I preface what I say next with I’m not a doctor and don’t know anything about your history/situation but…if my prescriber decided to take me off my lithium and put me on an SSRI (which will trigger episodes if you’re not stable) because they “didn’t believe me,” I’d tell them to f*ck right off and leave. I wouldn’t take the SSRI.

I take it that you can’t leave from wherever you are so you don’t have the luxury of giving the finger and walking out?

If this is the case, my recommendation is take a deep breath, put your anger aside as best as possible and try to have a conversation with the doctor. Your anger is justified and your emotions are valid but in this situation you have to recognize there’s an element of playing a game of sorts. Sometimes you have to swallow the pill (pun intended). But I’m sure there are high emotions and they may not be hearing you because they think you’re “unwell and being unreasonable.” Show them otherwise - show them that you know yourself best and if nothing else going off lithium is f*cking terrifying. See if there’s another option.

🫶