Bipoloar without meds?

Question

I'm curious how other people with bipolar disorder handle their lives WITHOUT medication. Are you able to function?

Answer 1

I start feeling in a funk - and no, I cannot function very well without medication; but this isn't true for all people with Bipolar

Answer 2

I handle it by self medicating with Marijuana. Heres a blog that might interest you.

http://www.pendulum.org/bpnews/archive/0...

Answer 3

Some people can function for a period of time without medication or treatment.  It typically catches up with them at some point, however.  Untreated, Bipolar can get worse and the sufferer may not even be fully aware of it.  Stress and environment play a lot into it.

Answer 4

Smoking herb does help.  I do okay without meds and a lot of extra support but still eventually it gets hard to function..it seems like 6 months is the longest I can go and then eventually I totally break down all over again. I don't like meds, so i take my breaks. I feel like the mania is more important.

Answer 5

I have a really hard time functioning. I get angry and depressed really easily. I am not on meds because one I hate taking meds and two I don't have insurance. I cannot afford the doctors or prescriptions.  

Answer 6

I can function but it effects my relationships with people and just isn't a fun time. It's best to stay on medication when you're bipolar.

Answer 7

Many choose to avoid medications, either because they enjoy the manic/hypomanic phase too much, or dislike the side effects. Some cope fairly well; others not so. 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.