I have been diagnosed and am currently being treated for an emotional disorder (bi-polar) and have been on medication for approximately 2 years. I am currently involved in a serious relationship and I feel that the medication is preventing me from being emotionally stable at times. It could be my personality or the uncertainty of the degree of the current status of my relationship, however, I am concerned that this medication (Lithium) is not the proper dosage for me and I cannot just stop taking it without having adverse affects on my personality and emotional stability. I want to start counseling sessions for my b/f (and myself) and am thinking this might help eliminate and possibly allow me to dis-continue this medication, but I am concerned about how this "transition" can take place. Can this medication be "tapered off" while I am getting counseling for unresolved emotional issues that have contributed to my behavior? I don't want to just quit taking the medication, but I am concerned about the timing - ie; new relationship and trying to stop a medication that has allowed me to function under stressful situations that have arose in the creation of my love for this person. He wants me to stop taking the medication and get psychological treatment for my emotional disorder and I am afraid that he may become impatient with my progress (or lack thereof)... so to speak. Therapy might not help... so, this is my biggest concern. Has anyone else been in this situation where someone wanted them to stop taking their medication because they feel that it is hindering the progress of a relationship? I don't ask him to take his diabetes medication even though I know that he is slowly killing himself by his decision to drink and not eat healthy. He could go blind, etc. There are serious consequences for not treating diabetes, including death. So... is he out of line for asking me to "get help" if this relationship was to "progress"?? Thank you for any and every thoughtful responses that you may have.

Does your boyfriend have some sort of "complaint" about your behavior while you are on Lithium--so much so that he suggests you go off it?

What is his complaint? Is it related to your sexuality?

Hun, look at bipolar disorder the same as you would diabetes. It is a chemical imbalance in the body. Diabetes is in the pancreas and bipolar is in the brain. Both disorders need to be treated.

Unfortunately, a diabetic who is on insulin cannot stop taking insulin, as well as someone with bipolar disorders cannot stop taking a medication that works for them, in your case Lithium.

Unfortunately there are illnesses that folks need to take medication for the rest of their lives, I am one of them as I have high blood pressure.

No amount of therapy or counseling will cure bipolar disorder. If you are taking a medication and it is controlling your swings, you need to take it and not stop. If he is trying to make you stop, you should think about this relationship a little deeper.