What if there's no cure?

[Wellingtons]

What if the cure doesn't work? I'm on 4 different types of drugs (and been on many cocktails in the past), I've had therapy god knows how many times.

The lithium has certainly stopped the manic episodes - I'm not removing all the books in the library as they're about me anymore but I feel so so low. I get up to see to the horse at 7am every day, go to uni, come home, do work, and then it starts again.

I point blank refuse to become a psychiatric 'patient' - I feel over dependence on 'the system' is weak, sick and pathetic. Last night I cut off ties with an old friend as he's decided that if he continues pretending to 'see' things then he'll get as many benefits all his life as he wants. I will NOT become that. In doing so, I know I'm risking catstrophe, but where's the fine line?

[melda]

Maybe there is no cure, but with the right medication you can control the symptoms. It is good that the manic episodes have stopped but you sound like you are still experiencing the depressive episodes. I dont know what the answer is, but make sure you keep talking about how you are feeling and dont keep it bottled up because that will make things harder. It sounds like you have a life and are doing things during the day so that is a positive. I dont really know what I can say to make things better. Maybe there is stuff that is unresolved, I dont know. Sorry I havent been of much help.

[Wellingtons]

No thank you melda, it just helps to be heard I guess.

I don't know what I'm going through. I've cried 3 days in a row. I feel just, miserable. I don't have any thoughts of SH etc, I just can't stop crying. It literally takes nothing.

I have a CBT referral, and I'm in a new area etc, so maybe it will help. It's probably just with xmas coming up and me not having anywhere to go for it.


Thanks, anyway *hugs*

[Misunderstood.]

Mental illnesses are usually managed rather than cured completely. They can be managed very well so that the negative symptoms of them are minimal but it's not often that someone is 'cured' if it is a serious illness.
If you think of a mental illness as physical in the fact it is an imbalance of chemicals, that needs medication to put it back to the right balance. That's what it is.
Therapy can help alot though.
You mentioned mania so am I right to assume you're manic depressive [bipolar]? If so then it would irrational to try and go it alone without being in the 'system' in some way or another. You at least need a psychiatrist to keep tabs on if you're going one way or another [*cue that song*lol].

But once the right medication regime is found you could if you want consider youself cured. But always be ready knwoing what the signals are in case another episode is on the horizon.
Sorry to have rambled.