Living with Haldol and Bipolar Disorder

I have to take Haldol for my bipolar disorder. It keeps my moods stabilized, so I have to take it on a twice-daily basis. It's very powerful, and the side effects can be downright maddening at times. Sometimes I feel like I' too tired to do anything, yet I'm too restless to just sit down and relax and read a book. I couldn't read a book even if I wanted to at these times, because I can't concentrate either.

So I've has to learn to live with it, which isn't easy. I wake up around 7, and feel relatively good for a few hours, because my night pill has mostly worn off by then. So I make my schedule for the day. I only make a small list of the most important things I have to do that day. Too much unessential stuff, and I will have trouble later sorting out my priorities.

So I create my priority list, and if something doesn't get done that day that isn't on the list, I don't beat myself up over it. I do what I can. I only have a few hours in the morning when I am feeling good enough to do anything that takes real thought. So I make sure to get anything that takes brainwork, like article writing or balancing the checkbook done at this time, any essential reading, and appointments.

Then I take my daytime pill around noon. This is about as late in the day as I feel safe pushing it. So I take my pill, and about an hour later, I'm feeling like a zombie again, till around 8 at night. So this is when I take care of things like laundry, cleaning, playing board games with the kids, taking a shower. Things that don't involve real brain power. Lately I have been doing my artwork in the evening, because it is relaxing. The pills make me restless as well as tired, which is a hard combination to deal with.

If you ever have to take Haldol or other strong medication for bipolar disorder, don't stop taking it, even if you feel better. Always follow your doctor's orders.