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In my experience, Xanax is not appropriate for bipolar disorder (but is still loved by folks who like to self-medicate with sedatives--highly addictive).

I took lithium for a short while years ago...turned me into a zombie. Went from there to Tegretol and Depakote (much more effective but frankly dealing with the medication was worse than the disease itself).

I haven't taken medication for over 12 years and have not had a single manic episode since getting off. Very serious stuff though...going without medication takes a very real commitment to life style changes. Very little room for error.

BTW, many folks with this disorder are quite successful in their careers...it is not at all a kiss of death. Obviously, certain careers are better than others. Rock musician is probably out of the question (though many with this ailment are creative types).

As said, it takes some serious maturity to deal with it effectively.

Xanax is appropriate for some forms of anxiety usually the type triggered by sensory processing dysfunction or disorders. This can also produce myoclonic seizure activitiesdue to certain auditory and visual exposures. I'm one of those such patients.

I've taken a low dosage of Xanax .5mg 3-4 times per day for over 16 years now with no problems. I can not take antidepressants it makes it much worse. My wife has taken Xanax 25 years same dosage no problem. She has serious neurological damage {quadriplegia}. Xanax likely saved her life. A doctor also had her on antidepressants and she went into Serotonin Syndrome twice in a weeks time. Xanax is a counter acting drug for it. Had she not been on it at the time the reaction may have been fatal.

I do believe Xanax is safer than SSRI's and other type antidepressants when Xanax is prescribed properly in lower dosages.