I'm Suzy, a 50 year old professional. I pride myself on researching my own illnesses, diagnoses, drugs, etc - it's my life after all. I was orgininally diagnosed as bipolar II about 7 years ago (which means I get more depressed than manic but I get both - Wheee!!) but I now believe that I don't get manic. My psychiatrist believes that drugs are the answer to all mental problems, while I believe that people can play an important role in helping themselves if given the encouragement and opportunity. My phychiatrist is constantly amazed that I continue to hold down a senior management job at a very large company. Doesn't think I should be able to do it. I want to emphasize that I have never simply stopped taking my medications. I have altered doses or substituted drugs he previously prescribed for me after significant research and he has never argued with me. I guess he figures as long as I am chugging along, its ok. Anybody else out there taking control of their health like that?
