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Medication is only one facet of treating bipolar, other things are needed too. This may be what you are experiencing now. Unfortunately, many bipolar individuals aren't even aware of the many helpful avenues that are available. There are many possible avenues of treatment that spring to mind. The initial treatment method for bipolar is usually pharmaceutical drugs but there are other primary treatment methods -- 11 different ones come to mind (I'll number each point so you won't get lost or confused):
1) Combining counseling with whatever meds you're taking (it's usually necessary to combine the two). If you do this, the odds for effective treatment goes way up. If you're not getting counseling, try it. You may be pleasantly surprised. You have nothing to lose and possibly a lot to gain if you try counseling. A helpful point -- make sure you feel comfortable with the counselor you choose and a same sex counselor is usually preferred.
2) "Alternative medication" (herbs, amino acids, etc) treatment. Concerning alternative meds (and the pharmaceuticals, too), let me preface by saying two things. First, what works for me MAY NOT work for you (I take alternative meds). Secondly, alternative medications are not regulated, therefore, there is some risk involved. Also, keep in mind, taking just one herb, mineral, or amino acid (like L-Tyrosine) by itself is NOT ENOUGH (that would be like trying to stop a tornado by holding out your hand and saying "Stop! Go Away!" -- it just won't work). If the alternative med route is for you (it may not be) and because alternative meds aren't as potent as the pharmaceuticals drugs, if you decide to go the alternative med route you'll have to COMBINE an effective herb - amino acid - mineral and vitamin regimen that'll work for you.
Here's a brief list of the various alternative meds used to help those of us who live with bipolar. L-Tyrosine (an amino acid), L-Taurine (an amino acid), Kava (a herb), St. John's Wort (a herb,) Valerian (a herb), and Sam-e (a mineral -- at least I think it's a mineral it may be a amino acid or herb) have helped some deal with bipolar. L-Tyrosine, L-Taurine, and Kava are the safest of the alternative meds. Kava (if taken too much) can make one's skin yellowish-green. St. John's Wort can take up to six weeks to work, it causes photosensitivity, and one can't take it with dairy products. Be very careful with Valerian because it's a derivative of Valium -- it runs the risk of making one extremely manic or psychotic. I've heard absolutely great things about Sam-e's effective with unipolar or dysthymia. However, with bipolar one has to take other things to prevent Sam-e's potential to make a bipolar individual extremely manic. Maybe this could be counteracted with Mega-vitamins, B vitamins, and Vitamin C? I'm not sure. Talk to: your Dr., local health food stores, local herbalists, and alternative physicians (if available) to get more info about effective alternative med combos -- they know more than I do. Some people have asked me about L-Tryptophan. Please stay away from L-Tryptophan -- it has killed and paralyzed some people. I've heard some great things about GABA but I know absolutely nothing about it.
I take L-Tyrosine and Kava (one of each in the morning, one of each at
night -- the L-Tyrosine dosage is 500 mg in the morning, 500 mg at night --
the Kava dosage is 400 mg in the morning, 400 mg at night). I also take one
Zinc capsule in the morning because I have a lot of copper in my blood
(which contributes to some of my behavioral problems). The L-Tyrosine helps
me fight the depression. Kava really mellows me out and it helps me fight
mania. Please note I didn't say they take it away, they help me get to a
place where I can say "No!" to the ever present bipolar cycles. Also, be
careful because sometimes alternative meds can cause toxicity. Do lots of
research and be careful with any medication you decide upon because it's
your health and life we're talking about. Here's some A+ search engines to
help you with any online searches:
Ask Jeeves
Alta Vista
Hot Bot
IMO, these are the very best search engines on the Internet, I've listed
them in order of preference, and you can use them to look up any information
you want or need.
Alternative meds don't work for everyone. On the continuum of bipolar I'm on the milder side (bipolar 2) so I can get away with taking alternative meds (many can't do this). Realize too, the further one gets away from the pharmaceutical drugs, the more one has to utilize daily coping skills. This can be tough because one cannot slack in diligence for even a day -- it requires CONSTANT effort. For example, I'm a "rapid cycler" (not with the bikes *g*) if I let up for just one day -- BAM! Mania and depression become my constant unwanted companions.
3) Vitamins and minerals treatment (they do work to a degree). Concerning vitamins and minerals, the menu of choice would include: B vitamins, Vitamin C, and mega-vitamins. I take the mineral Zinc because I have a lot of copper in my blood (which contributes to some of my behavioral issues). Zinc is great for cleansing the blood of impurities which can potentially damage the brain. Once again, for more info about vitamins and minerals consult a nutritionist and your Dr. (some Dr.'s will write FREE prescriptions for some vitamins esp. B vitamins).
4) Self management using Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy techniques (very effective -- requires retraining your own thought processes. The most renown book explaining REBT is probably Albert Ellis' "A New Guide to Rational Living." REBT (also known as rational emotive behavior therapy) has proven to be a very effective coping tool for me and many others. I would recommend Albert Ellis' "A New Guide to Rational Living." It's a very easy, helpful read. Like anything else, I don't agree with absolutely everything REBT teaches, however, there are many good things within it. Eat the meat and spit out the bones if you know what I mean.
5) Reality Therapy self management techniques, based on William Glasser's book of the same title is very good, too. Reality Therapy sounds ominous to some people but it's fairly simple, effective, and straightforward. If you can't afford to buy a Ellis' book or Glasser's book (money is an issue with me, I'm a poor, decrepit college student *L*) or if your local library doesn't carry them, your library may still be able to get them for you via some sort of "Interlibrary Loan."
6) Spirituality (this is wide open). I'm not here to push anything religious or spiritual on anybody and I always want to be sensitive to a person's belief system (whatever it may be), but IMO a loving relationship with one's deity (or higher power or whatever you want to call it), meditation, and prayer are TREMENDOUSLY EFFECTIVE AND POWERFUL. Meditation and prayer can be fine tuned to whatever spiritual worldview a person may adhere to (God knows there are a lot of them out there). I've found the following books (in no particular order) to be extremely helpful: "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman, "Conquest of Mind" by Eknath Easwaran, "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, "Beyond Religion" by David Elkins, "Yoga" by Erich Schiffman, "Care of the Soul" by Thomas Moore, "Heaven and Hell" by Emmanuel Swedenborg, and "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche. Please understand I highly recommend these books, but I do so with the realization they may be for you or they may not be for you. Either way, a certain principle remains the same -- a loving relationship with your higher power, meditation, and prayer are very powerful coping and healing tools. Some people also find additional wisdom, comfort, and coping skills via the Holy texts of the various world religions (i.e. The Bible, The Baghavad Gita, The Koran, etc.).
7) Endeavors in the Arts (writing, painting, etc) are very empowering and they're great healing tools, too. Art may seem silly to some people who are struggling with something as intense as bipolar. However, art isn't silly. Shaun McNiff wrote a book entitled "Art as Therapy." I haven't read the book, but I think the title is correct; Art can be very therapeutic. Endeavors in the Arts are very rewarding. Even if you don't consider yourself to be very gifted or talented in art or in writing try taking up some form of consistent writing, painting, drawing, or poetry. You'll be surprised about their healing power. I highly recommend "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. Julia recommends stream of consciousness writing as a start to the vast world & wonderful adventure of creativity and its healing power. If you read only one book I recommend in this e mail Julia Cameron's book is the one you should read.
8) Find a reliable, loving support group (a local manic-depression support group, a accountability partner, a person you can call whenever you're struggling, a church group, etc.). Burdens are much easier to carry when others help to carry the weight of tough problems.
9) Consider getting a physical (in some rare cases, a physical problem exacerbates emotional problems -- for example I have a lot of iron and copper in my blood which causes me to have some additional emotional and behavioral problems).
10) Physical exercise of some sort. Walking, hikes, jogging, working out, yoga, tai chi, breathing exercises, swimming, bike riding, etc are very helpful in controlling and/or alleviating stress, anger, depression, mania, etc. Too much time on one's hands is never a good thing. Practically speaking, exercise also helps one to use their free time constructively.
11) Last but not least, a sense of humor. I'm not being facetious and I'm not talking about mania. I'm referring to a genuine sense of humor. Our culture is a very angry, stressed culture and it seems to rub off on a lot of us. Most of us who have emotional or mental disabilities have a tendency to lack a sense of humor. A sense of humor is very alleviating in almost ALL circumstances. Even if it doesn't change our situations or circumstances, it DOES change our attitudes and reactions.
These treatment methods I mentioned (assuming one is taking meds AND getting
counseling) only help to increase the odds of living a balanced life. If you
rely solely on meds, the odds are you won't notice much progress in your
life. I try to consistently incorporate (in one form or another) all the
treatment methods I've listed, but the primary ones (for me) are the meds
(herb/mineral combo) I take and spirituality/meditation/yoga. Nothing is a
panacea that is why a holistic, eclectic approach proves to be the most
effective in treating bipolar. Also, it helps
to know everything is a process requiring effort. If you take and utilize at
least some of the info I've shared with you, I
think you'll find some things that'll make your life easier, more peaceful,
and balanced. Best wishes to you.
If we let it and if we make right choices, Depression (even mental Depression like Bipolar illness) can lead us to the process of becoming a beautiful creation. I like Mr. Moore's comments and thoughts about Depression being a gift. However, lately, I started to struggle greatly with Mania, suicidal thoughts, and Depression again. Once I started to go through this cycle again I thought to myself, "Mike, you damn hypocrite, what right do you have on putting anything on the Internet about Bipolar illness?!" When I began to consider the things that Mr. Moore said, it helped me to realize that my Bipolar illness and my recent struggles point to deeper unresolved issues in my life. I am not about to throw away or stop taking my medication (Lamictal) because I'm scared to go off of it (I have no desire to dive the typical reaction, you know, the headfirst dive into chaos, pain, and agony), yet deeper issues in my life seem be the area that medication cannot (or is not meant to) deal with. What am I getting at? Similar to thousands of other people who struggle with Bipolar illness, our symptoms are medicated, yet the pain remains. Why? Why is this so and why have I been struggling lately? Why? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I've been in denial over all the anger, bitterness, and confusion caused by the many abusive, painful, humilating things I've observed, heard, or received from my family (and others) year after year after year. Mix this with hypersensitivity, anxiety, panic attacks PTSD, disappointment over how my life has turned out, constant rejection, shipwrecked faith in my former religion, and a unconquered addiction - it's easy to deduce why I have many layers of grief in my heart as well as having Bipolar illness. All of these things are tough especially when you had (or try to maintain) different initial thoughts, hopes, and plans. I made the mistake of turning all my feelings, disappointment, fear, anger, rage, confusion, bitterness, hopelessness, anxiety, and disillusionment inward. This produced a great deal of self-hatred which only fueled my mental Depression. Despite all of these things, I still hold on to my weird version of hope, and ironically, a part of me must be very resilient & healthy to have survived. I refuse to give up. I'm still functioning in the light of multiple responsibilities. I take encouragement in that fact. I have 2 part-time jobs, I am college student, and I have a wife and a son that love me very much. I am not dependent on SSI or Disability (very few Bipolar individuals can say that). I take encouragement from these things. They don't make things easier, however, these realities are incetives for me.
Outside of a genuine absolute Miracle, I intend to stay on my medication in order to function, however, now, for the first time in my life, I am at a point where I have becoming aware of some deeper issues which have contributed to my development of a mental illness. I can start to deal with them now because the awareness of issues is begining to grow. Will I heal in these areas which I'm becoming aware of? I don't know and I cannot see the future, yet, I do know that it is my hope that I will. I hope that you can relate to this information or that it is helping you in some way. I do not intend on quitting on life or on myself. I am committed to the fact that I am not going to kill myself nor am I going to attempt it despite recent thoughts to the contrary. I refuse to continue to listen to lies about myself and I refuse to continue to believe lies about myself. I AM NOT GOING TO QUIT and although I don't know you, nor can I see your face, let me share with you from my heart by saying DON'T YOU QUIT EITHER! NEVER QUIT. NEVER GIVE UP ON LIFE OR YOURSELF REGARDLESS HOW BAD THINGS MAY SEEM TO BE. NEVER LOSE HOPE. DON'T EVER QUIT. NEVER, EVER, NEVER QUIT. NOT EVEN ONCE because the peace you will find one day will have been worth all of the agony, pain, and torment. My update for Oct. '98 - April '99 are coming soon (I hope to have them finished somewhere around the end of December - stay tuned).
"We ask for strength and you give us difficulties which make us strong; we ask for wisdom and you send us problems,
the solutions of which develop wisdom. We plead for prosperity and you give us brain and brawn to work; we plead for
courage and you give us dangers to overcome. We ask for favors and you give us opportunities, therefore, Great Spirit,
we ask you to bless us and assist us according to thy will." An American Indian Prayer
The winds of grace are always blowing but it is YOU that must raise your sails (emphasis mine)." R. Tagore
