How to cope with type I Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of mania and depression. If you have been recently diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder and don't know much about your illness, you may feel like recovery is out of reach. An article in The Journal for Affective Disorders, "What Works for People with Bipolar Disorder? Tips from the Experts," asked high-functioning bipolar patients to explain what helped them in their treatment. The patients reveal that there are many strategies for coping with type 1 bipolar disorder.

Things You'll Need

• Journal or pen and paper
• Medications

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep a journal to help you track what you're feeling before an episode.

  Practice self-monitoring. Ongoing self-monitoring helps patients become aware of the moods and thoughts that precede bipolar episodes. Keep a journal to help you track what you're feeling before an episode and use these to create a plan for further episodes.

• 2

  Get at least 8 hours of sleep.

  Get at least 8 hours of sleep. According to "What Works for People with Bipolar Disorder? Tips from the Experts," participants said sleep was most important in managing this disorder. Plan your schedule so you go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.

• 3

  Take all medication prescribed to you as instructed.

  Take all medication prescribed to you as instructed. According to the The National Institute of Mental Health, medication is required for treatment of type 1 bipolar disorder. You may have to try different medications before you find one that works for you. If you haven't been under the care of a psychiatrist recently, get an appointment to find out what medications you should be taking and how you should be taking them.

• 4

  Ask your family to educated themselves about type 1 bipolar disorder.

  Ask your family to educate themselves about type 1 bipolar disorder. In an article in The Journal of Affective Disorders, "The Impact of Staging Bipolar Disorder on Treatment Outcome of Family Psychoeducation," people in the early stages of type 1 bipolar disorder tend to have better outcomes when their family or caregivers have received psychoeducation about bipolar disorder. This only applies to people in the earlier stages of the disorder, so the sooner you get your family or friends involved, the more likely it is that you will have a better outcome.

• 5

  Stay connected to other people.

  Stay connected to other people. According to "What Works for People with Bipolar Disorder? Tips from the Experts," talking with family, friends, a therapist or anyone you feel comfortable talking with can help you cope with type 1 bipolar disorder. If you don't have many connections, reach out to the bipolar community where you can talk to other people struggling with the same disorder through support groups or online discussions.