Bipolar condition is part of a classification of mood disorders and has a broad range of expression, which is defined as a “continuum” or “spectrum”. Millions of people in the country struggle with this genetic condition. This particular mood disorder is characterized by mood swings of highs and lows that vary in their intervals of depression, moving into a mania or manic phase and back to depressed. Many people go undiagnosed due to cultural and medical biases, as well as the stigma that’s attached to it. Here are five tips to help navigate your bipolar disorder symptoms.
Find the right people to talk to
Find people that are supportive and are able to process your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This helps to normalize your experience and helps you to not feel like an outsider. Take your time. Be brave. Be persistent and find the person, who you can trust and someone, who understands your bipolar disorder symptoms.
Find the right professional and medical support
You can do online research in order to get information on the right humane and caring professionals. Having a great psychiatrist, who specializes in the Bipolar Spectrum and can figure out the right set of medications for you is a must. It is also important to find a supportive psychotherapist, who has clinical and long-term experience working with bi-polar. A psychotherapist can help instill the necessary cognitive and emotional skill set to live day by day.
Be compassionate and understanding with yourself
Having empathy creates an attitude that is helpful for becoming resourceful in dealing with your mood swings. The condition is chronic and people tend to favor their mania as necessary for their creative and professional edge and avoid medications. It is important to learn your own cycles of mood swings and work at keeping your caring judgment intact for helpful self-care decisions.
Read More: Practice Self-Love: 5 Ways!
Build structure into your life
Developing and sticking to a daily routine can help stabilize your mood swings. Create a fixed timetable for sleeping, eating, socializing, exercising, working, and relaxing. Try to maintain a regular pattern; emotional ups and downs and irregular sleep pattern can trigger mania, which is why it’s important to get plenty of rest. However, too much sleep can also worsen your mood. The best advice is to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Exercise frequently and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Exercise has a beneficial impact on mood and may reduce the number of bipolar episodes you experience.
Learn how to deal with a bipolar family member
As family members of someone with bipolar disorder, it is important to inform ourselves about it and ask questions. The more someone knows, the less likely they are to do the things that will ostracize their family member. The family goes through a tremendous amount of stress when dealing with someone who struggles. The family should take the initiative to join in on therapy sessions, in order to process their conflicts, shame, and guilt associated with the condition. Family members can learn the signs leading up to a depressive or manic episode by asking what the person needs and making sure they stay on their medications. Sometimes, when in a manic phase, people choose to stay off their medication to maintain the power they feel and the fear of dropping into depression. Family members can remind them about medication, as well as showing their love and concern.
Remember, it is important to get the right support in your life. Struggling with bipolar disorder takes the courage of self-acceptance and with that, you can begin to reach out to others. With the right medical, family and friend support life remains manageable.
What are some of the tips that resonate with you the most?
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6 comments
This is such an informative blog! Thanks for pointing out these five simple tips for dealing with bipolar condition.
Bipolar disorder is a very common condition and it can be very challenging to deal with. So it’s great to learn and know these tips in order to navigate the symptoms.
This is a very useful resource for those newly diagnosed and navigating the most effective ways of managing their diagnosis
Rich, Great post! I appreciate that you spoke to the need for family members to also seek support. This, like many health conditions, often impacts the full network. It is better for everyone to have the resources they need and deserve.
I really appreciate this blog, Rich. This is such a useful resource with clear, concrete suggestions about how to get support and manage symptoms both for people navigating their own experience and also those supporting others in their life with bipolar disorder.
I like that you mentioned the importance of building a structure. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting what you need with your personal struggles. My cousin would love knowing this as she looks into getting bipolar treatment. https://www.psychiatristinnsw.com.au/consultation