How to Treat Bipolar Illness Without Drugs

Treating bipolar disorder without drugs is immensely challenging and very difficult. However, it is unavoidable for people who cannot positively respond to the present slew of drugs now available for these disorders. The side affects of Seroquel, Abilify or Risperdal are often serious, leading to a situation where the patient must rely on drug-less techniques. If you do respond positively to the above drugs or any others that exist, then this should be the route taken. Techniques that don't rely on drugs will only have minor results in extreme cases.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn to identify the warning signs. Usually, the manic, paranoiac or depressive phases of bipolarity are preceded by certain feelings. You must learn to identity these feelings and then take quick action to head them off. One of the best ways to do this is to keep a diary. After several months, go back and see what events or feelings immediately preceded an attack of anxiety, depression or racing thoughts. These are your warning signs.

• 2

  Distract yourself once the warning signs are identified. Learn to think through the problems, remaining focused. Do not panic. Find the activities that can distract your mind long enough to withstand the attacks. For this step to work, a strong sense of self knowledge is absolutely necessary. Avoid situations that have provoked attacks in the past.

• 3

  Find activities that serve primarily to absorb the excess energy and creativity that come with various stages of being manic. This is the key. Hobbies and activities must be found that are labor-intensive so they will distract as well as absorb the energy that these phases produce.

• 4

  Exercise. It is likely that physical exercise, especially swimming, running or lifting weights, can both distract your attention and force the release of endorphins that can help calm you down. In addition, intense physical exercise also forces oxygen to your brain that, over time, can help with concentration. This step will, in essence, produce your own medication.

• 5

  Learn several forms of relaxation techniques. Breathing exercises, music and aroma therapy are beginning to show excellent results. Visualization techniques are also useful in these cases.