BIPOLAR MEDICATION: Do I Have to Take it Forever?

A common question I get is “will I still have Bipolar episodes with the right meds?” The answer is yes! Which creates the follow up question...“Then why should I take meds if I'm still going to have episodes.” Let's talk about that today on Polar Warriors!

I'd like to start off with an analogy. You are at work and you get the worst migraine headache you've ever had in your life. Your head feels like it's going to explode and it makes it impossible to focus on your tasks at work. You take some ibuprofen and it takes the edge off enough for you to finish the work day. It's still not a fun day, but the medication helps just enough to resume functioning.

That's exactly what Bipolar medications do! They take the edge off. They reduce the severity and duration of our suffering. We aren't at a place in “brain science” to completely alleviate symptoms, or they would be called “cures” instead of “treatments.”

I hope some of you out there found this video helpful. Meds are a touchy subject. I rarely talk about them on this channel because of many many reasons. First and foremost, I'm not a doctor. I'm just a professional patient with a YouTube channel! I also respect that what works for one person, might make things worse for someone else. Just like I wouldn't recommend reading glasses to someone I don't know, I'm not going to talk about specific meds on Polar Warriors.

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-My channel is completely dedicated to helping individuals, families, and friends who struggle with, or know someone living with Bipolar Disorder. My goal is to provide actual tools, tips, and discuss topics that can potentially help “Polar Warriors” grow to live a more balanced, peaceful, and fulfilling life.

-Rob Whittaker, Polar Warriors: Bipolar Support

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HELPFUL LINKS & ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

[PolarWarriors]

PLEASE be gentle and respectful in the comments. We know meds can be a touchy subject. As said in the video, meds are just one of many many treatment options out there. Because we respect everyone's different path to wellness, this is not the place to promote the latest diet, discuss specific meds, or post promotional links. Other than that, join the conversation and enjoy =)

-With love

Rob & The Polar Warrior Team <3

[bluejeanteddybear]

I was in denial about my bipolar disorder for 10 years and was on and off medication for that time. Some meds made me gain a lot of weight and one almost killed me, but now I'm on a good combination of meds and I don't get manic or depressed as long as I make sure I stick to my routines and get enough sleep. I still struggle with moods, especially anger. It seems to come out of nowhere and even scares me. I appreciate your videos. I have learned a lot and I didn't realize how different people had such different experiences with their bipolar disorder.

[MytempusIC]

I want my mother to be well. She is battling bipolar so hard for years. Please pray 🙏
Thank you.

[MissyRichmond]

I am RELIGIOUS about taking my meds. If I get nothing else done, I ALWAYS take my meds. I’m a mess without them.

[jjmusicish]

My episodes have drastically dropped in destruction potential after my meds. Went from complete psychosis in 2019 to hypomania once every 3 months after I got the right prescription. Honestly, I don't mind taking meds forever. If they keep me mostly stable and as far away as possible from my psychosis episode, its completely worth it.

[eurasian]

I hope their will be a cure. I'm on 5 meds right now its taken me years to feel just ok. Not good just ok.. I sometimes I think I may need a second opinion . My doctor tried Lithium in 2018. I got really really sick after 2 months, it turns out my body wasn't able to absorb it so I had Lithium in my body just building to toxicity. The ER doctors thought I tried suicide via Lithium. I was really hoping it would work. The research I've done was either Lithium was really good or really bad.. Bipolar disorder is a lonely disease. And I'm asian so I'm considered crazy. I should take vitamins exercise and meditate.. im lucky to be Asian American where theirs help. In Thailand their are ONE psychiatrist per 250, 000 people. Most goes to temple. Thanks for the video makes me feel less alone.

[mostafaismail]

I'm a physician (used to be oncologist, quit a promising career amidst what I now can see as a manic episode), who didn't know what was going on with me for the last 10 years. I had a very misfortunate aggressive incident with my wife, it was an eye-opener for me, I could diagnose myself and seek help. Rob, you're really a great person, I learn from you a lot more than I could learn from my therapist. Keep it up warriors.

[kristita_]

My medications are the reason I’m alive, employed, and functional — most of the time! They are NOT always fun, but when it gets tough or my dosages decide to stop working and I have to adjust, I try to remember what life was like before them. That’s enough to keep me on.

[samd]

I loved your analogy in the beginning. It took me years to understand that medication will not make this go away. Meds are just one part of my treatment plan now, and the other tools I use help immensely. Great work!

[mlo]

Bipolar disorder it is sooo confusing! I’m still learning, but it is so hard.

[claumejia]

I tried to quit my medication a month ago and it was the worst idea ever, at least now I know I really need them, and they do make my life easier! I hate the idea of having to take them forever, and dealing with some annoying side effects but I guess you win some, you lose some, right?

[ImtheMimic]

I think the part of bipolar meds that really bums me out is that generally I don't like to think about how I struggle with Bipolar Disorder and taking my medications first thing every morning is just like a daily reminder that I'm mentally ill.

I still think taking meds consistently is the way to go because its better than the alternative, but its still a bummer.

[marybarrett]

I take my meds because I never want to be like my mother. She was bipolar like me and never took her meds. I accept that I have to take meds for the rest of my life. And I’m grateful that I am on a good combination that is helping me and keeping me safe and healthy.❤️🌻

[sassykittykins]

Great insight, I never realized how long it would take to get a cocktail of meds to work for me but it was worth the wait now that I have a breath of fresh air

[pluto]

I just stumbled across your chanel and I'm glad I did, it's awesome that someone is putting all of this out there, I have bi-polar and it's great to know that this is here, it can be very lonely and you can feel very alone and it's a great reminder that I'm not the only one going through this shit, thanks for what your doing best wishes from Sydney Australia

[jasonlee]

I just like to say thank you for your videos, I've just got a new partner been with her for 7 months, she's now been on section 2 and I was finding it really hard, bolt with the help of your videos I know I can at least give her some support, because I love her and I'm gonna be there for her, I understand her problems a bit more now. God bless you.

[itzjusme]

Well I just want to start by saying that I am very inspired by your videos . Rob you are a great source of valuable and useful information. I do not have bipolar disorder but my girlfriend of 12 yrs does and I have shared many of your videos with her. ( unsure of how many she actually watches ) but unfortunately she only self medicated ( with the WRONG kind of meds ) and sometimes its TERRIBLE! She wont even consider trying them again even tho the last combination was working great. ( she didnt like the weight gain.) I honestly don't know what else to do I hope this video reaches her in some way that she might decide to try them again but I really thank you for your support and your knowledge and your time you spend making these videos cuz they help people who don't even have bipolar like me so again thank you very much

[smustipher]

I've learned over the years that meds are just a PART of keeping me healthy. The big piece for me is diet, sleep, exercise, and doing everything I can to be healthy overall, well rested, and avoid undue stress in life. I see the meds as an enhancement to lifestyle choices that I rely on to keep me even keel.

[anandu]

Everyone who are thinking to stop there medication pls dont do, it will lead to "kindling effect" where you become less responsive to medication and the doctor finds harder to treat the future episode so take your meds faithfully and consistently as prescribed by your doctor 👍👍😊😊😊.

[Juliebel]

With meds, I've noticed two things.
First: in a Mental hospital, meditations are easy to adjust because they have you there, so they can see where you are improving.
Second: with a psychiatrist, they will only change the dials once a month. It's a slow, but necessary adjustment.

That doesn't mean that both parties can't make mistakes, but it's important to see where you are in the process.