I've seen people react in different
ways to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Some people feel devastated,
ashamed ,hopeless. Others are cynical or even nonchalant. However
you feel at this point, know that many of us have gone through
the same thing.
Medication is the only effective treatment. Fad "cures" and "alternative" treatments cannot replace medication, no more than they could replace insulin for a diabetic. Some treatments or therapies are genuine and can truly help when used along with medication (e.g. Omega-3 fatty acids, Electroshock Convulsive Theraphy (ECT), psychotherapy, etc..)
The medications can have bad side-effects. Much of the time, you just have to bear with them until your body adjusts. The medications may not even seem to be working for the first few weeks. Most of the time, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so don't give up. You may have to try a different dosage, medication, or combinations of medication.
See your doctor (psychiatrist or other physician) regularly and insist on good treatment. Be honest about your symptoms, including anything embarrassing. Otherwise, your doctor may not be able to help you effectively. If you feel that your medications aren't working right or the side-effects are too unbearable, pester your doctor to change them. Find out what all your options are. Seek information on the web, from other bipolars, from books, and other sources so you know about the different medications. Sometimes your doctor may not tell you about newer treatments, perhaps from lack of experience with them or due to a bias against them. If you feel unsatisfied with your doctor, find another one, if at all possible. There are bad doctors, unfortunately.
Take care of your body. Abusing drugs and alcohol can make your symptoms worse. If you cannot stop, you are addicted. Seek treatment to help you quit. Exercise, proper diet, and rest provide immense benefit for bipolars and can lessen the severity of episodes. Avoid stress where possible. Seek support from family, friends, and peers in support groups or online. Research has found that a support system is vital in recovery from any illness or trauma. If you take these measures, the medications will be more effective.
Realize that the illness can be destructive, even deadly. People spend themselves into bankruptcy, find themselves in failed relationships, fall victim to paranoia, isolate themselves, or lose jobs. An alarming number attempt or commit suicide. Don't ignore the illness. Don't rationalize that you no longer need medication. The consequences are too severe.
The silver lining among the dark clouds is that you can get treatment. If you stick to it and treat your body well, your chances of having a relatively "normal" life greatly improve. When you are having a bad episode, remember that it will not last forever, even though it sure feels like it will.