With its constant swinging moods, shifting energy levels, sleep difficulties and intrusive anxiety, bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming to say the least. Managing your bipolar disorder can feel the same way. However, you can feel better and get better by taking small, feasible steps every day.
Here are some effective ways to manage your bipolar disorder:
• Seek Professional Help: If you are not receiving any treatment for your bipolar disorder, contact a practitioner right away. Medication is crucial for managing bipolar disorder.
• Take Medication as Prescribed: Make sure to follow your doctor’s precise instructions when taking your medication. Don’t even discontinue your medication on your own. Instead, speak with your doctor is you are struggling with side effects or other concerns.
• Organize Your Medication: Make it easy for you to take your medication. Fill up three pillboxes at a time and keep them in different places, such as your car, bag and kitchen.
• Chart Your Symptoms: Try to keep a daily chart of your mood, sleep, irritability, anxiety, and any other important symptoms or habits. This can be a helpful way for you to prevent a mood episode or less its severity. It can also help you to spot patterns. For example, if your notice that your mood tends to be lower and you are sleeping more, you know you need to check in with your doctor.
• Create a Bedtime Routine: For people with bipolar disorder, sleep is critical. Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest triggers for a manic episode. A routine is also an effective strategy for facilitating sleep. It signals to your brain and body that it is time to rest. Try taking a hot bath, meditate or do some light reading to calm you down.
• Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: Both of these can worsen the symptoms of bipolar disorder and disrupt sleep. They can also elevate mood instability and impulsivity, and might even lead to a manic or depressive episode.
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Resource: PsychCentral
