Things I've learned while losing my mind

1) Somethings lost can never be found! When you start losing your mind parts of it hide from you so well that you can't find them again!
2) People in your life around you can actually be more in denial of your condition than you are!
3) If you speak one coherent normal sentence in a 24 hours period it's taken as a sign that you are miraculously well and can function normally again!
4) Some people are dysfunctional enough to ask YOU for advice!
5) A psychiatrist sees you for 15 minutes, (doesn't really care why you are there) and only asks you how you are to see if "you" think your medicine is working!
6) Said psychiatrist gets a minimum of $800.00 for that 15 minutes and the privilege of getting your opinion on your medication.
7) A psychologist draws a minimun of $200.00 to tell you that your ideas are unrealistic and you should understand that and talk yourself down from "those kinds of thoughts".
8) Said psychologist at least gives you 45-50 minutes to an hour of their time for that money.
9) When you ask the psychiatrist if something you are doing is indicative of your condition or something else you need to worry about they tell you that different people with the same illness have different symptoms and that might be "normal" for you.
10) Normal is the setting on a close dryer and does not apply to people.

The biggest thing I've learned while losing my mind is that having a strong support system (family and friends that do believe you and do understand there is something wrong) are worth more than a thousand medical experts. Those people that drop everything they are doing to listen to you, talk to you, offer their "free" advice even though they don't have a degree, can be the difference between life and death. I'm not saying you should always take their advice, but I am saying, don't shut those people out, they are every bit as crucial to your healing as the doctors and the medication, maybe even more so! And they are worth their weight in gold.

We are all abnormal in some of our ways. What I've written is not to discourage anyone that is having emotional or mental problems of any kind from seeking medical help. It's just some revelations I've had since having my breakdown in June of 2008 and being diagnosed as bi-polar.

The things I've learned while losing my mind are, if you don't feel like you are getting the help and support from the psychiatrist or psychologist you are seeing, find someone else. Medication does help and it takes time to get the right kind and the right combination and of course the right dose. DON'T GIVE UP! It also might take you some time to find the "right" doctor. Don't let them lead you into telling them what you need. Tell them your symptoms, all of them, and make them do the job they are being paid to do. If you have problems with the medications, no matter how trivial they may seem, tell them. If you have concerns about your treatment, tell them!

I realize all doctors are busy and see many patients but if you don't feel like your doctor is "hearing" you, then find someone who will listen and will answer your questions and concerns. The point is, it's your health, your mental and physical well-being and you are important, you matter, take care of yourself and find the right doctor to help you on your road to recovery. Then come back and share some of your revelations with me :)