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elainey_2

bestpud wrote: »

I think acceptance is a crucial step tbh.

Mental illness does tend to come in cycles and you have to learn to manage that as best you can.

Ideally you need to try and get to a point where you can spot your triggers and/or early warning signs and take steps at the very earliest point to avoid a crisis.

Easier said than done, of course, but it is possible for many people and who's to say you aren't one of them.

It seems to me you haven't been on meds long enough to judge the effectiveness, or try and minimise the side effects.

The trouble with emergency admissions is the meds are aimed at reducing symptoms asap and its difficult to assess their long term benefit on that alone.

They do have side effects but some will suit you better then others and it can take many months to get the balance between manageable symptoms and tolerable side effects.

Really you need to be looking at long term support options now, while you are relatively well.

I'll second you about getting the medication right. I've had mental health issues since I was 21 - the first lot of medication I was prescribed (Seroxat), actually made me worse. The result of this was up until a couple of years ago, I refused to take any form of anti depressant. After a LONG battle with my doctor, I eventually agreed to take the current medication I'm on (Cipralex), and although there are side effects (tiredness, weight gain), these are a small price to pay for actually feeling "normal" for the first time in years. I would say it's just finding a combination of meds with suit you, it may not be pleasant on the way, but worth it in the end, if you can function and it makes you feel better.

Hope this helps
Love elaine xx