OBJECTIVES: Although many diagnosed with @entity162 ( @entity162 ) choose to manage their moods without medication at some point, their experiences of doing so are not well understood. This paper aims to explore the processes by which @entity1 manage @entity162 without medication. METHODS: Ten @entity1 diagnosed with @entity162 who do not use medication were interviewed. Analysing their accounts using grounded theory methods led to developing a model of how they perceive the processes involved in managing moods without medication. RESULTS: @entity1 engaged in repeated evaluative processes around their strategies for managing moods. Some @entity1 decided not to influence elevated moods due to their perceived advantages. @entity1 *  intentions and actions were influenced by their perceptions of themselves and by the meanings they attached to @entity162 , which were in turn influenced by feedback from others. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of the processes described by @entity1 suggests that traditional models of explaining non-adherence may over-simplify some individuals*  experiences. Future research could focus on identifying factors predictive of successful attempts to manage moods without medication. Professionals should place more emphasis on non-medication approaches in order to increase engagement with @entity1 who do not use medication. This may involve focussing on individual* s longer-term goals rather than on modifying moods in shorter-term. Conclusions are based on @entity1 who had experienced significant @entity162 , but who largely seemed satisfied living without medication. LIMITATIONS: Future research should ascertain whether such processes apply to a wider group of individuals who do not use medication for @entity162 .

Managing XXXX without medication: A qualitative investigation.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'Participants', 'people'] @entity162 :: ('MESH:D001714', 'Disease') :: ['Bipolar Disorder', 'bipolar moods', 'BD']
@entity162 :: (MESH:D001714,Disease) :: ['bipolar moods']
