Managing The Madness

Managing the Madness

If only it was that simple!.You have seen the commercial(s). A young lady sitting by a window looking so very sad.Then the sales pitch for the latest drug to fight depression,bipolar disease,etc. And,finally, the same sad young lady is smiling and running thru fields of gold or down the beach near the waters edge,happily splashing her toes in the water.

Oh God! If only it was that easy! Please don't misunderstand.I thank God for doctors , the drugs, and everyone involved in the mental health field. I also understand companies spend millions of dollars advertising these drugs and in no way would I expect them to put a negative spin on such advertising.

But,lets be real.For many finding the right meds is a long , difficult, and at times, down right depressing process. And if you aren't depressed, after you pay for the meds you will be! My own meds cost hundreds of dollars each month.The doctor tells me I will be on them the rest of my life. Not what one wants to hear !

So, forgive me if I get a little upset at the commercials for the next miracle drug coming down the pike. It reminds me of the so called faith healers (oh, I opened a can of worms). Guess if I follow their advise ,out go the pills with this mornings garbage.I'll just have more faith, trust God, and save myself thousands of dollars each year.

In fairness to those of you who subscribe to the whole faith healing ,name it and claim it sales pitch.I call it a sales pitch because like the drug companies if you follow the money trail, it all comes down to the almighty dollar. Haven't you ever wondered why these televangelists demand you plant your faith seed in their ministy? Whats wrong with planting it in my own local church?

However.In fairness to the health and wealth crowd,I have lost many so called friends who would never fit into that catagory.In fact, they attack such teaching every chance they can. But, these same fundamentalists will never accept the fact that one of theirs,like myself, could be mentally ill. God forbid! And what a glorious day it was when I realized 98 percent of my friends and family could not or would not ever understand. Ok.Lets cut to the chase !The only way to deal with mental illness is to educate one's self.Note! Some are to ill to even do this. For those that can.Do your homework! Keep journals and notes concerning which meds seem to help and side effects and so forth. I am wrestling with swtiching from Paxal Cr to the generic which is not CR.It is saving me almost eighty dollars a month, but I am not sure it is working as well. Upon hours of searching the web,I have discovered this is a common problem and I probably need to switch back to the CR despite the cost.

Recently my doctor switched me from a drug thats costs five dollars a pill to a generic of another drug costing seven dollars per month.It doesn't work as well and the side efects are terrible.

My reason for this article is to hopefully help someone who may just be heading into the journey I have been on for five years. Trying to find the right meds, doctors, and yes , even faith! Just know.You are not alone! People do care.Some just have no clue how to help. Research your illness(s), drugs, etc. It might just save your life or that of someone you care about. So, the next time I see the young lady in the commercial running happily down the beach after having taken the latest new drug, I'll smile and Thank God that for some it really is that simple. Then I shall bow my head and pray for those of us for which it will always be a daily struggle and balancing act.