[livingbeing]

I was just curious if anyone out there who has overcome the diagnosis of bipolar? Has anyone ever managed to get their moods in check and come into a balanced state again without the help of medication and how many years have they gone without relapsing? thanks.

[onlymedid]

As for me, I cannot go without my meds or I get all out of whack. I don't know of anyone that has overcome it or don't need meds.
I hope you get more answers.

[venusss]

I am not sure if we can be ever fully stable.

I am doing the non-med route, but I would not claim to be oh-so-stable. I control my moods to a degree with herbs (st john's wort, lemon balm, hops, rosemary, mint, chamomile...) and bach essences...

then I have my spirituality... being at peace with whatever happens (yes, it is hard sometimes).

I also believe it is a lot about damage control... you will still feel bad at times, but if you act normally and don't disrupt your life, it is much easier to come back... and maybe one gets used to it and it is no longer as horrible as it first seemed.

I read articles and have seen documentaries about people with bipolar who have been in remission for years. Some even 10+. All on meds tho. I asked my psychiatrist about this and why I am not seeing this happen, with me or any other bipolars I have had contact with. He didn't have any real answers exept that these are exceptions to the illness and that perhaps some were misdiagnosed.

I find it a bit disheartening. I have tried every med under the sun. I have tried many lifestyle changes, meditating, yoga, nutrition, herbs, exercise. And the longest I have been stable in my mood is maybe 6 monthes over the last 22 years. And not for lack of trying. I would love to know tho , like you.

[~Christina]

I wish I could become stable and not have to take meds.. but personally I dont see that happening for me..

I wish you luck ..Maybe you will be a lucky one and find a way .

Good Luck and welcome to PC !! Its a great place to find support and tons of information!

[nacht]

The longest I've ever managed was about eight months. It was nice while it lasted. I wasn't off meds at the time though.

[Seaswept]

I was diagnosed at 17 and then off meds approved by psychiatrist at 20, in remission- no meds no nothing- I was happy and healthy for 17 years and then BAM! Depressed, then hypomanic and then full blown mania and into hospital for a week.
I should have stayed longer but signed 3 day paper to get out.

Since then, 6 years ago (I'm now 43) I have been on meds and know I need to stay on them for the rest of my life.

I was hospitilized last month and 2 years ago along with the 1st 2005 stint.

My Dr. said the longer you have this illness the more frequent the episodes come.

This has been my experience. Everyone is different.

[lad007]

I don't think it possible to overcome a chemical brain imbalance, that is what we have.

[Lauru]

I wish, I wish, I wish. But wishing never got me anywhere. I am on meds and have worked really hard on DBT skills with therapy and such. I don't know how stable I have been. I have not gone inpatient for over 3 years now. Which is good for me. I was going 1-3 times a year. I still have mood swings, just got off a mixed episode. But I have learned how not to make things worse, how not to act on my negative thoughts, how not to harm myself. So I manage my bipolar. I cannot overcome it, it is my brain that is messed up, not me. For me this is good. This is stable. I wish the best for you