I’m barely hanging on, but somehow I’m managing it 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 (this isn’t a substitute for actual medicine, it’s just what I do because I’m poor)

[u/bridget14509]

It isn’t a one size fits all, but I have been paying close attention to what helps me and what doesn’t.

Yes, I have to cut out all anti-depressants, processed/junk food, blue lights, high sodium, caffeine, and soda. If I have it, I feel like I’m going insane or severely depressed.

Yes, I have to eat a very well balanced diet of fruits, veggies, healthy carbs, olive/avocado oil, and especially probiotics.

I try to limit myself to alcohol once a week. Even though it doesn’t necessarily exacerbate my bipolar disorder, I don’t want to test that.

I want to know what you guys have to cut out, because I need ideas.

[u/sad_shroomer]

‘What I should refrain from’ shows my diet

[u/bridget14509 → u/sad_shroomer]

I recommend cutting it out. It's helped a lot. I notice that when I give in and have a soda even, the next day I will be feeling depressed as shit.

[u/sad_shroomer → u/bridget14509]

I feel like shit when I eat anyway I feel so greedy and selfish yet I eat too much 🤔

[u/bridget14509 → u/sad_shroomer]

that's why I cut out all processed foods. If I'm feeling snacky, I'll make my junk food from scratch lol

[u/JustKam347 → u/sad_shroomer]

Seriously OP is so right, changing the way I eat has helped SO much with my mood!

[u/bridget14509 → u/JustKam347]

People forget the brain is an organ!

It’s not just having a healthy gut, it’s having a healthy mind!!

[u/geigermd]

For me, it hasn’t just been about cutting things out—it’s been about what I’ve added in. People who get it. Learning to forgive myself. Finding gratitude in small things. Sitting with my thoughts instead of running from them. That’s where the real change started.

[u/ItsSUCHaLongStory]

You’re being super smart with the alcohol. It really exacerbates both my depression and mania. So good job, friend!

Just an FYI, you can probably contact the manufacturer of your mood stabilizer and get 90-180 days’ supply free through a patient assistance program. I’ve had to do that quite a bit.

One major thing I have to avoid is emotional binges. If I let anger become wrath, or joy become euphoria, I’m in for an emotional hangover that lasts days or weeks. Meditating helps me avoid that.

(((Hugs))) you’re doing great. You really are.

[u/bridget14509 → u/ItsSUCHaLongStory]

Thanks! I can’t really take stimulants because it makes me feel like I’m going insane.

I have to be very careful with alcohol though.

I gotta be careful with everything that I’m eating, because if I don’t, then it will send me into a funk. It sucks kinda, but I see it more as motivation to keep me healthy.

How do I get the supply?

[u/ItsSUCHaLongStory → u/bridget14509]

Go to the manufacturer’s website—preferably for the name brand, if it’s still being made. If not, just go to the one for the last bottle you have. You’re looking for anything that looks like they’ll help provide meds. It’s not always obvious so you might have to read through all of the options. It will usually look something like “can’t afford your medication? We can help!”

If one manufacturer isn’t offering an assistance program, find out who else makes that med and go to their website.

Best of luck, friend

[u/scenr0]

Add magnesium to your everyday if you haven't. Psych recommended it for sleep. It works. Ask your psych first tho just in case.

[u/JumpedUpJackal → u/scenr0]

Helps with migraines too! (for those who experience them)

[u/Pastelvania]

Fuck THC.

[u/bridget14509 → u/Pastelvania]

For real

[u/Trent1667]

No kratom... bs

[u/Basic-Election-5082]

how is soda worse than alcohol

[u/bridget14509 → u/Basic-Election-5082]

I’m not saying it’s worse, I’m just saying how my brain chemistry works, and my brain does not like caffeine these days.

[u/Basic-Election-5082 → u/bridget14509]

I meant, how is it worse for bipolar? Or you mean it's an individual thing that caffeine is worse for your condition than alcohol? That's interesting

[u/bridget14509 → u/Basic-Election-5082]

Yeah, I have to be careful with caffeine, and it cannot ever take adderall (even tho I have ADHD).

I took heavy medication for a few years, and it fucked my brain up beyond belief, and my brain chemistry has changed.

I used to be able to drink a bunch of caffeine and even take adderall to focus, but because of some possible brain damage from psych meds, I can’t even do that anymore.

Even sleeping too little will send me off.

[u/Generally_Confused1]

Look up the book "spontaneous happiness" by Andre Wheil, he takes a good integrative approach to depression with all life factors involved, even spiritual practices and talks about how we evolved and have our senses overloaded in modern society

[u/megaBeth2]

Schizos as a rule are addicted to caffeine. I'm cutting down on caffeine, but I've had 9 cups of coffee worth of caffeine today. I cant even stay awake without that much caffeine minimum

I get some hypomaniac symptoms, but it's preferable to being asleep all day and night. Tomorrow I'm starting an antipsychotic that isn't a tranquilizer/ sedative so maybe I'll do better then?

[u/megaBeth2]

Also, hi Bridget, I think my algorithm just can't get enough Bridget posting

[u/OutRunMyGun]

that last slide hit me in the reals

[u/ImpossibleFloor7068]

HAHA YOU GOT LEGAL CHICORY IN THERE! 😎🤑

[u/StayingUp4AFeeling → u/ImpossibleFloor7068]

explain, please. what's wrong with chicory?

[u/ImpossibleFloor7068 → u/StayingUp4AFeeling]

Nothing.

I was just happy to see it there.

Really happy, it's underrated.

[u/StayingUp4AFeeling → u/ImpossibleFloor7068]

Allow me to shake you warmly by the hand, while my other hand holds a cup of hot, steaming 80% arabica 20% chicory south indian filter coffee.

[u/Consistent-Camp5359]

Woah. You’re living the dietary life I should. I eat all the junk. Proud of you for hanging on!

[u/Mockeryofitall]

Walmart has discounts on generics. Hopefully yours is on their list

Mental health-

AMITRIPTYLINE 10MG, 25MG, 50MG, 75MG (90 tablets, $10), BUSPIRONE 5MG, 10MG (180 tablets, $10), CITALOPRAM 10MG, 20MG, 40MG (90 tablets, $10), FLUOXETINE 10MG TAB (90 tablets, $10), FLUOXETINE 20MG, 40MG CAP (90 capsules, $10), LITHIUM CARB 300MG CAP (180 tablets, $10), NORTRIPTYLINE 10MG, 25MG, 50MG (90 tablets, $10), PAROXETINE 20MG, 30MG (90 tablets, $10), RISPERIDONE 0.25MG, 0.5MG, 1MG, 2MG, 3MG, 4MG (90 tablets, $10), TRAZODONE 50MG, 100MG, 150MG (90 tablets, $10), TRIHEXYPHENIDYL 2MG TAB (180 tablets, $10), AMANTADINE 100MG (180 tablets, $24), CARB/LEVO 10/100MG, 25/100MG (270 tablets, $24), DIVALPROEX DR 250MG TAB (180 tablets, $24), DONEPEZIL 5MG, 10MG (90 tablets, $24), LAMOTRIGINE 100MG, 200MG (90 tablets, $24), LAMOTRIGINE 25MG, 150MG (180 tablets, $24), LEVETIRACETAM 500MG (180 tablets, $24), LITHIUM CARB ER 300MG, 450MG TAB (180 tablets, $24), MIRTAZAPINE 15MG, 30MG, 45MG (90 tablets, $24), OXCARBAZEPINE 300MG (180 tablets, $24), PAROXETINE 40MG (90 tablets, $24), PRAMIPEXOLE 0.125MG, 0.25MG, 0.5MG, 1MG, 1.5MG (90 tablets, $24), PRIMIDONE 250MG TAB (180 tablets, $24), PRIMIDONE 50MG TAB (90 tablets, $24), QUETIAPINE 25MG, 50MG, 100MG, 200MG, 300MG (90 tablets, $24), ROPINIROLE 0.25MG, 0.5MG, 1MG, 2MG, 3MG, 4MG (90 tablets, $24), SERTRALINE 25MG, 100MG (90 tablets, $24), TOPIRAMATE 25MG, 50MG, 100MG, 200MG (180 tablets, $24), TRIHEXYPHENIDYL 5MG TAB (180 tablets, $24), ZONISAMIDE 50MG CAP (180 tablets, $24), BUPROPION 75MG, 100MG (180 tablets, $38), BUPROPION ER/SR 100MG, 150MG, 200MG TAB (180 tablets, $38), BUPROPION XL 150MG TAB (90 tablets, $38), DULOXETINE 20MG, 30MG, 60MG (90 tablets, $38), ESCITALOPRAM 5MG, 10MG, 20MG (90 tablets, $38), VENLAFAXINE 37.5MG TAB (180 tablets, $38), VENLAFAXINE 75MG, 100MG TAB (180 tablets, $38), VENLAFAXINE ER 37.5MG, 75MG, 150MG CAP (90 tablets, $38)

[u/arosalem]

Gosh I need to start doing this. It will save me so much money and I heard it actually helps. I feel like I work just to pay for doctor appointments and meds

[u/bridget14509 → u/arosalem]

I wouldn’t quit meds, but in my experience I found that having one mood stabilizer and a proper diet (like above) helps a lot.

I sadly have to be super careful with how I conduct my life, because my psychiatrists were negligent with my meds (I was on 8 different ones at one point), and my brain became damaged because the meds were sending me through episodes.

They put me on heavy SSRI’s even tho I’m bipolar 🙃

Lots of people think I’m “anti-medication”, but I’m really not. I’m just more “use medication when you actually need it, and use it properly” alongside a “change your lifestyle first and get some therapy”. I’ve done my research, and have had lived experiences.

[u/randuug → u/bridget14509]

i share your stance

[u/Automatic-Yogurt-688]

I feel like im cooked lol