How to Cope With Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness requiring life-long treatment. The swing between the emotional highs and lows along with the possible side effects of medication make it a challenging illness to contend with. You can do several things, however, to make your life as enjoyable as possible, and with proper use of your medication and finding ways to cope, you can lead a normal, happy existence.

Instructions

• 1

  Take your medications as directed, even if you are feeling better. Stopping medications or altering your doses can be dangerous. Do not start any other medications without talking to your doctor first. Certain medications can trigger a bipolar episode or interfere with medication used to treat your disorder. Sticking to prescribed medications is vital for successful treatment.

• 2

  Educate yourself about your illness. Learning about bipolar disorder empowers you to take control of your situation and stick to your treatment plan. While it can be upsetting to have a condition requiring life-long treatment, learning all you can will help you do all you can to improve the quality of your life.

• 3

  Join a support group. One of the best ways to cope with a problem is by interacting with others who face the same challenges. A support group allows you to share your feelings with people who understand you. It is also a great place to get advice and tips about how to live with bipolar disorder from people who actually have it.

• 4

  Find healthy, constructive ways to channel your energy. Exercise regularly. Find things you enjoy and make time to do them more often. These include hobbies and recreational activities. Keep your recovery goals in sight. Your bipolar episodes might have caused problems in a variety of areas including your relationships and finances--remember that you can work to fix them. Stay focused on the positive. A good idea is to write down your goals for the future. Getting specific about what you hope to gain from recovery is a great way to stay motivated. By keeping your focus and energy on positive things, you naturally reduce incidences of negative emotions that can set you back.

  Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from bipolar disorder can take time. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind and reminding yourself that you can work to repair damaged relationships and financial and legal problems.

  Find healthy outlets. Explore healthy ways to channel your energy, such as hobbies, exercise and recreational activities.

• 5

  Reduce stress as best you can. A number of effective techniques are available to you. Experiment with different ones to see which you like best. It is important to do these stress-reducing activities on a regular basis to fully benefit. Some popular ones include yoga, meditation, deep breathing and positive visualization.