Psychological Facts (hiatus)

Bipolar Disorder Support and Self-Help

Introduction

You're not powerless when it comes to bipolar disorder. Beyond the treatment you get from your doctor or therapist, there are many things you can do to reduce your symptoms and stay on track, including educating yourself about bipolar disorder, surrounding yourself with people you can count on, and leading a healthy "wellness" lifestyle. With good coping skills and a solid support system, you can live fully and productively and keep the symptoms of bipolar disorder in check.

Living with bipolar disorder: What you can do to help yourself

Living well with bipolar disorder requires certain adjustments. Like recovering alcoholics who avoid drinking or diabetics who take insulin, if you have bipolar disorder, it's important to make healthy choices for yourself. Making these healthy choices will help you keep your symptoms under control, minimize mood episodes, and take control of your life.

Managing bipolar disorder starts with proper treatment, including medication and therapy. But there is so much more you can do to help yourself on a day-to-day basis. The daily decisions you make influence the course of your illness: whether your symptoms get better or worse; whether you stay well or experience a relapse; and how quickly you rebound from a mood episode.

Bipolar disorder: Key recovery concepts

· Hope. With good symptom management, it is possible to experience long periods of wellness. Believing that you can cope with your mood disorder is both accurate and essential to recovery.

· Perspective. Depression and manic-depression often follow cyclical patterns. Although you may go through some painful times and it may be difficult to believe things will get better, it is important not to give up hope.

· Personal Responsibility. It's up to you to take action to keep your moods stabilized. This includes asking for help from others when you need it, taking your medication as prescribed and keeping appointments with your health care providers.

· Self-Advocacy. Become an effective advocate for yourself so you can get the services and treatment you need, and make the life you want for yourself.

· Education. Learn all you can about your illness. This allows you to make informed decisions about all aspects of your life and treatment.

· Support. Working toward wellness is up to you. However, support from others is essential to maintaining your stability and enhancing the quality of your life.

Other tips for successful bipolar disorder treatment:

· Be patient. Don't expect an immediate and total cure. Have patience with the treatment process. It can take time to find the right program that works for you.

· Communicate with your treatment provider. Your treatment program will change over time, so keep in close contact with your doctor or therapist. Talk to your provider if your condition or needs change and be honest about your symptoms and any medication side effects.

· Take your medication as instructed. If you're taking medication, follow all instructions and take it faithfully. Don't skip or change your dose without first talking with your doctor.

· Get therapy. While medication may be able to manage some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, teaches you skills you can use in all areas of your life. Therapy can help you learn how to deal with your disorder, cope with problems, regulate your mood, change the way you think, and improve your relationships.Know your triggers and early warning signs—and watch for them