How to manage bipolar disorder - 6 Strategies

How to manage bipolar disorder. Even though medication is the mainstay of managing bipolar disorder, there are ways you can manage bipolar disorder naturally without medication (or independent of your medication). The first step is to identify what triggers you to get off your normal cycle. People with Bipolar Disorder are sensitive to even small disruptions in their equilibrium. Step two is to keep a mood diary. This can help you see how you are progressing or when you are moving from one episode to another. Step three is to establish a daily routine. Step five is to have an activity plan that you implement when you are oversleeping or withdrawing during your depressed phase. Step five is to implement dark therapy for the manic periods. Step six is to establish a relapse prevention plan.

References
Barbini B1, Benedetti F, Colombo C, Dotoli D, Bernasconi A, Cigala-Fulgosi M, Florita M, Smeraldi E. Dark therapy for mania: a pilot study.
Bipolar Disord. 2005 Feb;7(1):98-101.

Henriksen TE, Skrede S, Fasmer OB, et al. Blue‐blocking glasses as additive treatment for mania: a randomized placebo‐controlled trial. Bipolar Disorders. 2016;18(3):221-232.

Harvey AG: Sleep and circadian rhythms in bipolar disorder: seeking synchrony, harmony, and regulation. Am J Psychiatry 2008;

[darksoul]

What I have found other than taking my medication, the most important thing for me is to get enough sleep.

[reFocusZone]

Everyone remember this one: “ANY kind of MOVEMENT is an IMPROVEMENT.” ... (and pat yourself on your back every time you decide to make movements, even if it’s just getting up to put your dirty dishes in the sink or take out the trash 🗑 👏🙌

[susanveraldi]

If all doctors were as knowledgeable and able to explain this disease, we may conquer this. Thank you for your knowledge!!!

[victorialuke]

being bipolar in the pandemic yay i feel like i'm in a 6 months rollercoaster by now, I'm exhausted

[gabagaba]

1. Identify Triggers
2. Record Your Moods With A Mood Diary
3. Establish A Daily Routine
4. Have An Activity Plan (Disaster Management Plan)
5. Use Dark Therapy (Dark Environment From 6pm to 8am)
6. Relapse Prevention Plan (Strategy to avoid triggers or be less reactive to them)

[tstreeter]

I'm absorbed in self pity right now, but would like to try these tips in the future.

[hey]

How to manage bipolar disorder - 6 strategies
1. Identify things that trigger an episode
2. Keep a record of your moods, e.g. mood diary
3. Establish a daily routine: build your time around anchor points
4. Have an activity plan for when you're in an low mood episode
5. Use dark therapy (6PM-8AM) can be blue light blocking glasses especially in a high mood episode
6. Have a relapse prevention plan, using step 1.

Make sure to take your meds

[anthonysalatino]

At age 55 i'm embarassed to say I needed this but wow. THANK YOU

[reginarendon]

I watch your videos because my daughter was diagnosed with bipolar 2 a few years ago, and it has been a real roller coaster ride in our family. Numerous hospitalizations and several suicide attempts as well. Your knowledge and thoroughness of teaching about mental illness is superb!

[lunaryear]

“Movement is an improvement” I like it doc

[JohnGeorge-pwxo]

I got diagnosed with bipolar 18 years ago as a teenage. Spent my whole life fighting bipolar. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[heathmckinnon]

Thanks Dr Tracey.
I have lived with bipolar for 24 years...the last time I was in hospital was in 2008. It was serious but now under control. Thanks for your podcasts, every bit helps. Heath.

[ronemtae]

Most important tip I can give anybody I was diagnosed bipolar in 1978 it wasn’t called bipolar then but the most important thing you can do is to keep a journal to keep a running chronological record of what’s going on so you can look back and maybe be able to recognize a manic episode of depressive episode and you’ll notice that you can make a change you can put yourself in a better position when you’re in an extreme mood

[busybeeclass]

Thanks so much, Doctor! This should be required viewing for all diagnosed folks and their families...so helpful and simply presented. This has really helped my entire family. You are a God-send!

[kasondaleigh]

Excellent advice.
I’ve always taken naps in addition to eating well and walking my dog in my attempt to manage my illness. I swear by my routine. My issues still arise, but my schedule has really helped cut down on the chaos and stress when I have a breakdown. Best wishes to all those dealing with this nightmare.

[yssemhair]

At 41 I've had almost 20 years since being diagnosed with Bipolar 1. Your mental health explanations have been the best I've ever seen. I say this because I've had many an episode where I have spent hours reading or listening to individuals trying to explain what I was experiencing. Just like the right combo of meds and strategies, we find you. I've learned what my triggers are and can usually identify them. The loss of control is my weakness though. But we move forward and I think once a person accepts it and tries to move forward, life gets a lot more bearable. Thank you.

[albertoviale]

I identify as Bipolar 2, though, my psychiatrist, diagnosed me as Depressive and GAD, I’ve been in spending sprees, as a way to forget my job stress, I know I’ m clever and know more about my job than others(I’m a pharma rep that works with antidepressants!, ) but there’ s a sort of cyclic mood, there are periods where I’m anxious and depressed, there are others where I’m confident and defiant, and work from 8am to 8pm nonstop. I think I should change my doctor !Thanks for your vid. Good job.

[TKO-qjzx]

I’m bipolar 1, mixed. I have a real hard time figuring out if I’m manic or depressed. It’s both at the same time.

[tcharles]

I'm in a really strange place right now, I feel I sledding in to a depressed state. I'm crying as I write this. However, I was actually writing this to tell you thank you for your antics about the blue blocker glasses & your rookie mistake. It actually caused me to laugh and smile. But my laugh quickly turned into tears. That fact that I'm looking for the least little thing to smile about and be motivated by is saddening. Everything thing seems overwhelming right now. I know I have things to do or even know what to do but I just can't seem to get jump started... This is the worst! I have to find a way to take care of me.

[trajackson]

I got diagnosed at 25 and had been given meds for 7 years prior based off anxiety/depression which ended up being medication that heightened my manics and made things significantly worse until I was put on the right meds. I'm 28, almost 29 now and still trying to figure out the best ways to manage this. Thanks for the videos. They're providing with me some much needed peace of mind. My family is dismissive about it so I don't feel like I have anyone to really talk to about this stuff. Thanks to everyone sharing their stories too. Your stories are inspiring me to give each day another chance.