The extreme highs and lows associated with bipolar disorder can be difficult to live with. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious condition that can disrupt a person's life by causing unpredictable mood swings. People with bipolar can alternate between frantic mania and immobilizing depression. Medication to control mood swings, along with counseling and support, can help.
Step 1
Find a medication that works for you. Work with a physician or psychiatrist who is experienced in treating bipolar disorder to find the right medication to control your symptoms. You and your doctor may need to try a variety of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and other medicines to find the right mix for you. Once you've found a good balance of medications, take them as directed. Don't stop even when you feel better.
Step 2
Organize your day so that you know what is expected of you. Leaving responsibilities and chores up in the air may trigger manic episodes, while scheduling too much in one day may trigger depression. Make reasonable schedules. Stick to routines such as eating, exercising and sleeping at the same time each day.
Step 3
Ask for help from friends, family and support groups. Ask someone you trust to call you every day to make sure you're up and about in the morning. Let them know you welcome questions about your eating habits and your plans for the day. Make a commitment to call someone every day to report your progress. Promise to call someone if you begin to feel overwhelmed.
Step 4
Find a support group and attend meetings regularly. Groups such as the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance can provide a safe place to meet with others going through the same challenges you are. They can not only provide moral support and share their own experiences with the disease, they also can give you practical tips about how to manage your days and live with bipolar.
Step 5
Get regular medical and psychological checkups. Long-term, bipolar disorder is associated with substance abuse and increased risk of thyroid disease and diabetes. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health haven't discovered why. They don't yet know whether these conditions happen as a result of bipolar or if they contribute to the mental illness.
Tips and Warnings
- Bipolar can be difficult to diagnose, especially when people are not completely honest with their doctors. To get the help you need, be honest with your doctor about your mood swings.
- Avoid street drugs and alcohol. Up to 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder self-medicate with illegal drugs or alcohol that mask the symptoms of the disorder, postponing effective treatments.
Things You'll Need
- Qualified doctor
- Medication
- Schedule
- Support group
