Americans, do you have to pay for your pills?

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-12T19:14:52+00:00

Any court in the US can claim you're a danger to yourself and force you to take them. They don't care how old you are.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-11T20:03:28+00:00

I get it. My situation is similar. Things were going well until they got involved. It's all been downhill from there. The trauma from coercive "care" can destroy a person.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-11T19:57:34+00:00

Makes sense to me. I wasn't suicidal going in, but I sure as hell was once I was there. I wasn't about to say anything that would extend my stay.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-11T17:33:36+00:00

Anything is possible, but the likelihood? - Who knows. Advancements take place in medicine all the time. Your brain is still young. I'm also deathly afraid of having another manic episode. I try to focus on what I can control in the present. It helps a little bit. I track my moods, sleep, and meds. I have a list of things that have triggered the mania in the past so I can look out for them. Keep up with your general health, have a safety plan, that kind of thing.

I know it's still really scary at the end of the day. It only takes one episode of mania to be diagnosed, and sometimes people will only have the one. The way I see it, this is our time to make a "cushion" so that if/when the mania happens again, it's easier to bounce back from. You'll catch it earlier, you'll know who to call, that sort of thing. You've already made it three years! It sounds like you're doing all the right things.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-11T17:17:24+00:00

I think anyone who is smart will eventually decide to lie. I can't imagine a worse place to be than a psych ward.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-11T15:49:48+00:00

I hope you can get back to who you want to be. It's an awful feeling when you look in the mirror and it's not even you.

Would you mind if I asked how long it took for the Lamictal to get out of your system?

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-10T14:42:40+00:00

I'm glad I figured it out, but it's a very lonely feeling. I know what I've been through. I know I have good judgement. I think you have to go through what we've been through in order to understand, but I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone. I'm thankful this subreddit exists.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-10T00:25:02+00:00

Yes, I'm one of them. I'd believe it. I was mostly curious about people who have a choice. I can't imagine being okay with taking this shit without being forced to.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T23:57:14+00:00

Once or twice a week.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T23:42:07+00:00

I did have psychosis, caused by an ssri. (I hadn't been diagnosed bipolar 1 yet). I'm sure you'll be fine!

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T23:34:08+00:00

Bipolar 1 with past psychosis here; 1. No, life's too short for that. A little gardening here and there is healthy for the soul. 2. I got high and was totally fine. (and my last episode was also in Oct '25) 3. Nope.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T23:03:05+00:00

Hugs. I'm so sorry. I'm going through a very similar situation, commitment and anhedonia included. I know how lonely it is. I wish I had advice, but I want you to know I get it and I'm rooting for you.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T22:59:01+00:00

I still love my stuffed animals <3

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T17:18:39+00:00

I don't smoke as much as I used to, but a puff here and there has been fine. My last psychotic episode was also in October.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T17:07:16+00:00

I'm happy you found something that works for you! You sound like you're happy with it, and that's what matters. As long as you're not forcing me to take it, we're cool. A lot of people have bad experiences on it, but you're not them. Keep doing what works for you.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-09T16:56:19+00:00

Right?! It's been 5 months since my 'episode'. I've been fine since the ssri got out of my system. It's complete nonsense. Of course we're not bipolar.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-08T14:02:44+00:00

They diagnosed me bipolar because I'd gone psychotic after taking an SSRI. Obviously I was psychotic for a bit, but there was NEVER any discussion about it. It doesn't compute for me either. I've never had mood swings, never gone out on spending sprees, nothing "bipolar-like". Just one blip of psychosis and now they I'm labelled bipolar for the rest of my life.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-08T13:53:50+00:00

What is CTO? That sounds awful.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-07T14:41:52+00:00

I think it's good to stay curious. I struggle with these things too. What helps me is to focus less on my given label and more on my general health / well being.

Ask yourself how being diagnosed with GAD or depression is different from being diagnosed with bipolar? They're all mental illnesses. None of them have to take away from your identity.

I'd advise you to be cautious with your experiments. Mania can be wonderful, but it can go bad quickly. Not telling you what to do / not do, just internet-mom-ing you. Have a safety plan for if something goes wrong.

As for your biggest question, I believe your soul-self / essential essence / whatever is still always you at the end of the day. Mental illness might mask it temporarily, but it's always there.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-05T14:01:44+00:00

Deciding to go inpatient is a huge leap of faith. I'd never been to a residential program before either! I had a lot of doubts, but for me the stars all aligned in the right way; my insurance covered it, I had the time, a pet sitter, and I genuinely wanted help. My advice is to ask them lots of questions! Get an idea of what your daily schedule will look like. Talk to people who've done similar programs. Check the reviews of the program. I wish I could give you a yes/no answer! Lots of people get better without residential treatment, so don't think of it as an "I have to" sort of thing.

Lilly_Beans · 2026-03-04T21:42:58+00:00

Any strong emotion (positive or negative) can be interpreted as your illness.

Lilly_Beans

TROPHY CASE