Comments: Denial v. Acceptance: On Not Fucking Around
I both agree and disagree. It does make "recovery" more efficient when you accept your illness. Hell, it's actually the first step in the process. But, at the same time, acceptance requires for you to "be OKAY" with the illness. I agree that denial can only hurt in the short and long-term circumstances, but there has to be a medium. I'm 18 years old and I've been diagnosed with more mental illnesses than than a dog can spin around in a circle in one minute. (Okay, exaggerated!) Anyhow, I believe that meds are essential and that they are a pain in the ass, but they do provide relief. It's complicated - every aspect.
Posted by Dysfunctional at December 31, 2005 01:28 AM
Good thoughts but I do wonder if the natural course of bi-polar disease might be the fact that people will be ambivalent about medication and that they need to develop a social and clinical network of supportive people who they can listen to when they have worn out their welcome in the "DENIAL HOTEL"?
I have been on and off psychotropics for 30 years and had a variety of experiences with drugs used for bi-polar. The side effects suck and the fact is the body needs time to wash them out. There is some clincal evidence that suggests that small doses of medication can create cures because the body remembers the effect and proceeds as if the full dose was administered. Perhaps the same thing can happen with psychotropics when combined with a good therapuetic relationship.
I think it helps if a short time after an initial diagnosis you experience a surrender. I mean you stop fighting the treatment plan and the helpers. After a period of time and good symptom free living you wake up one day and say you are not taking the meds anymore. From this point onward you have to realise that someday you will need the drugs again---and when you do you have to get back on them sooner then later.
Posted by charles roemer at January 6, 2006 05:35 AM