How can I cope with my bipolar disorder?

Question

It seems so surreal sometimes. I know that it is (real) though because my doc diagnosed it and all the descriptions of it fit me to a tee. It changes all the time and everyday. It's like trying to fight an enemy you can't see, or trying to lasso a tornado. I am married with 3 children and it is very hard on them to see me ill all the time. Consistency is always what they say will help. But by its very nature the illness makes you chronically inconsistent! How do you cope when you're incapable of consistency?

Answer 1

The starting point is medication. It may take a while before you find the right combination, but without it, you will find things very hard. Perhaps the biggest challenge is coming to terms with the diagnosis, the label, being classified as 'mentally ill'.

For a long while, I was in a sort of twilight, just waiting for stuff to happen, because I didn't know what I was supposed to do now I had been diagnosed. It took time, but eventually I realised that what I had was all there was. I just decided I had to get on with it and see what happened. If I screwed up, at least I'd tried and my family would understand.

The consistency you mention is very important, but what they really mean is routine rather than personal consistency. Sleep hygiene (enough and at regular times) is also very important. The meds will help you achieve enough stability to start getting the consistency back in your life. Stick with it, it can be done.

Answer 2

Create a rigid daily structure for yourself, one that you can alter without any harm, such as take a nap or read a book instead of cleaning, etc. YES you can cope, millions do, not all of whom are fortunate enough to have a family. The most important thing is you talk this out, and that you know you are not alone, and that your family cares about you. Do not use the illness as an excuse to let yourself go, you have to think how much you will regret ten minutes from now what you are tempted to do at this moment. Not what others will think, but what you will think of having given in to the impulse.

Answer 3

I suffer from borderline disorder & I try to make sense out of non-sense, so I understand you perfectly. I don't know how you fight an invisible enemy. Keep working with your doc until you feel like this is getting more under your control. They can keep adjusting your meds until you are somewhat better. I am also married w/2 kids. My family doesn't always understand what happens in my head either.

Answer 4

Getting a good therapist. Who listens and grounds you is helpful.

Getting the right cocktail of medication is also very important because without the medication you know that your symptoms go
out of control.

I helped my younger sister get the right therapist and helped get her to the right medication. The side effects are not always the same for all the meds. Be honest with your doctor.

Answer 5

the only thing that will help (in my opinion) is to pray..hey thats really the only thing u can do other than make sure u take all your meds.. also i think u should get someone to help u realize u when u might be having an "outbreak" things such as in change in the type of words u use also the way u talk all of the little things such as this will make a big difference and if u recognize these things while u are still slightly in your "right mind" u will be alright but one thing never stop taking your meds no matter how u think u r doin

Answer 6

Medication like Lithium, or one of the others for Bi-Polar disorder, and tons of therapy. My 14 year old son is Bi-Polar and I see him struggle so much it makes me just want to reach out and hold him, for, forever...... Your line about trying to fight an enemy you can't see was so on point. Contact your local chapter of NAMI, National Alliance for the mentally ill. They have many support groups for Bi-polar disorder, both for the individuals diagnosed with it and for their family members to help them cope.
www.nami.com

Answer 7

See site below under bipolar for natural things you can do yourself with lots of advice from a psychiatrist. Also read some great uplifting stories about bipolar people.

http://www.phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 8

notes , a calendar, and a daily plan help me

Answer 9

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/

Answer 10

Cast all your anxiety on Him (Jesus) because He cares for you!