Living Bipolar Read Online Free PDF Page A

inadvisable to do sports during a hypomanic or manic phase or if we suspect we are going into decompensation of this type.
    Remember:
    In these cases, physical activity is a natural antidepressant , but it may make hypomanic or manic symptoms worse.
    -Francesc and Vieta 2006: 187
    Being good to myself is one of the most important lessons I have learned. Some days can be so overwhelming with intense emotions that I don't know what to do. When these days occur I've learned to be good to myself. I try to channel this energy through working out, prayer and meditation, journaling, helping other people, talking to other people, drinking chamomile tea, taking a hot bath, naps, listening to music, and sometimes getting quiet and watching a movie helps. And when none of these things work to alleviate my mood I simply focus on getting through the day.
    Slowing down myself is another important tool I've learned. My mind is always racing and my body operates at a fast level. However, my mind is frequently moving way too fast and I get frustrated because life doesn't operate that way, or I will think of a million things I want to do in the morning for the day, and then because I'm thinking of so many things I lose focus of what I need to do and I end up getting nothing accomplished. During these times I will say to myself slow down, slow down, slow down. One thing at a time.
    It's important for me to make a list of things to accomplish for the day and scratch them off as I accomplish them. But I must be careful of how many items I put on the list, because if I over load myself I will become very anxious and then nothing will get accomplished.
    Having a strong support group is critical, and talking to others brings a new perspective in my life. However, finding support from others is not an easy task because most people aren't able to relate to the illness. If I start talking to a casual acquaintance about having suicidal thoughts, or paranoid fantasies, they probably not know what to do and then they might not want to be around me. Even having conversations with my family can be challenging because they might get scared, concerned, and possibly overreact to how I’m feeling. Today, I have a select group of friends I can turn to for support, and a lot of times I will tell them I just need them to listen. I also have a few Bipolar friends who I can tell anything that's going on with me and they understand exactly what I’m going through because they go through the same things.
    MAINTENACNE AND TREATMENT OPTIONS
    One of the most important long-term goals of therapy in patients with Bipolar disorder is to prevent the recurrence of additional mood episodes. Since approximately 90 percent of patients who experience a manic episode will have recurrent episodes, it is important not only to treat the initial manic/hypomanic or major depressive episode but also to prevent subclinical or clinical relapses. Maintenance therapy is intended to achieve this objective. Mood stabilizer therapy is the mainstay of maintenance therapy for patients with bipolar disorder.
    -Keck and Suppes 2005: 10-1
    I am working with my doctor on this journey. It takes both the patient and the doctor for a successful recovery. The more I've learned to communicate accurately with my doctor the better things have gotten. The same is true for my relationship with my therapist. Communication with my doctor works best when I talk about my thinking and behavior, what life struggles I've had, how I’m sleeping, if I can’t function in my day to day life, if my thinking is abnormal, and if I've had any physical problems such as muscle spasms, rapid heart rate, nausea, trouble going to the bathroom, etc.
    I have learned communication requires action on my part. I must journal and take notes in between doctors’ visits to provide my doctor, and for myself, an accurate picture. In communicating with my doctor I've learned to keep track of certain events, such as suicidal thinking,