Left untreated, manic depression, known as bipolar disorder, can wreak havoc on your life, interfering with your relationships, success at work and happiness. Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings that result in depression and mania. These mood shifts can happen daily or a few times per year. MayoClinic.com reports that lifelong treatment is needed for this serious mental health issue. You can manage your symptoms and prevent depressive and manic episodes in order to live a more normal life.
Step 1
Seek professional help. It’s critical to get professional help with this disorder, because some symptoms--including suicidal ideation, reckless and aggressive behavior, and delusions--can cause serious issues. You could hurt yourself or someone else. MayoClinic.com reports that long-term treatment often includes medication and counseling. You may need a short psychiatric hospitalization if you’re experiencing dangerous symptoms in order to stabilize your mood. If you abuse substances, you may need detoxification and rehabilitation services as well.
Step 2
Stick with your treatment plan even when you feel like you’re doing better. Some people stop taking their medications once they no longer feel depressed or manic, but it’s important to continue taking your medication as prescribed. If you stop taking it, you could experience extreme mood shifts.
Step 3
Learn your triggers and monitor your symptoms. For example, if you know that you become depressed when you’re having financial trouble, monitor your symptoms closely when this occurs. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, call your therapist and schedule an emergency session.
Step 4
Create a list of things you can do to relieve stress and prevent mood swings. Think about things and experiences that make you happy, and write down at least 10 of them. Your list might include things like hiking with friends, meditating, having a cappuccino at a local coffee shop and playing a board game with your child. Post this list somewhere you’ll see it regularly, and make an effort to do one thing off your list each day. When your triggers pop up, make sure that you do things from your list in order to stabilize your mood.
Step 5
Make sleep a priority. You need to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night to help you prevent depressive and manic episodes, according to PsychCentral. When you don’t get regular sleep, you have a harder time coping with stress which can trigger mood swings.
Step 6
Exercise for at least 20 minutes most days of the week. This will also help to stabilize your mood swings. Endorphins, natural feel-good chemicals, are released in your brain when you participate in heart rate-elevating exercise. Exercise will keep you physically and mentally healthier.
