By: Stan Popovich
Do you struggle with being bipolar?
You may experience strained relationships, problems at school or work, and difficulties in doing daily activities.
Fortunately, there are things that can be done to help manage your bipolar disorder.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) and very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes).
1. Manic episodes: Periods of intense elation, irritability, or energy. People with bipolar disorder may feel happy, excited, or overactive. They may have an inflated sense of self-worth, talk quickly, or have trouble concentrating.
2. Depressive episodes: Periods of intense sadness, indifference, or hopelessness. People with bipolar disorder may feel very sad, hopeless, or worthless. They may have little energy, sleep too much, or have a lack of interest in activities they normally enjoy.
What You Should Do If Your Bipolar
It is important that you seek the proper treatment if you suspect that you are experiencing these episodes. Here is what you can do if feel that you may have bipolar disorder.
1. Learn about your situation: It is important to understand bipolar disorder and how it may interfere with your life. Educating yourself on how to deal with bipolar disorder will help you to get your life back to normal. Being aware of how bipolar disorder is affecting your life is important.
2. Get some help: Despite their mood extremes, people with bipolar disorder often don’t know how much being emotionally unstable disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones. As a result, they don’t get the treatment they need.
If you have any symptoms of depression or mania, see your healthcare or mental health professional. Bipolar disorder doesn’t get better on its own. A mental health professional with experience in bipolar disorder can help you get your symptoms under control.
3. Join a bipolar disorder support group: Spending time with people who know what you’re going through can be therapeutic. You can benefit from the shared experiences and advice of the group members. Isolation and loneliness make bipolar disorder worse. If you don’t have a support network you can count on, try to find an activity where you can meet others.
How You Can Manage Bipolar Disorder
There are many ways you can manage bipolar disorder. Here are a few tips that you can use that will help manage your current situation.
1. Monitor your situation: It’s important to recognize the warning signs of an oncoming manic or depressive episode. Make a list of symptoms that preceded your previous mood episodes. Try to identify the triggers, or outside influences, that may have led to your situation. Keep a close watch for subtle changes in your mood, sleeping patterns, energy level, and thoughts.
2. Develop a wellness toolbox: It’s helpful to have a wellness toolbox to draw from. A wellness toolbox consists of coping skills and activities you can do to maintain a stable mood or to get better when you’re feeling “off.” Discuss with your counselor the coping techniques that will work best.
3. Manage stressful activities in your life: Stress can be a big trigger for people who are bipolar. Identify areas of your life that are stressful and find better ways to manage that stress to keep your bipolar under control. Talk to your counselor on how you can manage your stresses and anxieties in your life.
It is important to avoid drugs and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol can make your bipolar disorder worse and could trigger events that could create additional problems for you. Your best is to find effective ways in dealing with your situation rather than relying on drugs and alcohol.
4. Look after your physical health: Taking care of our physical health can help support your mental wellbeing. Getting enough sleep can help you keep your mood stable or shorten an episode. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet can help you feel well, think clearly, and calm your mood. Gentle exercise can help you relax and manage stress.
5. Have a strong support system: Use the support of your family and friends who can help you out when you are struggling with your bipolar disorder. There may be times that you may need encouragement from the people you know when you have a bad day. Having a support system can reduce loneliness and isolation.
6. Avoid isolation: When you’re depressed, social situations can seem overwhelming. You might feel like being alone, but it’s important not to isolate yourself. Being alone can increase the symptoms of depression.
Get involved in social activities, such as local book clubs or athletic teams. Spend time with friends and family or chat with them regularly on the phone. Having the support of friends and loved ones can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
7. Involve friends and family: Share the warning signs and triggers you have identified with family, close friends, and your health care team so they can better support you. Develop a specific plan and share how you would like them to cue you into your symptoms when you show signs of mania. They can identify the behaviors and actions that signal a mania episode first and help you prevent your symptoms from reaching the highest level.
Living With Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be managed, and it is possible to lead a fulfilling and productive life. To do this, you must seek proper treatment to combat symptoms. You need to develop long-term coping strategies that will limit your symptoms and help you take control over them.
Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, healthcare professionals use medicines and talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, to treat bipolar disorder.
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