According to Mark Dombeck, Ph.D., bipolar disorder is a recurrent condition affecting 2 million Americans. Its onset is typically around the age of 20, and 60 to 70 percent of manic episodes occur either before or after an episode of depression. Gracelyn Guyol, author of "Healing Depression and Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs," has stated that 50 percent of bipolar patients find no relief from their medications; half who do are unable to handle the side effects and discontinue use. Self treatment options are available; however, you must be committed to yourself and your condition.
Step 1
Seek therapy. Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., psychologist and managing editor of HelpGuide.com, suggests therapy as a means of treatment for bipolar disorder. With the guidance of your therapist, you can learn how to cope with your disorder and its accompanying symptoms, discover techniques that will assist you in regulating your moods, help change the way you think in certain situations and improve your current relationships .
Step 2
Monitor your symptoms. Intercepting a mood swing before it turns into a full-blown episode is another means of treating your disorder without medication. One way to watch for these subtle changes is to keep a daily record of your activities and the moods that transpire from them; this is referred to as a mood chart.
Include your sleeping patterns, energy levels, thoughts, stressors, any incidents that occur such as disputes and seasonal changes---all of these can impact your mood and behavior. Over time you will begin to see a pattern develop, which will indicate what may cause an episode to occur or a mood change to take place. This enables you to either avoid certain situations or equip yourself with a plan for handling it when it arises.
Step 3
Determine underlying causes. According to Guyol, identifying underlying causes of mental illness can help treat the illness. This process begins with a physical by your doctor. Ask him to review the medications you are taking; certain medications such as antidepressants, corticosteroids and thyroid medications can cause manic episodes.
You may also want to be tested for food allergies, hormone imbalances, candida yeast infections and parasites.
Step 4
Keep a sleep schedule. According to Segal, too much or too little sleep can both cause manic episodes. To prevent these from occurring, set a specific sleep schedule and stick to it. Go to bed at the same time each night and wake at the same time each morning; it may make a profound difference in your condition.
Step 5
Use your senses. Incorporating all five of your senses can help elevate your mood as well. The smell of your favorite potpourri, listening to relaxing music, taking a hot bubble bath, enjoying a bowl of your favorite ice cream and watching a much-loved comedy are all ways to elevate your mood and prevent mood swings.
