HOW TO CHOOSE A DOCTOR

I think the most important part of this whole bipolar thing is to have a good doctor who will be actively involved in adjusting medication. I have used my family doctor for years to help me with antidepressants but more and more often the meds would stop doing their job. I have taken Prozac, Lexapro, Wellbutrin (which didn’t help at all), and Celexa. Although that might sound like a lot of meds, I have been treated for depression since 1985. Also, I have not taken them continuously. I have had two or more years between each prescribed medication .I have tried to come off meds and take an herbal alternative but with very little success. It wasn’t until I decided to use a psychiatrist that specialized in medication for mental problems that my success with meds improved 100%.

A good doctor who understands medication and its side effects is so important. Also he needs to have more knowledge about bipolar and the struggle we have with it. Communication is important. He understands more about the disease because of the intensive training he has received. That's why I chose to go to a specialist rather than a general practitioner.