Timothy R., Toronto:

About ten years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder however at first my parents thought that I was just a shy and nervous child. However later the symptoms developed into real panic attacks, uncontrollable shaking and lasting depressive conditions. My mood is rather changeable and I have serious problems with communication. There have been several cases when I found myself in an unknown city and I couldn't remember how I got there. Since the time I got my diagnosis I have been on mood stabilizers and anticonvulsant medications. Not all of them were effective enough, even though I always do my best to take the meds on time and according to my regimen. However occasional crises constantly occurred and it was not a rare case when I would shrink into a distant corner shaking from fear and panic and only an injection of a strong antidepressant could make me get out. After such incidents I usually needed a couple of days to stabilize. About a year ago my doctor put me on Tegretol and this switch was a brilliant idea as this medication helps me control my psychological state as nothing else. With Tegretol I am no longer afraid of sudden depressive attacks as the pills make my mood stable and easily controllable. I really enjoy the way it works, as if I am a healthy person and can stay in absolute control of my life.

Priscilla Lee, Chesterfield:

I would like to share my experience of using Tegretol for bipolar disorder treatment. I buy this medication regularly for my sister for about 18 months now. She is 24 and she suffers from epilepsy and mania episodes. Sometimes the mania symptoms are replaced by long-lasting depressive conditions. In such states my sister has hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. I have always been extremely worried about her as some of her suicidal intentions were almost lucky a few years ago. Doctor are constantly changing her treatment plan to find a more effective medication but only Tegretol produces some comparatively positive and stable results. My sister is a tender and sweet person but her psychological condition is very fragile, a sad movie or a rude word and break her and soak her deep into another stage of crisis. But with Tegretol I got a new hope that she will cope with her disorder. This medication is really effective and suppressing depression and epilepsy attacks as well. And seeing these changes I get more strength to protect her from what may influence her mood and health condition. Her current doctor is also very pleased with the results of Tegretol treatment.

Harrison T., Milwaukee :

About 4 years ago our family underwent a serious crisis when my wife developed bipolar disorder after giving birth to our son. Actually that was not a quick process. She has always been too fragile and aggressive at times, her mood was very changeable, and however that was all within the limits of normal human behavior. But when our son was born she turned into an extremely irritable and depressive creature. The crying baby could make her furious or she could burst into tears and refuse to talk to anyone for days. The doctors explained me that it was postnatal depression and I should be patient and attentive to her. But later she started having hallucinations and manias. She told me that someone was pursuing her and her phone calls were listened in. In such a condition she could spend the whole day hiding under the table with all the curtains closed. I had to take the baby to my mother as my wife was unable to take care of him. Antidepressants produced temporary results and every half a year she had a crisis after which she would find herself in a hospital. However last year the doctors put her on Tegretol and the medication turned out to be very effective at mood control and mania suppression. Now it's been 1 year since we last had to take her to the hospital. She feels much better and has no more panic attacks. I am still worried about her and the doctor told us not to stop Tegretol treatment, but I hope the day when she'll be 100% back and will be able to live normal life without medications is closer!