I am bipolar and i refuse to believe that to function normally i have to be on medicine, any working ideas?

Question

just an alternitive thinking, i best someone in this world is bipolar and functioning well in their life without the use of medications and i would really like to know how they cope, and ifyou are one of thse people, please let me know!!!! im desperate!!

Answer 1

First off, don't stop taking medicine. It's easy to feel like you don't need it -- when things are going good -- but if you look back over your life, you will see that the worst times usually coincide with times when you didn't have your meds (at least this is true for me).

As for alternative things, my doctor and I collaborated and I tried including Flax seed oil in my diet, which has really worked. Over the past ten years, I've been able to greatly reduce my dependence on meds and get really solid control. Since then, both of my daughters have tried it and it's helped them to. My understanding is that it helps balance your lipid system (which carries the lithium you have -- however much that is -- around your body).

Still, don't just quit your meds. Consult your doc, add the flax seed (2 TBSP twice a day), wait a couple of weeks (takes about two weeks to really work), then see if your doc thinks you can back down your meds.

More info: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/elleth/adbb/forums/showthread.php?t=7576

Good luck!
~Tia~
Live from the big, purple brain
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html

Answer 2

With bipolar, my thinking is that it is all relative.. I am bipolar. I can't imagine returning to living a life off of the medication.. maybe if there is somebody out there that was identical to me and had a different mentality or different coping mechanisms or a different diet.. pick anything you can think of.. maybe THEY can manage it on their own without the meds..?
maybe you don't have bipolar the way i do? maybe that makes it easier for you to handle the illness the way you do? maybe that gives you the ability to believe that medication may be optional for you? Or maybe I am weak, a failure for my lack of will power, looking for a scapegoat to blame my actions on because I am inadequate.. it can go either way, right? the point is that being bipolar is unique to the individual.. and if you think you can do it without them, good for you. I wish you the best of luck.
I can't. It is as simple as that. I have my share of normal days when I think I can skip the meds for a while and the world will still turn. But before the meds came into my life to save me from myself (and everyone around me) I was a uncontrollable unpredictable mess.. I was in and out of jail.. threw away a great marriage.. ran away from a couple jobs that would make half of the population of the country green with envy. I turned my back on everything that should have meant anything and never had a clue that I was responsible for any of it. I have been slowly rebuilding my life for the past few years.. rebuilding bridges that had been demolished beyond repair.. and the only thing that has made the difference for me is the medication.. so call it a crutch, as others have, call it a dependence or a weakness in my personal resolve, call it whatever you want..
I have another name for it.. salvation, a life preserver while I was drifting away in the hurricane of moods and emotions that made life impossible for me.
In your question you say you are desperate for knowledge of how people that are bipolar can find a way to cope without meds.. the only answer is to accept the illness for what it is. There is no future in denial. And, desperation is a road that leads only to frustration. It is hard to find optimism in a world that has far more questions than answers.
I wish you the best of luck with your search for alternatives.
I will stick to the method that works for me, finding sanity in the bottles of prescription pills. I know I am not alone in my way of coping or method of treatment. I am not ashamed to be bipolar, I didn't choose this.

Answer 3

Your an intelligent soul, and courageous at that. The moment they have you convinced that there is a "medical condition," based on biochemistry alone, called "bipolar," they've got you were they want you: a "target" to sell a drug, and make medical money off of.

All psychological experience can be broken down to psycho-spiritual conflicts, and/or nutritional deficiencies. There is no other solution.
Greek tragedy was a way for people to experience "bipolarity" as a cultural expression, for instance, not as pathology. People with bipolar are experiencing, in their depths, the radically polar nature of reality, the extremes that those who have already been straight-jacketed into functional normality would like to consider a problem, and control and ultimately destroy.

Find artistic, creative outlets for your energies. But what ever you do, don't allow them to medicalize it, and put you on toxic chemicals. That will be the end of the true, ancient struggle with the soul that makes us so human.

Answer 4

Ash you are close to correct. I am a recovered bipolar but I believe we can never be normal as the players are normal. It takes a long time to discard expectations that are in error and to change your beliefs to be closer to reality. None the less while you are developing these skills you may need a break if the stress is too great. A geographical cure only works once. Knowing what type of personality you were raised as and all the other types will put you in a good position to avoid depression. If you take one anti depression pill the emotional controls will almost dissolve for a while. You will be helpless for a while. Desperate well okay... I can be reached too but I mostly look out for the suicidal to help them.

Answer 5

I know many people with Bipolar since I am a clinical Social Worker. Most really have to be on meds to be stable. Their "ups and downs" are too extreme to risk not being on meds. In fact those few who go off meds often end up hospitalized.

If you have significant family support and you know that you don't cycle too often with depression or mania, you might be ok without meds, but frankly it is a risk. IF you use any substance especially alcohol or street drugs you increase your risk significantly.

Most people I know who are bipolar don't like to take medications because the enjoy the manic side of their illness.. I really don't know anyone who likes the meds, even those with insight to know they REALLY NEED them....often complain of the side effects etc.....

It can be a rough road, but coping is possible. Take it a day at a time. Make sure you have enough support from family/friends. Try your best to address all your needs [mental, physical, spiritual]. And keep in mind if you have symptoms that are too significant without meds and which interfere with your day to day life, medication may be the only answer.

Answer 6

Well, I am a functioning person with bipolar. Simple answer is yes and no. Long answer is it depends. It depends on how hard you are willing to work and how adept you are at noticing yourself. It helps if you have people around you who know what you are going through to help with sudden mood swings, but first and foremost you should work very hard on recognizing when you are about to hit a high or a low. I have been very alert to notice what triggers my emotional states. I use music, art and exercise to help alleviate the affects. Also not smoking, cutting out caffiene and limiting sugars and meat intake has helped me. All of these contain stimulants or steroids that can effect my moods. Also age is a factor as you get out of your teens and get into your twentites your body will start settling down in horomones so it may become easier to deal with. All this being said if your case is extremely severe medication may be the only way to live a natural life. It's a long road to natural recovery but it can be done

Answer 7

You are in luck! The site below is about a guy with many problems including bipolar. He was on 1 med for anxiety and 3 meds for depression. Many problems. All gone now. Drastic diet change. Even if you can't do it, move closer to his diet now and a little closer later. Just read the 1st 4 paragraphs of that page.

Then click on "A New Religion" with a recent study from Positive Psychology that can help everyone be happier (from guy who was pres. of American Psychological Assoc). Did you know all pychotropic drugs used for deppression (like Prozac) have only been approved of by FDA for 6 months of use and no longer? So docs say they have to go against FDA since there is nothing else they can do. This site has declared war on depression.

Answer 8

I have bipolar disorder type II, so I suffer from depression more than mania. I have tried to go on without taking meds and I get myself in trouble every time, and end up in a really long, drawn out depressive episode. My advice would be to stay on a low dose of medication at all times, and at the same time, go to counseling. Bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain and really does require medication, or else you won't be stable. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

I think you're on to something. I've not been diagnosed with bipolar tendencies, but over ten years ago I suffered from severe, crippling anxiety. I was prescribed several powerful drugs to combat it (Prozac and Zanex). The combination of the two made everything worse. I eventually realized it was a problem with my way of dealing, not one of a chemical nature. I stopped taking the meds and readjusted my thought process.

I still deal with anxiety, but the key word is "deal". I've taught myself how to maneuver around it and not let it effect my everyday life. I'm a much happier, more centered person now.

I know your problem is different and as I'm not a trained shrink, my opinion is hardly qualified. That said, I think modern medicine has a tendency to over medicate without looking for healthier and more effective alternatives.

I've no real answers for you, just encouragement. The best to you

Answer 10

My philosophy is "Normal is a cycle on the washing machine" Nobody is normal, but those of us who are Bipolar are a bit outside the realm of what society considers "functionally normal" The thing of it is, there are varying levels to everyones brain chemistry, and everyone handles things different. I myself can't cope with my level of bipolar without meds. My friend Chris however can. Some peoples natural personality traits allow them to handle the moods and function around them. Others need help managing it, especially if their BP was brought on by trauma.