[nandm]

Welcome to our mental health forum.

History Teach has posted some good information.

Here is my experience. I am an alcoholic who works the program of AA. I have run across many who do not understand mental illness and have the mistaken point of view that taking medications for these conditions is wrong and the person is not sober if they do. What I know from my experience is that I would not be sober if I let my mental disorder be out of control by not taking my meds. I am bipolar and have PTSD as well. I have prescriptions for mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, as well as an anti-anxiety agent (Klonopin). At one point I was also prescribed a sleep medication.

It is extremely important the the person with bipolar disorder find a way to get sufficient sleep as sleep disturbances can aggravate or induce manic states. That said, since you are concerned about taking a benzo you might consider speaking with your doctor about possibly using Seroquel or Trazadone to help you with the sleep problems. Neither drug is a benzo and they are pretty good with helping someone sleep.

My personal stance on people that state no "mind altering" medications to others in recovery is that until one has walked in my shoes they have no idea what it is like to live with a mental illness. None of us woke up one day and said please let me be bipolar. But it is our responsibility to do what we can to treat the disease rather than letting it destroy our lives. Please do not listen to those that are uniformed and have no experience with mental health issues. I just avoid these individuals as arguing with them is non productive. I do try and educate them when the opportunity arises. Please continue to take your medications and don't let the naysayers get you down.

Hope to see you come back with an update soon.