Getting the Right Medicine for You.

The most important thing about medicines is to get the right one for you. Some suggestions that may help:

01. Choose a doctor who is helpful and listens well.

02. Get a diagnosis first.

03. Choose a doctor who is very well informed about new medicines.

04. Tell the doctor all your symptoms and past treatments, if any.

05. Keep records yourself of what medicines you took, what dose, and how your response       was. A calendar, journal book or note book can be used. Keep good records.

06. Seek treatment right away if you experience persistent fears, extreme sadness or       confusion or suspicion about events going on around you. Don't delay. Mental       conditions always worsen with neglect.

07. Never take mental health medicines prescribed to someone else.

08. Learn about your condition, find out about new discoveries and new treatments. Be       skeptical of ''miracle'' and ''easy'' cures.

09. Take the medicine as prescribed. Insist on being given instructions as to when and how       to take the medicine (with food, at bedtime, how many times a day, etc)

10. Know your medicine. Some medicines can cause other unwanted effects in sensitive       individuals. Know which unwanted effects are possible, and which ones are        important and which are not.

11. Use other methods that help medicines work well. Rest, good diet, daily exercise and       good living conditions help with recovery. Traditional Indian medicines often help       modern treatments to work even better. Speaking with a sympathetic friend or relative       can ease tension and worry as well. Adherence to religious belief is usually an       important part of recovery as well.

12. Avoid alcohol and 'recreational' or street drugs. These substances worsen mental       conditions, and may prevent your medicine from working.

FInally, be proud of working for recovery. Never feel you must apologize for having an illness or taking medicine to help recovery.