Bipolar help? meds don't work!?

Question

I have bipolar, and all the meds I've ever tried just put me in a permenant negative mood, with lots of tiredness and anger outbursts. I decided to go off my meds and my doc was ok with that, so now at least I have SOME happiness (during my manic times, which last about 4 days once a month). I really wish I could fix this though; does anyone have any other ideas besides conventional prescription meds?

Answer 1

Hi---Meds can be difficult. Have you ever looked into Psychotherapy? Psychotherapy is another vital part of bipolar disorder treatment. Several types of therapy may be helpful; but this is probably the best for you. =]

Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is a common form of individual therapy for bipolar disorder. The focus of cognitive behavioral therapy is identifying unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replacing them with healthy, positive ones. In addition, you can learn about bipolar disorder and its treatment and what may trigger your bipolar episodes. You also learn effective strategies to manage stress and to cope with upsetting situations.

Answer 2

ABILIFY was the only thing that worked for me.  My main symptoms were fatigue (pretty much gone) and racing negative thoughts.  

Answer 3

Psychotherapy.

    *  It can help you look for signs that tell you an episode is coming on so you get bipolar treatment bipolar disorder treatment early.

    * It can help you see the role stress plays in your illness and ways to lower stress and conflict in your life.

    * It can help you understand why taking your medicine the right way can help you bipolar disorder treatment treat your illness.

    * It can teach you how to replace negative thoughts and actions with positive ones.

Answer 4

My standard post follows: See bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, in section 10, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don't diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise.

          Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I'd take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve.

         If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren't good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as  Lamictal,  or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out "lithium"  at http://www.drugs.com/, and http://crazymeds.us/ and always research medications first, (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. (Personally, if I wasn't bipolar type 1, and didn't experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I'd first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John's wort, and also antidepressants, may cause mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. I'd aso eat in accordance with my "nutritional type". Enter that term in the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/  

         If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening.  If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ . Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states).

         Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at:  http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris  Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John's wort, which may cause mania, or hypomania).  As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them. Don't use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime. It is not unknown for those discontinuing medication, and trying the alternative treatments, (which are not quick to work) to lose their jobs, because of unacceptable behavio(u)r, so I'd start 1 week before vacation, and closely monitor the situation, and use medical advice.