Bipolar & Stress

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can be successfully managed by a combination of medications, therapy and a commitment to learning how to adjust your lifestyle to better cope with the disorder. Stress is proven to trigger depression in many people and learning how to cope with stress can make bipolar disorder easier to deal with.

How Stress Affects Bipolar

• People who have bipolar disorder experience periods of deep depression that alternate with periods of manic behavior. Stress can trigger depression, which can make a bipolar sufferer relapse into worsening cycles of depression or manic behavior.

Medication

• Often medications need to be adjusted during treatment for bipolar disorder and sometimes the inability to deal with stress can cause more medications to be needed. Medication alone will not cure the symptoms experienced from too much stress.

Coping Techniques

• Incorporating relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing can help a bipolar patient deal with stress. Aromatherapy, massage or soothing music can also be helpful.

Coping Skills

• Bipolar disorder patients need to avoid stressful situations in order to not be affected by them. In situations that cannot be avoided, patients need to practice coping skills that can be learning by cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches how to change your behavior and reactions in order to deal more effectively with stress.

Structure

• People with bipolar disorder can help to reduce the stress in their lives by keeping their lives structured. Making sure that they have regular meals, exercise and get enough sleep can help to avoid becoming stressed by keeping them living a healthy lifestyle.