Hi,
How are you today?
I hope you’re doing good.
Someone wrote about what some of life’s biggest lifestyle changes were.
Like marriage or divorce.
Like moving.
Like changing jobs.
Like a death in the family.
Well, I think bipolar disorder is one of life’s biggest lifestyle changes.
And learning how to cope and deal with it doesn’t happen overnight.
There is no crash course to stability.
Even though in my courses/systems, I teach you how to cope and deal with bipolar disorder, I also tell you that it takes time to become stable.
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Even my course is not a “crash course.”
I go through the elements of stability, but I don’t offer a magic word you can say to get there overnight.
Although the things I listed before about life’s major lifestyle changes happen quickly, the fallout from them happens more gradually.
It takes time to get used to being married and living with someone else, or being alone again from a divorce.
It takes time to pull off a move.
It takes time to get used to a new job.
And it definitely takes time to grieve for a lost family member.
So making the bipolar lifestyle change takes time as well.
Getting used to the medication can take time.
Just getting used to taking it is a change in itself.
Then there might be side effects that need to be dealt with.
Or medication changes.
But eventually you are on the right medications in the right dosages and you are used to taking your medication, so you have made the bipolar lifestyle change in that area.
You also have to get a good doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist, and you need to start seeing them on a regular basis.
But eventually you get used to it, and you have made the bipolar lifestyle change in that area.
Making the bipolar lifestyle change has other, smaller parts to it as well.
Such as learning how to stick to a good sleep schedule.
And eating right.
And exercising.
Then there are other, bigger parts to a bipolar lifestyle change.
You may have lost your job because of your bipolar disorder, and now have to live on disability.
Your finances may be affected by your disorder as well (bipolar disorder isn’t cheap), and you need to make an adjustment to the change.
I don’t think you ever get used to bipolar episodes, but learning how to cope and deal with them and their consequences is a lifestyle change.
Being productive in spite of having bipolar disorder is a big change as well.
You may not be able to work outside the home any more, but you can still be productive.
You can volunteer, or you can even start a home-based business.
You can set goals and achieve them.
Yes, having bipolar disorder definitely means making some lifestyle changes.
But the better you are at making and accepting those changes, the faster you will become stable.
What are some of the lifestyle changes you have had to make because of bipolar disorder?
How have you dealt with them?
Post responses below
The lifestyle changes I’ve had to “get used to” are: quitting drinking entirely after being a heavy binge drinker for over 25 years, taking daily medication that makes me gain weight and learning how to keep the weight off (no easy task!!), learning what my anger triggers are and how to either avoid them or deal with them in a more constructive manner, learning how to avoid distructive relationships, learning how to stay away from malls when I have the urge to shop…and well, you get the idea. There were MANY changes, none of them easy, but they were all beneficial in the long run, trust me. I am currently high functioning, a student at 53 yrs. of age in my second year of a Social Work degree. I have a boyfriend, a couple of close friends…and my health is not bad. Am I happy? I’m still not sure what the actual definition of happiness is, but I do feel a contentment with my life that I never felt before the b/p diagnosis.
You are right Dave, we have to make changes and accept the challenges. Exercising and right diet are the major changes I must make. I did not take these issues seriously and now I have diabetes 2. Pills do also alter the sugar levels. I could have avoided it if I have had the right diet earlier.
I wish that other ill people will take changes more seriously than myself. Thank you for all your advices.
The FIRST lifestyle change I had to make, was accepting that I had a “mental illness.” I had achieved my dream job, was engaged, had my own apartment – and then – WHAM!! It was all gone. I “think” I was on the job in the Senator’s office for less than 2 weeks when my doctor said I was “exhausted” and “needed a rest.” He put me on the psychiatric ward of the hospital where I had had 3 major operations. Of course, I couldn’t go back to my old/new job after a “nervous breakdown.” I was shamed and embarrassed, thinking the whole thing was MY fault…
Another change was, also, quitting drinking after 33 years of problem drinking, so it wouldn’t interfere with my antipsychotic meds. It only took me 3 days to acclimate to not drinking…I was one of the lucky ones. MUCH later, I gave up pot, which really didn’t do anything for me; I did it for “socialization” reasons. It wasn’t hard to quit, and I’m glad I did.
I haven’t had a major manic episode since I was hospitalized for the last time in 1977, but that doesn’t mean that I’m “cured.” I still look over my shoulder at the specter of mania, as I respect how quickly it can disrupt my life.
I am NOT being particularly productive right now because of the vertigo. I can’t very well do my mystery shopping because of the confusion that goes along with the dizziness. I have been warned NOT to drive, but I have NO one but myself to get around and do errands. My ENT DR says she “thinks” it was an ischemic stroke, and that physical therapy will help with balance problems. I also am looking forward to being referred to a GOOD neurologist; the one I have now just doesn’t CARE…
There are a lot of adjustments that those with bipolar disorder have to make to become stable. Some are painful, and some are no-brainers Just do what you can to stay sane and comfortable in your own skin.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.