Medication vs Alternate Treatment?

[Emster96]

I was wondering what every body prefers in regards to their own personal treatment for Bipolar Disorder? I myself am medicated but find it fascinating how so many find they are able to lead high functioning lives with things like meditation and breathing exercises and/or a good diet.How do you treat your condition? Thanks in advance for the feedback. 

[geoff]

dear Emster, I don't have bipolar, but you could generalise your comment to other types of depression, where others do meditation as well as breathing exercises especially for anxiety.

Some people do these as well as taking antidepressants, because there are certain periods in the day that they need to meditate, go to the gym or maybe walk, as therapists always believe that exercise is good for the brain.

This however can vary a great deal, because it can never be guaranteed the person will be able to do any of these, as it doesn't happen like clock work.

This brings me to ask you is the medication you are taking helping you or are you dissatisfied, and if not then it's probably time to have it reviewed by your doctor.

Hope to hear back from you. Geoff.

[AGrace]

Hi Emster,

I tried no medication without success. I've tried just medication also without success. For me a combination of medication, mindfulness, meditation, therapy, and healthy lifestyle choices are what works best.

I haven't me too many fully functioning people with mental illness who are just using therapy.

I guess I see mental illness as being caused by environment, genetics, personality, and biology so that's why I think there is a need to tackle it from various angles.

Good question though, and I'm curious as to what others do or think:)

AGrace

[StrugglingStudent]

Hi Emster,

A very good question.

After battling depression/chronic fatigue for 10 years, i'm interested to hear what other people's experiences have been with or without meds. 

I have also been on meds for years but i don't feel like they are helping as much as they should. I realize that everyone is different and what helps one person may be useless for another. But it never hurts to add some natural coping skills to one's arsenal for fighting mental illness.

Personally, the only thing that has ever made a noticeable difference for myself was when i consistently did weights at the gym, 3-4 days a week for several months in a row. We've all heard about the benefits of regular exercise in alleviating depression etc. but i'd never experienced any life changing results from my efforts in the past. One psychiatrist i saw told me that i needed to be incorporating weight lifting into my exercise routine. There is plenty of conflicting research out there on this topic, and we are all different, but this is the one thing that made at least a small difference for me. 

Good luck!