Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

Gday all.

So, new here, thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm 46, dx'd with bp2 about 10 years ago, then got upgraded to bp1 about a year after that during my wife's journey to death from cancer.  Symptoms started when I was about 12, and I've had four hospital stays over the years, two voluntary, and two not, all pre-bp dx.

Since diagnosis I've taken a lot of meds, mostly mood stabilisers and ap's, but have avoided the antidepressants that screwed me up so much before I knew what was going on.  I stopped taking meds about five years ago, after getting stable mainly through an amazing CBT therapist.  I know I'll prob'ly get some stick for that, but it is what it is, and it is what I prefer.  Going back on them is always in the management toolkit, however.

I've been involved in support boards before, but thought I'd give an Aussie one a shot to see how it rolls.

So yeah, gday everyone, looking forward to getting to know you.

[Former-Member]

Hi @Former-Member, welcome to the forums! You'll find lots of wonderful forumites here, many with BPD / cPTSD... (me included) so persevere with finding your way round the forums and jump in anywhere often to contribute and share your story. Nobody's gonna give you a hard time being off medication, sometimes we need it sometimes not. So sorry you had to suffer losing your wife. That's so hard, and loss like that never leaves us. Big hugzz, hang in there & be kind to yourself. Look fwd to getting to know you xox

[Phoenix_Rising]

Hi @Former-Member, nice to meet you. You certainly won't get any stick from me for choosing to be off medication. My own issues aren't amenable to medication yet whenever I'm in crisis people feel the need to tell me I "should" be on medication...even though it is well accepted in the research community that medication isn't particularly useful for situations such as mine. I have been on medication over the years just to shut other people up. During those times, if someone asks me if the medication helps, I tell them "no, it doesn't help me, but it makes other people feel better."

Having said all that, I recognise that this is simply my story and I fully respect that for others, medication can be amazingly helpful. But no, you can rest assured you won't get any stick from me.

[Zoe7]

Hi @Former-Member and welcome. As has already been said there are no judgements here.  Everyone here have their own stories and as you find your way around you will see that all here are compassionate and supportive people. I hope you find a place here to talk, listen and belong. It really is a wonderful community to be part of. Look forward to hearing more from you.