Med Free Safety Net Plan:
Even a Med Free Bipolar should have a plan in place in case an episode were to rear its ugly head, although unlikely in my book. This is a treatment outline that you can go over with your support person, counselor, primary physician, or whomever you would like to be included if you were to ever have a serious episode or need of hospitalization. Just having this in place helps me feel like I know what we would do if I were to ever get sick again, however unlikely, and may make your family or physician more comfortable about you treating your bipolar naturally.
Some examples of things your plan might include:
What I do to treat my bipolar that works for me:
- Drink plenty of water and get adequate salt intake
- Take four (eight if having bipolar symptoms) capsules of EMPower™ Q96 every day
- Take my probiotics
- Take my fish oil/cod liver oil
- Take my Vitamin D spray
- Eat healthily and regularly
- Get regular sleep
Things that can upset my treatment or affect my moods:
- Infections/illness
- Monthly hormones
- Digestive issues
- Excessive stress
- Extreme schedule changes
- Inability to sleep, over excitement/racing thoughts
What does it looks like when you are well? When I am well I can…
- Attend work regularly
- Keep up with house/yard work
- Socialize and network
- Be optimistic and excited about the future
How does the illness present for you? When I am manic I…
- Have difficulty concentrating/can’t stick to one thing
- Have racing or sped-up thoughts
- Feel impatient, agitated, irritable, argumentative
- Want to buy things, spend money
When I am depressed I…
- Don’t want to get out of bed, or work, or see people
- Have thoughts that my family would be better off without me
- Have feelings of guilt without cause or an impending sense of doom
- Feel incredibly sad about everything or anything
- Am paranoid, anxious and negative
My early warning signs are…
When I need help I will…
If you see me having symptoms you can help me by…
It is time to see a doctor when…
I will accept medications for temporary intervention when…
It is time to take me to the hospital when…
The number for my doctor(s) is (are):
Medications that have not worked for me before are…
Medications that did work for me before are…
Natural remedies have gotten me well and kept me stable. Please allow me to continue them
A personal statement: “I would like to have the option to have my micronutrients and other supplements with me in the hospital. Taking them every day, especially while in the hospital, is my best chance at getting well alongside the medication. It is what has worked for me in the past. I will comply with medication to get well again. I understand that medications may be necessary to bring me through this crisis, and I will adhere to the treatment protocols for as long as it is deemed necessary.”
After making this safety net outline, my husband and I felt like what we were doing for our family with my treatment was the best option on so many levels, but it gave us a sense of empowerment to know that we were not helpless to this disease. We also had options, choices that we used to know nothing about. I hope that it is helpful to you, your loved one, or patient.
Brain Boss 