Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

by M.W.
(Studying Child and Adolescent Development in California)

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 15. The years prior to that were some of my toughest due to not knowing my illness. I am now in college and, since my diagnosis, have been trying to find the perfect medium with medicines and therapy.

On bipolar-lives.com, the treatments listed are medicines, talk therapies, ECT, diet, alternative treatments, and treatment centers. I have found that besides my daily medication, talk therapy has been very helpful. It is nice to have someone educated on the illness to talk with when one's feeling hopeless and alone.

I learned from the website what kind of medicines I take: Lamictal and Lithium as mood stabilizers, Seroquel for the treatment of both manic and depressive bipolar, and Lexapro as an anti-depressant. I also read that stress is a major trigger of bipolar and definately agree.

College has been especially tough for me because of the expectations. I often stress about the future, what I should do with my life, and my future with my disorder. My current major is Child and Adolescent Development but also share a love for anthropology and psychology. Not knowing which major to choose or what may be right is the main cause of stress in my second year of college. I am slowly learning that no one knows exactly what their life will hold, and that life is a long journey.

Because of bipolar disorder, I have been through more than the average college student. I feel I have grown through my hardships and encounters and have become a better person because of it.