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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Bipolar disorder isn't an illness that you can treat on your own. But you can do some things for yourself that will build on your treatment plan:

  • Take your medications as directed. Even if you're feeling well, resist any temptation to skip your medications. If you stop, bipolar signs and symptoms are likely to come back.
  • Pay attention to warning signs. You and your caregivers may have identified a pattern to your bipolar episodes and what triggers them. Call your doctor if you feel you're facing an episode. Involve family members or friends in watching for warning signs. Addressing symptoms early on can prevent episodes from becoming full blown.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol. Illicit drugs and alcohol may be part of what triggers episodes of bipolar disorder.
  • Check first before taking other medications. Call the doctor who's treating you for bipolar disorder before you take medications prescribed by another doctor. Sometimes other medications trigger episodes of bipolar disorder or may interfere with medications you're taking to treat bipolar disorder.

DS00356

Jan. 4, 2008

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