Living and Coping With Bipolar Disorder

LIVING AND COPING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

Managing 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 u to you to take action to keep your moods stabilized. This includes asking 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 towards wellness is up to you. However, support from others is essential to maintaining your stability and enhancing the quality of your life.

Educate Yourself
Leaarning everything you can about bipolar disorder is the step toward managing the disease. Become an expert on the illness. Study up on the symptoms, so you can recognize them in yourself, and look in to all available treatment options. The more informed you are, the better prepared you’ll be to deal with mood symptoms and head off major problems.

Get Involved in Your Treatment
Be a full and active participant in your own treatment. Using what you’ve learned about bipolar disorder, collaborate with your doctor or therapist in the treatment planning process. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions or questions. You may find it helpful to draw up a treatment contract outlining the goals, and your provider have agreed upon.

Other Tips for Successful 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. Keep the lines of communication open with your doctor or therapist. Your treatment program will change over time, so keep in close contact with your provider.
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.
Seek psychotherapy. While medication may be able to manage some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, therapy 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.

Take Charge of Your Recovery
To live fully and freely with bipolar disorder, your focus must be on more than jus symptom reduction. A Wellness Recovery Action Plan is a personalized plan for total wellness and recovery. It includes strategies for achieving and maintaining emotional health. Developing a wellness toolbox is the first step in creating your recovery plan. A wellness toolbox consists of coping skills and activities you can do to main a stable mood or to get better when you’re feeling “off.”