[insideout]

I wonder if a person who is supposedly "bipolar" can get completely over it without meds.
sometimes i think im over it, but if i tell my doctor this, he sorta smirks and almost chuckles... and says that it is common for someone who is "hypomanic" to think they have recovered from their "illness".
well, i dont take meds and i dont go to therapy so im just thinking i can get over this on my own... if there really is indeed something to GET OVER .

[DaveyJones]

None of us want to be sick...and most all of go through times where we think we are "well", and they usually are during manic or hypomanic periods. Please know that bipolar is a chronic, lifetime disease, and it can be just as debilitating and deadly as any number of other conditions.

That said, can you manage your condition to the point you are able to live a "normal" life? Yes, most probably. There are several things you will have to do to accomplish this, but they boil down to this: you must live an exceedingly healthy lifestyle. I'm talking regular (daily) excercise, good nutrition, and a regular sleep cycle. You must learn and practice effective stress management techniques. You must learn and practice good social skills and make plenty of friends and connections in the world around you. Most of all, you must make all these practices habits, second nature, reflexes, just like breathing, or you will stop them at the times when you need them most.

I know I sound kind of grim and forboding, and I apologize for that...I simply believe that you need to understand the seriousness of what you propose, because your life and the lives of everyone you love could be riding on how you do this.

All that said, I wish you strength and good luck...these are things all us BP's should be doing, meds or not.

DJ

[JustBen]

I'll second what DJ said. I don't have bipolar myself, but I've known some people who have. I think it's really common to think you've "got the thing beat" but it can get you in real trouble.

[insideout]

okay... so when will i wake up and be "normal"
okay im sorta kidding.
i think im sorta stuck in a rut cuz i AM just waiting to be "normal". ive put all my hopes and dreams on hold.
i am waiting for a rush of inner peace or maybe some solid direction....
i thought maybe a boyfriend might help me achieve that...
i keep changing my goals too so im kinda annoyed at myself.
i dont know what to do except live each day with no real meaning or purpose.
its all kind of pointless i think.
being that i have tried every medication out there with no real lasting success and sometimes making me worse....
whatever

[JustBen]

I'm sorry you're so frustrated. Maybe things are settling into a new normal. It's like someone who's diagnosed with diabetes. After a while, testing blood sugar, monitoring diet, and exercising 30 minutes a day becomes their normal life.