Hopeless Dreamer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
grimrose_eilwynn) wrote2015-07-26 11:56 am
grimrose_eilwynn) wrote2015-07-26 11:56 am
Entry tags:
How to Live Without Major Bipolar Episodes
I have not had an episode in over a year. So I'm sharing something with you today. These are the things I do to keep from swinging into episodes:
- I take my meds.
I cannot emphasize this enough. I TAKE MY MEDS. I went through a lot of different medication regimens before I found one that worked for me. Relentlessly, every single time I felt an unacceptable side effect, I informed my psychiatrist at once. In this way, I weeded out the unlikelies and finally found a medication regimen I could accept taking every single day. And I do. I have an exact time to take my meds that I've worked into my schedule each day; I even have an alarm on my phone to remind me to take my meds every night.
- I've become very self aware.
Funny thing. I think you'll find, if you really try to keep track of how you're feeling each day, usually the answer is "I don't know how I'm feeling." Unless you're in some extreme state, like exhaustion, usually you really won't know how you're feeling. You're in "neutral." But what bipolar people have to do is tease apart their feelings even when they're in "neutral." The minute moodiness hits, they have to take steps to minimize it: through medication changes and self management techniques. The minute I start to feel depressed or anxious, I do something about it.
- I have a great support system.
I let my family read about my disorder, and inform them every time I start to feel high or low. They try to talk me through it, and advise me on things like medication changes and self management techniques. I also know that if I get really bad, they'll be there to help me, and that can be very comforting.
- I do self management techniques.
I've been through lots of different kinds of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy. I have gotten many techniques from this to be used at my disposal. I know how to stop, analyze, and then distract any stray depressive thoughts. I know how to relax after a lot of stress or depression. I know what to do and what not to do to make myself feel better. I understand that I have to do things like stay away from drugs and alcohol, and I need to get plenty of sleep. Self management techniques can be incredibly invaluable.
- I know how well I've done, and I never let bipolar disorder hold me back from doing what I want.
I've accepted my illness. (That alone is critical.) But no away am I letting it get me down! I'm still going to get my bachelor's degree, I'm still going to get a job. I can still fall in love, travel, and do all the things I would otherwise do. And every so often, I congratulate myself on how far I've gotten already. I try to concentrate on the good things instead of the bad.
- I don't sweat the small stuff.
I try not to let little, everyday stress get the best of me. An argument. A bunch of phone calls and emails. I try to remain calm in all situations, and I make sure to have good things scheduled into my day along with the bad. Life isn't perfect and we shouldn't expect it to be. But it's up to us to make it as good as we possibly can.
- I take my meds.
I cannot emphasize this enough. I TAKE MY MEDS. I went through a lot of different medication regimens before I found one that worked for me. Relentlessly, every single time I felt an unacceptable side effect, I informed my psychiatrist at once. In this way, I weeded out the unlikelies and finally found a medication regimen I could accept taking every single day. And I do. I have an exact time to take my meds that I've worked into my schedule each day; I even have an alarm on my phone to remind me to take my meds every night.
- I've become very self aware.
Funny thing. I think you'll find, if you really try to keep track of how you're feeling each day, usually the answer is "I don't know how I'm feeling." Unless you're in some extreme state, like exhaustion, usually you really won't know how you're feeling. You're in "neutral." But what bipolar people have to do is tease apart their feelings even when they're in "neutral." The minute moodiness hits, they have to take steps to minimize it: through medication changes and self management techniques. The minute I start to feel depressed or anxious, I do something about it.
- I have a great support system.
I let my family read about my disorder, and inform them every time I start to feel high or low. They try to talk me through it, and advise me on things like medication changes and self management techniques. I also know that if I get really bad, they'll be there to help me, and that can be very comforting.
- I do self management techniques.
I've been through lots of different kinds of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy. I have gotten many techniques from this to be used at my disposal. I know how to stop, analyze, and then distract any stray depressive thoughts. I know how to relax after a lot of stress or depression. I know what to do and what not to do to make myself feel better. I understand that I have to do things like stay away from drugs and alcohol, and I need to get plenty of sleep. Self management techniques can be incredibly invaluable.
- I know how well I've done, and I never let bipolar disorder hold me back from doing what I want.
I've accepted my illness. (That alone is critical.) But no away am I letting it get me down! I'm still going to get my bachelor's degree, I'm still going to get a job. I can still fall in love, travel, and do all the things I would otherwise do. And every so often, I congratulate myself on how far I've gotten already. I try to concentrate on the good things instead of the bad.
- I don't sweat the small stuff.
I try not to let little, everyday stress get the best of me. An argument. A bunch of phone calls and emails. I try to remain calm in all situations, and I make sure to have good things scheduled into my day along with the bad. Life isn't perfect and we shouldn't expect it to be. But it's up to us to make it as good as we possibly can.