“Does bipolar medication change your personality?”
I'm 24 years old and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My doctor prescribed medication to help me manage it, but I'm kind of anxious taking it. Does bipolar medication change your personality?
7 Answers
Some clients have reported feeling a dullness in their emotions while on certain prescriptions for bipolar disorder. Every person's biology is different so everyone is affected differently with certain medications, doses, etc. It's supposed to help you regulate your emotions, and emotions affect our personality.
Not if the medication is appropriate and is managed correctly.
Mood stabilizers not so much. Antipsychotic medicines might.
Maybe a little. Depends on the person and the medication
As a whole, medications do not change a person's personality. Medications allows for a person's symptoms to be reduced so he or she can function properly.
In truth, there are some medications that make people more "emotional" (sad, irritable) but overall, these are emotional responses and not personality changes.
Some people believe that a person's personality "changed" after starting a medication because they are more familiar with the person whose symptoms were causing he / she to act out of order. I remind patients and families that a person's true personality will shine through when he / she is operating healthy.
In truth, there are some medications that make people more "emotional" (sad, irritable) but overall, these are emotional responses and not personality changes.
Some people believe that a person's personality "changed" after starting a medication because they are more familiar with the person whose symptoms were causing he / she to act out of order. I remind patients and families that a person's true personality will shine through when he / she is operating healthy.
Yes, if you are manic or depressed, but not if you are neither.
Jack L. Underwood, M.D.
Jack L. Underwood, M.D.
This link will be helpful in addressing your question:
https://www.bphope.com/blog/i-dont-want-bipolar-meds-to-change-my-personality/
https://www.bphope.com/blog/i-dont-want-bipolar-meds-to-change-my-personality/
