[johnthorne1539]

Hello all,

New to these forums (I have an intro posted in the appropriate forum for the curious).

In brief, I was diagnosed with bipolar about 7 years ago, but have always managed to cope without any medication. Lately, however, I've been under a massive amount of stress and have been rapid cycling; these have been the worst episodes in about 6 years, and the stress-inducing circumstances aren't likely to go away anytime soon.

I'm wondering if anyone else out there tries to make due without medicine, and if so, if you have any tips... or is that simply an unreasonable goal when under periods of intense stress?

Thanks!

[EternalWinter]

Im starting to come off medication, never been unmediated. So im sure you would have a little more coping skills then me. But magnesium helps me with anxiety.

[almostthere]

Hi! In this forum I go by the name "almostthere".

If the stress u are experiencing is more than u can handle then, yes, seek out the meds that r out there but always with the help of a doctor, or therapist. I tried to deal with my MDD, (Major Depressive Disorder), without meds but was awefully unsuccessful.

I'd like to leave u with this thought..... always rememebr that u are not alone. Don't think that u are trapped on an island all by yourself. There are millions of people in this great country of ours who are suffering.

Never lose faith in your ability as a human being to endure the challenges life hurls at you. Be patient, in time u will find happiness and peace.

Take care and I wish u all the best....

PM can be sent to me ...

"almostthere"

Originally Posted by johnthorne1539

Hello all,

New to these forums (I have an intro posted in the appropriate forum for the curious).

In brief, I was diagnosed with bipolar about 7 years ago, but have always managed to cope without any medication. Lately, however, I've been under a massive amount of stress and have been rapid cycling; these have been the worst episodes in about 6 years, and the stress-inducing circumstances aren't likely to go away anytime soon.

I'm wondering if anyone else out there tries to make due without medicine, and if so, if you have any tips... or is that simply an unreasonable goal when under periods of intense stress?

Thanks!

[middlepath]

I dealt without meds for 10 years, mostly (ssri's x 2, but went manic and immediately came off of them). I basically ignored the diagnosis and stuck my head in the sand. Extreme stress created a deep depressive episode that lasted more than 6 months and I finally tapped. I didn't want to be heavily drugged, i just asked for barely enough to let the dust settle. Well, I am taking a veryyyy low dose of lithium and it is doing just that. I am sleeping better, able to process what has happened with a sense of clarity. I am just sick about spending so much time in anguish, but I had to get to the end of my rope to ask for meds. We each have our time and process.

If I was going the no meds route and hoping to stay the course, I would read Mood Mapping by Dr. Liz Miller (this helps establish patterns/triggers and makes you aware of the things you DO have control over). And possibly a book like Dialectical Behavior Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder by Sheri Van Dijk and Zindel V. Segal (will help you learn to accept your current situation and cope with whatever comes your way more effectively). At least these books have helped me tremendously. I also supplement with omega 3's, magnesium glycinate (or citrate), digestive enzymes. I require myself to exercise too (this takes some effort!!!). I am still new to navigating the waters but am feeling like there is hope and like i may be able to reduce/eliminate meds after i am stable for awhile and see where that goes.

I wish you the best in your decision, it is a really tough one to make. Just know, meds or not, you will not change, you will still be you...you MAY be a more stable version of yourself during the stressful times though. Is it possible to just need some temporary relief so you don't set yourself up for a full-scale implosion later when the stress finally subsides? (nothing like answering a question with a question : )

[Trippin2.0]

Uhm howww do I cope? I uhmmm ok well first my mindset has to be on par with "coping" I don't like "coping" and "surviving" though, my goal is LIVING. So part of that mindset for me is I'm a surfer, and my cycles and episodes are the waves. The Tsunamis are a MOFO, but I manage

I practice healthy hedonism (we had lots of great ideas in a thread a while back) where I set aside me time, just me time. Where I'm not a mother, a daughter, a gf or a friend. I'm just me, doing what me loves, or treating myself to nice things. Can be as simple as a bubblebath (but you don't get out until YOU want to, not bcoz something needs your attention) It could be treating yourself to a favourite dessert... It depends on the individual what the hedonism will entail. Its very helpful during those rough spots where things become overwhelming...

Exercise helps quite a bit I hear (I'm allergic, but hopefully will start dancing again soon as a substitute) A few member here walk, jog, cycle, practice yoga, etc. Some medicated others not. They all encourage exercise though, releases endorphins when you're down and expels manic / mixed energy.

Music. aaaah music is a godsend. It helps me process all the big ones, the whoppers, the tsunamis! I channel my emotions through music, its how I let my anger, pain, and euphoria out. Sure not everyone wants it blaring till 3am, but thats why headphones were invented! Max volume is always an option!

Sleep hygiene is very important. A healthy sleep schedule does wonders for maintaining mood and helps to not "provoke" mania. If you have problems falling asleep or maintaining a regular sleep schedule, a sleep ritual is most helpful for that.

I was told B12 regimen is good and have been taking double dosage monthly shots. Shots mainly because I hate pills and also because I metabolize stuff at an alarming rate.

I hear eating healthy is generally good for you, altho admittedly I'm not a fan, unless by healthy it means I can have pizza and pasta every night. Well maybe I should.... its the main 4 food groups all in my plate!

Try to avoid stimulants and depressents (coffee, alcohol etc) and when you don't, ingest them with caution.

Anxiety, idk about others, but when I have the skin- crawling type, a hot shower and a scratchy lufa is the best remedy for me.

Visual/Auditory/Olfactory/Tactile hallucinations? Reality checking helps. For the first 3 playing them down and pretty much ignoring them or laughing them off helps. Concentrating on them magnifies them, although if it gets out of hand, meds might be needed. The tactile? sorry I have no tools for that shyt, freaks me the fk out! its The worst type, hands down!

Emotional purging is VERY important, I definitly feel worse when I'm caught up in a storm and refuse to speak up. Once I've logged in and word-vomitted all over a new thread I feel lighter. And once my dear dear friends send me love, comfort, support and advice, I start feeling better already. The loneliness is very isolating, it magnifies the symptoms, so posting here is a HUGE help.

I'm typing and typing, but honestly not sure if this is helpful or not. I know theres a ton of stuff I'm forgetting, so sorry about that....

Also wanted to add, there's no shame in seeking manufactured help when things are overwhelming...be it in the form of a benzo or valerian root.
Personally I like calming teas when I'm stressed, before things escalate and spiral....

Oooh knew I forgot something very important!.. Remember to break down your challenges into tiny chunks of doable tasks. The big picture can set us off in a huge way during stressfull times, so divide and conquer is the name of the stress game!

Accepting help is a good thing. ooh ooh and a warm to PC

[faerie_moon_x]

I'm an ultradian cycler and I'm not on any meds or in treatment at all. I make due by taking it one day at a time. I track my moods and triggers and try to stay on top of what's going on. And of being honest with myself when I know I'm feeling off. It's not easy but I do all right, I think. Some days I'm a bit more intense than others.

I am seeking a therapist right now but I don't want meds because I have cognitive functioning problems and I want to be abel to show they are not a side effect of medication. For those problems I play congitive functioning games.

There are a bunch of us on here who aren't on meds.

While you're under excessive stress, I wouldn't consider trying to maintain myself without
medication. After the stress has ceased, then you might wish to talk to your psychiatrist and see if it's possible for you to go back to an unmedicated state.

It can be done by some who are diligent about almost every aspect of their life,
but the illness can also get worse over the years without medication for many. It's
a decision you'll need to make only with the best expert advice of a good psychiatrist.

I'd get back on medications now while you're under this stress. Stress is a major
factor in promoting an episode.

[EternalWinter]

Originally Posted by genetic

While you're under excessive stress, I wouldn't consider trying to maintain myself without
medication. After the stress has ceased, then you might wish to talk to your psychiatrist and see if it's possible for you to go back to an unmedicated state.

It can be done by some who are diligent about almost every aspect of their life,
but the illness can also get worse over the years without medication for many. It's
a decision you'll need to make only with the best expert advice of a good psychiatrist.

I'd get back on medications now while you're under this stress. Stress is a major
factor in promoting an episode.

When I was medicated on lithium and seroquel I had chronic stress that would not go away, though my mood wasnt up or down. as soon as I woke up I had a general feeling of stress. I told my Pdoc about the stress and he said there wasnt anything he could do, And asked me bluntly what I needed for stress and I suggested a benzo because other people get it and said he just said no. I had to quit my job because of the stress and im still looking for another job. Last month he gave me 7 mgs of ativan and he made me feel like a peice of crap for asking.

Are you seeing a therapist, Eternal Winter? Stress is important to control, and I can
see your psychiatrist's viewpoint in only one way: that is, that many of them are
addictive, and he wants to avoid that for you. If you are able to keep the dosage
at a minimum and use it only when under very strong stress, I think he would be happy
to continue to prescribe them for you.

I'm sorry that you're having these things that upset you. I know how it is, and I hope
you'll have better feeling tone soon and the stress just drops out of your life.

Take care.

[johnthorne1539]

Thanks everyone. I I think I had lost sight of some of the practices, of which people here have reminded me, that are useful in maintaining some sort of balance. I haven't really been keeping track of triggers, been getting regular exercise, and I've been overstimulating (way too much coffee in an attempt to compensate for poor sleep). It's weird how you can know that you're setting yourself up for an episode, and yet it takes someone else pointing it out for you to acknowledge it!

That said, today was a good day; while I actually added to my work load in the short term, I landed a new job, in my professional field, which will allow me to quit two others which are not! Sometimes it's settling just to see something hopeful, even if it is a few months in the future.

It really is nice just to know that others are having similar issues and can get through the day. I like what Trippin2.0 said: the goal shouldn't be to cope or to survive, but to LIVE! I am hoping today is not an aberration, and that I'll be living tomorrow, too.