No meds decision for bi polar. Anyone else going down this path?

[Hanemcass]

Hi everyone. First post and looking for a forum I can get some idea on how people are coping with choosing not to take mood stabilising meds. I have Bipolar 2 and decided I don't want to take meds. Quick history - After twenty years on an antidepressant for OCD I decided to come off them and see how I would cope. Three months into no meds, numerous moods swings of hypermania and depression I have been diagnosed as BP2.

It's been an exhausting period getting use to these changes but I want to try to do this with out meds. I have a wonderful husband who supports me and a close friend I can be totally truthful with. Their support comes with no judgement and is a safe place for me to swing about through theses moods like a monkey on a branch.

I am seeing a psychologist fortnightly, refuse to go back to the psychiatrist who treated me like an idiot and a GP who is supportive of my decision to go med free, although I don't go to see her that often.

I write A LOT and my journal is my mood diary. Scary at times to read over how the shifts effect me but my mantra these days is "it is what it is".

I try to visualise middle ground when I feel my moods lifting too high or plunging too low. So far the swings are manageable but not without my team. I am ultra aware not to fatigue them but not being in control of the changes scares me it could happen.

[quirkywords]

Hanemcass

Welcome to the forum.This is a safe,supportive, caring and nonjudgmental friendly place.

Everyone has a different experience and opinion about medication. I am pleased you have a support team and you have insight through your journal into your changes in moods.

My experience has been different.

I was diagnosed with manic depression- thats what bipolar used to be called. I was only 16 and it was at a time when there was not much information and a lot of stigma. For 16 years I was in denial and I went from one drama to the next. I was totally against medication

Over the years I tried massage, acupuncture, different diets, herbs, exercises but nothing worked for me. When my children were small I was encouraged to try medication . I was lucky this worked for me. Many years later I did go off medication with my doctor's approval for a month but I got so depressed I went back on.

Everyone is different and experiences mood swings differently. You need to have as much information about your moods and what affects your changes in moods .

You have a support team who is very honest with you, so you feel supported. You are concerned enough to realise your support team may be physically and emotionally fatigued.

As you have had moodswings for 3 months it make take a while too see a apattern or they may change.

For me going without medication did not work but that is just my experience and I was much younger and did not have a support team.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Quirky.