How long will it take to get my mental illness under control

[The seeker]

How long will it take roughly for me to get my Bipolor, Anxiety disorder and all of the other terrible feelings that I feel to go away or at least get managable so that I can start living a some what normal life again?

[historyteach]

Seeker,
Are you on medication? What are you taking?
It can often take up to two weeks for the meds to get full effect; but, I know my son felt better within a few days. Also, there are times when the first medication doesn't work, and you have to tweek it or change it.
Take it one day at a time, and call your doctor if needed.
Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing...
Shalom!

[The seeker]

Thank you, Yes I'm on Neurontin and Cymbalta, Zoloft and Deseryl. I guess I meant that how long approximatly before some of my Anxiety and Parinoia will start to go away. I've only been off of the Beer for a few day's. I was more concerned about the fact that will my illness (Mental) get better as time goes by as long as I stay sober. How far back can I come mentally? I know nobody can give me an exact date but I was wondering about other people's similar situations and how long it took them?

[Don W]

Hi seeker, I'm not a doctor so this is my feeling only. Like History mentioned it takes time to adjust medicatiopns and for them to kick in. Remember, they are trying to improve the chemical make up. In my case, I used to look for when I'd be all better. I found it didn't work that way. It was difficult to accept that I might be on medication the rest of my life. However, that doesn't mean I or you will have problems the rest of our life. Only a doctor can determine that. However, you can either set limits or deside to be limitless in your recovery. I believe it is a process, and I needed to set reachable goals. Example, my goal was to get better and be taken off my medication. My new goal is to get better. However, no medication by itself will make you better. You need to work and plan a program of recovery. Sometimes this involves trying to change behaviors like myself. You right on with the alcohol thing. I also self medicated with it. Using alcohol/drugs will offset the prescribed medications. Talking about it helps alot. The old behavior of mine was to isolate and let things grow in my head. Anyway, you are on the right track. Many of the improvements are small and can be overlooked. This hides our progress and I used to give up. Welcome and hope you stay with us.

[The seeker]

Thank you Don W, I appreciate your honesty and feedback.

[shutterbug]

Originally Posted by historyteach

It can often take up to two weeks for the meds to get full effect; but, I know my son felt better within a few days.

Teach....sorry, but i just wanted to let you and Seeker know that it can actually take 4-6 weeks for many meds to take affect. Effexor and several others took around 5 weeks for me to tell any difference.

Welbutrin...was the first one i was on and after a month taking pills i didn't want to take and feeling NO better, I stopped taking them. Same with Lexapro. I didn't like the side affects of fatigue so after a month of no positive changes I stopped taking the med. No one bothered to tell me that I needed to wait another week or two. Now I know better....and i just don't want others to make the same mistake i did.

And Don's definetely right....i had a really terrific therapist who taught me deep breathing techniques and other relaxtion stuff....and I actually used the deep breathing to bring me out of a panic attack coming home in rush hour traffic (and also once recently to calm my nerves alltoghter....lol). I have a progressive muscle cd i listen to and follow every night at bed time. It really helps with my anxiety, i think. Recovery is DEFINETLY not just about the meds. I have a bipolar friend who was diagnosed more than 10 years ago and last year when i was starting all this....i asked her which helps her more, her meds or counseling? She said she contributes her well-being to 70 percent talk therapy and 30 percent meds.....just her opinion. I personally, for me, would say, 50/50, but again....that's just me.

Mind telling me about Neurontin and Deseryl? I don't know anything about them. I've never been on Zoloft, but am just tappering off the Cymbalta.

Do you mind sharing about the kind of paranioa you are dealing with? I've had bouts with it...but i'm wondering what others go through.

Also....I don't know much about detoxing and such...but to me, it seems like your mental picture would become clearer the longer you remain sober. Definetly your meds will work better...or work at all, rather....if you stay away from the drink.

Prepare yourself for a med rollarcoaster ride. Some times it can take a while to find the right mix for you (specially if your a rapid cycling bipolar). Although, i've known of some to get lucky right out of of the chute. I hope and pray that happens for you.

Stay sober....stay on your meds! If left untreated, bipolar disorder is a progressive illness....it only gets worse with time.

[The seeker]

I guess that the parinoia that I'm talking about is the kind where I feel scared everywhere that I go, I mean I know that nobody is out to get me or anything like that but it is an intense fear of people places and thing's. The neurontin is for the manic Depression I think and the Deseryl I take at night is to help me sleep better. It's also an antidepressent I beleive. The Zoloft is for anxiety and Depression. Sorry for not answering you promptly but I haven't been on the computer much in the last few day's because of my depression. I am sober though and I havn't relapsed. I hope all is well with you.

[shutterbug]

I'm so very happy for you that you are still sober! Way to GO!!! Keep up the great work!

Okay....the paranioa....is it kinda like social anxiety disorder? Or do you actually get scared of buildings and innanimate objects?

Hey...don't worry about not replying right away....i've spent weeks away from here because of my depression.

Hold on....

Hugs,
Jenna

[The seeker]

No it's just a social anxiety disorder. I'm not afraid of anything except being around people. Thanks for the compliment's, I'm glad your doing well too!

Scott.

[shutterbug]

Lordy, lordy....then do i KNOW what you're talking about! I honestly think my social anxiety disorder is why i live nocturnally most of the time....because if i go grocery shopping at Wal-mart at 3 a.m. there's very few people to worry about! I often wished i lived in NY (the city that never sleeps) b/c only wally world and a few resturants..and a Walgreens are all that stay open 24-hours.

I always use to think it was shyness, but i forced myself out of it and made myself start talking to people in college....but now it's like i've reverted back and am worse than ever. If i'm in the store and see someone coming down an isle i want to go down...i'll skip that isle and go to the next one until that person leaves sometimes....how crazy is that???

Oh gosh....and people knocking on my front door...i usually don't answer it....or for that matter i usully don't answer my phone any more either.

Do you wish you could just be invisible sometimes?

[The seeker]

Yes sometimes I do. I mostly just wish I had alot more inner peace and I'm hopeing that by staying sober I will start to get more. I can totally relate to your story, I'm the same way when it comes to people. I go to Meijer's at night around 1 or 2 in the morning and I have a very hard time socially but I'm facing it also and I think that as long as I stay sober that I will slowly come out of it. Hang in there and work with your therapist and don't give up.

[shutterbug]

Thanks seek....i'll do that....is all that really concidered paranoia though?

[The seeker]

I don't know shutterbug?