can bipolar disorder be treated without meds?

Question

Because my doctor took me off of my meds. And i was wondering about it. should i go get second opinion?

Answer 1

If you aren't comfortable with this decision, seek a second opinion and talk further with your current doctor.

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder type I, and to a slightly lesser extent other variations of bp, can be very dangerous illnesses and most doctors will insist upon stablizing a patient with medication before starting psychotherapy.

Is there a particular reason your doctor took you off your meds? Some people can go for years without having an episode and some people have mild enough episodes that they can work through them without medication and benefit from talk psychotherapy instead. I don't know the statistics on that, but I've seen it. If that's you, then I wish you the best of luck.

However, if at any point you showing any signs of mania, I would go back to the doc to discuss the risks of being off meds or seek a second opinion. Manic episodes can be dangerous and intense, so you don't want to play with fire.

Answer 3

Bipolar Disorder is among one of the more serious disorders. So medication is typically used even on a long term basis. Although it should be noted that 99% of all mental illness can be treated through counseling and other med-free options.

Although I don't think what you're expereincing is all that severe considering the professional took you off it. Perhaps that's his or her bout of confidence in you.<3 But then again your health insurance could have been revoked without your knowing..jk

Since you've been on meds I'd suggest a med-free lifestyle where you actively involve yourself in counseling and are honest enough with yourself to help curb your ailment. It's always good to find a non-processed and chemical solution to things. =)

Answer 4

Not at all. Bipolar Disorder may become more severe due to emotional trauma, but the disease itself is a physical dysfunction that must be treated with meds to improve. One major difficulty for Bipolar patients is the mental inability to accurately assess how out of control we are in the manic phase. Many patients believe this phase is a form of happiness or joy simply because it feels so much better when the depression phase lifts. We will do crazy things on the upper that seem all right to us at the time. As the cycle starts its swing the other way, we momentarily realize our thinking was wrong. That, in turn, leads us into a deeper, guilt ridden low. These lows lead most of us into alcohol & drug addiction as a way of trying to cope.
The meds level out the mood swings toward a more normal range. The depression is lifted & we feel much better. But when the highs are lowered to a safe level, we feel cheated because we do not feel as "Good" as we used to without the meds. So, many go off the meds for that reason. For most of us, the best treatment is a proper balance of non habit forming meds, coupled with psychotherapy, & bipolar support groups. While it is a very difficult disease to treat, many of us learn how to monitor our symptoms & maintain a very productive life.
I hope I have answered your question. Good luck.

Answer 5

Generally, no, Bipolar Disorder cannot be treated without meds. You need to ask your doctor why he has taken you off them.

It may be, as others have suggested, that they just weren't working for you, but in that case he would have switched them. It could be that your diagnosis has been changed: one possibility is that Borderline Personality Disorder was initially misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder.

If they have now decided you ar Borderline, then that would explain the drug withdrawal, as Borderline does not respond to drugs but is treated with therapy.

Answer 6

No. Since bipolar disorder is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain it is almost impossible to treat this disorder without the help of medication.

Answer 7

Depends on the severity of your bipolar. For example, I was clinically diagnosed with a mild bipolar. they wanted to put me on low dosage meds, but I refused, I just asked what things i can do to work through it .... since it was just mild.

I keep a journal of everyday....an outline of my moods for each day and ask people who knows me and are around me on what they see. My emotions heightens when I am the most stressed.

Answer 8

No. Medications are the most efficacious treatment for Bipolar Disorder.

Answer 9

It depends who you talk to. It can be treated with natural remedies but I have a daughter with bi-polar and medication has been the only thing to help. I know that no one wants to have to take meds the rest of their lives but its one of those things where you weigh the benefit of taking them or being imbalanced.

Answer 10

Your doctor may have taken you off your meds because he feels they are not helping you...you should have questioned his reasons...

Bipolar disorder can be treated with several different meds..ex. celexa, wellbutrin...the list goes on

The question is...what stage are you? Depressed..anxiety attacks...etc?

You need to really discuss symptoms and meds with your doctor...