I have written this letter looking for help—over the years I have reached out to many people and have accomplished many things, and I’m proud of myself for coming this far. There is one thing that I haven’t been helped with, and it is the last thing to help me continue on with living a healthy, happy, and productive life—the right combination of medication to help stabilize my true life roller coaster.
Dear_____,
I know you must receive thousands of letters a day asking for your help, but right now you are the only person I can think to turn to.
I’m twenty-five years old and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder nine years ago when I was sixteen. I have seen many psychiatrists—even some of the best known Bipolar doctors in the world. Most of the doctors I have met with talk down to me—I can’t stand it—I want to be a part of my “treatment,” not treated like I don’t know anything about my own mind and body. I have tried over twenty-five different medications and even more combinations. Some of the medications I have taken I have experienced severe side effects, such as: hearing voices, blacking out, not being able to talk—even though I knew what I wanted to say, and the most recent medication gave me horrible nightmares, made me very angry and irritable, and I gained eight pounds in less than two weeks.
I have always been the type of person who wants to be up to date on Bipolar Disorder. As a senior in high school for my Psychology class I did my oral presentation on Bipolar Disorder and I used myself as the “case study.” I’m not afraid of who knows that I’m Bipolar—I’d rather have people know more about it and ask questions than be scared of it and the person who has been diagnosed with it.
