Bipolar Type II Support Group

Many pregnant women may discover that psychiatric drug use has caused their child's birth defects such as Spina Bifida, congenital cardiac defects, cleft palates, limb deformity, facial dysmorphism and others.

No birth control is 100% effective, Abortion goes against what I belive.

My cousin takes all these pills for bipolar and mabey I am bipolar like this doctor claims and my family thinks. Its just a behavior check list anyway, thats why I never got any test known to medical science that I actualy "have" a "sickness".

My cousin I feel is addicted to this medication and I refuse to join her.

Was anyone else pushed by there family into this bipolar thing ? I asked them about birth defects... Is that right,

Well I have BP II and was put on Lamictal, Zolfot, and Ativan; however because my husband and I want to try for a family in May, I am currently being weaned of my medications because of the risks they carry to the baby. My doctor told me it was best I not take any medication during pregnancy.

Without knowing the whole story, I can't say whether your cousin is in fact addicted. People with BP who are prescribed meds NEED them to stabilize them. However, I do know that Ativan is addictive.

I was not pushed into "the Bipolar thing", I was diagnosed by a doctor because I displayed many of the symptoms.

It is true that psychiatric medications can cause birth defects. That is why you have to go off them when you become pregnant. True, no birth control is 100% effective, if you got pregnant you would have to go off the medications. When someone has bipolar, you have to take medications to become stable. It's not an addiction, it's just something you need to do. I was relieved when I was diagnosed. It explained a lot about my life and I was happy that there is a way to treat it. I willingly take my medications everyday and am thankful for them. They keep me stable and my mind at ease.

Absolutely not pushed by any means into this "Bipolar thing". I have struggled for many years with not being able to function. I was ruled by my emotions. I now have control over myself and can enjoy life more than I have in over 12 years. It was a huge releif when I found out I didn't have to feel miserable and knew I could help myself.

I was not pushed into it either. The evidence was overwhelming that I had it, and if I ever doubted it, the relief that my medication has brought me leaves no room for doubt. My medications saved my life. When I fought the diagnosis, and argued with my doctors & family, it was pure denial.

the decision to take prescription medication or not is a very personal one, i think... but either way, one needs to acknowledge that one will be living in an 'altered' state.

it should also be acknowledged, i believe, that in the absence of prescription medication there is usually a tendency to self-medicate with other drugs, alcohol and/or substances like sugar, etc. i've noticed this in myself and others over the years - among both the diagnosed and the undiagnosed.

i've lived with them and without, and for me, 'with' is better.

Amy I think it is a personal decision as well, nobody can force someone to take meds but if they want to and feel it helps then that's their decision. No doubt these meds cause birth defects but what does that have to do with anything?? If you are going to have kids obviously you have to get off them because there is a high risk. Like I said it's all choice...............

Most of my family disagrees with me taking medication. They feel I just need to grow up and cope with my "issues." They're old fashioned and don't believe in medicine unless there's a definite test that shows a chemical imbalance. I choose to take the medicine because it keeps me safe. Before I would stay out all night, put myself in dangerous situations, experiment with drugs, I've gotten myself molested once, almost gang raped by 5 guys, and raped once. I was violent, emotional, entered into relationships with bad people which destroyed my relationships with good people. I couldn't imagine being without medications again. I do want a family some day and when that time comes I hope I have a partner that will stand by me and help me while I'm off medication. But if you feel you can do without like the others said it's a choice.

I see those medications like this.

Check out this funny drug commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR0VT7eActc

After taking those bipolar pills myself I want my cousin off them.

we were both nuts as kids ! my moods are not a disease, no way.

Post edited by: AmyGirl19, at: 03/14/2012 03:32 AM

I see where you are coming from. I am in the enviable position of having no risk of pregnancy, so I don't have to worry about the birth defects side effects. I am sure you are not alone.