Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 10/16/2008

Question
Well my husband is bipolar and he refuses to take his meds.  First he was on Seroquel and he said it made him want to fall asleep driving.  So he was switched to Ablify 5 mg and he said the same thing.  He did take the abilify for about two months and now he is saying  he dont need it and it makes him sleepy.  Im at my wits end with him.  I finally convinced him to go back to the doctor and have her prescribe him something else to try.  My question is what other meds can he take and which one do you think wont make him tired.  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi KIm . . .

People with bipolar disorder often are often both in denial and grandiose. The denial prevents them to see the damage they are doing to themselves and the people around them and the grandiosity is manifested in their being convinced that they know more about what they need in the way of treatment than their families and doctors. Of course, the denial may lead to their being convinced that they do not have a problem at all and their paranoia may convince them that there is some sort of conspiracy against them.

IN any case, the medication that helps many people with bipolar disorder without making them tired is lithium . . . but I suspect that your husband's reluctance to take medication has nothing to do with the actual side-effects of the medications.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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