You have just been diagnosed and you’re thinking what Now? What does this mean? Where do I go from here?
Don’t Panic
Your life is not over – quite the opposite.
Congratulations on the first day of the rest of your life
On average in the U.K. it takes 9.5 years, from first seeing a doctor about a bipolar symptom, to getting a diagnosis. This is a long time to go untreated. It is a frightening and confusing time.
The good news is, now you know you have power – the power to take control of your illness.
The first thing you need to do is accept that you are sick. You are unwell and need treatment.
Once you accept this you can forgive yourself for being sick and offer yourself the compassion and self-care you deserve and need.
Knowledge is power- Now It is Time to do the Work
Stability – however that looks to you – is possible. Remission looks different to everyone, but, for me at its core, it means living a life worth living – leading a good, meaningful existence. I know from personal experience this is an achievable goal.
These are some of the tools you need to add to your Bipolar Survival Toolkit:
Education
- Bipolar is a serious mental illness that manifests in extreme differences in mood and energy levels- lows (deep depressions) and highs (hypomania, mania and psychosis), as well as times of stability. It effects around 1 million people in the U.K.
It is essential that you educate yourself on your illness. Track your moods, keep a mood diary, and learn your triggers.
Medication
- Anti psychotics and mood stabilisers are the medications most commonly prescribed to bipolar patients.
- Often a combination of medication is required to treat the complex range of symptoms we have. It can take time to find the right combination and dosage.
- It is important to remember medication can only take you half the way to stability, you must do the rest yourself using the tools in your Bipolar Survival Toolkit.
Therapy
- Working with a psychologist, therapist or counsellor is important.
1 - There are various therapies available. Sadly, there are long waiting lists in the U.K.
Support
Support is vital and comes in many forms – your primary care team, family, partner, friends, and support groups. Links below.
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Self Care Toolkit
- For many of us, giving up, or being very mindful of our consumption of alcohol and drugs is a game changer for maintaining stability.
- Sleep is Important. I cannot stress that enough. SLEEP IS Essential. Sleep hygiene apps are a godsend.
- Exercise – Whether that is a 10k run everyday or 10 minutes of chair yoga it is important to remain active.
Routine is vital, however boring we may find it, we must find routine to find stability.
- Work – maybe you are unable to manage your illness whilst working full time in a traditional workplace. That’s okay and quite common for those of us with bipolar disorder.
- Manage Stress – I once heard Bipolar described as an allergy to stress by a psychiatrist. Stress is a MAJOR trigger for many of us.
Life can get better. You can manage this illness. You can lead a good life worth living.
How have you adapted to a bipolar diagnosis? Share your experiences and thoughts with me below or on social media.
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