Tabitha Suzuma
|
Re:Live Forum: Tabitha Suzuma - 2007/05/31 20:49
Joanna Kenrick wrote:
Hello, Tabitha! Told you I might be popping in ;-)
My question is about the effect of drugs on a person with bipolar disporder. I found it fascinating that when Flynn was on lithium, he couldn't function at the level he needed to. Although he didn't have such terrible lows, he didn't have the highs either. It reminded me of Stephen Fry's recent programme and how he said he hated being on drugs because in a way, the lows were worth it for the extreme highs.
Did you talk to any medical people about the effect of drugs on depression and what is your own perception of the treatment of depression with drugs? Does it work?
Yo Jo!
Very pertinent question. One that could take me hours to reply so here's the potted version. Had direct experience of just about every antidepressant under the sun. Witnessed a sibling coping with the side effects of lithium. Read a lot of memoirs by people with mental illness. ADs probably saved my life, but there's often a price to pay. The side effects can be dire. If you suffer from BP, the sudden loss of the highs can be devastating. I've got liver disease thanks to all the ADs I've been on. But it beats depression hands down.
Some people do find a way of coping without meds. It depends on the severity of the condition. I think the combination of meds and therapy should be the first line of defense in serious cases. After that you can always cut down on one or the other or both...
|
