Wednesday, February 06, 2008

your doctor may be wrong

I was reading over my blog over the last few days and I saw someone who wrote:"My son was diagnosed as being bi-polar two years ago. The doctor, a psychiatrist, put him on medication. Finally, I got the doctor to change his medication. I could see a difference in him almost immediately!!!!

That was over six months ago! He still has a little rage inside, but his "episodes of anger" don't last as long."When I was reading this, I was excited for this person's success.A few thoughts came to mind.First, I don't think most people realize how just small medications in a treatment plan can make a big impact.With my mom, just a small change, once made all the difference in her moods.Secondly, I don't think bipolar supporters realize that someone times the doctor may be wrong or thinking that your loved one is doing better than they are.This happens because maybe your loved one doesn't tell the whole truth nothing but the truth when asked, "how are you doing?"

Also, with the fact that most times, doctorsdon't see what is really going on with your loved one.It's not their fault it's just "the deal."Anyway, it's the bipolar supporter's jobto help the doctor treat a loved one in the best possible way.Even though my mom has a great doctor,there have been two occasions in the last3 years that I had to step in and persuade my mom's doctor that treatment had to be changed.

In my courses/systems I have lots of worksheets and checklists about helping yourself with bipolar disorder or helping a loved one when you are trying to explain to a doctor that the treatment plan may be off.

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?Visit:http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?Visit:http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:http://www.survivebipolar.net

I made these worksheets and checkliststo be used as a tool to help yourselfor communicate information accuratelyto a doctor or therapist.If you feel that your loved one's medicationis not right, you can:-Fill out the worksheets-Bring them to the doctor-Point out what you are seeing includingdays of the week and time-Explain why you think thereshould be a change.Build your case that is persuasiveso the doctor listens. In my courses/systems,I talk about how to do this at length.It's hard to explain it all in a simpleemail but here are some general guidelines. WARNING!!!!Do NOT bring print offs from the internetand plant them on a doctors desk orfax them to him/her.This is super annoying for the doctor andwinds up making them mad at you. I hear these stories of people going towebsites and printing 30 pages off andthen circling certain spots and then throwing it at the doctor and saying, "look at that!"That's a good way to make a doctormad.Also, do NOT expect results too fast ANDdon't expect your loved one to have perfectmoods. NOBODY does. Meaning, if someonecuts your loved one off driving, he/shewill probably be mad, medication doesn'tfix that. If that were the case, EVERYONEin New York and New Jersey would be on medicationbecause everyone is mad about "stuff" once a day in the northeast :)So be reasonable.I have to run, catch you tomorrow.

Your Friend,
Dave