I think this person is in a lot of pain and she's projecting it on to you Philip. It can be hard to face the reality that we've created our own problems whether by making bad choices or compulsions we don't fully understand. If she's found that having a diagnosis and meds helpful than that's great for her. But for some of us they've been a disaster and have exacerbated our "symptoms" or created unliveable side-effects. I think when people have made a wreck of their lives for decades getting a dx can relieve long-standing feelings of intense self-loathing. Then anything that questions these concepts which give them relief is experienced as a personal attack.

Peace be with you Philip

I really liked the interview. I hope I'm expecting a book.

I was disappointed you so easily dismissed the "psychotropics as prophylactics" theory. Even if it doesn't work through "teen screen" it ultimately does create that effect. Once a male gets erection dysfunction, and if they already suffer from depression and low self esteem, then that haunts them every time they try to fall in love. It is in my mind one of the biggest problems our society has do deal with, yet its rarely discussed. Marriages break up, couples split, people commit suicide, murders are committed, because of anti-psychotic induced penile dysfunction.

Why is the most common side effect the least talked about? This is a mans health pandemic. It needs publicity, especially from people like you.

As always I caution against sugar coating anything, because "the wheels on the bus goes round and round."

love eternal
tad

Philip,

Congrats on making it to the big time. And knowingly exposing yourself to critics. These things must be discussed. Meanwhile, according to the dsm, if you have bipolar disorder, you never get over it. You have to take meds while asymptomatic but you never can be cured. As you well know, I don't believe this, but it's the party line. I think so many late diagnosed folks are defensive because the diagnosis explains and sometimes excuses lots of painful experiences they've had. Meanwhile, I have to agree with the anon writer that

"I am concerned at the implication that folks who have been diagnosed with Bipolar I or any other psychotic disorder deserve the stigma and prejudice they get and only people with Bipolar 2 diagnoses or depression do not. No one deserves stigma and prejudice."

and with you that

"The commenter should also review the DSM as bipolar disorder 1 is not a psychotic disorder, it's a mood disorder. There can be psychotic features in some cases, but psychosis is not a predominant feature of the disorder."

And point out that there's no consensus on what is or is not psychotic behavior.

Those who are anti psych like me share with those nami types a deep held belief that stigma and discrimination are wrong.

I think that reactions like this come from a place of very deep insecurity. They want to be right, they have faith that they are right...because it does take so much faith. They do not want it challenged, and if you don't agree with them they feel weakness and questions start creeping in.

It's hard when a person thinks they have it all worked out, and then they realize they may not know all the answers. I feel sorry for them. I did that desperate clinging thing once...so I know what that feels like.

I thought what you said in the article was right on target. It's a shame that some people can't read "not right for everyone" without thinking they see "wrong for everyone all the time."

It is better to be backed up with an opinion based on facts than to be backed up with Pharma bucks and no facts.

Success story re: manic depression - dx with it in my LATE FIFTIES due, in retrospect, to drug interactions that shot me up...then down. After much conferring, reading - incl on here - I am OFF LITHIUM and life is a breath of fresh AIR. Careful taper, and some drug rebound effects, but in a quite literal sense, am born again.

Stick to your guns, Phil.

There is a lot of dysphoric mania out there, probably more than the euphoric manias that get all the press. Or maybe we're just the ones who seek help for our mood disorders because it sucks whether we're up or down.

I think the PT reader hits on a key point which he/she basically ignores. Pharma company executives have a FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY to make a profit for their shareholders.

It is there job to profit off of the pain and suffering of others.

If that pain and suffering were to be alleviated via some other means besides their tablets... you do the math...