How can you get a 18 year old to take his medicine for Bipolar. He is refusing to take the medicine. He is taking Lithium. He said that he read the side effects and it also makes him sleepy.
Thanks
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3/23/09 3:24pm
Summer,
Maybe you can tell him that the side effect of sedation tends to decrease with time on the medication and do not forget to remind him of the consequences of not taking medication, on his emotions and behavior.
3/22/09 3:03pm
Summer,I am 64 yr.old.3 years ago I was finally diagnoised .About 2 yrs.later I decided Drs.were wrong.Well that didn't work out well.lol I am back on meds and feeling well.So it isn't just 18 yrs.old.Last episode I spent almost 6,000.00.My up periods I spend money.Bad idea.I think even people who do alternitive meds say this one that you have to take to survive and be normal. Barb
3/23/09 9:52pm
Hi understand his situation, I'm 23 years old and been recently (3 months) diagnosed Bipolar after a psychotic manic episode, and to be honest and as I think many of people suffering from this illness have refused at first to take any medication. At first I started taking Paxil, with Valium and Zyprexa it was a mess but it was an emergency combination due my acute state, then I went to depression so by my own I left all but Paxil which is an antidepressant but due the danger of take me again into a manic state and after I researched a lot about this condition I saw my Psychiatrist and prescribed me Lithium and Riperdal. The first weeks were hard and you could have the feeling of leaving all meds but to be honest with time side effects have decresed and I'm about to leave Riperdal and just to keep a monotherapy with Lithium, I'm taking 450mg at day and I'm feeling wonderful I can feel helping me a lot, but also you gotta take therapy and for this persons that is refusing I think he needs therapy to get to know better this condition and also Lithium, because yeah is a dangereous med but no if is take it at the right dosage and willing to work with it; also try CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) to ger rid of bad thoughts.
Good luck and hope it beats the black dog.
3/24/09 1:29am
HI,MY SON HAD ADHD AND HE ALWAYS REFUSED HIS MEDS. YOU REALLY CAN'T FORCE HIM. MAYBE TRY TO GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR AND TRY ONE THAT DOES NOT MAKE HIM SLEEPY. THERE ARE GOOD DRUGS OUT THERE FOR BIPOLAR. WORK WITH YOUR SON AND THE DOC FOR COMMON GROUND. ALSO, SEE IF YOU CAN GET HIM INTO A SUPPORT GROUP. THEY ARE VERY GOOD FOR HELPING ONE ANOTHER. AND MAYBE HE NEEDS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BI-POLAR. INFORMATION IS A WEAPON. GET ALL YOU CAN. DINNDY2B@YAHOO.COM
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By Summer— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 03/22/09
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