I was treated when I was in my teens and then during my 20's I went without treatment and I did good in them years until I got divorced and it sent me emotionally spiraling downhill. I am 36 now and back on medication. I won't go without it today, I think their may be a time when I can go back off but for now I am better off being treated. I want to be responsible and not show my bad side to my new husband.

I think it differs for each person if they can go off meds or not. Some people cycle through mood swings more often then others. My sister is Bipolar also but she cycles faster then me. I can go months or years with one mind set.

But if you feel you are out of control, then I suggest that you just go to the doctor and get it over with. It just takes a bit of time to adjust medication. The sooner you get started the better.

The only thing I miss is the manic episodes I use to feel like I was on top of the world, but the medication has put me to feeling neither happy or sad, just in between.

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing such difficulty.

Bipolar disorder is not cured, does not "go away" on its own, and in fact can progress if left untreated. I am the mom to 2 children that have bipolar disorder. As a parent I will tell you that all I want is for my kids to have even moods and to feel better. I am inclined to think that your parents have your best interests in mind when they had you treated for the various disorders. I hope you will reconsider your thoughts about being unable to get treatment because you can't give your parents the satisfaction of being right. This is a tough spot to be in but some of your resentment and anger is generated from the disorder. It is a symptom of bipolar disorder.

You will not beat this without some medical intervention. Medications can help alleviate the symptoms. Therapy can help you learn coping skills to help manage the symptoms. You will feel better. Living with bipolar disorder is like living your life on a roller coaster. Your moods are up and down, up and down, and all the behaviors that are associated with the disorder cause chaos in your life. It is difficult to manage your life when you are not in control of your moods.

I hope for your well being you will reconsider getting some help. This is not for your parents. This is for you! You deserve to feel better. You deserve to have your life back. Go get help and get your life on track.

My suggestion is to take your parents out of the equation with you being 18 now. You say you do need some help so why not get it for you and not someone else? Sometimes we just get so mad at others that we end up cutting of our noses to spite our face meaning doing things that are detrimental to us.

This is the way I am seeing your approach. You are so pissed off at your parents(most kids are at your age) because they want what is best for you and you are at that age of thinking you know everything (we were all your age once). Well you are 18 now and can choose your own direction. What will it be? Will you get the help you need to help yourself or will you continue down the path of destruction because you do not want to admit that your parents are somewhat right?

Hopefully you will do what’s best for you and stop worrying about what everyone is saying or will think. You’re a young adult now with a great future if you can loose the pride even if just for awhile and accept the help now verses later. The longer it goes unchecked the longer it usually takes to work through the process.

Good luck kiddo

Definitely get help. It's for you, not your parents. There is a lot of good information floating around out there outlining alternative therapies for those who hate main stream medicine. stoptakinglithium.com is one I read. So either way: prescription meds or supplements, you should do something to feel better asap.

Good luck

i have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well... Only thing is, they think i may have had it for many years, sine i was 16 and now im 22. People just thought that i had a very outgoing personality, talkig fast, switchig from one subject to the next, very loud and trying to be funny, which most of my friends agreed i was... then the next minute, in a very bad depression, thinking suicidal... Until recently where i was in a manic episode, all grand and happy, and this was thn followed by a HUGE downward spiral where i overdosed on xanax, ended up in ICU for 4 dys, and then into a hospital to be evaluated... yeaa im bipolar, ocd, and ptsd since i was physically abused when i was younger... AS much as i said, NO NOT ME, i noticed and saw how all my relationships were striained because of me.. Actually not me, but of my illness. I got the help i needed and i cannot beleive how positive my lie has turned around. I can concentrate on things, i got my reltionship with my ex boyfriend back on track and things couldnt have been better... Im just happy... They have me on a form of lithium twice a day, zoloft, and abilify... Dont get me wrong, around noon and at 4 pm, i get tired... but other than that, im perfectly fine and im myself... I think getting help would be the best thing for you.. and not only medicine, but therapy as well... I actually enjoy going to therapy, my therapist is like the new main man in my life... j/k no but really. it helped me so much. i hope u find help soon.

nikki

i understand about hating dr's and counselors. i recently and finally found one that i trust. trust is key. i was told for the last decade that i was bp but i would not accept it because of my experiences with dr's and because one of the many symptoms of bp is not believing you have bp. it's been a crazy ride. long story short... i snapped one day and had a panic attack which lead to me hyperventilating to catatonia. i then realized that i couldn't fake it anymore. that's what it took for me to get help. i don't know how far you will take it and test it but trust me the sooner you get help the better. i would give anything to have those years back. i agree with you reconsidering your stance about getting help. in the meantime... this forum is a great tool and resource for you in this most difficult time. best to you and give us an update