifer Discussion Guide

Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to assist you over any hurdles you may have to clear as you address your mental health. These are special conversations!

“Lifers” are people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick by you through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)

The Questions

1) Does it come as a surprise to you that medications for bipolar disorder are not to be used like “Tylenol” or other over-the-counters that you only take when you have symptoms? / Share with me anything you’ve learned about your diagnosis that makes medications use part of the lifetime strategy for better personal health?

2) At what point have you or would you be motivated to tell your doctor that you need a medications change for your symptoms of bipolar?

3) Do you feel as though there are other factors to get help with from your doctor or therapist, like an anxiety that won’t go away? / What have you learned about treating anxiety versus treating for bipolar disorders? (Remember that they are not the same but often anxieties hit harder when bipolar symptoms are flaring up.)

4) Would I be a good fit for you if I were to help you reach out to your doctoral care team when you are really overwhelmed?

Join the Tribe!

Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!