How to Manage Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar affective disorder is a lifelong illness that causes alternating periods of depression (low mood) and mania (high mood). The changes in mood, behavior, thinking, and energy associated with bipolar disorder are more severe and prolonged than those experienced by people without the disorder. Without treatment, bipolar often leads to damaged relationships, loss of employment, and legal and financial problems. In some cases, it may result in suicide. Fortunately, with the right medication and support system, you can learn to effectively manage bipolar affective disorder and live a healthy, happy life.

Instructions

• 1

  Take your medication as prescribed, and do not stop taking it even if you begin to feel better. Some bipolar medications, including mood stabilizers and antidepressants, may take weeks or months to begin working. Take each dose on time, and report any negative side effects to your doctor. A change in medication may be necessary, although most side effects disappear with continued treatment.

• 2

  Watch your sleep and report any sleeping difficulties to your doctor immediately. Sleeping too much or too little is not only a symptom of bipolar disorder; it is sometimes a trigger, as well.

• 3

  Eat a healthy diet to ensure your body remains healthy and your medications are able to work effectively. Avoid binging on unhealthy snacks to keep your weight under control, and take a daily multivitamin if your medications negatively affect your appetite. Eating healthy includes drinking sufficient water every day. Some medications may increase your need for fluids. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need to make any dietary changes when starting or changing medications.

• 4

  Get plenty of exercise to help regulate your moods and control weight gain caused by bipolar medications. Exercise is an easy and healthy way of dealing with stress, a common trigger of mania and depression.

• 5

  Learn the early warning signs of an impending mood swing, and watch for triggering events that may require a change in medication or more frequent visits with your doctor. In addition to watching for standard warning signs, such as loss of interest in hobbies, trouble sleeping, or irritability, pay attention to any signs that are specific to your own life. For example, if you suddenly become dissatisfied with a job you once enjoyed and begin looking for a new one, you may want to mention it to your doctor at your next visit.

• 6

  Create an emergency action plan with the help of your doctor and family. Include what to do in the event you become manic or depressed, and list any medications you are currently taking. Include contact information for your doctors and family members, mention other health conditions you suffer from, and detail any treatment preferences you have.

• 7

  Reach out to friends and family for support when you need it. A support system is extremely beneficial when managing bipolar disorder. A support system can offer a safe place to vent your fears and frustrations, and trusted family and friends can alert you to abnormal behavior or other symptoms that you may not notice on your own. If your personal support system is limited for some reason, join a community support group. Most larger hospitals offer bipolar support groups for teens and adults.

• 8

  Keep all your scheduled appointments, even during times when you feel your bipolar is under control. Mood changes can occur quickly or gradually, and your doctor is trained to watch for subtle changes in your mood, personality, and behavior.

• 9

  Attend psychotherapy to learn coping methods and to help you work through any problems your illness may have caused in the past. Therapy is also essential if you suffer from another disorder along with bipolar.