The food that you put into your system fuels your body and cell functioning. Depending on what you eat- it can either enhance your health or create a situation where your cells aren't getting the proper nutrients to function.

It sounds like you're aware that a healthy diet can't replace your medication. That's true. Even in cultures with much healthier diets than ours- e.g., Mediterranean, far east- bipolar is still diagnosed. However, having a healthy diet (just like being strict on your sleep schedule) puts you in the best position to be able to handle your bipolar.

I am currently switching to a healthier diet- cutting out soda, really watching my meat intake, increasing fruit/veggie intake, and it is causing me to have some hypomanic symptoms b/c I have more energy. Along with springtime- not the best combination. Running- although it is healthy- also seems to trigger hypomania.

You're taking some positive steps to being able to handle your illness. Based on what you've posted- it sounds like if you can identify some triggers before you shift moods- that may be better than making a dietary change. For example- you mention that you can't give yourself a strict bedtime. I would argue that the amount of sleep and rest you get has more of an influence over your BP symptoms than nutrition. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime has been one of the key contributors to helping me function. Yes it sucks going to bed at 9:30ish on a Saturday but at the end of the day-it's worth it.

I wish you well & please keep us posted on how you're doing. BP is a lot to deal with when you're 21.