Bipolar Type II Support Group

The term "self-medication," then, is defined as "the process by which some individuals may abuse substances in attempting to use them to relieve other problems such as anxiety, pain, sleeplessness or other symptoms of bipolar disorder."

In other words, these individuals have a difficult struggle with bipolar disorder and they are more likely to try a drug in the first place. The continuation of drug use possibly stems from the discovery of short-term release from symptoms of mania or depression beginning the cycle of substance abuse. The unfortunate reality is that the relief of symptoms via self-medication is short lived. An individual struggling with dual diagnosis offers this perspective: "Self-medicating treats the symptoms, not the underlying illness. The more we use a substance other than doctor supervised medication the worse our symptoms become and we often find ourselves in a hole which is very difficult to climb out of"

http://tracyannshively.blogspot.com

I have no urge or intent to self medicate since I got on the right meds. Would have more to say but I have dinner to make