What did you do/are doing to help yourself?

I tried to list as many choices as possible (all I could think of). Add yours if not on the list

Because of our OCD my family has a long list of rules memorized that can be applied or modified for all situations. It helps with consistency in life and honestly has helped us ride the storms.

Great poll Venus ! Thank you

Church choir/church. Regular visits with friends.

Very interesting poll. I never thought about it before, but I've tried about a million things.

Great poll! I have done many of those things.

About to try crystals, I have an appointment with the crystal lady this weekend. Also keen to try tapping therapy. My internet connection is not good enough for me to watch videos to learn myself but my friend has learnt it and is going to teach me.

Apparently the feeling I get from meditating (being tipped on my side) is a sign my sharkra (sp?) is blocked, so Im seeing a lady this weekend about that too.

I have tried moodfoods too years back but missed it when I ticked the rest. Im keen to give it another go in the new year. Problem is, everything is so bloody expensive here!

Other things I have tried -

Self help books - sometimes I get something out of them, I figure if I get one new thing from them then they are worth reading

Volunteering - this has been a lifesaver for me once again and turned into a wonderful job prospect for me. I now have my dream job, and although a lot of it is volunteer still I really enjoy it and it gives me a reason to keep going.

Hypnotherapy - extremely relaxing, and I think now I would be in the right mindset for it to be more beneficial to me than it was back when I first tried it.

Group therapy - not sure if this goes under support networks but I have done a lot of group and have just started a new weekly group too (unfortunately broken up for the holiday but I cant wait for it to start again).

If I think of more I will add them. I think this is a brilliant thread. Will give some people ideas of what other treatments are out there. Its not always conventional treatments that work the best.

Acupuncture?

I think people need to keep in mind, many of these treatments also need a bit of commitment to them. Doing a few weeks of one or the other is unlikely to provide results. After a few months is when you really start to see the difference.

Will answer poll later - whoa can't focus. Sage...

Interesting poll. I have never even heard if crystal therapy before. I will be,looking into that.

i'm utterly confused that 1 of the options you put was,

"go to india"

why?. do explain?

Well, it worked for Alanis Morissette and it's definitelly something I want to do when I get the finances and guts and situation doesn't look too shaky.

I see India as the ultimate retreat place.

Good point about accupuncture, can't believe i left it out.

that explains a lot

Alanis Morissette, i'm sure released some song with an indian feel to it- is she bipolar then?

I don't think she ever said she is bipolar, but many of her songs reflects a story of a person who struggled with self... A LOT.

Thank U was about her experience in India, getting over pain and coming to peace with self.

you missed the basic things venus...

making bed
brushing teeth...

buying milk

...washing clothes

doing the dishes

(cool list by the way)

paying bills...

taking out the trash...

these things are somehow essential

I repeat these things but that's my OCD

OH BILLS.

Thanks for remainder.

Im not surprised that meds is the most ticked option, but I am saddened. So many people missing out on potentially life changing treatments because of the over diagnosis and over medication of patients in the US. There are other ways. Many people on these forums would not be considered bipolar in my country, nor would they be medicated to such extremes. It is unnecessary and saddening.

Im not anti-meds. I take medication and will need to for a long time, but there is so much people can be doing in conjunction to really change their lives. It makes me so sad that so many think meds are the only thing that works, having not ever attempted anything else (and when I say attempt I mean a good go at things, not a week or 2).

Many of these treatments I have tried, and tried again. Some of them didnt work the first time round, but continuing to try and try again, many have now helped. Even if it is the tiniest improvement it is worth doing.

Please dont let this thread die! There are some great ideas for people to try.

I know it fits into exercise but I find using a speed bag very cathartic. Something about the repetitive motions lets you focus on keeping the rhythm and not on what is gnawing at your mind.
Total side note, I found acupuncture did wonders for the nerve damage in my hip. The benefits would fade once I worked out again but it was nice to feel like I got some actual fluid going to that part of my body. It has been numb to the touch for near 15 years, all I can feel is when it itches or cramps. I would totally be up for trying acupuncture for my bp.

well, I may add I never been to India (yet), but I actually went to Ukraine with *see good omen or die*. Apparently, Crimea can save young chick's life. Euros or hrivna's cannot repay the debt. Saddens me to see Ukraine in such a mess with little to do. Pray maybe? But for now, THANK U CRIMEA.

Tbh, many places gave me memories to get me by.

I did try a lot of the methods listed here. I was raised in a household where alternative medicine was heavily favored. While I've seen natural cures be affective for other things, the only treatment that really makes a functional difference in my mood is my atypical anti-psychotic. Things like creative writing and having supportive people around me are great, but the fact is that I was screwing up both my writing and my relationships by being so depressive and unfocused while I was unmedicated.

So for some of us the fact is that meds ARE the only thing that works. I really wish that wasn't the case because it sucks to know I'll be medicated for all of the foreseeable future, but for me it's just a fact I'll have to live with.

Yes, Acupuncture was/is important for me personally. Just adding my two cents on that...
Good poll ~

To help myself....
I go to talk therapy weekly.
I stay inside and watch movies in bed sometimes.
I talk to a very close friend.
I get out the house...one of our local malls.
I log on here or another forum.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I want to add what I have been doing lately, namely, organizing my physical environment. It does not just help by reducing stress in the obvious ways - say, I always know where my keys, wallet, laundry quarters piggy bank, and laundry supplies are; I know where my purse is; I have bought enough well fitting clothes; my supplements/medications/herbal treatment are in a weekly pill tray, etc. So I always have clean clothes in the morning and can take off stress-free because it is easy to grab the purse and key chain when I know where they are. That is obvious, but boy does it make life easier!

A less obvious improvement comes from the sensual pleasure associated with some of my recent improvements. After I bought a really nice metal mesh hamper, reusable dryer balls with insertable lavender sticks, and lovely cylinder lingerie bags for bras, I actually enjoy doing the laundry. The cold metal of the hamper is pleasant to the touch and the dried clothes are pleasant to the nostrils thanks to the lavender sticks.

I just started framing and hanging pictures and hanging some souvenirs, and the walls are already nice to look at.

I got glass containers for many foods, and glass in the kitchen is pleasant to the touch and looks good.

So a combination of function and form seems to be doing the trick for me.

Sure you might have, but I bet there are many more people that havent tried anything else but meds. Just look on the forums. I am not against meds, as I said, I need them too, but there are a whole lot more people who solely rely on meds without even considering other options. The US is overmedicated and overdiagnosed, there are so many people who could be living happy lives without the use of heavy duty drugs, but they are not shown any other way. Threads like this may open the eyes of those who do not know any better. I sincerely hope other people just try to keep themselves well and are not put off by "meds are the only way for me so not point trying" type posts.

Well done to the people who do honestly give a good try to other treatments. If it helps in the slightest it has been worth doing. Patients are the ones who are suffering when they limit their treatment to medication alone.

Cocosurviving, its good to find things to do to help yourself, and the first steps are very important, but there is much much more you could be doing for yourself, what you have mentioned is simply not enough to live a full and happy life. Dont stop there!

Im still enjoying the crystals and meditation. Im still waiting on my full crystal kit but I love the clear quartz and amethyst. I am trying to do some more enjoyable activities this week for myself, equine therapy, but it can be hard to get going on my own.

Yeah, Supanova, not so long ago somebody told me that talking about nutrion is "offensive" especially if you tell people what to do.

(when all I say about food is to cut out the totally unnatural things and watch out how other foods make you feel... apparently, that if offensive still).