Struggling with side effects or stigma? Here is how to navigate the most common challenges of taking bipolar medication.
Finding the right medication for your bipolar disorder may be one of the trickiest parts of reaching mood stability. Typically, a balance of therapy, medication(s), and lifestyle changes is necessary to not just live with bipolar but also thrive with it.
Whether or not you stick with your prescribed medications may depend on a variety of factors:
- Your personal medical history
- The circumstances surrounding your diagnosis
- The effectiveness of a treatment for your specific symptom presentation
- Family and cultural views on mental health conditions
- Your own beliefs about the diagnosis — and yourself
Mood stability is possible with bipolar. Sometimes, it takes a bit of trial and error; other times, it may require a new way of thinking.
Common Barriers to Medication Consistency
Here are some of the most common reasons for inconsistency when it comes to taking your bipolar medication or stopping it altogether. If any of this sounds familiar, perhaps a shift in perspective — or a discussion with your prescriber or psychiatrist — is in order.
1. ‘I Want to Keep My Creativity’
This is a common concern and misconception about the relationship between bipolar disorder, creativity, and medication.
Many people, especially in the artistic field, find the opposite to be true. With a clearer mind that allows for more insight into the creative process, they experience an enhancement of creativity when their bipolar is properly managed with medication.
It’s also worth noting that managing bipolar isn’t about choosing between the extremes of mania and depression. While mania might feel productive or creative in the moment, it often comes at a cost. The middle ground — called euthymia (the absence of either) — can be the sweet spot. Medication can help you get there, allowing you to maintain balance and continue thriving creatively.
2. ‘I Always Forget to Take It’
It’s understandable — taking medication consistently can be challenging, especially when life feels unpredictable. But building a routine can make it easier and eventually become second nature. For people managing bipolar disorder, structure and regularity are key, including taking medication at the same time each day.
One helpful approach is pairing your medication with an everyday activity, like taking your pills right after washing your face in the morning or just before brushing your teeth at night. Tools like alarms, smartphone apps, and weekly pill organizers can also keep you on track and reduce the stress of remembering. It’s okay to need reminders — it’s all about finding what works best for you.
3. ‘I Don’t Like the Way It Makes Me Feel’
It’s valid to feel uncomfortable with how a medication affects you, and it’s a sign that it might not be the right fit for you. This could mean the medication itself isn’t working as intended or that the dosage needs to be adjusted. It’s important to know that the goal of treatment is not to feel overly “medicated” but to help you feel balanced and well.
If you’re thinking about stopping your medication because of how it makes you feel, it’s crucial to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider first. Stopping medication suddenly can be dangerous and may worsen symptoms. Your doctor can guide you safely, whether that means adjusting the dosage or exploring alternative options to help you feel better. Your well-being is the priority, and you deserve a treatment plan that works for you.
4. ‘I Don’t Want to Be Stigmatized’
Unfortunately, mental health conditions — and the medications needed to manage symptoms — often carry negative connotations in society. Because of this, some people with bipolar prefer to keep their diagnosis private, avoiding the risk of friends or neighbors finding out.
There’s a real fear of being misjudged or mistreated if someone notices a pill bottle in a purse or medicine cabinet. However, challenging this stigma begins with small, courageous steps toward openness. While it’s a deeply personal choice, confronting stigma head-on can help change perceptions and foster understanding.
5. ‘I’m Afraid of the Side Effects’
This is a common and sometimes valid concern. Yes, like most medicines, bipolar medications can have side effects. Weight gain, for example, tempts many to stop treatment.
When side effects are manageable with lifestyle adjustments, such as changes to diet or activity, reframing the situation can help. It can help to think of these kinds of side effects as a worthwhile trade-off for achieving a stable mood, feeling mentally healthy, and managing bipolar’s impact on your daily life. Pairing your treatment plan with a personally appropriate exercise and diet regimen can help you stay physically and emotionally strong.
6. ‘It’s Not Part of My Lifestyle’
Some people find it difficult to accept that they have a brain-based health condition like bipolar disorder. Instead, they may attribute their challenges to other factors, such as stress, and dismiss the need for treatment.
This reluctance often shows up as the excuse that taking prescribed medication doesn’t fit their “lifestyle.” This mindset can be particularly common among young adults who are still coming to terms with their diagnosis.
7. ‘I Don’t Need Medication’
For some, receiving a bipolar diagnosis brings relief by validating their struggle. For others, it’s hard to accept that they have a mental health condition requiring consistent maintenance through lifestyle, therapy, and medications.
When someone says they don’t “need” medication, it’s often because they’re either in denial or caught in the midst of a mood episode, making it hard to recognize the importance of staying on their treatment plan.
8. ‘Medications Are Dangerous’
Many falsely believe it’s better to self-medicate than to take prescription drugs. This fear or misinformation can be powerful, but knowledge is empowering.
All concerns about medication, including potential side effects, should be openly discussed with your doctor and pharmacist. Together, you can develop a treatment plan that addresses your fears and helps you feel more confident in managing your condition.
9. ‘My Family Is Opposed’
A friend once shared that her husband strongly suggested she go off her bipolar medication because he didn’t want a “medicated wife.” In other words, he felt ashamed of her diagnosis.
Even family members can struggle with the stigma of mental health conditions. However, when loved ones take the time to educate themselves, they can become important allies, helping their family members achieve — and maintain — mood stability.
10. ‘I Don’t Trust Conventional Psychiatry’
While alternative modalities such as supplements, yoga, and acupuncture can be helpful, they should generally complement — not replace — conventional psychiatry. The pharmacological advancements of today have made it possible for people with bipolar disorder to not only survive but thrive.
Medication is proven effective for a reason. It’s about finding the right combination of treatments to support your health and well-being.
The Takeaway
- Achieving mood stability typically requires a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes to help you thrive with bipolar disorder.
- Common barriers to treatment, such as side effects or fear of losing creativity, can often be managed through open conversations with your prescriber.
- Stopping medication abruptly can be dangerous and worsen symptoms, so it is crucial to consult your healthcare provider before making any changes.
- Reframing your perspective on medication can help you move past stigma and denial toward a more balanced, healthy life.
UPDATED: Originally posted March 9, 2023