not taking bipolar medication
One of the most common obstacles to recovery is the failure to take medication. In fact, in working with people with manic-depressive I've reached the point where every day now I hear the same story from someone who either treatment or spouse – "Everything was fine until I / he / she left taking the medicine. "
But not for a moment, I think that people with bipolar disorder are stupid and do not understand the relationship between taking medication and staying well. In fact, it is well accepted that people with bipolar disorder tend to be, in any case, bear more intelligent than average.
In most part, these people are doing naive, capricious or irresponsible decisions. I suspect that for many of us, we go to drugs, because we have fulfilled our own cost-benefit and decided it was better we are managing the risk of an episode of mood, in return for a period of relief medication side effects. And as vain or shallow it may seem to the uninitiated, the number one bipolar medication side effects that many of us hate the most is the weight gain.
Almost all effective medications for bipolar disorder has weight gain as a side effect. However, it is important remember that not everyone taking a particular medication will experience side effects. Never let the fear of a particular side effect trying to avoid a drug Your doctor (ideally an experienced psychiatrist with expertise in bipolar disorder) thinks it may be useful for you.
The fact is that all respond differently to mood stabilizers and various other drugs, and some people never gain an ounce. However, weight gain is very common, and if you are unhappy with your current weight, may be relevant for you to ask "Is my medication makes me look fat?" If the weight gain began at the same time as you began taking the drugs, the answer is probably yes.
However, in the U.S. and other developed countries, we in the midst of an obesity epidemic. The issues around weight and bipolar disorder are complex and interrelated. Understanding what is happening in relation to its own weight gain, and change things, you will have the concentration and effort spent.
He started to gain weight before starting the medication? No shame in that if he did. In fact, it is put in the majority. 70% of American men and more than 60% of women are overweight and about one third of the population U.S. obese – and only gets worse every year.
Some research has been done on whether people with bipolar disorder begin being heavier than the population in general, even before the diagnosis and treatment, but the results have been mixed. What we do know is that after being diagnosed and treated, weight control is a big problem for the bipolar population, with 35% of people with bipolar disorder, obesity! This is the highest rate of any psychiatric illness?
I have more questions about medications and weight gain than anything else, and I know that many people stop taking their medication because they find the increase weight to be so extremely demoralizing. However much sympathy with this (and I think I – I – after winning over 40 lbs I did it myself) that is not the answer. Instead, learn about weight gain and the consequences of the loss of several drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, and the strategies they can use to keep your weight at a healthy level where you can feel good about yourself.
So what drugs are most likely to cause weight gain?
NOTE: We are only going to look PROVEN mood stabilizers:
1. For the risk of increased HEAVY, Maximum, and possibly diabetes, Zyprexa;
2. For the risk of weight gain, lithium, Depakote or Seroquel;
3. The drugs appear to be neutral weight include Abilify, Lamictal and Tegretol.
Do not be afraid to talk about this with my doctor who prescribed the drug. If you have bipolar disorder, there is a range of medication options available – which is perfectly fine that you ask for one that has fewer side effects and does not undermine your overall health.
For example, Zyprexa, a drug made by Eli Lilly, has, in recent years has been the subject of multiple lawsuits across the country. In particular, it argues that taking Zyprexa can cause excessive weight gain and even diabetes. If your doctor recommends Zyprexa to treat bipolar disorder, talk to him about the risks of these potential side effects and ask about the possibility of an alternative sure.
Ask your doctor politely but firmly to try Lamictal or Abilify. Sometimes side effects such as panic attacks or the famous "Lamictal rash" will govern these alternative medicines, but are generally safe to try.
Some doctors offer a cocktail of drugs to help counteract the weight gain. For example, Wellbutrin, especially if you are in an anticonvulsant, or Topamax.
What matters is that your doctor be proactive in finding drugs that help stabilize moods without destroying your overall health through a substantial weight gain.
Sarah Freeman is an attorney with manic-depressive illness, and author of the bestselling e-Book, “The Bipolar Diet”. She is also webmaster of Bipolar-Lives.com – one of the Internet’s leading sites on bipolar disorder. Bipolar Lives provides a unique blend of the latest research, effective bipolar management tools and techniques, and personal stories.
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