There are lots of safe, natural ways to treat bipolar using the mineral lithium orotate along with amino acids. I have bipolar 2 and have been using this combination for 9+ years, and have been very stable on it.

Check out the following web sites:
Alternative Mental Health

This is a great book on using amino acids to treat various conditions. I have it and have found it extremely helpful. Heal with Amino Acids and Nutrients book | Dr. Billie Sahley-painstress

One last comment. Don't let people convince you that you have to take meds. I've had bipolar for 48 years, diagnosed almost 22 years ago, on meds for the first 13 years after being diagnosed and wasn't nearly as stable as I am now. Plus, the side-effects were so bad I was virtually bedridden they made me so sick. Now I do fine as I'm giving my brain what it needs to produce the necessary neurotransmitters to keep my mood in check. When it starts to shift, I take whatever amino acid or lithium needed to bring it back to where it needs to be. I don't have to wait for a Pdoc to call me back and tell me what she wants me to do--I'm in control of my own life. And my mood shifts don't last nearly as long as they did on meds as I treat it sooner, and the treatment is very effective. I realize my situation is probably somewhat unique, but I honestly believe it's very doable if a person is willing to learn about natural treatments, and give their body adequate nutrients for it to function properly. I believe so many people don't see results when they try supplements because they don't take enough. The RDAs set by the government are the minimum needed to keep you from developing diseases related to that nutrient. For example, the RDA for iodine is 150 mcg which is what your thyroid needs so you don't develop a goiter. It isn't enough to really make you healthy, just enough so you don't have a massive growth on your neck. Same with vitamin C & D--just enough so you don't get scurvy or rickets, but not enough for your body to have enough to make repairs to your cells. Hollywood celebrities are very into mega-vitamin therapy as they know their bodies need adequate nutrients to function, and one cheap multi-vitamin isn't going to do the trick.