[demoncard]

I was hospitalized and diagnosed with Bipolar 2. I sorta agree with it and sort of not.

The doctor put me on Depakote and Wellbutrin and I've decided that I am not taking either of these. After a good deal of research on all of these types of drugs, medications are NOT the right path for me. I don't even take anything for a headache. I don't even have my vaccinations. I don't agree with the side affects and I don't feel the need to poison my brain.

I've been doing a good deal of research on on other methods and therapy and I think I will try anger management classes, look into CBT and a combo of a lot of vitamins and minerals, amino acids and the like.

Of course this will be a hardcore, ongoing thing and require a lot but I'm willing. I would rather be depressed my entire life then take those meds ever again.

And no, I don't want to try anything else as I just don't want to. I don't really believe psych meds help too many people. Some but not many.

Anybody doing this and have any advice or pointers?

[sewerrats]

Its up to you has you say to take meds or not, BIPOLAR 2 don't go away and CBT wont shift it that's for anxierty . You can go my way for 20 years has I did and drink a lot, take tranquiliser,s when needed. But it all ends in tears in the end, You carnt fight a life long illness by yourself , it don't work like that you get worse as time goes by. Still I did the same has you but I don't think you want the life I had .

[demoncard]

Originally Posted by sewerrats

Its up to you has you say to take meds or not, BIPOLAR 2 don't go away and CBT wont shift it that's for anxierty . You can go my way for 20 years has I did and drink a lot, take tranquiliser,s when needed. But it all ends in tears in the end, You carnt fight a life long illness by yourself , it don't work like that you get worse as time goes by. Still I did the same has you but I don't think you want the life I had .

First of all, this message doesn't make sense. I can gather a little bit of what you're saying but not a lot. Yes, it's my decision. There are lots of ways to handle it from what I'm reading. I'm asking for direction from those of you who have done it or do a little bit of it. And CBT is for a LOT of things. Not just anxiety. It's for anger, self harm and moodiness, among other things. So, yes, CBT can help, quite a lot. Medication is not an option I am taking because I do not think it's a good one. Maybe for someone else but not me. So, no lectures please. Thanks.

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by demoncard

First of all, this message doesn't make sense. I can gather a little bit of what you're saying but not a lot. Yes, it's my decision. There are lots of ways to handle it from what I'm reading. I'm asking for direction from those of you who have done it or do a little bit of it. And CBT is for a LOT of things. Not just anxiety. It's for anger, self harm and moodiness, among other things. So, yes, CBT can help, quite a lot. Medication is not an option I am taking because I do not think it's a good one. Maybe for someone else but not me. So, no lectures please. Thanks.

No lecture, just telling you has it is, I have a wardrobe full of alternative meds that did SFA , I think your way off with CBT its not an all cure therapy like you think it is, and its not for bipolar 2 that's for life . They can teach anyone to do CBT on you in a week. the kind of therapy you think is a real therapist job. In fact there is a do it yourself CBT on the internet no need to wait for an appointment

You might want to ask about this on the bipolar forum. Several regular posters have managed their symptoms without standard psych meds and will have helpful information for you.

CBT is a good option for therapy. Personally, I have found best results from a therapist who is more eclectic but has a definite behavioral bent. He is able to more personalize my therapy as he isn't purely a one trick pony. The CBT skills are really effective; just not exclusively. Some purely CBT therapists can't seem to get beyond their worksheets if you know what I mean. A therapist with a strong CBT background but who does not rely entirely on CBT seems to hit more of the whole person.

[demoncard]

Originally Posted by 1914sierra

You might want to ask about this on the bipolar forum. Several regular posters have managed their symptoms without standard psych meds and will have helpful information for you.

CBT is a good option for therapy. Personally, I have found best results from a therapist who is more eclectic but has a definite behavioral bent. He is able to more personalize my therapy as he isn't purely a one trick pony. The CBT skills are really effective; just not exclusively. Some purely CBT therapists can't seem to get beyond their worksheets if you know what I mean. A therapist with a strong CBT background but who does not rely entirely on CBT seems to hit more of the whole person.

Thank you, so so much!
I've been doing a good deal of research on CBT and it seems like it would be helpful and yes, I get what you mean about the workbooks. I don' intend that to be the only option. Multi angle approach is what I'm aimed at.

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by 1914sierra

You might want to ask about this on the bipolar forum. Several regular posters have managed their symptoms without standard psych meds and will have helpful information for you.

CBT is a good option for therapy. Personally, I have found best results from a therapist who is more eclectic but has a definite behavioral bent. He is able to more personalize my therapy as he isn't purely a one trick pony. The CBT skills are really effective; just not exclusively. Some purely CBT therapists can't seem to get beyond their worksheets if you know what I mean. A therapist with a strong CBT background but who does not rely entirely on CBT seems to hit more of the whole person.

I may differ where you live , in England we only get group CBT that is 12 people all round 1 table 1 hour every week for 6 to 8 weeks , In my group 6 dropped out, 5 were worse at the end and 1 felt better , but that the NHS for you . The therapist was a trained up nurse

[demoncard]

Originally Posted by sewerrats

I may differ where you live , in England we only get group CBT that is 12 people all round 1 table 1 hour every week for 6 to 8 weeks , In my group 6 dropped out, 5 were worse at the end and 1 felt better , but that the NHS for you . The therapist was a trained up nurse

There are a lot of CBT in my area. They look good and I'm pretty stoked about finding out more about them.

[onionknight]

Hey there! It's good to see you're taking charge of your decisions regarding your care. You know your life and what can help you reach your goals best.

Personally I don't have any experience with managing bipolar 2 without meds, but I'm living with depression and ocd and trying to withdraw from a drug because it was not the right choice for my life. You might want to try some supplements. I know Omega-3 have shown some benefit, and I'm sure if you ask/ search around you can find others. Also, if while in the hospital, you took medications for a substantial period of time, you will need to withdraw from them. Stopping a med suddenly will cause a withdrawal that can mimic the original symptoms, so watch out for that.

Have your posted this in the bipolar forum? I'm sure there is someone else who doesn't want to take medication who can help. Maybe look for a forum elsewhere on the web too where you might get advice from others. Non-medication treatments are known best by those who live them.

Don't worry. You are not doomed. Focus on working on therapies and coping skills for the particular symptoms that distress you the most.

[demoncard]

I actually did post this in the bipolar forum, thank you though.

And I only took meds for about a week and a half. Then just stopped. It's been 3 days and I feel really good. I did have a fog over my brain, I could feel it and the Wellbutrin made me want to start fights with people. The doctor did tell me to take a lot of Fish Oil's, which I was actually taking in the hospital. B vitamins are something I know helps me, it's just I break out really bad from too much of them, so I have to be careful. They help a lot, that's for sure.

But thank you for the advice. I have a severe mistrust of doctors as I've been treated awfully by them my whole life. I've been to too many in my short 23 years and I just don't trust them.

[onionknight]

You might try vitamin C too. At around 1000mg a day, it has been shown to lower cortisol, which can help with anxiety. There are other things that lower cortisol, but it's the most common. Also, you might want to look into NAC. It has been shown to help with bipolar. You can Google it and read up on its benefits. I don't think it is that well known, but it seems to has a lot of potential to help.