General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Even if the US had adequate mental health coverage, how does one force a mentally ill person [View all]GreenPartyVoter
(72,376 posts)while we may be excitement junkies at times, it's not necessarily a good thing. Mania is when our judgement becomes impaired, which is how we manage to go home with someone else when we are married, or mortgage the house to buy a yacht we can't afford when we don't live anywhere near water.
Also, being off of meds is a gamble because you don't know if you are even going to get the escstatic high, or rather a towering rage, or start pacing the floor trying to pull your hair out, or crying with anxiety and paranoia that something awful is going to happen, or if God is going to start channeling new Bible verses to you, or be convinced that you are the stupidest, worst person in the world and it would be better off without you.
I absolutely agree that everyone needs acceptance and love, but there are times when that's not even close to enough to get them through, because it can only affect their brain chemistry just so much. I was loved plenty as a kid and young adult, but it didn't stop my own brain from putting me (and others) through hell.
Unfortunately it's hard to convince someone to seek medical care for a number of reasons. Me, I am mostly compliant with the meds, but I am terrible about the rest of it like diet, exercise, and a regular sleeping schedule. (I just don't feeeeeel like it. *whine whine*)
I hope that you can continue to be a source of support and strength for your friend, but don't let him drain you or take advantage of you.