How to Manage a Manic Low in Bipolar Disorder

The depressive state in a manic depressive's life can be a excruciating time in a bipolar person's life. Bipolar people often crash from the excess and impulsiveness of mania into the vulnerable depths of depression. Sometimes it is possible to detect and "feel" this change coming on, and at other times the change to the depressive state seems totally unexplainable. There are a few ways to manage your low times.

Things You'll Need

• Friends
• Family members
• Co-Workers
• Therapists
• Counselors
• Transportation
• Familiar objects
• Money

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Instructions

• 1

  Learn to recognize the symptoms of your depressive state and try to predict triggers or days when it will hit hardest. Having a general preemptive plan for managing your depression allows you to begin planning the best defense for it before the depressive state alters your mood. Remember that while you are in a depressive state you are actually entering a different state of mind and may most likely do things that are out of character and may go against your usual standards.

• 2

  Stockpile emergency, personal and professional numbers, emails and contacts in case of a crippling depression. In difficult times you will need non-judgmental support from friends, family, counselor, therapist or members of a support group. Also stockpile things that make you feel happy or remind you of a happy time such as special music, clothing, jewelry or books. Do not include things from ex-friends or ex-lovers or deceased family members. Your depression may make you want to mourn the loss associated with these items.

• 3

  Contact your therapist or counselor for an emergency session if possible. If professional help is available, make sure ahead of time that you have enough money for any treatment or medicines made available to you through professional help services. Also make sure that you have transportation to get you to the appointment and back. If you cannot reach a professional, reach out to close family members or a spouse that will listen and add thoughtful and calm advice.

• 4

  Keep a diary, if possible, of your life and all of your depressive and manic states which you intend to turn over to your therapist or healthcare provider. It is possible that by going back through changes in life events or certain other stressors may have been a "trigger" for you to return to a depressive state.