I plan to stop taking medication and using Buddhism and willpower to overcome my illnesses, which are Bipolar and Schizophrenia... I guess they would consider it Schizo-effective or something like that =/. Would someone be able to give me some advice on how I would go about doing this??
Is this a plan you've come up with while on medication? What kind of issues caused drugs to be prescribed in the first place? Anyway what prohibits you doing both until your practice is better defined?
I can't recommend this approach. Buddhism attracts people in your situation, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it will be of limited help to you. You would be better off sticking to your medication. Thedope is right - you can do both.
Tantric Buddhism is a path of unity and in unity nothing is thrown out. While cancer is a great evil, cancer is a state of immortality of cellular reproduction and therefore its longevity could be used for prolonging life - just depends upon the view, and Buddhism has many methods, some dualistic and some nondual. I do not recommend giving up drugs to follow a path with no markers of progress. You will never find a day where you feel liberated or free. And during your mania you will feel high as a kite, but during your depression you will feel like offing yourself. In each case there will be a state of carelessness. Buddhism teaches to not roll with carelessness but to preserve careing nature. Try to really see what your intention is and go with your best intention. Do you want to feel right and healthy, even if you aren't? Or what? I don't know but my sister is BPD extreme and given to osychotic breaks with reality, She is also a nun. In many religions the religion is supposed to be the end all and final cure, but that's really not the truth. It's Medieval faith. We have better knoweldge now.
PLEASE do not do that. Buddhist practice is NOT a substitute for psychotropic medications and proper mental health care. It's also worth noting that none of us are doctors or are qualified to advise you or anyone else regarding changes to your medication regimen. Please discuss your concerns with your doctor,
