Posted by Michael Bell on February 15, 2005, at 18:28:05
Maybe I'm preaching to the choir here, but you should research everything little thing about your condition, mechanisms of action of medications, alternative treatments, neurotransmitter and sub-receptor functions, etc. Doctors are generally smart, but they are not infallible. Make it so that you and your doctor have a relationship where you both have power over your treatment scheme.
Don't just rely on these boards, though they are amazing. Go to remedyfind.com, where hundreds of people rate meds and give their personal experiences. Go to ezboards.com, which covers every topic. Join medline/medscape and NIMH for free and keep updated on all the recent studies regarding medications, brain functions, neurotransmitters, etc. Read the Psychiatric Times, if possible. Gain a broad perspective on science and real life testimonials to get the most comprehensive info possible about dealing with your condition.
Go to the social anxiety, depression and bipolar chat rooms and discussion boards that are sprinkled all throughout the net. The power of research and the internet is incomparable.
Hope I don't sound condescending here, but you are your own best advocates. Good luck to all!
poster:Michael Bell
thread:458383
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050212/msgs/458383.html