Bipolar Disorder is a condition that causes extreme mood swings from euphoria to deep depression. The Mayo Clinic attests that it is a difficult disorder to treat, and can sometimes actually take years to regulate. During this amount of time a person's life can be torn apart. However, there are several self-help steps that an individual can take to improve their quality of life faster.
Maintain Therapy and Doctor's Visits
It is of the utmost importance to maintain therapy and doctor's visits. It is often the case that when the bipolar sufferer begins to feel better (usually due to medication and lifestyle changes) they begin to think that they no longer require professional help. This could not be further from the truth. At any time, a person who is stable can be triggered into an episode. Proper medical professionals are the best resource for getting back on track if this happens. As the National Institute of Mental Health points out, a psychiatrist is the best choice for adjusting medication.
Get Medicated
Bipolar Disorder is a condition which is thought to affect how a person's brain functions. According to the Mayo Clinic website, neurotransmitters do not work properly in people who have this mood disorder, and hormonal imbalances may also trigger episodes. There is a proven hereditary link, as well as contributing environmental factors. This disorder needs to be treated with medicines prescribed by a physician just as if it were diabetes or any other illness. The fact that it is a mental condition does not make it less of a real problem for the people who have it.
Education Goes a Long Way
Understanding what one is dealing with is a great help to both the bipolar sufferer and to the people who are closest to them. Read up on the disorder, what causes it and what has worked best for other people who are now controlling it. Find out what the symptoms are, and common episode triggers. Learn what to look for when an episode is coming on, and what to expect from medical professionals. The more that is known about manic depression, the better prepared folks are to fight it.
Quit Unhealthy Habits
It is very common for people with bipolar to develop unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use (among others). Quitting these habits may be difficult, but are also greatly beneficial to regulating one's mood and leading a healthier lifestyle in general. Particularly in terms of mood, alcohol and drug use are devastating. Some may choose to 'self-medicate' with these, but the user often does not realize that substances actually interfere with stabilization success.
Develop a Schedule
Those who suffer with manic and depressive episodes can often benefit from developing a regular schedule. Having a regular bed time, time to rise and set times to eat meals can aid a person with bipolar in the search for normality.
Improve on Diet and Exercise Regularly
Although it is beneficial for anyone to eat a healthy diet and maintain a regular exercise regimen, it is even more so for folks dealing with bipolar 1 or 2. Eating healthy, scheduled meals help those who are bipolar to fight the tendency to gain weight, which many drugs used to treat the disorder induce. Developing and maintaining a good exercise routine helps, as well. Exercising also causes the release of endorphins, otherwise known as 'good feeling' hormones. And, naturally, exercise help people to rest better.
Plenty of Sleep
It is incredibly important to have a regular sleep pattern that allows the diagnosed to get plenty of uninterrupted rest. Shift work is discouraged. While it might be necessary to nap at times, long naps later in the day should be avoided.
Find Healthy Support
Surrounding oneself with healthy, productive relationships is integral to those who are trying to find their way through the bipolar maze. Forge relationships with medical professionals and others who have bipolar. Turn to family and friends for much needed support on a day to day basis. Avoid stressful and unhealthy relationships which can lead to dangerous episodes.
Sometimes a mood swing is more than just a mood swing. The National Institute of Mental Health supports the theory that when the swings are extreme, and range from despair to unstoppable energy, it may be a case of bipolar disorder. In order to properly treat this condition, it must first be recognized that the process is not an easy one. It is not uncommon for years to be spent on finding the right combination of drugs, and those years can wreak havoc on the bipolar person's life. There are other factors, besides medication, that can help a person become stable faster such as are outline above.
Sources
- "Bipolar disorder." Mayo Clinic, 05 Jan 2010. DS00356. 05 Apr 2011. Web.
- "Bipolar Disorder." The National Institute of Mental Health. 31 Aug 2010. 08-3679. 06 Apr 2011. Web.
Jessi Chapman - I am a stay at home mom of two who enjoys a flexible career as a freelance writer. I am a Christian, and as such, I try to envelop the ...
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