My recovery from manic depression has been an evolution, not a sudden miracle. - PATTY DUKE (1946- )
Overcoming bipolar disorder isn't something that's done in a day, a week, or even a year. It's an ongoing process. Each day, a person with bipolar has to wake up, assess their mood, take their medication, and fight to survive. Each year, many patients lose the fight. Bipolar is sneaky. One day, you'll feel fine. The next, you'll be on the verge of a breakdown.
Recovery is incomplete, at best. There's no cure for bipolar disorder, only treatment. Treatment can help you feel better, even out the highs and lows, and help you lead a more normal life. However, medication and therapy control the symptoms. They don't cure the disease.
Fighting the daily fight is a crucial part of overcoming bipolar disorder. If you give up, the disease wins. If you become complacent, the disease wins. If you suffer from bipolar disorder, it's important to remember that you are more than you disease. You are not "bipolar". You have bipolar disorder. There's a big difference.
While you may feel like you can't beat bipolar disorder, you can fight daily. You can wake up, take your medication or supplements, and go about your day. You can do your best each day, even if your best is taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. If you're living to face another day, you're fighting the good fight.
Be gentle with yourself, and practice excellent self care. After all, you wouldn't expect someone with a physical ailment or disability to move mountains on a daily basis. Set reasonable goals, and cheer yourself on when you meet them. You'll feel better for it.
Tags: Bipolar Disorder, Mental health, overcoming bipolar disorder
Treating bipolar disorder isn't always about medications and therapy, although these are two essential parts of most treatment plans. Proper self care is also an important part of coping with this disease. Bipolar disorder is often accompanied by sleep disturbances. When you're manic, sleep becomes irrelevant and unimportant. You feel as if you have a decreased need for sleep. When you're depressed, you may feel like it's incredibly difficult to get going – like you want to sleep all the time. Oversleeping is common in depressed individuals.
A crucial part of treating bipolar disorder is working out a sleep schedule and sticking to it. Decide on the amount of sleep that you need in order to function at your best, and make getting this sleep a priority. If you're struggling with insomnia, you might consult your psychiatrist about a medication adjustment. If you're struggling with daytime sleepiness, your medication dosages could be too strong, or you could just be fighting with the fatigue that often accompanies depression.
Bipolar disorder is a cyclical disease. While you cannot control the cycles completely, you may be able to make the transitions more gradual by getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can increase stress levels, add to your anxiety, and contribute to a general feeling of yuck. Too much sleep may leave you feeling hung over and lethargic. By setting a sleep routine and making sure you stick to it, you're controlling yet another symptom of your illness, and helping your body get the rest it desperately needs. Treating bipolar disorder isn't always easy, but a solid sleep routine can help.
Tomorrow, we'll discuss some simple tips for getting the sleep that you need.
Tags: Bipolar Disorder, Major depressive disorder, Treating Bipolar Disorder
Famous People with Bipolar Disorder
Sometimes it's amazing to see a list of just who else has suffered from this disease. Take a look at this comprehensive A-Z listing of bipolar disorder sufferers. You may be surprised at some of the names you see…I know I was!
If you struggle with bipolar disorder, you know what it’s like to wake up and not feel like getting out of bed due to depression. Basic things like washing your face and brushing your teeth can feel like a huge deal, and going to work and being productive feels totally out of reach. Dealing with bipolar disorder can be exhausting, and the stress worsens if you have a marriage to maintain or children to care for. Here are a few tips I’ve learned for dealing with bipolar disorder when you don’t feel like you can cope for another minute.
Get Dressed
Even if you put on clean sweatpants and a t-shirt, it’s important that you get dressed every day. Wash your face, brush your teeth, and take any medications that you’re on. These simple acts of self care will go a long way towards helping you feel better. Even if you’re incredibly depressed, these actions will likely re-set your brain and help you to have a more normal day.
Regulate Your Sleep
Proper sleep hygiene is incredibly important for bipolar patients. If you’re having difficulty sleeping a full eight hours, consider an herbal supplement like kava or skullcap, or talk to your doctor about prescription sleep aids. If you’re having problems with sleeping too much, set specific times for waking and sleeping and allow yourself one short nap during the day. Spending the whole day in bed may be tempting, but it will only set you up for problems sleeping at night.
Eat Regularly
When you’re dealing with bipolar disorder, it’s important to realize the effect that healthy food can have on your life. Proper nutrition will help your brain to function at its best, so be sure to eat a diet rich in whole grains, healthy fats, and protein. Skip the white sugar, white flour, and sweets – they’ll make you feel good, but these feelings are temporary and they can cause your mood to crash after the rush wears off.
Make Small Changes
If you look at your life and see overwhelming chaos, it may be time to think about a few changes. However, if you resolve to get a job, keep your house perfectly neat, and run a marathon, chances are you’ll be disappointed. Instead, set a goal and work towards it for a little while every day. Set a kitchen timer and spend 15 minutes cleaning your house daily. Focus on one room, and within a week you’ll see clear cut results. Progress is encouraging, and setting small goals helps you to build a list of successes.
