Clarifications: This Blog, Coping & Seeking Help, Lamictal
this is just a reminder that i am not a healthcare professional, so any suggestions i make are strictly based on my own experiences. i’ll do my best to answer people’s questions, but i will likely refer you to an online source as well.
i was prompted to post this after receiving several e-mails from people asking me how i deal with bipolar disorder: i take my meds and see my pdoc and therapist regularly. when i’m depressed, i sometimes don’t make it to my appointments and that’s a symptom of the depression. as soon as i’m able, i see them right away. even when i feel great, i continue taking my meds and seeing the doctor and therapist, in the same way physicians instruct us to finish an entire bottle of antibiotics prescribed for an infection; the symptoms may be gone, but you have to continue to treat it.
i hate to sound like a public service ad, but if you think that you’re suffering from depression or bipolar disorder (try this online evaluation for bipolar disorder or this online evaluation for depression), make an appointment with your family doctor. depending on your insurance, you may need a physician’s referral to see a psychiatrist. depression, in particular, isn’t always due to a chemical imbalance; it can also be caused by external circumstances such as divorce, job loss, the death of a loved one, etc.
taking meds alone without seeing a therapist will not make the depression or mania go away. medication doesn’t teach you how to manage life with a mood disorder. on the other hand, some people may only require therapy, particularly if their depression is situational (divorce, job loss, etc.). in other words, if you’re diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression (due to chemical imbalance), it’s better to both see a psychiatrist (if it’s deemed that meds will help) and a therapist.
here’s the difference: psychiatrists are M.D.’s and are able to prescribe medication; a therapist may be referred to as “Doctor Smith,” but he is likely a psychologist with a Ph.D., which is a different type of doctoral degree altogether. bottom line: psychologists can not prescribe medication. further, therapists aren’t always a “doctor.” many have degrees in social work and the designation M.S.W. or L.C.S.W. after their names.
as for Lamictal, not everyone who takes it will come down with the potentially fatal skin rash i posted about here (note: this entry contains pictures that are not for the squeamish). it is a rare side effect. here are some links from Lamictal.com’s FAQ page about the rash:
- What are the side effects of LAMICTAL?
- Are any side effects of LAMICTAL serious?
- How can I know if a mild rash will develop into something more serious?
- Are some people more likely than others to develop a serious rash?
also, everyone reacts differently to medication. Brian takes Lamictal and hasn’t broken out with monster acne nor has he gained weight like i did when i was on it. for more information regarding Lamictal’s side effects, go here. note that acne and weight gain aren’t even listed. however, based on my experience and others’ comments, it is possible to gain weight while on Lamictal.
Bipolar/Anxiety/BPD
I don’t like therapists. Cannot stand them. I think I do better without seeing a therapist.
[ The Dook ]
May 6, 2005 10:16 am
You explained that very well
I always have a hard time explaining stuff about my illness (bipolar disorder).
May 6, 2005 6:50 pm
Hi. Stopping by through BlogXchng. Please, PLEASE, comply with your medication, and do attend weekly psychotherapy with a licensed professional. I, too, have an unquiet mind.
May 8, 2005 10:42 am
Cathy: True, just like everyone reacts to medication differently.
Marie: Thanks.
Patch: Will do.
May 8, 2005 1:43 pm
Check out my Procovery (recovery facing the future) blog. I’m bipolar, and enjoying blogging. Your blog is AWESOME!! You must have a lot of background in programming. Anyway, tell me what you think of my (humble) blog. Again, I’m very impressed. Plus you have a LOT of traffic. I’m only getting 9 per day avg.
Best wishes! My Email stands for “If I want to, I can!”
May 9, 2005 8:55 pm
Thanks for the info. You explained it very well. My sister is suffering from depression, but I think it may be external. She’s having a very rough time right now.
May 14, 2005 1:36 pm
My doc started me on 12.5 every other day for two weeks, then 12.5 everyday for two weeks. I noticed one reddish bump on my chest and thought the worst. I had no itching or fever or anything else yet I was worried. If I knew nothing of this dreaded rash potential I would not thought twice about this bump, but with the amount of negative hype surrounding Lamictal….everything gets micro-analysed. Or is it just me??!!
May 20, 2005 2:58 pm
You have given excellent advice in telling others that you are not a Doctor, and to stay within compliance with perscribed meds, and in seeking and keeping appointments with your own Doctor. Sharing experiences is one thing, if we were qualified to give advice we would not be seeing professions ourselves. Bi polars have in common many of the same challenges, struggles, no two of us are exactly alike, so many variations of this damn disorder. Best of luck with transferring your site, something tells me you will be an interesting read.
June 14, 2005 8:36 am
I am married to a bipolar person. For years I was reactive to the behaviour as she tried to understand what was going on within her. I found myself totally on the defensive trying to protect myself and our newborn from rage fueled by alcohol. This caused tons of destruction to our relationship and to my wife as she needed a different approach. One of support and understanding and caring.
I do not know if it can be repaired but I am trying and she is sticking around but it still seems like whitewater much of the time.
Thoughts.
Roy
June 17, 2005 1:04 pm