Does Anyone Have Advice in Fighting the Extremes of Bipolar Disorder?

Question by SiriusFan13: Does anyone have advice in fighting the extremes of Bipolar Disorder?
I’ve recently been diagnosed as bipolar (after a miserable several years of being told that I’m severely depressed, but not understanding that the medicine only worked about half the time). I’m trying to find ways to deal with the disorder. I can go for awhile just fine… but sometimes it gets really bad. I’ve hit the point of depression so intense that I was having suicidal thoughts. My mania can get just as bad. I can control it, often with music. I’m getting better at seeing it coming.

Is there anyone out there who can help? I just need coping mechanisms. I’ve found a few of my own (certain music, writing, and reading), but they only seem to work when I’m not at my worst. I need something for that point.

Also, does anyone know ways to see it coming? I can often see some signs, but if someone out there can help, I still have some trouble. I’m used to just assuming that it’s depression again. My therapist has moved, so I’m looking for a new one. I just need info like this until I find someone.

And please, don’t respond with “call the suicide hotline”. It isn’t like that. I’m not going to act on it, and if I were going to, then I would call. I’m just looking for help to keep from getting that far, or pulling out as quickly as possible. This isn’t about coping with suicidal thoughts. I have ways around that.

Thank you. This means a lot to me. I know it’s different for everyone, but a point in the right direction would help so much.

Best answer:

Answer by looseverses
Sounds like you have a good handle on yourself already. There are a couple of other things you might want to research and consider.

One is that stress has a very real impact on the symptoms of bipolar, so learning stress management techniques is very helpful. You actually already employ many stress management techniques in your use of reading, writing and music. There is more to learn, however. Fortunately, there are also many avenues to gaining those skills. Your therapist (when you get a new one) can help. There are groups offered within the mental health system that address stress management. The library has many books on the subject. There are stress management counselors for one on one work. And there are classes offered in some larger metropolitan areas through the continuuing ed program.

Another area worth investing time and effort is in diet and supplementation. There is so much ‘junk’ food out there these days, and that ‘junk’ food not only fails to provide adequate nutrition, it also has ingredients that have very detrimental impact on mental health.

The body and the brain have very specific nutrient requirements…when the diet fails to provide those nutrients, you run into trouble.

There is far too much information to include here, but do some research. Avoid junk food, eat primarily whole foods. There is a book entitled “Optimum Nutrition for the Mind” by Patrick Holford. A very good resource! I found it at my local library. If your library does not have a copy, you can order it online through Amazon.com.

Answer by Ms Kitty
Are you on meds? Mood stabilizers are there to smooth out the worst of it. I’m on Lamictal and it has few side effects and does not make me a zombie….. I still swing but no longer to the outer edges that I used to. It is a chemical imbalance, and without meds it will worsen…..


 

Pranksters – PS3 with RyanKnox – enjoy.