1. < Mental Health

Bipolar and ideas of how to help ourselves beyond medication

Posted by healthytoday @healthytoday, Dec 10, 2018

Bipolar, I decided no matter what, I could study it, and get to know it. From there, I added vitamins (especially B and omega3. I felt better. Also, activity and funny movies helped. There are so many things I could do besides medication. I do have the milder form of it and have seem family members with a more severe illness. Meds are a life saver at certain times, and I was put on prozac back in the 1990's for 7 years that helped me get through my teaching career. At that time I needed "the big boys" to help with the heavy lifting, but being retired I rely on life style and not on any psy. agents. What a struggle. Anyone have simple ideas that help? Oh, I did find good coffee a boost against depression, but since my heart abif no more caffeine....: (...but dark chocolate is okay. I do miss coffee. I love beautiful music really can raise my mood. Once a therapist suggested a sad movie once a week to bring on a good cry. Tears release toxins. What else can we do for ourselves?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

pianista | @pianista | Jun 22, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @healthytoday and @gingerw - you've mentioned that medication can help with bipolar disorder, but that..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @healthytoday and @gingerw - you've mentioned that medication can help with bipolar disorder, but that many other lifestyle and self-care tactics can also be useful for managing this condition, such as funny movies, vitamins, activity, coffee, music, dark chocolate, journaling, meditation, volunteering, laughter, and understanding friends.

I'd like to invite other Connect members who have talked about bipolar disorder into this conversation to share some of the strategies that have helped them or a loved one with this diagnosis. Please meet @oprah @jp37019 @catcatanzaro60 @mizmaui444 @nodepression @kimmy @eva @teri15 @amberpep @hoffman @miss2sassy @lingram @jgl15 @trouse @put @mamaw @carl777 @kennethdbass @brenbren @hoagie6 @jaburrill @livedriftwood @randi1966 @ryan4250 @kelliedenise @jillnielsen @hussah @halhilde @tiffanyvillier @renwald @1lundboat @carlysmith011 @cathy615 @aesmayo01 @calypso @mblbirch @lauralee88 @121314 @pony @amelia42 @pinktart @redhedplus @sandytoes14 @windwalker.

I also wanted to share this Mayo Clinic information on bipolar disorder: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

@healthytoday - you mentioned that with your bipolar disorder, you decided no matter what that you could study it and get to know it. It sounds as though this type of study may have been part of helping you with your condition? Any recommendations on information on bipolar disorder you found that was helpful?

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I want to join this conversation.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 22, 2019
In reply to @pianista "I want to join this conversation." + (show)
@pianista

I want to join this conversation.

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@pianista And you have by posting here! What techniques have you tried for dealing with bipolar issues? How have they worked for you?
Ginger

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jul 1, 2019
In reply to @pianista "I switched to Latuda after being on Seroquel for four years. They are okay. I can..." + (show)
@pianista

I switched to Latuda after being on Seroquel for four years. They are okay. I can get them more reasonable through mail order. Don’t know if they are any better; just doesn’t have as bad as side effects of Seroquel. Still have side effects though.

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Hello, @pianista - just wanted to check in and see how you are doing? How is it going on the lurasidone (Latuda)?

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renwald | @renwald | Jul 14, 2019
In reply to @karen00 "@tdib I pray you are feeling better by now. Yes, I have taken seroquel and it..." + (show)
@karen00

@tdib I pray you are feeling better by now. Yes, I have taken seroquel and it made me feel like you did. I had problems driving. I understand about shoving the depression down and not dealing with it, it sounds like it’s time to. A psychiatrist would be great! Don’t ever feel like you have no one! You have me and the other awesome Connectors! We support you and will encourage you ! You are not rambling on. I’m glad you felt safe enough to get everything off your chest. Can your PC recommend a psychiatrist for you? I took Latuda and it saved my life, however it petered out after awhile. That was years ago. My new psych wants to try again but my new insurance won’t pay for it. So we’re looking for something else. See - you’re not alone at all! I’m praying for you and hoping you feel better soon.........Karen

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I have bipolar too and it wasn’t diagnosed til around age 43, I think. The best result for medication that I have experienced is the mood stabilizer Lamictal/ lamotragine. I believe it was originally intended as an anti convulsant for epilepsy. It keeps the moods from dipping too far but it isn’t perfect.

Venalafaxine/ Effexor is a creature worth avoiding if you can help it. Once on it, you’re loathe to get off because the symptoms can be brutal.

So having meds in place at least created a buffer. After that, I picked up strategies that worked from cognitive based therapy in less than a month.

The usual self maintenance issues always apply:

Good quality sleep (I use melatonin and L-theanine, either little noise or white noise, blackout curtains and no tv, phone, computers etc 2 hours before bed, no caffeine 6-8 hours before bed.

Making sure food is nutritious

Some exercise

And diversions/hobbies

BUT, there are triggers that come regardless and identification of those is both tricky and important. Coping strategies for those are vital to defuse them like a ticking bomb or in alternate slow poison.

Non-bipolar people are severely strained in these relationships and it’s common knowledge that the mortality of bipolar/non-bipolar relationships is high.

It takes a tremendous amount of mental effort to try and stop the downward spiral even when I recognize what’s going on.

I can’t speak to fibromyalgia at all but I have to believe the added stress and unique wiring of the neurotransmitters and stress hormones in bipolar aggravate the condition.

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2 replies
Barb | @amberpep | Jul 16, 2019

Hi there new found friend. I, too, wrestle with bi-polar, but it's bi-polar 2, not quite as severe. The worst part is the depression ..... I can wake up in the morning and for no reason, I am immediately in the dumps. So, I take my meds, and I took a course through the hospital called DBT ... dialectical breathing technique. It really works for me. By the time I do 10 of that one, I sit down and could fall asleep. It's wonderful. When I have a "manic" episode, it's just flat. It doesn't really make me want to jump up and down, run outside, go for a bike ride ..... just do the normal things, cleaning, grocery, etc. At least I'm functional with that. My Psychiatrist and Psychologist both think from what I've told them that my mother was Bipolar 1. Fortunately, if I inherited it from her, I'm glad it's BP2 ..... I sure wouldn't want to be like she was.
Good to meet you friend,
abby

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Barb | @amberpep | Jul 16, 2019

Hi there ..... if you look up DBT, especially the "vagus nerve breathing" technique .... that could help too. It sure does me.
abby

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Barb | @amberpep | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @sdixon "I have experience with one and it didn't go well. Well, not physically. I think that's..." + (show)
@sdixon

I have experience with one and it didn't go well. Well, not physically. I think that's what makes me so bitter about this is that I could finally rest a little because the Lithium made things less chaotic mentally. But then I would spend hours (literally hours) being psychically sick, and that only got better when I stopped taking lithium.

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My doctor put me on Lamictal which seems to work well. However, one side effect is what they call "essential tremors" meaning for me when I write I look like I'm writing with my left hand (I'm right handed). So he has me taking 1-2 Propanalol each morning with the Lamictal and it works like a charm. I'm so grateful for a good Psychiatrist and Psychologist. Since I have moved 3-1/2 hours from where I used to live (don't ask .... it was hell to move), I do drive up once a month to see my therapist ..... I'd seen him for 12 years, through the times when I was in the hospital, going through my divorce (from a Narcissist), and everything else that life throws at you. So, even though I only see him once a month, it's sort of a tune-up.
abby

REPLY
1 reply
renwald | @renwald | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @amberpep "My doctor put me on Lamictal which seems to work well. However, one side effect is..." + (show)
@amberpep

My doctor put me on Lamictal which seems to work well. However, one side effect is what they call "essential tremors" meaning for me when I write I look like I'm writing with my left hand (I'm right handed). So he has me taking 1-2 Propanalol each morning with the Lamictal and it works like a charm. I'm so grateful for a good Psychiatrist and Psychologist. Since I have moved 3-1/2 hours from where I used to live (don't ask .... it was hell to move), I do drive up once a month to see my therapist ..... I'd seen him for 12 years, through the times when I was in the hospital, going through my divorce (from a Narcissist), and everything else that life throws at you. So, even though I only see him once a month, it's sort of a tune-up.
abby

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You have my deepest sympathy of being married (or tied) to a narcissist. That spells deep trouble even without a condition. Glad your getting away at least from a legal standpoint.

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healthytoday | @healthytoday | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @renwald "I have bipolar too and it wasn’t diagnosed til around age 43, I think. The best..." + (show)
@renwald

I have bipolar too and it wasn’t diagnosed til around age 43, I think. The best result for medication that I have experienced is the mood stabilizer Lamictal/ lamotragine. I believe it was originally intended as an anti convulsant for epilepsy. It keeps the moods from dipping too far but it isn’t perfect.

Venalafaxine/ Effexor is a creature worth avoiding if you can help it. Once on it, you’re loathe to get off because the symptoms can be brutal.

So having meds in place at least created a buffer. After that, I picked up strategies that worked from cognitive based therapy in less than a month.

The usual self maintenance issues always apply:

Good quality sleep (I use melatonin and L-theanine, either little noise or white noise, blackout curtains and no tv, phone, computers etc 2 hours before bed, no caffeine 6-8 hours before bed.

Making sure food is nutritious

Some exercise

And diversions/hobbies

BUT, there are triggers that come regardless and identification of those is both tricky and important. Coping strategies for those are vital to defuse them like a ticking bomb or in alternate slow poison.

Non-bipolar people are severely strained in these relationships and it’s common knowledge that the mortality of bipolar/non-bipolar relationships is high.

It takes a tremendous amount of mental effort to try and stop the downward spiral even when I recognize what’s going on.

I can’t speak to fibromyalgia at all but I have to believe the added stress and unique wiring of the neurotransmitters and stress hormones in bipolar aggravate the condition.

Jump to this post

Regular massage therapy will help lessen issues with fibromyalgia.

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jul 19, 2019
In reply to @renwald "I have bipolar too and it wasn’t diagnosed til around age 43, I think. The best..." + (show)
@renwald

I have bipolar too and it wasn’t diagnosed til around age 43, I think. The best result for medication that I have experienced is the mood stabilizer Lamictal/ lamotragine. I believe it was originally intended as an anti convulsant for epilepsy. It keeps the moods from dipping too far but it isn’t perfect.

Venalafaxine/ Effexor is a creature worth avoiding if you can help it. Once on it, you’re loathe to get off because the symptoms can be brutal.

So having meds in place at least created a buffer. After that, I picked up strategies that worked from cognitive based therapy in less than a month.

The usual self maintenance issues always apply:

Good quality sleep (I use melatonin and L-theanine, either little noise or white noise, blackout curtains and no tv, phone, computers etc 2 hours before bed, no caffeine 6-8 hours before bed.

Making sure food is nutritious

Some exercise

And diversions/hobbies

BUT, there are triggers that come regardless and identification of those is both tricky and important. Coping strategies for those are vital to defuse them like a ticking bomb or in alternate slow poison.

Non-bipolar people are severely strained in these relationships and it’s common knowledge that the mortality of bipolar/non-bipolar relationships is high.

It takes a tremendous amount of mental effort to try and stop the downward spiral even when I recognize what’s going on.

I can’t speak to fibromyalgia at all but I have to believe the added stress and unique wiring of the neurotransmitters and stress hormones in bipolar aggravate the condition.

Jump to this post

Hi, @renwald - you mentioned some strategies from cognitive based therapy that were helpful with your bipolar disorder. Will you share more about that?

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