Take Care of Yourself

Helping Yourself & Others

What can I do to help myself if I have bipolar disorder?

It can be pretty hard to take that first step toward helping yourself. It is going to take some time, but you can get better with the proper treatment.  

To help yourself:

1. Talk to your doctor about treatment options and progress. Follow  all doctor recommended and prescribed forms of treatment.   
2. Keep and stick to a regular routine.  Routines and schedules are very helpful to people with Bipolar Disorder.  Routines help your body to function better and not get out of whack which can send you into a maniac episode. Helpful routines include: Going to bed at the same time every night, and rising at the same time every morning. Eating your meals at the same time every day, etc.                    
3. Get enough sleep. Sleep is very important in helping your body to function. Sleep deprivation can bring on symptoms of bipolar and manic episodes. 
4. Take your doctor prescribed medication, and do not self medicate. Self medicating with drugs or alcohol can bring on episodes of mania and make your symptoms worse.  Also, any substance taken together with your medication, can cause unwanted and very dangerous effects. 
5. Learn about and recognize what the warning signs are that signal a behavioral change into depression or mania. Learn what triggers your bipolar symptoms. 
6. Learn not to expect your symptoms to improve immediately.  Symptoms will improve gradually, over time.

If you know someone who has bipolar disorder, it affects you too.  Often times, we would like to help, but just aren't sure how to go about it. 

To help a friend or family member, you can:

1. Offer emotional support.  Be understanding and patient. Offering encouragement to someone dealing with bipolar disorder is always helpful.
2. Learn about bipolar disorder so you can understand what your friend or family member is going through.  
3. Listen carefully while talking to your friend or family member.  
4. Listen to the feelings your friend or relative says they are experiencing and be understanding about certain situations that can trigger bipolar symptoms. 
5. Invite your friend or family member out for positive, stress free distractions.
6. Remind your friend or family member that, with time and treatment, he or she can get better. It doesn't have to suck forever. 

Remember, with time and the proper treatment, bipolar disorder doesn't have to suck forever. There is hope for a brighter tomorrow, even if today feels bleak.  Keep going, you will get there. 

It's Important To Be Honest & Aware Of Yourself

Thought Of The Day

Types of Bipolar Disorder

According to all of the research people and science stuff,  these are the basic types of bipolar disorder:

1. Bipolar I Disorder   -  defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well and usually last about  2 weeks.
2. Bipolar II Disorder  -  defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.
3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)  -  diagnosed when symptoms of the illness exist but the symptoms do not meet diagnostic criteria to be classified as  bipolar I or bipolar II. However, the symptoms are clearly out of the person's normal range of behavior.
4. Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia  -  a mild form of bipolar disorder. People with cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania as well as mild depression for at least 2 years. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder.
5. Rapid-cycling Bipolar Disorder - A severe form of the disorder.  Rapid cycling occurs when a person has 4 or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed states, within a year. Rapid cycling seems to  affect people who had their first bipolar episode at a younger age.

Bipolar Moods & Symptoms & All That Jazz

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:

Mood Changes

1. Long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood
2. Irritability that's pretty extreme

Behavioral Changes

1. Talking fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts, not focusing on one thing for too long
2. Being distracted easily
3. Increasing activities such as taking on new projects
4. Being overly restless
5. Changes in sleep.  Sleeping little or not being tired
6. Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities.  Thinking you can do anything.
7. Behaving impulsively and engaging in pleasurable, high-risk behaviors. Not realizing consequences of such actions  

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:

Mood Changes

1. An really long period of feeling sad or hopeless
2. Loss of interest in activities that you once liked and enjoyed, including sex.

Behavioral Changes

1. Feeling really tired or "slowed down".  Kinda sloth like
2. Having problems with concentrating, remembering, and making any decisions
3. Being restless or irritable
4. Changes in eating, sleeping, or other habits
5. Having thoughts of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.

Here's The Scoop

Today's Scoop:

I worked today and it was a busy night.  That's ok because it helps the time to go by faster. On the way home I stopped at Wawa and got a cheesecake smoothie.  Heaven in a cup!