Chenryu, Living without meds is not an option for me. BP can be from mild to extreme and if a person is on the mild end it may give them a sense that he or she can go without meds. It may also be that the person is chasing the high of the hypomania or mania. Personally, I hate both the hypomania and depression.

I have had symptoms since I was very young (my first attempt was at 8). I did not seek help until I was 31 and I had ended up in a 6 week Psych hospital stay. For me the illness got worse as I aged and even now the depressions are still brutal even with meds (I have BP II). For many there is a progression in the illness. For instance untreated or even treated the illness can progress for BP II to BP I.

kryia, can you get a referral to a new p-doc from your gp? Are you still using? If you are using that may be why your current p-doc is having difficulties diagnosing because he or she can't tell if the symptoms are from the bp or the drug use?