Since first grade my parents have known I've had terrible anxiety issues. And I guess after first grade it kind of not went away but was under control. So, we thought that was then end of it.
Back in September, I started to have really bad anxiety attacks and my parents took me back to a psychologist and we found out I had bipolar, which runs in my family. From September until January I had tried 5 different medicines, none of them really worked and I haven't taken them since. I was okay with out them for a while, since they weren't really to control depression issues but the manic side. I personally don't want to take the pills because I don't like how I feel when I'm on them, and the depression isn't a problem right now. But since I think February my sleep cycle has been really messed up, when I was on meds. my sleep was under control. But I can't sleep at night, and when I do normally get to sleep it's around 5am. (Back in September my parents pulled me out of school because I had missed to much) I don't think it's insomnia because it will be like one day I won't sleep at all, the next day I can sleep for over 14 hours, the day after that I'll have normal sleep and then it will repeat. My parents have been worried, but since I have been getting work done and my sleep is the only thing thats really messed up they haven't been pushing me to take medicine. My sleep pattern is starting to bother me, and I don't want to have the constant changes in it.

To the question, are there any natural, or alternative treatments for bpd? Medicine right now is not going to be an option. I've been looking into alternative treatments, and some say a good schedule will help. Any tips on how to help get my sleep pattern normal again?

Thanks.

I once read a book where people were given high doses of fish oil (maybe around 3-6 mg) and they reported their symptoms going away and then they followed it up with a pet scan of the brain and the pet scan showed physical changes in the brain had taken place.,

One of these mental illnesses was bipolar.

Also increase omega three fatty acids..best sources are either canned or fresh (wild caught not farm raised) mackerel, salmon, herring and sardines so in addition to the fish oil caps, increase these foods. Land sources of omega three fats are few and include walnuts (preferably raw), flax seed oil, flax seeds, and purlane so take these. At the same time, decrease consumption of omega 6 fats and trans fats (margarine, most veggie oil and so forth)

these might be of help to you as far as herbs and supplements for bipolar

http://www.raysahelian.com/bipolar.html

http://www.bipolarlikeme.com/learn/890-21/herbs-for-bipolar-disorder.html?pp=2

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/articles/HerbsforBipolar.asp

http://www.tribulusterrestrisextract.com/bipolar.html

if taking the lethicin (buy granular lecithin often in bulk in the health food store) and also take with it nutritional (torula) yeast one of the best sources of the b complex as b vitamins are also deficit in people with mental illnesses. Also take a good protein powder for the amino acids or a supplement.

you might also take a NUTRITIONAL lithium supplement (here I am referring to a nutrients nor the drug)..http://www.healthrecovery.com/HRC_2006/PageMill_Product_Files/LithiumOrotate.html

also see if anything might be of help in the following books

7 weeks to emotional healing

change your brain change your life

feeling good

You are, IMO, wise to look at alternatives to these powerful psychological drugs. Please read the books of Dr Peter Bregin on the many dangers of these drugs. Some of his books are " toxic psychiatry" and "your drug may be your problem"

Dr Breggin worked many years in mental institutions and came to believe the drugs were harming the patients and other means helped the patients recover. He gives helps and is quite interesting. You can get his books through the library, interlibrary loans or on amazon or ebay.

I refuse to take these drugs after ssri antidepressants made me suicidal nearly every day for 15 years and years later they found these drugs actually exacerbate depression and for some people actually make them more suicidal.

The fda now puts a black box warning on these drugs. I wonder how many people killed themselves taking the drugs meant to help them. After reading breggin's books and my personal experiences for depression, I refuse to take them.

I once almost took electroconvulsive therapy which they praised through the roof by the doctor wanting me to do it and discovered the doctor was going to put it on the wrong side of the brain (the side they most often use) and finally did testing to back up what I told him that I was very right brained and this could alter my personality and intelligence if they did the wrong side and he discovered he was wrong and I was right.. Had I not insisted continually that he retest me for brain dominance, had I done the procedure, he would have messed up my creativity etc.by doing it on the ewrong side of the brain. doctors are not infallible and often make mistakes.

Luckily I decided against doing the ECT and later read many case histories of people who felt they were permanently brained damaged from ECT, some forgetting years of their lives, their own children and so much of their career and training they were forced to quit their jobs. they were permanently brain damaged by ECT.

I shudder to think how badly I could have screwed myself had I listened to the doctor or not been a strong women who always sought help when the strong drug caused suical ideation struck. doctors do not know everything and often do not even know how antidepressant work. Many were discovered to lift depression somewhat when people originally took the drug for another health problem.

I think it is good you are listening to your body and seeking alternatives, but go slow and if stopping these drugs, wean off slowly according to doctor directions.

you might try melatonin (take 1-3 mg) a half hour before you want to sleep and also use a light box for the delayed sleep phase syndrome and sleeping problems. also breathe lavender essential oil shake it on pillow to help relax and fall asleep.

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