Many people’s understanding of bipolar disorder comes solely from media portrayals. Characters go from extreme depression to euphoria in the blink of an eye; you’ve seen it all before. They cannot keep a job, and their interactions with those closest to them end badly. You get the impression that they are totally out of control. These are the only characteristics that distinguish a person with bipolar disorder. However, the realities of life with bipolar disease for real people may or may not seem like clichés.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression). Alterations in mood, thought behavior, and sleep are also hallmarks of bipolar disorder. Mood swings from bipolar disorder make it challenging to function normally.
A manic episode is characterized by elevated sensations of euphoria, productivity, and even invulnerability. In most cases, these sudden shifts in conduct are the reason for alarm amongst friends and family members. However, during a depressive episode, a person is overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue. They could withdraw from social interactions and stop engaging in their regular routines.
How can you cope with it?
Even if you feel hopeless and out of control, know that you have control over your illness. You may do numerous things on your own to alleviate your symptoms and keep moving forward, in addition to the care you receive from your doctor or therapist.
Lifestyle changes are necessary for those with bipolar disorder to function correctly. If you have bipolar illness, you must take care of yourself by making healthy decisions, just as it’s crucial for people with diabetes to take insulin or for those in recovery from alcoholism to refrain from drinking.
Medications and psychotherapy are the foundations of the effective management of bipolar illness. However, there is much more that you can do daily to aid yourself. The following advice can help shape your condition, giving you more power over your symptoms, increasing the length of time you feel well, and facilitating a speedy recovery from any mood episode or relapse.
Your daily habits make a difference!
Healthy lifestyle choices and professional treatment help manage bipolar illness symptoms.
- Maintain a schedule. Regularly sleep and wake. Depression may cause insomnia. Mania and depression are more likely in sleep-deprived people.
- Follow your doctor’s prescription instructions. Do this even if you’re feeling okay.
- Keep a diary to manage your emotions. Keeping a journal of your daily feelings can help you discover triggers, evaluate treatment, and track changes in your eating and sleeping habits.
- Be honest with your doctor for the best care. Seeing a psychiatrist is essential for long-term bipolar illness treatment.
- Avoid drinking and drugs.
- Reduce stress.
- Look for support. Determine who you can rely on for help in a time of need. Educating loved ones about bipolar disorder helps them aid you. Ask for help recognizing early signs of mania or depression.
Having bipolar disorder doesn’t have to define you. The most important thing is finding a treatment and support system that works for your situation. You may also find it helpful to write down your symptoms to recognize and avoid triggers, tell people what you need, and learn how to deal with your feelings. With the help of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and psychotherapy, people with bipolar disorder can live productive, successful, and happy lives.