Can You Think Your Way Out Of Bipolar Disorder?

TURN UP THE VOLUME he is hard to hear but well worth the listen! I was very validated to hear how Bipolar is a physiological disorder instead of a psychological disorder. I often times wanted to slap people who say "Get a hold of yourself", "Get over it", "why do you let things bother you", ect... During an episode. They haven't a clue that at that point it is too far gone and the only thing to get out of it is sleep, possibly a medication change, reduction of stressors and if possible lose the stressor all together, a trip to the hospital if a threat to self or others.

I am not a doctor but I have lived with this illness long enough to know what it is capable of doing to the sufferer and the supporters. I know what has worked and what hasn't worked for me. I share my experiences and my methods of staying as healthy as I can with Bipolar Disorder.

What true Bipolars need to hear are words of encouragement such as I love you, I am here for you, what can I do to help you, and hugging them when they need the contact to get passed the depression. It may surprise people but when you make contact through a hug you are conquering depression. I found this site some time ago that talks about how beneficial hugs are. It is a blog of hugs with poems, doctor comments on hugging, a couple of beautiful stories about a set of twins and how a hug and snuggle saved the other's life. Georgia Girl Hugs

The most important thing you can do for someone who is in a bad episode (a threat to others or a threat to themselves) is to get them to their doctor, a crisis center, or the nearest emergency room so that they can get on a medication to help them relax and get on a stabilizer and if needed also in a program for further therapy and observation. Getting them the help they need is essential.

If you are a supporter, please make sure that you also have a form of therapy to release your frustrations with Bipolar disorder. If you always remember that it is Bipolar and not your loved one you will be so far ahead of the game. Hate the BIPOLAR, Love the PERSON. Love YOURSELF and praise yourself often for all that you have gone through and every time you do something for your loved one with Bipolar disorder. Such as encouraging them to stay healthy, take their medications, and make progress after an episode.

The baby steps matter more than any supporter can imagine. Encourage therapy of all kinds because staying absorbed in them can help alleviate symptoms as they occur or reduce the length or severity of an episode. Mantras can be very helpful. "I am a good mom", "I am a good wife" the trigger word is "Good" that word should be repeated as often as needed. If you study NLP you will understand the significance of little things that can help during an episode. In the moments of suicide it comes down to ways we can talk ourselves out of doing it instead of reasons why we should. "I know I am a burden, but my children would suffer psychologially for life if I killed myself", is what would get me to refocus my priority away from my desire to end all the madness in my mind.

At this point and time there is no cure for Bipolar Disorder you can only manage the illness through medications, proper diet, regular exercise, therapy (a variety I suggest at least three different types I may write up a post on the forms of therapy that have helped me emotionally), see psychiatrist atleast every three months and more frequently when on new medications or just coming out of an episode, sunshine, spirituality, social (support groups, positive friendships). This is what I do and I try to be as consistant as possible.

The number one mistakes Bipolar's make is thinking they are cured!!! The medications are lifetime with this illness. The type may change or dosage may change from time to time but with true Bipolar Disorder medication is a MUST!!!

Always talk to a professional Psychiatrist about medications or any changes you want to make with your medications. They are the only ones qualified to give you medical advice. If you tell someone you have Bipolar disorder and they start telling you stories of people who have gone off medications to take such and such supplement DO NOT LISTEN!!!! STAY ON YOUR MEDICATIONS!!!! A true friend will encourage you to stay on your medications and to talk with your doctor if you are having problems. A bad friend will tell you that you don't need your meds. Without medications lives are destroyed and I don't mean maybe I mean DESTROYED. Just read the stories of all the cases where people went off their medications and killed someone, or killed themselves, or had affairs, divorced, addicted to street drugs and alcohol, racking up debt all the way to the point of homelessness, quitting jobs without another one lined up, and I am sure there are more things I haven't mentioned.

I guess I could write a book about this horrible illness and this is the place to talk about it after all. But, I can say that life can be wonderful when it is managed properly. Listen to those who love you and make a promise to always take care of yourself so that you won't hurt yourself or others unnecessarily. We are always going to be disappointed or disppoint others but we can do something about how often that happens by doing everything we can to prevent it.