Have you been prescribed medication for a mental illness, but you feel like there is no difference after taking it? Even though you take the medication as prescribed by the doctor, do you feel frustrated and sad because you do not feel better as quickly as you expected? If so, this article will be very important for you. Today we will talk about an experience that many people face when receiving treatment for a mental illness such as bipolar disorder .
I remember the day a doctor first diagnosed me with this disease. When I came out of the hospital, I had two pills in my hand. I thought, "Okay, now that I take this medicine, all my problems will be gone, and I'll be fine again." I thought that as soon as I took the medicine, I would instantly feel better. But the truth is much different.
This is the first thing that happened to me when I started taking the medication.
The day I got out of the hospital, I started taking the medication as prescribed by the doctor. I wanted to get well soon because I had experienced firsthand how difficult and scary it was to live with a mental illness.
I didn't feel much of a difference for the first week or so. But after a while , the side effects of the medication started to show. My mouth was always dry, and I needed to drink water all the time. When I took the medication at night, I felt like I had no idea what I was saying until I fell asleep. I felt incredibly sleepy during the day. I didn't feel like myself. It wasn't a change for the better. None of this made me feel better.
My bipolar symptoms changed, but they didn't go away. I just felt different, not better. Slowly, the old depression started to creep back in. I felt suicidal thoughts creeping back in. I thought, "What's wrong with me?"
At that time, I never thought that the medication I was taking might be wrong, or that the doctor might need to re-examine me. I also had no idea that bipolar was a lifelong illness that needed to be managed. This ignorance left me with a sense of failure, frustration, and fear.
How does prescribing actually work?
About a year after my diagnosis , after seeing the doctor several times and switching between different medications, I finally broke down and cried in the doctor's office. "Why is this happening to me, doctor? What am I doing wrong?" I asked.
The doctor looked at me in surprise and asked what I meant.
I explained then, "I take all the medicine you give me exactly on time. But I don't feel better. Every time I take the medicine from you, I end up coming back here. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong."
That's when my doctor explained this to me. He said that treating a condition like bipolar takes time and patience , and it requires effort from both the patient and the doctor.
My responsibility is to see the doctor on time, take the medication as prescribed, and honestly and clearly tell the doctor about my symptoms and any side effects caused by the medication.
"But I'm doing all that right, so why am I still not well?" I asked.
"Because," he continued, "there is no 'magic pill' that will cure bipolar disorder. It's just a matter of management. When we manage it with medication, we have to try different medications , different dosages. Then we monitor your condition and adjust the medication and dosage until you get to the level that's right for you."
I asked why it was taking so long. He explained that many people managing bipolar disorder need a medication cocktail, not just one medication. A doctor can't give all of these medications at once. If they do, there's no way to know exactly what effect each medication will have.
The most important thing is that it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for any medication to reach maximum efficacy. So you probably understand now that this is not a problem that can be solved overnight.
It was only after hearing this explanation that I felt a great sense of relief. I realized that I had been thinking wrong for so long.
| The misconception I had at first | The reality that really happens |
|---|---|
| The illness will be cured as soon as you take the medicine. | It can take several weeks or months for the medication to fully work. |
| The first medicine the doctor gave me was the right one. | It is normal to have to change medications several times to find the combination and dosage that works best for you. |
| Side effects mean that the medication is wrong. | Many medications can cause side effects at first. Some of them go away over time. If they are severe, you should tell your doctor . |
| Going to see the doctor again means I'm a failure. | Regular check-ups with your doctor are the most important part of your recovery journey. It's a sign of success. |
At first, I thought that going back to see my psychiatrist was proof that I was a failure who would never get better. But I looked at it from a completely wrong perspective. Going back to see my psychiatrist wasn't a sign of failure, it was a sign that I was moving forward in my recovery.
And I gained confidence that as long as I kept moving forward, I could recover.
Take-Home Message
- Don't expect instant solutions: Treatment for mental illness is a journey. It takes time, patience, and commitment. It's unrealistic to think that everything will be fine with the first dose.
- Be honest with your doctor: Tell your doctor about your symptoms, side effects of medications, and your feelings without holding back. The information you provide will help him make the right decisions.
- Understand the treatment process: Understand that it will take time to find the medication and dosage that works best for you. This is a process that involves trial and error. This is not a failure on your part.
- Returning to the doctor is a sign of success: Returning to the doctor for treatment is a sign that you are moving forward on the path to recovery. Don't give up.
- You are not alone: Remember that there are many people going through the same experiences as you. With the right support and treatment, you too can successfully manage this condition.
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