one of the main things for me was getting away from my family and accepting that they didn't want any part in my journey. it was them who wouldn't let me have meds, them who wouldn't let me go to therapy, them who constantly stigmatised me, them who told me I was worthless.. once I was on my own and was able to do those things, it got easier to manage because I was making my own decisions about my own treatment
I can say that I don't think therapy's helped me much, but maybe that's because I've had 9 diffrent ones, and I've not been with any of them that long (usually they tell me I'm too much)
I like journalling. been doing it on and off for years and it's great to get your feelings out their and it's also good to look back on when you're having a bad day.. like you got through this before, you can do it again
the hospital's defenetly helped me, I can say here and now, that if it wasn't for their care and their support
that's how bad it got at one stage, I remember even being blessed by a priest
lithium has helped me a lot too. I oe a lot to that particular medication