Those are very good guidelines. I have found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy an enormous help.

Years of untreated Bipolar II Disorder led to a twisted view of myself. After many years of CBT, I am able to better control my negative thoughts, although I still rely on too many meds.

Our goal is to keep me stable for a while and then streamline them. I also have been blessed with a fantastic best friend, who is supportive, caring and pushes me when I need it.

Points #1 and #8

I learned to be my own advocate the hard way.

When I was first diagnosed, it seemed like no medications I tried were working. My doctor, whom I trusted with a kind of desperation, just kept throwing medications at my symptoms. I believe his intent was good, he just didn’t admit he had run out of ideas on how to treat my BP.
This went on for seven years. Long story short, I had an accident that led to Dr.s reducing my medications-and I never went back up on the dosage from before the acccident.Instead of going to the same Dr., I fired him and found another. My thinking became clearer, I felt better, and I started to manage my illness. The new Dr. was marginally better.I went in-patient once more before I hooked up with an excellent psychiatrist and therapist. It’s been a long road to where I am today-as stable as a BP person can be. I know myself, my patterns.I don’t hesitate to speak up. I know me better than anyone on earth-I’m an expert on “me”. I have built a good support system comprised of various professionals and good friends. I have a plan incase I need to be hospitalized, and my emergency person knows it. I haven’t had to use the plan, but having it in place is comforting, and one less thing to fear.
Now, I present myself as a person requiring a partner(s) in treatment. I interview the doctors I deal with. I grieve for the 7 lost years of my life, and I am moving forward.
Be well…

As I read these tips I thought, “yeah, do that, did that, been doing that…” At the end, I realized that by following the recommended course of action, it might more accurately be written like this:

1. Stay home.
2. Lay low.
3. Give up everything that ever made you feel happy.
4. Kiss your really big dreams goodbye and work on acceptance.
5. Sleep, but not too much or too little. If your sleep continues to be a problem, well, try harder.
6. Learn to embrace structure, even if it feels claustrophobic.
7. Engage in only those behaviors that ensure other people won’t feel uncomfortable around you.
8. Read everything, believe some of it, and share what you’re learning if you want to, but know that the people in your life have no plans to put in much effort themselves to understand the things they demand that you understand.
9. The people who know you don’t really want to help you get well–they just want you to act normal again
10. Exercise. Don’t exercise. It doesn’t help much either way, and the drugs will make you gain weight regardless.
11. Keep your doctor appointments. Those quarterly 15-minute medication reviews are just so critical to your success.
12. Understand that your therapist only cares if your check clears. You can’t buy sincerity and compassion.
13. If your credibility is something that matters to you, for the love of god, DO NOT tell anyone what your diagnosis is.
14. Be a friend to yourself. You may well be the only one willing to stick around during the bumpy parts.

I have been diligent about doing everything I’m supposed to. That has brought stability to my BP, but at a very high cost.

I’m out of my medication[lamictal] and I am slipping back into maddness. how can I get REAL help with getting my prescriptions filled? also, is there herbal remidies for bi-polar, so I can get herbs over the counter so I won’t run out of expensive meds? I’m unemployed and I need REAL HELP. I can’t stand being around my family…I’m going to kill them if I can’t get help…HELP ME!!!!!

what is the best drug for bipolar disorder

I am in love with someone who is bipolar, and I want to be able to contribute something in means of help and support for information with medicine, foods and vitiamins.

I was diagnosed with bipolar a year ago @ age 45 (have suffered since i was around 15 or 16). I lost my marriage & children largely due to my illness - i didn’t react well when i found out he was cheating on me. My moods go from low to lower & lower again with no relief. My doctor only seems interested in prescribing drugs that i have told her just are not working (lithium & avanza) - these drugs have made no difference whatsoever in the year i have been taking them. Last week i told my doc i was so down that even getting out of bed to take a shower would zap every bit of my energy (what little there is of it) & her reply was simply “take a cold shower”. The prob is not the temp of the water!!! My prob is getting out of bed to do it!!!! Why will she not listen? Have seen prob around 8 doctors now and they are all as bad as the last one….. take my money & send me home with more drugs that don’t work!! Not even one doctor has suggested a talk to a councellor & even if she did, i am unable to afford to see a specialist. I am so fed up! I am wasting my life and so want to get better before this thing kills me (if i don’t do it myself of course, which is constantly on my mind). RELIEF PLEASE!