
emski
Well-known member
Hello fellow forumers!
There has been a lot of discussion on the forum recently about medical versus psychotherapeutic treatments for mental health problems. It has sparked me into starting this thread, to see what works for us, so that others, including new people to the site, can learn from this. Hopefully it may be useful to people with other MH probs too.
So, what has helped you in your management/recovery of your bipolar disorder in terms of?
1. Medication
2. Therapies / psychosocial interventions
3. Alternative remedies / therapies
4. Lifestyle factors
5. Leisure / social
6. Self-help
7. Other
For me:
1. Lithium & quetiapine have genuinely helped and have suited me
2. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); group therapy; person-centred approach
3. Emotional freedom techinique (EFT); reflexology
4. Trying to drink alcohol as seldom as possible; being fairly strict with sleep pattern
5. Swimming; just being around my family and close friends; meeting new people
6. All manner of books on bipolar - knowledge is power; CBT & ACT workbooks, books of daily meditations; getting involved with local MH trust membership; MDF Bipolar peep support group; relaxation CDs, hypnotherapy CDs; just relaxing in the bath, on bed, sofa with candles/oil burner/incense
7. One dedicated psychiatrist; MH nurses; very good MH practitioner. Also, going back to work and being off again and realising there was no point carrying on in the job; resigned with immediate sense of relief, got into support work and decided to train as MH nurse.

There has been a lot of discussion on the forum recently about medical versus psychotherapeutic treatments for mental health problems. It has sparked me into starting this thread, to see what works for us, so that others, including new people to the site, can learn from this. Hopefully it may be useful to people with other MH probs too.
So, what has helped you in your management/recovery of your bipolar disorder in terms of?
1. Medication
2. Therapies / psychosocial interventions
3. Alternative remedies / therapies
4. Lifestyle factors
5. Leisure / social
6. Self-help
7. Other
For me:
1. Lithium & quetiapine have genuinely helped and have suited me
2. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); group therapy; person-centred approach
3. Emotional freedom techinique (EFT); reflexology
4. Trying to drink alcohol as seldom as possible; being fairly strict with sleep pattern
5. Swimming; just being around my family and close friends; meeting new people
6. All manner of books on bipolar - knowledge is power; CBT & ACT workbooks, books of daily meditations; getting involved with local MH trust membership; MDF Bipolar peep support group; relaxation CDs, hypnotherapy CDs; just relaxing in the bath, on bed, sofa with candles/oil burner/incense
7. One dedicated psychiatrist; MH nurses; very good MH practitioner. Also, going back to work and being off again and realising there was no point carrying on in the job; resigned with immediate sense of relief, got into support work and decided to train as MH nurse.
