 | It is beyond the scope of this Blog to list all methods used by people choosing to deal with Bipolar Disorder without the aid of synthesized psychotropic medications, however I can provide links to some of the best resource sites on the web. |
From: Beyond Med's
Whether you want to completely withdraw from meds or simply wish to minimize what you take, the first thing I will refer you to is a paper written by Joanna Moncrieff. It refers mostly to withdrawal from neuroleptics, but much can be inferred about most psychiatric medication.This paper may induce fear in those hoping to withdraw from drugs, but I think it important that people understand that there are, indeed, real dangers and risks associated with drug withdrawal–most notably in precipitous withdrawal or withdrawal without appropriate supports.
There is a warning on the risks of psych med withdrawal here. That was written a while ago and I’ve not edited it. It speaks of my being on meds still. I’ve actually completed my withdrawal and am slowly getting better.
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From: Recovery from "schizophrenia" and other "psychotic disorders"
Question: Experts often say that there is no cure for “schizophrenia” (or similar disorders such as “schizoaffective”): so how is recovery possible?
Answer: It is true that there is no “cure” in the sense of a treatment that can be applied by a professional that reliably makes the problem go away. But it is also true that we have no “cure” for the common cold, and yet fortunately, people do recover from them! In the case of disorders like “schizophrenia,” recovery is less certain, but it is still a reality for many[i]. Those who do recover most often give some credit to other people who helped them believe that recovery was possible. It’s interesting that while recovery from colds happens whether or not we believe it is possible (because our immune system does the work), recovery from disorders like “schizophrenia” may require belief that it is possible, because such recovery typically requires a person’s own effort. People are unlikely to exert this effort if they lack a belief that it may succeed.
And: Helping Reduce Medications - Questions & Answers
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From: Routledge Mental Health Making Sense of Madness and other books such as Beyond Medication
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From:
The Icarus Project.net
The Icarus Project envisions a new culture and language that resonates with our actual experiences of 'mental illness' rather than trying to fit our lives into a conventional framework.
Crooked Beauty and the Embodiment of Madness
Navigating the Space Between Brilliance and Madness
Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs & Withdrawal
Friends Make the Best Medicine:
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From:
Successful Schizophrenia 100's of links, not mention over 50 books with information across a wide variety of beliefs, stories & methods of recovery and maintaining wellbeing.
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From: MedHelp.org Managing Bipolar Type 1 Without Meds.
And: Is it possible to manage bipolar without meds.
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From: Vegweb.com Managing bipolar and depression without medication.
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From:
SurvivingSpirit.com To promote Hope, Healing and Help for those impacted by trauma, abuse or mental health concerns through the use of the creative arts, a speakers’ bureau, newsletter, website, brochure, retail gallery, coffeehouse, media center and more.
Please note that we refer to trauma, abuse and mental health concerns throughout our website, literature & events, etc. These three major health problems cover a wide variety of issues and we want to reach out to those who have known that pain and suffering. We want to extend our invite to their loved ones, friends, co-workers and to the greater public to help create awareness on how those health issues affect all of us.
Sign up for the SurvivingSpirit newsletter or join the gang on facebook
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From:
Safe Harbour Welcome to the world's largest site on non-drug approaches for mental health.
Thousands of people around the world have recovered from mental disorders and now enjoy the simple pleasures of a drug-free life. Most were told this was impossible. Yet we hear from these individuals regularly.
Many others have been able to significantly reduce their dependency on psychiatric medication. Commonly these people find that underlying their "mental" disorders are medical problems, allergies, toxic conditions, nutritional imbalances, poor diets, lack of exercise, or other treatable physical conditions.
There are a whole host of valuable links like the one listed below:
Find a Doctor / Practitioner Index to Articles
Read Testimonials Events & Seminars
Patients Rights Groups Bookstore
Local Safe Harbor Chapters Lectures
Health Organizations
Support Group Listserv
Organizations and Facilities
Events & Seminars Make a Donation
Get Listed in Our Directory Volunteer Opportunities
Index to Articles Contact Information
Contact Information Press Clippings
Integrative Psych. Listserv Online Store
Share Your Testimonial
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From:
MindGreedom.org SAMHSA, the Alternatives Conference, and the Story of an Opportunity Lost:
Author/journalist Robert Whitaker was picked to keynote at the Alternatives Conference 2010, bringing together more than 1,000 mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors. His topic: Challenging mental health industry hype that inflates the benefits of psychiatric pharmaceuticals. Federal funders pressured organizers to disinvite him, but MindFreedom organized a public campaign that successfully reversed that decision. Whitaker spoke, but the federal funders required another speaker as a rebuttal. Here, Whitaker describes this whole experience of speaking about the apparently taboo topic of questioning the psychiatric drug approach. read more-->
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This page will be updated as time permits, I welcome any suggestions for off med's information to be posted here.