Hi,
How’s it going?
I have had a bunch of problems recently. It’s hard saying on top of this organization that is growing really fast.
Everybody has problems however.
Some people see their problems as big ones, and some see them as small ones.
Some people see problems as an everyday thing we just need to deal with.
I heard a negative person say that problems are “a reality that ruins my day.”
Yet a positive person said, “Problems are opportunities in disguise.”
Some people just complain about their problems, while other people do something about their problems.
The point is, we all have problems.
We just differ in the way we approach them and in the way we solve them.
Like take bipolar disorder, for example.
People with the disorder tell me their biggest problem is not with taking their medications.
It’s not with going to all their appointments.
It’s not with sleeping right, exercising, or eating a healthy diet.
It’s not even with dealing with the stigma associated with bipolar disorder.
The biggest problem that people with bipolar disorder tell me that they have is coping with having the disorder itself.
Sometimes it feels like the disorder has taken over their whole lives.
Even when they’re not in an episode they live in fear of when the next episode is going to come.
In my courses/systems, I talk about this, but I also say that if you’re prepared for it in advance, you don’t have to live with this fear.
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
But I asked some people to give me suggestions on creative ways to cope with bipolar disorder, and here are a few suggestions:
1. Have a pet
A dog or cat gives you unconditional
love. even just petting them can
soothe your nerves when you feel
stressed out. And they’re always
so happy to see you when you get
home (whether you’ve been gone
5 days or only 5 minutes!). How
can you be depressed when you’ve
got a pet?
2. Crossword Puzzles
Doing Crossword Puzzles or
Word Find Puzzles help you to
focus and keep those distracting
thoughts to a minimum. You also
feel a sense of accomplishment
when you’ve finished one. It’s
best to do the easy ones (at least
at first) so you don’t feel
overwhelmed or get too
frustrated, which would be
defeating the purpose. Be
careful, though, because these
can be addicting!
3. Coloring
I know this sounds like “baby
stuff” and yes, this is the same
coloring we did as kids, but many
people with bipolar disorder
have found coloring to be very
therapeutic. It keeps stress
levels to a minimum, helps you
focus and concentrate, and brings
out your creativity at the same
time.
4. Doing Puzzles
This is very good for focus and
concentration for people with
racing thoughts. You may want
to start with a fewer piece puzzle
at first, however, so that you don’t
get frustrated or overwhelmed.
Remember to work the outside
pieces first (and the corners)!
5. Music or Art
If you have talent in either of
these two areas (or even if
you don’t!), many people have
found it to be helpful to them
to do this – if for nothing else
than just to keep their fingers
busy. Some people find that
just listening to some quiet
music to be soothing and
calm their stress as well.
These are just some suggestions to help with coping with bipolar disorder.
Can you think of some more?
What are some creative things that you do to cope?
I’d love to hear them.
Post responses below
I want to start by thanking you for spending time helping
Others. I have many family members whom have bipolar and
It never is easy to cope with from any angle.
With that said I’d love to inform you on what helps my
Family cope with their anxiety and stress. My fiancé and
Adopted daughter listen to music (loudly) or play video games
As their stress relief. My step father and fiancé enjoy going
Fishing and having a ‘guys night out.’
I also wanted to comment on the fact that I see thd men
In my life refusing to see their doctor and take their meds.
The women however, do as the doctor perscribes (office visits
And medication and advice for stress relief.)
Thank you again for helping others whom care for People
With this disorder and I look forward to reading your email
every day.
Angela
A way I found to cope is creative writing. I wrote a whole book and although it is a fiction novel, there are lots of parts in it based directly on past experiences. I would describe it as a form of self-exorcism, a way of casting out certain demons of the past that I couldn’t get rid of otherwise.
I am sad to say that I am in a episode right now. It is not full blown, but it is happening again. I hate this illness. I know what triggered it, and could not stop it! My daughter won’t allow me to see my grandchildren once again, she did this last year, about the same time. She doesn’t like me to have an opinion of my own. When I express myself she simply does not want to hear what I have to say. I am no longer yelling mind you, I have that under control. I am trying so hard to deal with the anger, hurt, resentment, sometimes hate that I feel towards her. I am reaching out for help, seeing my therapist more often, letting my doctor know what is going on with me now. I have always been compliant with taking my medication, that has never been the problem. Actually, I used to over medicate myself, but that was when I was suicidal, there are moments when I think about that also, but we won’t go there. My goals are to go back to school in the fall, which I have already applied for financial aid, am registering for classes in July. I am doing some research on some possible new medication that may help me, possibly enhance what I am currently taking. I know all is not lost, but it feels pretty damn bad.
I have 2 — (1) lap swimming. I call it ‘meditational exercise.’ It calms my mind and thoughts and makes my body feel good, like I am improving in some way, and (2) quilting. It is that creative, coloring, musical thing with fabrics. It is solving a puzzle and creating something beautiful at the same time. It is the potential of a gift to make someone else happy.
Working in the yard. Digging in the dirt, playing in the mud with your hands. Planting plants, what and accomplishment when you stand back and look at your work, watching something grow that you planted. Wow!
My husband finds playing with his trains very relaxing.
Some may think trains are toys, but train hobbyist see this as much more. He has a permanent set up of N scale trains and runs them almost daily for a short while.
So if you have a little room in your house or apartment and you enjoy trains try this to relax and calm yourself down.
Oh and if you have a family member that may like setting them up and creating a town or whatever this may be a good way for more then one family member to be involved. I help my husband create new ideas from time to time. Good luck.
Hey dave, just wanted to say thanks again, as far as coping my girfriend son seems to like to plays sports alot, football or baseball he has better control than I do myself if he don’t catch it or hot it, LOL. There so much u can learn from a illness in negative thought theve had or look at what they gone through, and stay positive during some episodes, they like going to the zoo alot but I do to me and his try to things together with them when possibe have a good evening.
I AM NOT A CREATIVE PERSON MY CONSONTRATOIN IS SHIT.
LOVE LINDA X
I think it’s important to really think about who you are as a person, and to take active steps in developing your identity outside of this illness.
This is not denial that you have bipolar disorder. It is acceptance and responsibility for staying as well as you possibly can.
But it is adding to your sense of self, recognizing what else there is to you besides your experience of the condition.
This is one reason why I never refer to myself or anyone else as “a bipolar.” We are people who have bipolar disorder. We don’t need to take it on as if it were a life role or something intrinsic to our personality. (Others might be comfortable with this. I know it’s individual, I’m only stating what works for me).
So I invest time in continuing to think about what else there is to me besides my experience of bipolar disorder. Now and then, someone asks me what I do for fun, and I have trouble answering. It seems like fun is sometimes a luxury I can’t afford! And that’s due only in a small part to coping with stress related to this illness! It’s just life!!! Fun?? That seems irresponsible when you have so much to do! 🙂
But now and then, I ask myself what I like to do, what’s fun for me. I can come up with a few things. Taking an inventory like this helps me focus on who I am, in addition to being a person in recovery.
Also, it helps me to think of what roles I play in my life. I’m a friend, so what kind of friend am I? I’m a woman, and there’s a certain sense of self I derive from that. What kind of work do I do? That’s another part of identity.
This probably sounds odd, but I also find it helpful to think about what other kinds of problems I have–just everyday life problems I would have whether or not I had bipolar disorder.
Truthfully, money would be tight whether or not I had to worry about a spending spree during a manic episode. I’m generally very stable, and it’s still hard to live within my means!
(The tumbling economy affects me whether I have bipolar disorder or not)! I don’t have dental insurance. That’s stressful, especially when I know there’s treatment I will need in the future.
I have physical/mobility issues. I know there is a certain amount of control I have over that, but ultimately, the future is uncertain. Problem. Stressful.
I tend to be shy, and I think somewhat awkward around other people. So as much as I want to have more friends and to enjoy social things, it’s stressful.
And for me, on any given day bipolar disorder is very low on my list of problems. As I said, I’m very stable, so I’m not minimizing the problem for anyone else who’s really stuggling.
But the things I like to do, the roles I play in my life, and the problems we all have, with bipolar disorder or without, say a lot more about who I am and what drives my life than an illness does.
It won’t go away, but it helps to choose to focus in addition to your illness, on as many other aspects of yourself as possible.
Just me! I have bipolar disorder. It’s not who I am, and it doesn’t run my life.
Maybe this will help. Hope so!!
Best to all–get well, stay well…
J
Word search
cross stitching
crocheting
Keep your blinds open, soak your dwelling space with natural light. So even when you don’t want to be around people you are reminded there is still a life outside your box. Birds, the neighbors cat, even a squirrel can make you smile unexpectedly.
Take walks with headphones. That way your not forced into conversations with strangers. You feel in control of who you can filter out.
I have two wonderful cats that are lovable, and different as night and day – that keep me grounded! You HAVE to be responsible when you have pets; who else is going to feed them and give them water? I remember as a child, we had a Collie who lived outside with her doghouse. My brother and I BEGGED our parents to get us a dog, and that WE would take care of her. Guess who took care of the dog…that’s right – my Mom!! That’s why it was such a BIG deal when I got my first cat in the late 90s. Fortunately, I wasn’t in an episode, and that cat was WELL taken care of.
I absolutely ADORE my kitties. Tinker (a gray tabby) is laid-back, and wants ONLY to love and be loved in return. Purrcy (beige tabby) is a “wild thing.” The poor baby had been absued as a very young kitten by the daughter of the woman who owned Purrcy’s mother – things like dragging it around by his neck; almost drowning him in the toilet; and throwing him up against the wall. No WONDER the little thing doesn’t TRUST anyone; would YOU if all you knew was hatefulness and abuse? But the times he crawls into my lap to be my “lap cat” are what I yearn for; he is SOOO sweet when he lies there, purring along, and QUIET!!!
I heartily recommend that if you are stable with your bipolar disorder, that you look into the possibility of owning a cat or a dog. (I’m secretly a “dog person,” but don’t tell my boys!). DO NOT buy them from a Pet Store; go to the local Shelter and adopt one that is already looking for love and attention. My boys give back soooo much more than I give them in return, and all for the cost of a little cat food and litter!!
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
Today’s note from David was a good for me as a caregiver. Our son Joe is in the hospital with a major episode. Your comments and advice really helped me today and when JOe returns home and is stable I will share the many things I have learned from you all. Thanks again to all of you for the courage to write and inform all of how you are coping and that there is hope after going thru a major episode. Joe is very artistic and is so afraid that he will loose all of his imagination with the meds he is on – I tried to encourage him that it will take time for his system to adjust to the new meds, but your ability to create will return – Am I right – please reply.
sex drugs and rock and roll
Positive thinking, negative thinking all are meaningless concepts, like give it to a higher power, or God will carry you through it all. Just solve your problems to the best of your ability with the information you have available and stop trying to put some wonderful philosophical spin on things.
When you have bipolar – everyday you wake up regular is a gift. All the others are a series of problems to be solved. Exercise, if you’re able to motivate, it chemically helps clear the mind and in turn makes it easier to solve problems.
Coping mechanisms: TV, movies, naps, moderate alcohol, waiting.
I once was given a poster to color in art therapy during a hospitalization. I was completely insulted that they would charge my insurance company 120.00/hour to color.
Yes the biggest problem with having bipolar is the ever present knowledge that one is bipolar forever. No reprieve, unexpected episodes, and a life that gets smaller and smaller with each reoccurrence. I do not see the silver lining in this situation.
hey as i see this i know for a fact that having pets around is stress to me i tried every thing there is but no hope for me im on so many meds its hard to get a drink of water. i just want to be along so talk toyou later. sharon
I know that my husband likes to play his music and often plays it loud. He was a DJ and used to mix music in disco’s and when there was a party somewhere.
He also likes to keep himself busy with small jobs in and around the house. He’s an electricien and also does mechanical jobs, like working on cars and boats.
He also can’t stand it when there are negative people around him. People who constantly talk negative and have negative comments. He then walks away.
What also makes him feel better, is getting enough of sleep. Others may think that I have a boring husband. They can think what they want, but I know that my husband needs his rest.
DAVE, I save all your emails and I have had this same email before a couple of weeks ago and commented on it. Never mind, it’s obviously new to some readers. I read the other email you sent out today. You mentioned that your friend was seeing a therapist 2x a week. My boyfriend’s therapist wanted to see him 3 or 4 times a week to work on all sorts of projects, which he didn’t want to do. At his appointment the other day his psych agreed that he doesn’t need a therapist adding to his stress level. He also adjusted the dosage of his meds slightly to try and help him out of his depressive episode.
SUZANNE, I totally agree that pets are the best therapists. I have recently acquired 3 kittens rescued off the street. They aren’t ready to go out in the garden yet and are quite a handful, but a lot of fun. They keep me busy. I also enjoy gardening, which helps to alleviate stress, cooking and even housework. I have been depressed myself lately but have got out of it with distractions like my kittens and my garden. My boyfriend has been to see the kittens a couple of times, though right now there’s nothing in the world that can cheer him up. I’m sure, as a bipolar survivor yourself you know what it’s like to feel “down” in that way. I hope that adjusting his meds will help him.
I’m just going in the dog with my garden.
Don’t worry the dog is in good hands, no cause for concern.
we have an extendable lead 😀
The dog loves it, so do i when it fucks of into the neighbors garden!
all i have to say is: WEEEEEEEEEEEE!
i think i’m on a manic,
good time to go and buy a new sofa, then moter mouth can’t complain 😛
ps. jasmine get me some toilet role!
i’ve had enough of this shit
lmfao x
Our 27 year old daughter-in-law was diagnosed last month after having a full blown manic episode while our son was away on a business trip. He took her to the ER as soon as he returned home, completely at a loss to know what was wrong with her, and she was admitted to a lock-down psychiatric unit where she stayed for several days. What a horribly traumatic event this was for all of us. They live on the West Coast and we all live on the East Coast so it’s really difficult to be so far away from a couple who are still so young and pretty much by themselves. They spent their first wedding anniversary with her in the hospital and our son trying to work out how to unravel financial issues and how to cope with a career that takes him away from home many times a year on business. She also has a career as a CPA, so this will need reviewing. Your daily emails have been extremely helpful and also given me a sense of support. Thanks so much and keep up the good work.
Hi, Dave et al. My name is Lynn, and I’m a recovering alcoholic. Besides attending A.A. and Alanon regularly, I DO also have 2 cats, which are my fast companions; and, yes, they’re always @ the door to greet me when I come in! I also have a garden; I should be able to begin to harvest some zuchini squash by next wk., the way they’re growing; it’ll be a little longer for the tomatoes. My friend sent me a coloring book of sorts, and a pkg. of 64! color-crayons, but I haven’t gotten into that so much, yet. Thanks for all of your service to us, everyday.
To LYNN: You’ll find that you’ll get INTO coloring once you get started! When I had my wisdom teeth pulled under general anesthesia, I was on morphine for the pain, and couldnl’t see to read, so I started coloring. It’s amazing how that skill from kindergarten comes back…you become a Picasso using different colors INSIDE the lines!! It’s GREAT you have two cats like me; aren’t they FUN??!! And they give back more than you give them…my thoughts and prayers are with you during your recovery.
To LINDA: Yes, it sounds to me as if you’re at least, hypomanic at this point. Be sure to take GOOD care of your puppy; animals don’t understand mood swings. And just to let you know – there are some on this blog who DO like to sling the BS.
My thoughts and prayers are with you for stability at last.
I have bipolar. I read anything, I get my hands on. I talk to family about my feels, good or bad. When I’m really down I don’t answer the phone or the door. I just sit in my apartment and read my bible.