I am Bipolar, and have ADD, PTSD, and GAD. I take medication and I function very well on my medications, and I am very med-compliant. I take Seroquel, Wellbutrin, and Xanax. I am currently not on any ADD medication because I am not in school nor am I working, because I am taking a break from college to get my physical health problems taken care of.
With my medications, I am able to function, and I have so much more self-control than I ever did without medication. I am able to stay calm, I hardly have episodes (manias/depressions). I get depressed sometimes, but it is pretty mild most of the time. I've been able to stay out of the psych ward, and I see my shrink once a month.
I should be in therapy, but I need to find a therapist that signs. I don't feel comfortable with a therapist that doesn't sign because then I have to have an interpreter there, and I worry that the interpreter will judge me or will break the confidentiality. I don't trust interpreters in this kind of situation. It feels weird. I want to look into DBT (Dialectal Behavioral Therapy) to help me with my PTSD and GAD. My PTSD and GAD are what are giving me the most trouble lately. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) doesn't really help me.
But overall, I do pretty well on my medications.
I don't like all the news and gossips about people like Britney Spears. I feel bad for Britney. I hope she gets help and get on medication and get back in control of her life so that she can get her children back. Same for other celebrities and other people struggling with Bipolar Disorder.
Bipolar disorder is not a fun illness, and it can cause you to get completely out of control without medication. You can do things you will regret later. But with medication and therapy, you can get back in control and you can do really well, and function really well. You have to maintain control, through medication and therapy and being mindful of what you do.
So please don't judge people with Bipolar Disorder.
Thank you.