I need to add a small disclaimer: I don't recommend stopping medication without the consultation of a medical professional and safety measures in place, should anything go wrong. I've had failed attempts to leave medication behind in the past and they haven't ended as well. Please be safe.

Have you noticed any other positive effects?

Being able to wake up earlier is definitely a bonus. I live with a very noisy five-year-old and a television obsessed teenager. They both love to argue! Eek okay I'll get to the point: as they're at school from 9am to 3pm, those six hours are the perfect time to get some quiet time. Unfortunately once I start working I won't have those moments of peace as they don't even fall asleep until 9pm and I'm not far behind them (anymore).

Thank you. It's early days but so far, so good. At the moment I've not experienced much change either way - except for one or two positive points and maybe slightly more low periods.

I've had to make quite a few lifestyle changes to enable me to maintain a healthy mind. The foods I consume and the activities in which I partake have had to be changed - I'll explain at the end of the post

At this stage, I'm more concerned about the depressive episodes other than the manic - I tend to cause more harm to myself in those periods of my life as opposed to the latter.

I definitely agree that caution should be taken when considering cessation of psychiatric medications, which is why I've added a little disclaimer (I do apologise for my perhaps incorrect usage of disclaimer but hey-ho).

Luckily I've got the number to call, should things take a turn for the worse. My partner also has access should I be reluctant to, uhm, "Go quietly" haha. My psychiatrist is also keeping the medications on my repeat prescriptions for now should I need them at short notice.

I've had to make a few tweaks to my lifestyle and dietary choices to stay on the right side of the fence between mentally ill and mentally stable. There are many things I really used to enjoy but which aren't in my life anymore.

For two weeks I've been keeping daily caffeine consumption below 20mg which, as a bonus, means I'm drinking more water to replace the coffee I used to drink. I also have to be out of bed before 8am and in bed by 11pm (though I don't have to go straight to sleep).

As it's a major trigger, I have to avoid films and television containing references to suicide and music that has in the past made me feel low.

I've found that doing half an hour a day of mindfulness is also beneficial. I quit smoking around two months ago so I have a lot of spare time to do healthy things instead of having a "quick cigarette break".

You know what? I'm too tired to finish this post. TIRED? ME? Yeah. Still getting used to that.