Bipolar Coping with Series: Coping with Medication

I firstly must start as I did in my previous article in this series, by saying that I am a Bipolar sufferer and my articles are based on my expericence and not medical fact. Medical advice should always be sought before giving any of the tips in my articles a go.

Medication is one of those things that when a sufferer takes regularily, can change their lives. However in my experience most Bipolar sufferers when they are experiencing a manic high, they will be less and less likely to take their medication regularily unless they are prompted and in some cases forced to do so.

One of the tricks that I use to make sure that my medication is taken like clockwork, is to set a reminder on my telephone (or computer) as my main talent is in ICT. This reminds me that I do need to take my medication, and as a result will prompt me to take it.

Having said this, it does not always work. I have been known to ignore or even delete these reminders so that I do not have to take my medication.

Another way of ensuring that you take your medication, only works correctly if you have a nice friend/parent who can convience you to take it, and you trust to be a bit more forceful when required. By doing this, you ensure that you take your medication, but it is reliant on the individual remembering to remind you.

Remembering to take your medication is just the first hurdle, you also have to remember to refill your perscriptions before you run out of medication. Normally you will be perscribed with either enough to keep you stocked up for a week or a 28 day period. Remembering to refill your perscription before you run out can be half the battle.

Once you have mastered or those around you have mastered the ability to make sure that you never run out of medication, and always take the required medications, then you are on the right track. Something which you will get used to, is an annual medication review. This is something that you must insist on to be able to ensure that your medication is kept on the straight and narrow. This will be performed by several of the professionals that you will work with as a matter of course with your condition.

These reviews are vitual to ensuring the continued stability of your condition. I would ensure that you tell at least one responsible person about your condition, and how it effects you. It is vital that you ensure this is done, as by doing this you are putting in place a safety blanket.

What tips and tricks do you have and use in order to ensure that your son/daughter/friend/relative takes their medication on a regular basis?

Leave a comment and let us all know.