This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Just when I thought I was going to be fine, they say I'm bipolar

After all I've been through, how am I supposed to keep my chin up now?

Read other letters about this article

  • Thursday, January 19, 2006 11:51 PM

    some practical advice

    You have a serious illness. Its similar to having cancer or some other life-threatening disease. So, deal with this like a serious illness. You need to find the best medical help you can. You need a doctor that will either find a way to cure your disease or at least reduce its symptoms so that life can be livable.

    My advice is to find a good research hospital with psychiatric clinical staff. Go see someone who specializes in bipolar disorder. Dont go anywhere but a research hospital. All doctors are not equal and the best doctors practice at these hospitals. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that know about all of the medications and their side effects. They will try various medicines, adjusting doses, etc until they find something that works. Be patient. Stick with it. Don't give up.

    Don't rely only on a psychologist or "therapist". They are not trained in any aspect of medicine. They do not understand the biological basis for your disease or how or why the medications do or don't work. Talk therapy has its place, but you need stronger medicine.

Most Active Letters Threads

450

Do Obama officials know what his Afghanistan plan is?

What explains the completely contradictory statements from key aides on a central plank of the war strategy?
408

America's regression

It's almost impossible to find a nation with as many torture advocates as the U.S. has.
332

Palin: Birthers have "fair question" about Obama

Of Obama birth, the ex-governor says, "the public is still, rightfully, making it an issue" (Updated)
114

Is my kids making me not smart?

Stay-at-home fatherhood dulls my intellect to a nub. Excuse me while I ponder the subtext of "Hippos Go Berserk"
107

Trig, the anti-abortion straw baby

Sarah Palin's son is being used to demonize pro-choicers

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon