Do the meds really work?

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder after dealing with manic and depressive episodes for the past few years. These mood swings have made it tough to hold down a job—I often stop showing up without telling anyone. I've also dropped out of classes each semester, pretending I was still attending. Building deeper connections has been hard too; I tend to ghost friends after a few weeks. It’s not uncommon for me to participate in all kinds of dangerous, self-destructive behaviors before I begin feeling empty and having si.

I'm really eager to turn things around and be a productive member of society. If you've found that combining therapy and medication has helped you lead a more stable life, I'd love to hear your experiences.

Thanks so much! 😛