Is there anything I can do to help my treatment?

Absolutely, yes. First, you should become an expert on your illness. Since bipolar disorder is a lifetime condition, it is essential that you and your family or others close to you learn all about it and its treatment. Read our related blogs on depression and bipolar disorder.

You can often help reduce the minor mood swings and stresses that sometimes lead to more severe episodes by paying attention to the following:

  • Maintain a stable sleep pattern:
    Go to bed around the same time each night and get up about the same time each morning. Disrupted sleep patterns appear to cause chemical changes in your body that can trigger mood episodes.

  • Maintain a regular pattern of activity: Don't push yourself too hard
  • Do not use alcohol or illicit drugs:
    Drugs and alcohol can trigger mood episodes and interfere with the effectiveness of medications. You may sometimes find it tempting to use alcohol or illicit drugs to “treat” your own mood or sleep problems—but this almost always makes matters worse.
  • Enlist the support of family and friends: 
    However, remember that it is not always easy to live with someone who has mood swings. If all of you learn as much as possible about bipolar disorder, you will be better able to help reduce the inevitable stress on relationships that the disorder can cause. Even the “calmest” family will sometimes need outside help dealing with the stress of a loved one who has continued symptoms.It is okay to seek professional help. Family therapy or joining a support group can also be very helpful.
  • Try to reduce stress at work:
    Of course, you want to do your very best at work. However, keep in mind that avoiding relapses is more important and will, in the long run, increase your overall productivity. Try to keep predictable hours that allow you to get to sleep at a reasonable time
  • Learn to recognize the “early warning signs” of a new mood episode:
    Early signs of a mood episode differ from person to person and are different for mood elevations and depressions.

The better you are at spotting your own early warning signs, the faster you can get help. Slight changes in mood, sleep, energy,self-esteem, sexual interest, concentration, willingness to take on new projects, thoughts of death (or sudden optimism), and even changes in dress and grooming may be early warnings of an impending high or low. Pay special attention to a change in your sleep pattern, because this is a common clue that trouble is brewing. Since loss of insight may be an early sign of an impending mood episode, don’t hesitate to ask your family to watch for early warnings that you may be missing.

All this will help you tackle bipolar and reduce relapses so bring it on BIPOLAR!!