Living with Bipolar I Disorder (Mania and Depression)

I can not pretend that I am an expert when it comes to knowing how to treat or manage bipolar disorder because I am not a doctor nor I have I been able to find a proper treatment for mine that does not require mood altering drugs or medications that have so many side effects that I was better off without them before.

It seems I have little patience for medication. Most bipolar mood stabilizers I would not let the doctor keep me on for more than two or three weeks because I started have major mood swings or side effects from them. It was also had on my body as I would gain and gain more weight.

Antidepressants can be VERY dangerous for men or women with Bipolar I Disorder for the simple fact that the mood enhancers can actually send you into mania. (That happened to me several times and I had to be hospitalize.) Yet these nurse practicers insisted on me taking an antidepressant in a smaller dosage with 3 or 4 other medications that it would balanced me. Nevertheless, they didn't know what the fuck they were talking about and a couple of times I came to near death experiences. One of those involving a dangerous drug called Seroquel which actually caused me to have a seizure.

It was not until recently that I actually met with a real doctor who told me simply , "Don't not ever let anyone prescribe an antidepressant for you again." So, she gained my trust a little, but not enough for me to let her start experimenting new bipolar drugs on me.

I prefer to go the all natural way if at all possible, but the simple fact is the mania is still difficult to control. When I am following a real strict vegan diet with exercise I do much better than if I am laying around, working too hard, or eating unhealthy. Doing proper things for your basic health is good, too. Also, getting enough sleep, and not writing blogs on bipolar disorder at 3:30 in the morning could prove helpful, too!

And so that is where I am at. A crossroads of trying to balance myself and get hold of my most recent symptoms of aggression, depression, mania, etc. Of course, all the recent stress does not help either. People dying, my car breaking down, revealing to my family that I am gay, moving out, etc. proves to be a challenge, and yet I keep going.

I would say I am a creative soul. I work hard and play harder...I write books and music. I keep myself at a good pace and then somehow I always end up doing more than I really should. My mother calls it the curse of the creative. You can never shut down and you think just a little (or a lot) differently then other people, but that it what makes us special.

If you know someone who is suffering from any of these symptoms you should see a health care professional immediately. (And I mean a holistic doctor, herbalist, or therapist). Also: massage and acupuncture work miracles for me.

Symptoms of Bipolar I:

(According to PetertheKnight)

• Feelings of saving the world or having powers
• Fast speech, movement, etc.
• Rapid change of behaviors.
• Depression or sadness for brief periods.
• Quick energy bursts.
• Loss of sleep or sleeping too much. (Needing no sleep.)
• Racing Thoughts
• Thoughts of suicide
• Risky or impulsive behavior (like spending sprees, sex, etc.)
• Aggressiveness

These are just a few that I have experienced myself and seen in others. I hope that you will take the time to help someone in need today that might be having a hard time with depression or mania. Remember, they are just normal people with a special condition. Their condition does not define who they are.

Thank you!

-Peter Freeman