There are a few people I know who manage their mental illness without medication, but I am not one of them, nor would I want to be. It requires an extreme amount of personal awareness. Usually, once you are diagnosed you are going to be prescribed at least one medication.
Most often if you are only on one medication it is going to be a "mood stabilizer." Other drugs you may be prescribed are antipsychotics, antidepressants, or antianxiety medications. Don't be discouraged if the first medications you are prescribed don't work.
Medications work differently for everyone, there is no magic bipolar bullet. However, there IS medication out there that will alleviate or reduce your symptoms. The trick is finding the right drug or combination of drugs that works for you and does not cause side effects that are intolerable for you.
Side effects I have personally experienced include tremor, weight gain, burning sensation in my veins, lactation, and extreme drowsiness. I have been on many medications in the past few years, including Remeron, Lexapro, Ativan, Risperdal, Depakote, Lithium, Celexa, Trileptal, Synthroid, Zyprexa, and Abilify. Excuse me if I spelled any of those wrong, it's a long list!
Some of those medications worked okay and some were bad and the ones I am currently on seem to be working well for me. I am currently on Trileptal, Celexa, and Abilify. Tell your doctor if you experience side effects that bother you or the medications just don't seem to be working as well as you think they should.
While there is no absolute cure for bipolar disorder, symptoms can be greatly reduced to the point where you can live a productive, successful, enjoyable life. The right medications are a large part of that. The rest of the journey of managing your illness depends on regular therapy as well as reading, learning, and applying concepts that you think might work for you.
