Reply #16: Yes, I am Bipolar and take medication [View All]

[LDS Jock]

I take Depakote, which is a mood stabilizer, and Lexapro, an antidepressant. Like you, I will be taking these or other drugs for the rest of my life. Am I happy about it? No, but taking the drugs and living with the side effects are much more tolerable than living with full blown manic-depression. I used to be embarrassed about it and hide it from everyone but no more. If it comes up, I share it. It is a chemical problem and nothing to be ashamed of. I think its important to raise awareness by being open about it. People will understand mental illnesses better when they see it first hand, meeting people who have them and see just what it does, and doesn't mean. I'm not crazy, I'm not strung out on drugs. You would most likely never know I have bipolar disorder unless I told you. But it is a serious medical issue. I'm lucky. I am being treated both with medication and therapy and have had excellent results. Many are not so lucky.