Hi Everyone, I wanted to start a new topic because I would like to know if anyone else is going through this. My family is really against me taking the medication for bipol;ar disorder and for anxiety. My mother is aware (but ashamed) that depression/anxiety "run" in my whole family. Two of my uncles have totally alienated themselves from society. My mom and dad think my psychiatrist is "just using me for my money". Since I pay her out of pocket.But I do not think that at all. And I also come from an Indian family (Indians are usually very stingy with their money)My doctor also confronted them about it. I know that there is a possibility I can get off the anxiety medication (25 mg-Luvox) and I read there is no cure for bipolar disorder, but you can "learn" to cope with the symptoms. I really do not understand that, but ok, Im flowing with the theory. Can anyone relate to this?

Hey Jasmine....Mind if I ask your age?

As for family, I can't relate more than a totally unsupportive spouse.
I think the program helps you find a way thru this, to make it about you. Not to be so dependant on the opinion of others. You know what is best for you and if you are an adult, why do you need your parents permission to spend the money that you earn to care for yourself? I know they care, I know they love you but you gave us a couple of reasons why they wouldn't want you to get the care you might need. (embarrassment and money)
Be selfish in your thinking...take care of you!
Keep posting and others will reply. Know that you are not alone in this!
Hugs and blessings,
Lea

Hi Jasmin. Please don't stop taking the bipolar meds. You cannot just deal with the symptoms. Bipolar requires you to take your meds.

hey dont feel bad i have the epitomy of a crazy family my mom and husband think you can get over this with a snap of a finger but thats not the truth my husband also thinks i spend too much time with this program i truly dont care what they say i have been slacking off lately on the program and have felt very anxious for the past two days sooo its on to session 5 tomorrow be strong and do what you feel in your heart sometimes we have to be selfish to fix ourselves good luck to you

Hey Guys, Thanks for replying! I really appreciate all your advice. I am 27 years old. And I am earning my own living, living separately from my parents in an apartment, and not asking help from my parents. Sometimes I feel like my parents are so intrusive. They want to know everything about my life and want me to do what other people they know are doing. They will not just let me be. I have told them to just let me live my life. As for the medications, I am all for staying on them and weening them off when I am ready with my doctor. See, my parents want to have their cake and eat it too. They do not want me to go to the doctors, or take medication, but yet they expect me to be "normal" or "Stable", but I know and they know that that is not possible. I am pretty unfunctional without my bipolar medication. In all my 27 years of living, about 2 years ago is when I started taking my medicine and that is also when my life began to have some meaning. I read somewhere that people with mania and depression really do not get far in their lives because of all the mood swings. Has anyone else heard anything like this?

i dont know if you will read this but i also to have bi polar. with anxiety. yes i understand your problem. my boyfriend thinks along with the rest of society that you can just stop what and how you are acting. that is a big fat NOT. i think having bi polar with the anxiety is worse because you are dealing with so much more. i want this program to work. i am on session two. i dont feel like it is. but i will keep on keeping on. i have alot of stressers and triggers in my life that affect my bi polar. i am 40 years old and right now i am doing good without meds. because i dont have the money or the insurance that is why i am getting this program. but i am getting alot of slack about it. please keep me informed of your progress because i have not seen alot of people on here with dual diagnosis like us. i would like to talk to you further about this maybe we can compair notes on our progress.

Lucinda says that bi-polar & schizophrenia are illnesses, and medication is usually necessary, where as panic attacks, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, etc. are controllable by how we think. The program helps with all these things, so I am encouraging you to take the advice of your MD & this program. Hoefully, all of us here will keep you strong enough to get through the "issues" your family has )

jasminemody hi im annie my sister is bipolar and after i had some serious health issues she got real bad with anxiety. the thing is she knows that she has a disease but cant control her mind we can and every so often when i talk to her i let her know that its just her mind! family wether what religion need to know that you are human and that we dont choose this mine is very fundamental and at first they thought that i was possesed but let them know that all are not perfect and all of us can get throught whatever with help and support!