The RIGHT medication can stabilize mood swings, calm anxiety, slow racing thoughts, etc. But, you can still experience such things, just not to the extreme.
I'll use my own experiences with/without meds for example.
WITHOUT MEDS: My mind races so fast I can't keep up with my own thoughts. I get really quiet, for if I say anything I probably won't make much sense. As well as, it's hard for me to filter what someone is saying for my thoughts are working faster than my comprehension. I get extremely moody; from one minute to the next, and I can't handle a lot of noise. I usually can't stand to be around myself when my mood swings are going nuts. Crowds make me crazy and if I'm closed in with a bunch of people talking at the same time..............I wig! Without the meds, it's a lot harder to try and get myself under control afore I explode. Everything happens so fast and it's hard enough to try and concentrate on what my own mind is thinking, let alone on what other's are saying. Therefore, to find the thoughts to get a hold on myself is usually next to nil.
My highs and lows are more frequent and it becomes really dangerous for me. When I get really high....I do a lot of stupid things that I normally wouldn't do. When I get really low.......I can't hardly get off the couch, let alone do anything productive. (This usually happens afore the rapid cycling)......... When I get really high for a few minutes and then really low the next few minutes...........my mind spirals out of control while my body just sits in one spot. (This is my rapid cycling)
WITH MEDS: My mind may still race a little, but coping skills can usually help get me focused, thus, it only spins for a few minutes. My comprehension is a lot better and I become more sociable. My mood swings may still come and go, but they are fewer and more tolerable.
I still don't like a lot of noise and crowds, but I can handle them a lot better than without meds, and if needed, I just walk out of the room and gather myself for a while.
So, to answer your question: Yes, meds can help. (If you look at the comparison I gave you, you'll notice the WITHOUT MEDS has more detail than the WITH MEDS.) It may take time to feel the effects for some meds take several weeks to get into your system and actually start working. Some, take a little less. Basically, it depends on the person. You may not find the right meds right away. They work differently for different people, so it can get frustrating when trying to find the one or more meds that work for you.
Sometimes, a medication adjustment will have to be made from time to time until you find the right dosage that works for you. In some cases, if the adjustment don't work, the med/meds may have to be changed all together. Once again, this can be really frustrating, but I know in my case, it's better than not having them at all.
As I always tell people who have not been on meds or just starting on them. NEVER QUIT MEDS COLD TURKEY. Always talk to your doc afore quitting meds and he/she can: up/lower the dosage, ween you off them, or replace them with another.
I hope this has helped, at least a little. I know others here have their stories as well, and will give you even better insight to this illness.
Please feel free to pm me anytime.
s and
es!!
