I dealt without meds for 10 years, mostly (ssri's x 2, but went manic and immediately came off of them). I basically ignored the diagnosis and stuck my head in the sand. Extreme stress created a deep depressive episode that lasted more than 6 months and I finally tapped. I didn't want to be heavily drugged, i just asked for barely enough to let the dust settle. Well, I am taking a veryyyy low dose of lithium and it is doing just that. I am sleeping better, able to process what has happened with a sense of clarity. I am just sick about spending so much time in anguish, but I had to get to the end of my rope to ask for meds. We each have our time and process.

If I was going the no meds route and hoping to stay the course, I would read Mood Mapping by Dr. Liz Miller (this helps establish patterns/triggers and makes you aware of the things you DO have control over). And possibly a book like Dialectical Behavior Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder by Sheri Van Dijk and Zindel V. Segal (will help you learn to accept your current situation and cope with whatever comes your way more effectively). At least these books have helped me tremendously. I also supplement with omega 3's, magnesium glycinate (or citrate), digestive enzymes. I require myself to exercise too (this takes some effort!!!). I am still new to navigating the waters but am feeling like there is hope and like i may be able to reduce/eliminate meds after i am stable for awhile and see where that goes.

I wish you the best in your decision, it is a really tough one to make. Just know, meds or not, you will not change, you will still be you...you MAY be a more stable version of yourself during the stressful times though. Is it possible to just need some temporary relief so you don't set yourself up for a full-scale implosion later when the stress finally subsides? (nothing like answering a question with a question : )