Medicines?

I take 4 medicines a day for Bipolar Disorder, OCD, ADHD & Depression. I have heard MANY people tell me how bad these medications are for me. But, the problem is, I am 17 & I don't think that I can refuse medication yet. I live in Missouri & I don't know what the law is here on refusing medication.

I know that I can handle myself without the medication. But, I have also heard that you can refuse medication at any age.

Since it is your body, I see how that could be true. But I am just really confused.

Can I refuse medication?

I am only 17 & I'm not sure if you have to be 18 in Missouri

PLEASE DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR MEDS COLD TURKEY
You're talking about some serious illnesses here.
I KNOW it may seem like a lot of medications, but each one serves it's own purpose. I take 10 different meds a day, and there are days that I just DON'T WANT TO TAKE THEM !!!!
But, as I said, they are all for different illnesses. Personally, I have a hard enough time WITH them. I don't want to find out what it would be like without them.
A good friend of mine has a 12 year old daughter with Bipolar Disorder. She decided ( on her own ) to quit taking her meds. She is now institutionalized. I honestly don't mean to scare you, but you're messing around with something that these doctors have studied for years and know a lot about. PLEASE, for your sake, and for the sake of your family, listen to your parents and doctor.
God bless you !!!!

What you need to do is have a heart to heart chat with your parents. If you can now control the problem there is no need for meds.

Technically, becuase you're a minor -- your parents are in charge of your decisions -- but, if you refuse medication . . . you refuse the medication.

If you're bipolar, you probably should be treated for depression -- you should be treated for bipolar. Treatment for depression in bipolar individuals can result in manic episodes -- which, as I'm sure you know, can be very dangerous.

Check with your doctor -- some bipolar medications (like lithium) are mood stabalizers -- they help with the ups, and the downs.

Dude,
that is serious.
Let me say this: It is a disease that can be cured, but ONLY under medication and on a long period of time. And I mean long. Years.
I know you think you can handle it, but trust me, you can't yet. You need to let pass at least one year of medicated recession before you even begin to think cutting back. I have a very dear cousin with the same prob, she cut her meds because she thought it was all right, and she got into the hospital completely ... scrambled. You don't wanna go there, they will put you on lithium and that is worse I think than what you are on now. Please discuss all these problems with your doctor, it is not something that you can play with.

If you are suffering from all these disorders why do you think you should quit your medications. Your quality of life is what you should consider first and foremost. If you aren't happy with your treatment find another physician and get a second opinion before making such a decision. I realize you don't feel normal buy who the heck is. No one has ever been able to define normalcy.

You may not like my answer, but I know what I'm talking about here. Both m y children have adhd, one with ocd and depression. He thought he was doing fine without medicine, but he had no true friends and was not doing well at school. On medicine is is happy and popular, no anxiety that might be inappropriate. He is focused and doing well. I gave him a med holiday at his request. Guess what? In less than 2 weeks he felt so anxious and down he wanted to restart, So the advice to you is talk to your parents. If they agree to l et you stop taking the medicine, then agree to let them or an objective friend let you know if you are changing in a negitive way, and have them be specific. Don't take offence. It is important to use this info to evaluate if coming off the medicine is for you. Every medicine has its negitive effects as well as positive, even vitamins. And statistics can be made to say anything, but that's another topic alltogether. Good luck. I hope you make the decision which is b est for you.