I am bi-polar.....and you could not be further from the truth with this statement. If you are bi-polar and taking meds, you need a cocktail. A mood stabilizer as well as an anti-depressant. If you take just a anti-depressant there is a very good chance that the only thing you will have is a damn near constant mania. I have tried damn near every anti-depressant out there, and that is the very thing that happened to me. Some of the "high lights" of my life came when I was on anti-depressants. When I finally had enough of the near constant mania I had a long talk with my docs. They tried to put me on mood stabilizers but I could not deal with the side effects. Between the near constant thirst/frequent trips to the restroom, constipation and various other things that they caused I have all but given up on being medicated. I have several friends that are bi-polar, and every one of them has had the same issues with the meds. There is an alternative to the meds. Need to figure out what triggers things and then avoid it. For me it was stress. I am 1 step from the fight or flight zone. Least bit of stress pushes me into it. So I do my best to avoid being stressed. Went on disability to get away from the Post Office. Severed ties with my family, did not speak to my folks for 6 or so years before they passed away. Also severed ties with anyone that knew my sister. Moved out into the country. Fenced in the property. Pretty much avoid contact with my neighbors. Now that there is close to 0 stress life is not all that bad. I am reminded of my troubles every time we go to town. A simple trip to Costco will often set me off. Truly sucks being this way, but taking the meds WAS NOT an answer for me. Figuring out what caused me to cycle was....and then doing my best to avoid these things has worked for me for the last 4 years. But hey, take it for what it was worth. I am not all well educated, but I have been dealing with this bi-polar, ptsd, paranoia and all the other things that come along with mental illness for over 3 decades now. And when I see someone say that meds are the ONLY way to deal with it I just have to chuckle.....
