T
H
Therapeutic
I am self treating through a diet approach and am unmedicated.
Posted:
06/2025
Managing
Bipolar 1 & Autism
Started Journey
07/2023
Social Links
"Two days into a very low carb diet (sub 20), I found my stimming habit of 35 years had stopped...I've had zero bipolar episodes, manic or depression since mid 2023 when I started this approach."
Mood, concentration & autistic stimming.
Modified Atkins & Daily Cardio.
I am self treating through a diet approach and am unmedicated.
For supplements, I find electrolytes are the ones I most need to keep on top of.
My approach is modified Atkins. As I'm autistic, I tend to love routine, so I tend to eat the same meals daily. Total carbs I keep to around 25g. These mainly come from strawberries, raspberries, various nuts and seeds and a small amount of cabbage/carrot in my coleslaw. I also eat eggs, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, salmon, butter, and a small amount of dairy from goat milk and grated mozzarella cheese. I also add C8 MCT oil, around 20ml per day. I tend to avoid things like bacon, sausages and other processed meats. I don't eat/make any keto treats.
I use a blood monitor about once or twice per month, and I aim for around 1 mmol/L. I also have a breath meter to use as a rough guide, just because the test strips are expensive.
For the last 7 years, I've stuck to getting up at the same time and going to bed at the same time. It suits my autistic need for a daily routine. Typically, I get up at 6am, and I'm in bed by 10pm and lights out by 10:45pm. I do that routine 365 days per year. I fall asleep easily and sleep through the night without trouble.
Daily I cycle on my spin bike for 30 minutes at midday before I go for my lunch. Around 5pm I do some calisthenics and some weights in my garage gym. The evening session varies from 3 to 6 times per week.
I don't drink alcohol or smoke. I limit social interaction anyway just because I'm autistic. I've found reducing caffeine is something I've had to do. I used to drink a lot of coffee. Now, I have one cup of low strength instant coffee in the morning and any extras will always be decaffeinated. I can't drink any strong coffee without getting edgy, agitated, anxious, overly energized, etc.
For me, it's purely been the change to the diet that's solved the bulk of my problems.
I check ketones and glucose with a blood meter.