Medication is one of the main forms of treatment used for people with bipolar disorder. According to HelpGuide.org, medications can help stabilize the extreme moods associated with mania and depression. As a person with bipolar disorder, it is your choice whether or not to incorporate medication into your treatment plan; your doctor should be consulted about this choice. Treating bipolar disorder without medication will make psychotherapy and changes to your lifestyle increasingly more important. Treatments without medication are available; their effectiveness will be primarily based on your efforts.
Step 1
Adapt the way you live. Improve your diet. Do not snack on sugary or high fat items that are likely to increase mood swings. Instead consume a diet rich in nutrients. Make fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins a regular addition to your diet. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acid such as fish and flax seed. According to the MayoClinic.com, the oils from foods high in omega-3s may help improve your brain function; in places around the world where omega-3 is regularly consumed there are lower rates of bipolar disorder. Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep can trigger episodes of mania. Avoid drugs and alcohol; they can worsen bipolar symptoms. Incorporate exercise into your routine. Thirty minutes of exercise five days out of the week will help you sustain a normal mood.
Step 2
Prepare for episodes of mania or depression. Have a plan in place with steps you will take when you experience warning signs that depression or mania are developing. The plan will help you maintain a stable mood and keep bipolar symptoms at bay, notes HelpGuide.org. Your plan may include things such as talking to a supportive friend, getting enough sleep, writing in a journal, asking for help, increasing your exposure to sunlight, doing something enjoyable, contacting your therapist and actively reducing stress, suggests HelpGuide.org.
Step 3
Reduce your stress. Stress has been know to induce manic and depressive episodes; therefore, it is important to keep it under control, notes HelpGuide.org. Learn relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, visualization, deep breathing and counting to ten. Make time each day to practice one form of stress reducing exercise. Allow yourself to enjoy things and have fun. Do things that make you happy, suggests HelpGuide.org. Read a book, go to a movie, sit around and talk to friends, lay in the park or interact with animals. Engaging in whatever is enjoyable to you will help keep your mood up and stable because you will not feel stressed.
Step 4
Engage in and continue with psychotherapy. Although medication is effective at stabilizing the changes in mood associated with bipolar disorder some people refuse to use it due to any number of reasons. Without the use of medication psychotherapy becomes even more important. According to the MayoClinic.com, with bipolar disorder psychotherapy is an essential part of the treatment process. Attend your sessions. Contact your therapist outside of therapy when you need support. Follow through with therapeutic recommendations. Remain open to the use of medication if nothing else seems to reduce your symptoms.
