Living with Bipolar Disorder
Self- Management, Therapy and Medication for Manic Depression
Jan 1, 2008
Bipolar disorder or manic depression can be a severely disabling medical condition. However, with appropriate treatment, many people with bipolar disorder can live full and satisfying lives. Although it often doesn’t seem like it when they are actually ill, bipolar people are likely to have periods of normal or near normal (whatever that is) functioning between episodes.
With correct bipolar disorder treatment in the form of management, therapy and medication, they can become practically symptom free.
Bipolar People Must Become Involved in their Treatment
Ultimately the prognosis depends on a range of factors, many which are under the bipolar person’s control:
- the right medicines at the correct dosages - it may take a while to get this right
- a very informed patient - the internet has a lot of information
- a good working relationship with a competent medical doctor, preferably a psychiatrist
- a competent, supportive and warm therapist
- a supportive family or significant other, and
- a balanced lifestyle including a regulated stress level, regular exercise and regular sleep and wake times.
Needless to say avoiding any form of self-medication like alcohol and street drugs, should be at the top of the list for anyone who has manic depression.
Bipolar Disorder is not a Life Sentence
Although bipolar disorder cannot be cured, it is not a life sentence. It might take a while to find the right therapist and to get the medications and the balance sorted out, but with some intensitve personal effort, a bipolar person can actually live a life without the terrifying roller coaster highs and lows.
Management is an Important Part of Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Sure there are other factors that contribute to a good prognosis, like being very aware of small changes in one's energy, mood, sleep and eating behaviors, as well as having a plan together with one’s doctor for how to manage these subtle changes that might indicate the beginning of a mood swing.
Manage the Mood Swings
It is always better to manage a mood swing when one catches it in the early stages. Some people find it helpful to keep a log book of their moods, others keep a journal.
It is easier to know when one is depressed than to realize when one is getting manic. The early part of mania, the hypo-mania, feels so good; one just doesn’t want it to end. For this reason it is a safe option for the bipolar person to appoint a good friend, partner or relative as a monitor to help keep an eye on the mood swings, especially when the person is getting high.
Bipolar People Often have Problems with Alcoholism
By the time most people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed, they are pretty scarred by life from being tossed around in the roller coaster car and they usually have a few disasters behind them. They have often become addicted to drugs or alcohol in order to self-medicate. This means that other problems, like anxiety disorder or alcoholism, may have kicked in.
Watch out for Mixed Moods
It is possible for mania and depression to be present at the same time. In this mixed state, people often experience combinations of agitation, disturbances in sleep and appetite, suicidal thoughts and psychosis. This is a true, absolute down-and-dirty, manic depression!
Three Parts of a Bipolar Disorder Treatment
There are three basic parts of bipolar disorder treatment. They are medication, therapy and education. The tricky part is to keep focused on a steady routine, a regular sleep pattern, a sober and healthy lifestyle, keeping stress levels low, therapy regular and a committed psychiatrist monitoring the medication.
Don't try to do it alone.
Sources:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide – David J. Milkowitz, PhD – What you and your family need to know
More Bipolar Disorder Articles:
Bipolar Disorder: Cause Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
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