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How to Cope with Bipolar Disorder

By: thepetguy


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Whether you have been diagnosed with type one or two bipolar disorder and have been fighting it for quite awhile, the important thing to remember is that you need to have full control of the situation. It must start with you. No other person can do this for you. If you truly want to get better you must help yourself first. There are many available resources that you can turn to such as support received from family and friends, mental institutions, facilities and therapists. While there is support available within the system to lend a hand, it also can start from you as well. How? Well here are a few ideas that may help.

1. Knowledge. The more you can read and learn about what you are experiencing the better it will be in understanding your illness. Plus, you will be able to educate your family and friends so that when you do have an episode and it will happen, they will know what to do.

2. Be as normal as possible. Try not to allow your daily routine from being interrupted by your disorder. Do not allow the disease to take over your life. By continuing your normal tasks such as doing your visiting with friends, working, taking the dog out for a walk and getting your six to eight hours of sleep every night will greatly help you to not let your bipolar disorder get the best of you.

3. Medication. You should never stop taking your prescribed medications unless your doctor says you can. Even if you start feeling better and show no signs of being bipolar or have not had any manic episodes do not stop your medications. It is because of these meds that you are starting to feel in control. Of course there will be side effects. If these side effects are too extreme then talk to your doctor but do not stop taking the medication until you have seen the doctor. Most of these meds can be increased or decreased to help alleviate the side effects.

4. Eliminate stressors and stimulants from your life. Avoid all situations and people that you know will trigger an episode be it positive or negative. Stimulants can cause sleeplessness which can result in bipolar episode. Some stimulants to avoid would be nicotine, caffeine like coffee, soda etc and other type stimulants.

5. Alcohol. Because alcohol is a natural depressant it would be a wise idea to reduce if not eliminate it all together. Plus alcohol can neutralize the effects of your medication which will alter your treatment and possibly cause liver and kidney damage.

These are just a few common sense tips that can help you control your bipolar disorder. There will be times when things will get out of your control and you will find that your therapist and doctor can be your best friend and life line.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Troy MacLean is a writer and researcher on the subject of Anxiety and Depression Click this link to learn ways of treating depression now.
www.treatinganxietyanddepression.com

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