Build a strong support system
Soround yourself with individuals who have
your best interst at heart, people who you trust
and respect.
For this support system to work, you must be willing to listen and accept their support and judgement regarding your mental health -
Because at times you might not be able to distinguish while you are in the midst of a episode.
Add som structure to your life.
Due to the nature of this condition it is very important to try and add structure to ones life.
Regular sleep and wake times, sheduled meal times, exercise and social activities.
Try not to *over book your life*
When depressed, one lacks energy and the ability to maintain a regular shedule.
When one is manic they often under-estimate the time it takes to complete tasks and pressure to preform increases.
This is a visious circle for someone who has Bipolar Disoder; the less you can acomplish the worse one feels. Try to focus your energy -
And remember you can't acomplish anything if you become sick.
Prepare a budget.
Learn to live by your means.
Make finacial decisions before episodes may occur.
If you have a history of excessive spending during episodes, you may want to explore the posibility
of someone else managing your finances.
Write a personal directive.
You may need a "Living Will" which will allow your input during times of wellness for periods when you are unable to make appropriate life decisions.
Create a mood chart.
Bipolar Disorder is a cyclic disorder. By charting your moods over a period of time may be helpfull to you and your doctors. You will gain insight into what may be times of concern. The more information you have regarding this disease the better, which will be to the greater advantage to keeping your severe episodes to a minimum.
Since Bipolar Disoder is a life long condition (like other medical disorders such as diabetes), it is essential that you and your family or others close to you learn all about it and it's treatments.
Read books, attend lectures, talk to your doctor or therapist, you may also consider joining a chapter of the Manic-Depressive Association or
National Alliance For The Mentally Ill nearest you -
to learn from others - stay up to date - how to manage day to day skils and medication etc.
Being a informed patient is helpfull on the path to success!
To minimize the affects of Mania & Depression and there consequences, it's important to recognize pending episodes
Early recognition can prevent severe impairment in social and also occupational functioning.
Potential harm to relationships and the family unit can be minumized. Recognizing in early stages can help the individual lead a more healthy life.
Even though your family member may be medicated prescription drugs may not eliminate all episodes of Mania or Depression. You can try to help your family member by identifying marked changes in their behavior.
Factors that may lead to a episode include or be related to - stress or an unhealthy lifestyle.
An increase or change in using mood altering substances; such as in the use of stimulants or depressives which may include the following -
caffine, smoking, prescrition drug abuse, illegal narcotics and also alcohol.
Please don't judge your family member - it is very common for a person with this illness to abuse these substances, in a attempt to decrease the affects of the disorder.
These substances will decrease the affectivness of the prescibed medications - which by them decreasing the affectivness may ptentially create a unwanted mood swing.
*Family Members & Friends* -
Crisis! Crisis!
What to do in a Crisis!!
Listen - let the person unload dispai and vent their anger. If one is given the oppertunity to do this he or she will tend to feel a bit better.
Remember this is a cry for help.
Be sympathetic - Being a non-judgemental, patient & calm person for the situation will help bring faster results.
Don't hesitate to ask them if they are feeling suicidal - you are not putting thoughts in their mind by doing so. You are doing a good thing for them, you are showing you care by taking them seriously and also that it is ok for them to share their pain and suffering with you.
Do not trivialize their problems - simply talking about he/she's problems will help give releif from loneliness and pent up feelings. It will help confirm the feeling of being understood.
Informative Links
Split Hope
Pendulum Resourses
NAMI
The Bipolar Planet
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