I mean treating bipolar disorder with self-medicate. Currently used drug is lithium. Is it necessary to see a doctor for bipolar people?
2007-09-09 23:18:11 · 10 answers · asked by pcgamer1987 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Honestly - no I don't think you can do without the drugs. Its a brain chemical disorder, and it needs the chemical (drug) to restore that balance.
And yes its necessary to see a doctor in order to get the right amount of the right medications.
The problem arises when someone who is bi-polar, and evens out on the medication and decides that they are now "well" and stop the medication. They usually get symptomatic very quickly, but if they go manic they think that they are doing ok, until they crash.
2007-09-09 23:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by Barb Outhere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. People who say it has worked for them probably do not have constant symptoms - some people only have episodes a few times in their lives. Many psychiatric researchers believe that leaving bipolar disorder untreated leads to progressive brain damage - this is evidenced by brain autopsies, the fact that lithium causes neurogenesis (your brain is always creating new brain cells, but in bipolar, that is stopped in the front part of your brain), and that in most people, bipolar gets worse with age. The jury is still out on whether bipolar really does cause brain damage,tho, but it's quite a risk.
I had a lot of trouble controlling my bipolar disorder without drugs. I tried all the things, like regular sleep-wake cycle, dark bedroom at night, get counseling, exercise, etc. etc. and nothing helped. I get a little bit of relief from lithium (my behavior is better and I get more done, but internally I still suffer a lot).
I think there are a lot of people being diagnosed bipolar and they are not. If you have truly had bipolar symptoms, I think there is no way but the meds.
Somebody said people got by before there were meds - yeah, they had destroyed lives and relationships. Or they committed suicide - more so than today. Or they drank liquor more and more, or in prison, or driven out of villages, etc.
2007-09-10 07:39:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have bipolar and take lithium. I do think though it is possible to get off of all medication. With a good therapist and the right psychiatrist that believes in this could happen. My med doctor says that it's possible, but it's a lot of hard work. Why change something that works.
2007-09-10 06:47:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
id have to say no. my son is bipolar and we tried not to medicate him and it just didnt work. its a simple chemical imbalance, the chemicals in the brain surge or deplete, i just dont see how that can be controlled without medication.
if you find out a better way let me know. so far the drugs are working, but im curious if that will be true when he grows up. he is only eleven and has been diagnosed for about 3 years.
it is necessary to see a doctor, there are actually other things that have similar symptoms as bipolar.
2007-09-10 06:29:40 · answer #4 · answered by rachael 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe (IMO) that a combination of medication and therapy are needed to successfully treat bipolar disorder. Prior to receiving the proper diagnoses and medication, I went on the self medicate route, and crashed many times!
Good luck and take care of you!
Dee
2007-09-10 06:47:20 · answer #5 · answered by Dee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My 17 year old neice is bipolar & everything possible was tried prior to putting her on prescription drugs! She does okay as long as she takes her meds! The otc's and diet restrictions did not work for her! I would strongly suggest "see your doctor"!
2007-09-10 06:26:00 · answer #6 · answered by Me 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Answer to your Question, NO. I had a person in their 20,s stay with me for awhile who was bipolar and I found off medication this person was totally uncontrollable. On Meds was a very normal person. This person realises that they have to stay on Meds.
2007-09-10 06:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by jojammum48 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's feasible, but not if they are delusional, or hallucinating. See bipolar disorder, and depression treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net. (.net.nz/~shaneris) on pages 10, and 2.
2007-09-10 06:50:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have bd and am not on medication, but the days are very hard to deal with sometimes. There are days when things go smoothly , but for the most I feel like most of my days are hard and trying to get through them drains all of my energy. Most people probably do go see doctors, but I am trying to deal with it on my own the best I can.
2007-09-10 06:27:59 · answer #9 · answered by PiperHalliwell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People had bipolar disorder long before anyone recognized it and had drugs for it and somehow made it through life.
2007-09-10 06:28:17 · answer #10 · answered by Igor Jivatofski 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋