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chipklugo's Post

chipklugo

Updated 1y ago

Managing Bipolar 2 and BPD without Medication: Seeking Advice from Creative Types

Hi there, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and BPD over the past year but so far have chosen not to take any medication for those conditions. I'm nervous about the side effects and get anxious about medication "changing me". I'm a musician and I think part of me is scared that without the intense emotional ups and downs I won't be as creative. Id really love to connect with other artists / musicians / creative types to hear their experience with medicating OR others who have been able to manage bpd or bipolar 2 without traditional prescription meds (I want to note i dont think there is anything wrong with medicating, im just confused about whether it's the right choice for me).

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Gigirez

I have bipolar 2, Gad, OCD, PTSD. I was finally writing novels, like three in a year. Then I got super sick and was diagnosed and medicated. The writing...it is gone. It's like my creative mind never existed. I keep taking the meds because without them I will kill myself, so it is the lesser of the evils. I hope it turns out differently for you if you choose to medicate.

chipklugo

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm sorry to hear you've had to make such a difficult sacrifice but glad you were able to recognize the repercussions of not making it. I do have some pretty bad days sometimes and I hope I'm able to make the same decision If it gets to that point. Wishing you all the best. ❤️

Yaelle

I’m not sure whether Zoooft falls into that category, but it did the exact thing you describe: my personality & my ability to notice anything going on around me were dead. Zero reading, zero writing. I didn’t realize it for 7 years. I regret everything I lost during my zombie years but thought I’d been doing the right thing for depression. After stopping I read AND wrote again for the first time. It was like being reborn.

chipklugo

Zoloft definitely falls within the class of meds im worried about. If you don't mind me asking, how do you manage your depression now?

TTLOTA

Have you tried an organic vitamins that you feel better at the cellular level? It has helped my friend feel normal without all the meds. I hope everything works out for you Like my friend. Best of luck

Hateful_Maggot

As someone who’s diagnosed with bipolar type 1 and suggest you take your medication or else it might worsen if you don’t take care of yourself. Yeah it’s scary and a new experience, no you won’t regret taking medications as a treatment. It won’t kick in for two weeks or a week, smoking helps digest it faster but as someone who uses an inhaler, don’t.

coffeencigarettes

I feel like I have bipolar with psychosis features as well as BPD and ADHD but for me I jumped on medication because without it, I couldn't function normally. For me all my symptoms would rage and I wouldn't have a good time. Depends on your situation though. If you feel you need them, you should go get them. I'm very creative in the writing and poetry aspect, and I will say the mood stabilizers I tried hindered my creativity. There's a lot of trial and error there, but I'm finally on one that I can create and relax on at the same time.

Kbot

I write and do other generally creative stuff and definitely haven't found that my creative spark is gone. I really think it depends on the person. When you're in a position where you can coast on your previous work/songs for a month or two, maybe try it out for a bit and see what happens. You can always stop or try something different. Good luck!

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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Managing Bipolar 2 and BPD without Medication: Seeking Advice from Creative Types