So first off, the caveats.
I just wanna make it clear that I:
-
am totally not a doctor
-
am not even remotely a
therapist -
gots no certifications that let me
give what I’d label as “qualified” advice -
believe strongly in the quality of life as a decision-making tool
Okay, moving on.
Everyone on this damn planet is responsible for their own
behaviour.
Bipolaroids are no different.
Except that we have added factors to
deal with.
Being bipolar means managing an illness. This illness influences
behaviour. This illness is for life. You can not get rid of it. But you can learn how to manage it.
And like any other illness, how you manage it should
reflect how it impacts on your quality of life.
So, what happens if you decide to not take meds?
It depends on your circumstances.
-
Do you definitely have bipolar,
and it’s not a misdiagnosis? -
How does your bipolarity manifest
itself? -
How fast do your bipolar states
cycle? -
How do these cycles influence your
behaviour? -
How does your bipolar behaviour
impact your quality of life? -
How much support do you have
available? -
How well do you manage without
medication? -
How much time and money you can invest in your mental health?
Non-medication management is a valid choice for many.
There is evidence that people who experience mild symptoms from
bipolar disorder can benefit from a range of options.
These include talking therapies, support groups, meditation, yoga,
eating good, omega 3 fatty acids (specifically with a ratio of DHA to
EPA of 3:1 or better), sleeping well, and exercising regularly.
From my understanding, these factors don’t influence the severity or
length of the symptoms. They just give better control over
reactions to bipolar behaviour. They enable management.
Medication is a valid choice for many.
Managing your responses to your bipolar cycles can be difficult,
as it affects willpower, amongst other things. Done right, medication
can help people manage their bipolar disorder. It gives them
breathing space and control.
Correctly administered medication does this by reducing the
length and magnitude of bipolar cycles.
And ceasing or changing medication can
have it’s own complications.
So choosing to go on medication, or come off it, is daunting.
Overall, there is no rightness or wrongness.
For me, it’s about my quality of life. If the net outcome is “current
quality of life > past quality of life” then it’s a good
decision.
One last thing.
If you are on medication, and decide to come off medication:
-
Only do so with the support of a
certified physician. -
Make sure the process is slow and
receives close monitoring from said physician. Weekly visits are a
must. -
Get the support of people involved in your life. You will
need their feedback to gauge on your progress, or the lack of it.
I hope this helps!