[Espurr1989]

Hi guys. I was just wondering how often you all stay focused on your treatment and recovery? How often does dealing/coping with Bipolar Disorder stay in your conscious mind? Every hour? Every day? Once a week? Once a month? Does it vary based on how you are doing? What can happen if you focus too much or not enough? You can tell us what your treatment looks like if you would like.

[wildflowerchild25]

It varies. When I'm stable I don't think too much about it. When I'm depressed I focus on coping with the depression and trying to recover from it. I haven't been manic in a very long time so I don't have to worry about that.

[newtobipolar]

Every f****** day. Not sure if it is every hour, but I can say there isn't a few hours that go by that I am not in FEAR of going into another depressive episode. It sucks. Bipolar sucks.

[LucyG]

Not any more as I now use amino acids to regulate my mood. The amino acids are the building blocks of neurotransmitters that meds work on to keep mood stable. My philosophy is that for some reason [genetic reason no doubt as this runs in both sides of my family], my brain isn't able to produce adequate neurotransmitters to keep me stable without supplementation. So long as I take my supplements, I do remarkably well. If my mood shifts up or down, I take whatever supplement is needed to bring it back where I want it.

I use the mineral supplement lithium orotate to control my hypomania, and it's the most remarkable thing I've ever seen. No more racing mind, not sleeping for days, etc., etc. It usually takes about 18 to 24 hours for a hypomanic episode to break which is wonderful considering it used to take up to two weeks on meds.

Here's an article about how actress Margo Kidder treats her bipolar with amino acids:

The Role of Amino Acids in Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health | Alternative Mental Health

[Miss Laura]

Hey,

Every day.... I write in daily journals and have weekly therapy sessions. I think it helps me as I'm really in tune with what is what I think I am anyways. Like I have missed my meds twice this week and feel rubbish due to it. I'm pretty honest with my care team re this well I will be next week when I see them. Great thread by the way!!

[MissCathryn]

Do amino acids help with depressive episodes??

Do you take it every day?

[Unrigged64072835]

It depends on my mood. I also deal with anxiety, and that has been on my mind more than the bipolar has.

[vjdragonfly]

I think of how I am doing mood wise a LOT. I guess when I was more stable it wasn't as frequently but I am always trying to analyze if my emotions are a normal reaction to things or if I am sliding into an episode. I am also always actively trying to prevent episodes by watching for triggers.