Can You Manage Bipolar Disorder Without Medication?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMental Health ActivitiesLifestyle ChangesManaging a Manic EpisodeRisks of Not Taking MedicationMedications to TryCan Bipolar Go Away Naturally?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Mental Health Activities

Lifestyle Changes

Managing a Manic Episode

Risks of Not Taking Medication

Medications to Try

Can Bipolar Go Away Naturally?

An estimated 4.4% of adult Americans experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.If you’re one of them, you may feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster, with highs and lows that are hard to control. But you also might be hesitant to treat your bipolar disorder with medication because of its potential side effects, leading you to wonder how to ‘fix’ bipolar disorder without meds.

Unfortunately, bipolar disorder has no cure, but it can be effectively managed with treatment. While medication is often an essential part of this treatment plan, taking prescription drugs isn’t the only way to help easebipolar disorder symptoms. There are several non-medicinal things you can also do to help manage your bipolar disorder.

What is the most important information I should know about bipolar disorder medications?Not takingbipolar disorder medicationsas prescribed can lead to significant risks to your health and well-being, including an increased risk of hospitalizations and suicide attempts.Therefore, the below strategies should be considered complementary, working alongside other interventions such as medication and therapy.

What is the most important information I should know about bipolar disorder medications?

Not takingbipolar disorder medicationsas prescribed can lead to significant risks to your health and well-being, including an increased risk of hospitalizations and suicide attempts.Therefore, the below strategies should be considered complementary, working alongside other interventions such as medication and therapy.

Mental Health Activities for Bipolar Disorder

Art Therapy

Art therapycan be a creative and therapeutic way for someone with bipolar disorder to express their emotions while also being low-risk and high-benefit.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) helps identify and change negative thoughts and behavior patterns. It can reduce the risk of bipolar disorder relapse, improve depression symptoms and mania severity, and promote healthier psychosocial function.

Journaling

Journaling can help you track your moods and identify triggers for your symptoms. The two main types of journaling used in psychotherapy areexpressive writing(writing down your innermost thoughts and feelings) andgratitude journaling(writing down things you are thankful for).

Problem-Solving

Doingproblem-solving exercisescan help you learn how to deal effectively with stressful situations. One study of 30 years of research noted that when part of family-focused therapy, learning problem-solving skills can help speed recovery from mood episodes and reduce bipolar symptom severity.

Relaxation Techniques

Lifestyle Changes for Bipolar Disorder

In addition to engaging in positive mental health practices like the ones mentioned above,making lifestyle changescan help you better manage your bipolar disorder. Some lifestyle changes that may be beneficial include:

If you are experiencing a manic episode, there are a few things that you can do. Below are some actions you can take “in the moment” to help manage a manic episode:

Potential Risks of Not Taking Your Bipolar Medication

If you have bipolar disorder and don’t take your medication, you may be at risk of developing serious complications. Below are some of the potential risks associated with not taking medication for bipolar disorder:

You May Experience More Severe Symptoms

If you don’t take your medication for bipolar disorder, you may experience more severe symptoms. This can lead to a greater risk of hospitalizations or an increasedrisk of suicide attempts.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Your Symptoms May Be More Difficult to Manage

Without medication, your symptoms may be more difficult to manage.This can make it harder to live a normal, productive life. In addition, there is some evidence that untreated mood episodes may become harder to treat over time.

You May Be at a Higher Risk for Substance Abuse

If you don’t take medication for bipolar disorder, you may also be at a higher risk for substance abuse.This is to some degree because people with bipolar disorder oftenself-medicate with alcohol or drugs.

Your Relationships May Suffer

Bipolar disorder can put a significantstrain on your relationships.If you don’t take your medication for the condition, you may find it hard to maintain healthy relationships with the people in your life. This can also worsen outcomes because having a solid support system in your life is important to manage your condition.

Medications for Bipolar Disorder

While the above strategies can help you cope with some symptoms of bipolar disorder, medication is often an essential part of the long-term management of this mental health condition.

Medication can help stabilize your moods and prevent episodes of mania or depression.

A mental health professional can help find the best medication for you. Medications that are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder include:

Off-Label Bipolar MedicationsSome medications may be prescribed off-label to treat bipolar disorder. That means that their use has not been FDA-approved for that particular indication. Examples of drugs that are sometimes prescribed off-label for bipolar disorder include Topamax (topiramate), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Zoloft (sertraline), and Prozac (fluoxetine). Such medications are sometimes prescribed if other treatments have not been effective or have led to intolerable side effects.

Off-Label Bipolar Medications

Some medications may be prescribed off-label to treat bipolar disorder. That means that their use has not been FDA-approved for that particular indication. Examples of drugs that are sometimes prescribed off-label for bipolar disorder include Topamax (topiramate), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Zoloft (sertraline), and Prozac (fluoxetine). Such medications are sometimes prescribed if other treatments have not been effective or have led to intolerable side effects.

Can Bipolar Disorder Go Away Naturally?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic, lifelong condition. However, with proper management, people with bipolar disorder can live healthy and productive lives.

Bipolar medication is necessary to manage mood swings and prevent a relapse of symptoms. Even if you are not currently experiencing mood swings associated with bipolar disorder, not getting the proper treatment increases your risk of complications when mania or depressive symptoms do occur.

There are complementary approaches you can use, including lifestyle changes and mental health activities, that can help you manage your condition. However, that does not eliminate the need for appropriate medication and other treatments.

If you are not currently taking medication for bipolar disorder, it is important to seek professional help. A mental health professional can help create a bipolar disorder treatment plan that is right for you.

Treating Bipolar Disorder

17 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Jawad I, Watson S, Haddad PM, Talbot PS, McAllister-Williams RH.Medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder: a narrative review.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(12):349-363. doi:10.1177/2045125318804364Chiang M, Reid-Varley WB, Fan X.Creative art therapy for mental illness.Psychiatry Res. 2019;275:129-136. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025Chiang KJ, Tsai JC, Liu D, Lin CH, Chiu HL, Chou KR.Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0176849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176849Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154Miklowitz DJ, Chung B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: Reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi:10.1111/famp.12237Miller KE, Davis JL, Rhudy JL.Pilot study: Brief posttrauma nightmare treatment for persons with bipolar disorder.Dreaming. 2018;28(2):150-161. doi:10.1037/drm0000082Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living well with bipolar disorder.Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: A critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-yGrunze H, Schaefer M, Scherk H, Born C, Preuss UW.Comorbid bipolar and alcohol use disorder-A therapeutic challenge.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:660432. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660432Rantala MJ, Luoto S, Borráz-León JI, Krams I.Bipolar disorder: An evolutionary psychoneuroimmunological approach.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;122:28-37. doi:10.1016/j.enubiorev.2020.12.031Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974Ahmed GK, Elbeh K, Khalifa H, Samaan MR.Impact of duration of untreated illness in bipolar I disorder (manic episodes) on clinical outcome, socioecnomic burden in Egyptian population.Psychiatry Res. 2021;296:113659. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113659Zhang L, Yu X, Fang YR, et al.Duration of untreated bipolar disorder: a multicenter study.Sci Rep. 2017;7:44811. doi:10.1038/srep44811Messer T, Lammers G, Müller-Siecheneder F, Schmidt RF, Latifi S.Substance abuse in patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:338-350. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.067Greenberg S, Rosenblum KL, McInnis MG, Muzik M.The role of social relationships in bipolar disorder: a review.Psychiatry Res. 2014;219(2):248-254. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.05.047National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.

17 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Jawad I, Watson S, Haddad PM, Talbot PS, McAllister-Williams RH.Medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder: a narrative review.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(12):349-363. doi:10.1177/2045125318804364Chiang M, Reid-Varley WB, Fan X.Creative art therapy for mental illness.Psychiatry Res. 2019;275:129-136. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025Chiang KJ, Tsai JC, Liu D, Lin CH, Chiu HL, Chou KR.Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0176849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176849Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154Miklowitz DJ, Chung B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: Reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi:10.1111/famp.12237Miller KE, Davis JL, Rhudy JL.Pilot study: Brief posttrauma nightmare treatment for persons with bipolar disorder.Dreaming. 2018;28(2):150-161. doi:10.1037/drm0000082Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living well with bipolar disorder.Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: A critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-yGrunze H, Schaefer M, Scherk H, Born C, Preuss UW.Comorbid bipolar and alcohol use disorder-A therapeutic challenge.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:660432. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660432Rantala MJ, Luoto S, Borráz-León JI, Krams I.Bipolar disorder: An evolutionary psychoneuroimmunological approach.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;122:28-37. doi:10.1016/j.enubiorev.2020.12.031Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974Ahmed GK, Elbeh K, Khalifa H, Samaan MR.Impact of duration of untreated illness in bipolar I disorder (manic episodes) on clinical outcome, socioecnomic burden in Egyptian population.Psychiatry Res. 2021;296:113659. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113659Zhang L, Yu X, Fang YR, et al.Duration of untreated bipolar disorder: a multicenter study.Sci Rep. 2017;7:44811. doi:10.1038/srep44811Messer T, Lammers G, Müller-Siecheneder F, Schmidt RF, Latifi S.Substance abuse in patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:338-350. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.067Greenberg S, Rosenblum KL, McInnis MG, Muzik M.The role of social relationships in bipolar disorder: a review.Psychiatry Res. 2014;219(2):248-254. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.05.047National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.

National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Jawad I, Watson S, Haddad PM, Talbot PS, McAllister-Williams RH.Medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder: a narrative review.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(12):349-363. doi:10.1177/2045125318804364Chiang M, Reid-Varley WB, Fan X.Creative art therapy for mental illness.Psychiatry Res. 2019;275:129-136. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025Chiang KJ, Tsai JC, Liu D, Lin CH, Chiu HL, Chou KR.Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0176849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176849Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154Miklowitz DJ, Chung B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: Reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi:10.1111/famp.12237Miller KE, Davis JL, Rhudy JL.Pilot study: Brief posttrauma nightmare treatment for persons with bipolar disorder.Dreaming. 2018;28(2):150-161. doi:10.1037/drm0000082Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living well with bipolar disorder.Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: A critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-yGrunze H, Schaefer M, Scherk H, Born C, Preuss UW.Comorbid bipolar and alcohol use disorder-A therapeutic challenge.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:660432. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660432Rantala MJ, Luoto S, Borráz-León JI, Krams I.Bipolar disorder: An evolutionary psychoneuroimmunological approach.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;122:28-37. doi:10.1016/j.enubiorev.2020.12.031Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974Ahmed GK, Elbeh K, Khalifa H, Samaan MR.Impact of duration of untreated illness in bipolar I disorder (manic episodes) on clinical outcome, socioecnomic burden in Egyptian population.Psychiatry Res. 2021;296:113659. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113659Zhang L, Yu X, Fang YR, et al.Duration of untreated bipolar disorder: a multicenter study.Sci Rep. 2017;7:44811. doi:10.1038/srep44811Messer T, Lammers G, Müller-Siecheneder F, Schmidt RF, Latifi S.Substance abuse in patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:338-350. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.067Greenberg S, Rosenblum KL, McInnis MG, Muzik M.The role of social relationships in bipolar disorder: a review.Psychiatry Res. 2014;219(2):248-254. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.05.047National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.

National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.

Jawad I, Watson S, Haddad PM, Talbot PS, McAllister-Williams RH.Medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder: a narrative review.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(12):349-363. doi:10.1177/2045125318804364

Chiang M, Reid-Varley WB, Fan X.Creative art therapy for mental illness.Psychiatry Res. 2019;275:129-136. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025

Chiang KJ, Tsai JC, Liu D, Lin CH, Chiu HL, Chou KR.Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0176849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176849

Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154

Miklowitz DJ, Chung B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: Reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi:10.1111/famp.12237

Miller KE, Davis JL, Rhudy JL.Pilot study: Brief posttrauma nightmare treatment for persons with bipolar disorder.Dreaming. 2018;28(2):150-161. doi:10.1037/drm0000082

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living well with bipolar disorder.

Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: A critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-y

Grunze H, Schaefer M, Scherk H, Born C, Preuss UW.Comorbid bipolar and alcohol use disorder-A therapeutic challenge.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:660432. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660432

Rantala MJ, Luoto S, Borráz-León JI, Krams I.Bipolar disorder: An evolutionary psychoneuroimmunological approach.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;122:28-37. doi:10.1016/j.enubiorev.2020.12.031

Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974

Ahmed GK, Elbeh K, Khalifa H, Samaan MR.Impact of duration of untreated illness in bipolar I disorder (manic episodes) on clinical outcome, socioecnomic burden in Egyptian population.Psychiatry Res. 2021;296:113659. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113659

Zhang L, Yu X, Fang YR, et al.Duration of untreated bipolar disorder: a multicenter study.Sci Rep. 2017;7:44811. doi:10.1038/srep44811

Messer T, Lammers G, Müller-Siecheneder F, Schmidt RF, Latifi S.Substance abuse in patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:338-350. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.067

Greenberg S, Rosenblum KL, McInnis MG, Muzik M.The role of social relationships in bipolar disorder: a review.Psychiatry Res. 2014;219(2):248-254. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.05.047

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What is the most important information I should know about bipolar disorder medications?#

Mental Health Activities for Bipolar Disorder#

Art Therapy#

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy#

Journaling#

Problem-Solving#

Relaxation Techniques#

Lifestyle Changes for Bipolar Disorder#

Potential Risks of Not Taking Your Bipolar Medication#

You May Experience More Severe Symptoms#

Your Symptoms May Be More Difficult to Manage#

You May Be at a Higher Risk for Substance Abuse#

Your Relationships May Suffer#

Medications for Bipolar Disorder#

Off-Label Bipolar Medications#

Can Bipolar Disorder Go Away Naturally?#