Sticking With Your Treatment Plan

Part Seven of Debra Hoppe's Recovery Series

The question of whether a person needs medication to help control their mental illness and what kind of medication should be used is extremely complicated. It’s important to work with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse that you trust to help you through this difficult process. Don’t expect results right away. Every person is different, so it will probably take a little while to fight out what works for you.

I can’t stress how important it is to stick to your treatment plan. I have bipolar disorder and have a hard time functioning if I don’t stick with my treatment plan. For instance, I once wound up in an inpatient behavioral health unit during an episode that began when I forgot to take my evening medication.

It’s also important to stick to your treatment plan, because it helps your psychiatrist to know how to treat your symptoms and helps you to know what to tell the doctor when they do examine you. All medications need to be monitored for their effectiveness and for side effects as well as the dosage and cycling of your disorder.

It’s also important to work with a licensed therapist to help you with daily skills and determining symptom cycles or patterns. Since I have been taking my meds properly I haven’t cycled in a month which is an improvement for me.

I take my medication the correct way and work with my therapist. I get the rest I need and watch what I eat. I also exercise on a regular basis. All these add up to a healthier me.

Thank you for continuing on with your treatment plan and next time we’ll be discussing how to keep busy. Take care and may God bless you richly.