These are my top tips for managing bipolar.
Wisdom passed on to me by my bipolar peers that’s made a real difference to my life. Now it’s my turn to pass it on to you.
Be Kind to Yourself
Be gentle with yourself. When I learnt to reframe my thoughts my depressive episodes were so much easier to bear.
Offer Yourself the Same Compassion You Would Give to Others
Would you be this judgemental and critical of someone else? If you can have compassion for others, you can have compassion for yourself.
Forgive Yourself
You are sick. Punishing yourself wont change that. It’s not your fault. Would you view someone else who were sick, in the same critical way as you do yourself?
Take it One Hour at a Time in Crisis
Sometimes just the thought of how to get from one end of the day to the other is too overwhelming. When in crisis try to focus on how you are going to get through just the next hour. Or 30 minutes if needs be. Try to just exist in the present.
Talk
Talk to somebody, anybody. It can be a friend, family member, partner, healthcare professional, social worker, counsellor, or support service. I find it is important to say thoughts out loud to get a perspective on them.
Check in with Your Moods
Regularly reflecting on your mood, energy levels and behaviour can help you spot mood changes before they get out of control. Personally I check my moods against the BipolarUK mood scale. They even have an app to help you.
Keep a Diary
Keeping a diary helps you track your moods alongside any potential stressors and triggers. Enabling you to spot the early warning signs and manage your illness more effectively.
Build a Support Network
If possible make sure you have someone you can turn to when things are hard. Having people around that you can trust and confide in is invaluable.
Take your Meds.
Especially when you don’t want to. Finding the right medication combination is life changing – but only if you take them as directed.
Sleep
I cannot stress the importance of sleep. Struggling with sleeping is a symptom and a trigger for bipolar. Sleep hygiene tips can help.
Avoid Alcohol
This is a personal thing but cutting alcohol out of my life has been a game changer. I was never an addict but it was certainly a trigger and a crutch for me.
Educate Yourself
Learn everything you can about bipolar. Especially from your peers. The best advice I have received is from my fellow bipolar sufferers.
Manage your Stress
Stress is a massive trigger for most of us. A Dr once described this illness to me as ‘an allergy to stress.’ It’s not always possible to avoid stress, that’s unrealistic but we can try to manage it. Be aware of your stress levels and how to reduce them.
Get Therapy
If you have the opportunity to, get in counselling or therapy. There are many types of therapy that are effective for people with bipolar disorder. Medication is important but it is only half the picture of bipolar management.
The Bipolar Survival Toolkit & Help I’ve Been diagnosed with Bipolar
These blog posts are a great place to start your bipolar survival journey.
What are Your Top Tips for Managing Bipolar Disorder?
Comment Below
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