Managing bipolar disorder
Take steps to help yourself
You will probably want to make sure that you are involved in your own care. To deal with bipolar disorder, you need to know all of your options. This goes for any condition, but it is especially vital when you have bipolar disorder. Engaging personally with your condition is the first step to defeating mental illness.
It is worthwhile finding out as much as you can about bipolar disorder so you can manage issues that arise day by day and make the right choices for treatment. Actively "managing" your disorder yourself will make a world of difference to the way you cope with it now and in the future.
Never be afraid to ask!
Your doctor will answer any questions you have about your own treatment or about bipolar disorder.
There is also a lot of information online, including on this website. If you find information online be careful that it is authentic and correct.
Professionals can help you to manage your condition with medication and psychosocial treatments. To help yourself, you need to make sure you take the medications exactly as prescribed.
There are also some important ways to help yourself by managing your lifestyle and personal situation. Your doctor might suggest any of the following:
- Talking openly with your friends, family and partner (if you have one) about your condition
- Trying to keep your sleeping pattern as regular as possible.
- Drinking less or no alcohol, and staying away from drugs.
- Reducing the stress you are under at work and home.
- Organising a daily regime for what and when you eat: nutrition management.
- Deciding on a programme of regular exercise.
- Doing breathing exercises
It is a good idea to try and establish a daily routine - this will help to get rid of the potential triggers for episodes of mania or depression.
Keeping a diary of your moods is also a good idea, to help with treatment in the future and to help you understand the nature of your condition.
It is also very important that you can identify the warning signs of an episode so that you can get help as quickly as possible. You might want to explain to friends and family what the warning signs are so they can help you to notice.
You will need to talk openly and honestly with your doctor in order to get the best help possible. If you find it difficult, you can always ask to see somebody else instead.
