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Can I improve my bipolar without professional help?

82 Answers
Last Updated: 04/23/2022 at 4:55am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Jennifer Fritz, LMSW, PhD

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Day to day life can be stressful and overwhelming and my strength is assisting my clients in a supportive, empowering and practical manner.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
March 17th, 2018 5:51pm
It is possible to manage bipolar without professional help, but in order to improve it, it is almost always necessary to seek professional aid. It is not something to be ashamed of, and can be very helpful to anyone.
Anonymous
April 1st, 2018 1:58am
There are things you can do to improve your bipolar without professional help. Information to assist you is available. However bipolar, a mood disorder cannot be regulated without specialized medication needed to stabilize the extreme swings in mood and behavioral issues that bipolar disorder manifests. Cognitive therapy also requires a professional.
Anonymous
April 6th, 2018 12:44am
It is possible to improve the way in which you react to the changes in your psychological state. There are many techniques that you can employ to reduce levels of distress. As a therapist i would advise that it is always better to seek support when addressing your issues, however there are plenty of resources for those wanting symptomatic relief which can be self administered
Pumpkin74
April 6th, 2018 11:36am
Bipolar disorder is a very difficult thing to live with. There are success stories where people did not seek professional help, but they are extremely rare and letting things go untreated can cause more harm than good. The difficulty of working alone with bipolar is (as you know) emotions make it very difficult to make decisions. Also, sometimes we don't realize we have a problem and it not until it is too late that we realize what is happening. How many times have you felt good but not realized that was part of your mania? The truth to success is to follow a program of some sort that you feel not only feel comfortable with, but you should be well supported and participate in your own care. :)
AGoodStart
April 15th, 2018 12:44am
No. Seek mood stabilizers and an object-relations therapist. Your reaction to medication will tell you a lot about your condition.
Beautifuldreamer98
June 21st, 2018 3:39pm
Although professional help is the best, a way you can help yourself with any sort of issues is to understand yourself better.
Anonymous
June 22nd, 2018 5:26pm
You cannot. I know this answer may end up disappointing you, but bipolarity is a very serious issue, one that can only be improved with proper care and professional help.
JolivetteListens
June 23rd, 2018 3:11am
What an interesting question. I am certain that there are people who would much prefer a different approach to tackling bipolar disorder. While I am not in a position to give you a definitive answer, can you give me an idea of what options you have considered besides therapy? Here is an awesome link from the &Cups forum about bipolar disorder: https://www.7cups.com/forum/BipolarDisordersSupportCommunity_63/BipolarSupport_589/
ItzzAlexa
July 25th, 2018 6:11pm
Yes of course, learning skills on how to control your emotions can be altered without professionals!
benevolentShoe2448
July 26th, 2019 4:17pm
Not really. Medication is the recommended course of treatment for bipolar because it changes your brain chemistry but intensive therapy helps many people. You can manage it without medication perhaps, but bipolar is a serious lifelong condition that requires help. It's not about you being weak, it's about the disorder being a real medical condition that needs a doctor just like a broken bone. I have faith in you and your recovery, good luck seeking the help you need. It's a journey, there will be good and bad days, but it's worth it to get help always! Wish you luck always~~~
comfortableRiver97
August 2nd, 2018 10:43am
Bipolar can be exacerbated by many different factors and sometimes professional advice or input is a way to learn to cope or resolve some issues. It also depends on each individual and what their coping skills and techniques are.
jmohamadhar1
August 22nd, 2018 12:34am
Improving bipolar without professional help could be really challenging. But yes, most definitely! It might not go away, but definitely improving. You can try different type of hobbies, or new things that you've been thinking about for so long to keep yourself distracted while finding your inner values. I've regularly tried it. It's been such tough months for me but recently, I was able to find new motivational and inspirational things to do such as being a helpful listener for a lot of people out there seeking for various type of help. I strongly believe that no matter how tough you feel your life is right now, good things are waiting to knock on your door. Maybe not so soon, but it'll come.
Surruh
August 22nd, 2018 8:12pm
Sure! Although I always suggest seeking help from a professional wether you want medication or not, there are quite a few ways to manage bipolar without professional help. Stay on a schedule! Eating and sleeping around the same times everyday help simulate a balance which is exactly what we need as bipolars. Getting enough sleep is also my number one in managing mania. Be strict with this as it’s your mental and psychical heal h at steak. Eat healthy. Surround yourself with people that can recognize your swings. Recognizing when you are depressed or manic makes it easier to keep in check. Stay active but not burnt out. Get exercise to keep depression in check but if you want to overdo it you might be manic! Again it’s always balance we are looking for. Talk to people! As with any mental illness a strong support system can really make or break you. If you feel like you might not have anybody to talk to, 7 cups is the perfect community!
Anonymous
October 12th, 2018 8:30am
It is really difficult to manage bipolar without professional help , it is not that you cannot do it with diet and excercise and positivity it might be possible. However, my recommendation is to take help as prevention is better than cure and the feeling of bipolar makes a person suffer in an emotional rollercoaster. They may harm themselves so it is better if they manage their moods by taking help and updating their status to the theraphist as believe me when you talk and seek advice your lifestyle management becomes much more easier. By managing lifestyle you will surely be able to reduce your illness.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2018 5:04pm
Yes, anything is possible. You just need to have faith in yourself. With great motivation to change, you can do anything.
MeaningfulSilence
November 16th, 2018 8:26pm
Professional help is the first step to start coping with bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy also is important for better understanding your symptoms and learning effective skills. With them you have every right to voice your questions and concerns. Doing so helps you find the most effective treatment for you. You can help yourself then finding the coping mechanisms that work better with you. But you can feel better and get better by taking small, feasible steps every day. The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary greatly from person to person so there is a lot of work you can do with yourself in order to feel better, but that can't leave aside professional help.
SaltWaterSoul
November 17th, 2018 7:55am
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, then you really need the support of professional help. Counseling, medication, and even behavioral modification therapy are all essential to getting the best possible outcome. However, as with any mental health issue, there are plenty of things you can do for self-care. Making sure you eat right, exercise and get enough sleep are critical self-care steps. Due to the possible severity of bipolar disorder, you need a safety plan. Familiarize yourself with resources like NAAMI, and the suicide prevention hotline. Try to surround yourself with people that you trust, and who will advocate and intervene if you are not thinking clearly.
weevenstar11
November 22nd, 2018 2:09pm
It's not advised to go without professional help. There is an imbalance in the chemicals of the brain and in order to treat that, medication that can only be given by a psychiatrist is often needed. Going without professional help would severely impair your mental health. When your mental health is in jeopardy, your physical health often follows suit. Especially in bipolar disorder, where mania (a condition i am personally familiar with) is characterized by feeling grandiose, invincible, and having a tendency to take miscalculated risks, you could cause harm not only to yourself but to others as well. As for depression, your ability to function is obviously debilitated. In order to prevent the severity of those two states, it is advised to take medication.
Babz0618
January 17th, 2019 2:43am
Only you know the severity of your situation. I have found that utilizing self-care, keeping a mood tracker, and reaching out to my supports has been helpful for me to improve managing my bipolar. If you are aware of your triggers and have a crisis plan in place it is possible to manage your care. It is important to get to know your warning signs and plan for a way to handle things when you are in a manic episode or feeling depressed. Nobody knows you better than you do, and only you can determine if you need professional help.
SleepCat3597
February 23rd, 2019 2:48pm
Depends on the severity of your condition, you might be able to self manage it. In all cases, seeking help from a professional is highly recommended. Until you can do so, you can a few methods to educate yourself about bipolar and practice self-care. This includes a healthy sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol and drugs, keeping track of your moods using an app or journal, and focusing on what is happening at the moment. I highly recommend reading more about bipolar since understanding the condition can help you control and manage your moods and actions. Also, you should also focus on your physical health with a healthy diet and regular exercise. If the condition is more severe and you engage in dangerous and reckless activities or have suicidal thoughts, contact a professional or suicide hotline immediately.
Anonymous
March 14th, 2019 3:30am
Based on my personal experience, for the most part you need to work in collaboration with your health care team ex. Physician, Nurse Practitiner, counsellor etc. To properly diagnose and manage your bipolar disorder . That being said, once you have a diagnosis and are successfully managing your bipolar disorder Under the guidance of your healthcare team, It never hurts to have a tool kit of resources and coping mechanisms To assist you in the hard times along side of your treatment. Also it’s always a good idea to check in with your health care team before making any changes to your treatment. Again this is my personal opinion and only that.
15Kenzi
June 30th, 2019 11:55pm
I understand what you are asking but your question is nonsensical. There is no such thing as “improving someone's bipolarity”. We don't want to improve an illness! :) The goal is to reduce the number and intensity of symptoms seen in Bipolar Affective Disorder, of which there are many subtypes. For most people with bipolarity, stabilizing mood swings and minimizing dysfunction that these symptoms create, are often full-time jobs that include taking a regimen of medications. This is particularly true if mania is a significant component of the illness. It is unfortunate that there exists such a loud vocal minority that spreads an exaggerated, incorrect description of medications that are used in the treatment of BD. It is true there is the potential for unpleasant side effects. There is also a chance for the development of an extrapyramidal syndrome that might not be reversible. But to totally ignore the possibilities of treatment with medications, would be shameful. They have returned lives to people who had become shells of their old selves over a long period of time. Every treatment plan for reducing the negative effects of bipolarity should include methods to improve general health (more exercise, better diet) , and “talk" therapy. If there is substance abuse, it must stop and therapy should be started. Support groups and journaling are enormously helpful. Maintaining good working relationships with your primary physician, therapist and psychiatrist will aid in keeping you well.