Bipolar Disorder Tools & Help: Discovering The 'MASTER TRIGGER!'

Bipolar Disorder often follows a distinctive pattern when it comes to symptoms. Learning to recognize these patterns can help give us a HUGE advantage in preventing symptoms from getting worse.

In addition to the typical symptoms of depression & mania, there are also what we call "triggers" which add rocket fuel to the symptoms. Triggers can be anything from substances, to people, places & things, PTSD, what we consume, and much more.

What I've learned over the years is how triggers can compound - and fast! It's like a domino effect... One trigger can incidentally cause others to follow until our symptoms are completely out of control. If we can consciously trace things back to "The Master Trigger" or where it all started, we can learn a lot about ourselves and in turn, stop the "domino effect" in it's tracks! Cultivating a better sense of self-awareness takes practice, but it's a practice that can be extremely rewarding.

If this is your first time visiting our channel, welcome to "the Polar Warrior club!" We are completely dedicated to helping individuals, families, and friends who struggle with, or know someone living with Bipolar Disorder. Our goal is to provide actual tools, tips, and discuss topics that can potentially help “Polar Warriors” grow to live a more balanced, peaceful, and fulfilling life. We truly hope these videos inspire & educate those interested in knowing more about this serious mental illness. PLEASE remember to subscribe so you don't miss a video that could impact your life in a profound way!

-Rob Whittaker, Polar Warriors: Bipolar Support

[gilly]

You have to respect when your partner says "Babe let's talk". Once you find the person who can say that, and you don't become defensive... It's like the sky opening!

[bluejeanteddybear]

One of my triggers is when I feel like I'm running out of time to get something done.

[baruchben-david]

For me, one problem is that when I'm becoming manic, I don't recognize it as a problem at first. I may go for a day or two before I realize I'm heading for trouble. By then I may be pretty wild.

[Braveheartwriter]

Tell you what, YOU are a real life Hero! Yes you are.🙏

[jennifercarney]

I thank God I found this channel I thank God that I found that I am not alone anymore thank you Rob God bless

[DerekMatthewCoverSongs]

I am 32 years old and have been dealing with bi - polar disorder since I was 21 . I take my meds consistently, which is important...but lately I’ve found a lot of progress with my attitude change . It’s just not worth spiraling and getting all worked up over the little things . It’s all about attitude and a good combination of meds . Just wanted to share my progress . Keep on keepin on warriors

[GHfanlife]

I was just recently diagnosed with BP2, this channel has been more informative than my doctor. Thank you for making these videos

[hopeseeker]

Anyone else hate when people say, "you NEED to, you MUST, you HAVE to". As if you don't know and aren't trying.

[La_Kitty]

I use the concept of HALT-am I hungry, angry, lonely, tired? Thank you for the posts about trauma and PTSD being triggers. Never thought of that. My BP goal is to accept wherever I am at as being ok instead of fearing where my moods will take me next. ❤

[aaliyahlareine]

Excellent point. I found myself in a psych ward asking myself how I got there. It’s hard to find the trigger sometimes because I feel like I can’t remember much when I’m in that state

[leefray]

Simple things like coffee and junk food are actually huge triggers for me. A few months ago I decided to get a venti iced latte from Starbucks and it triggered a manic episode and I ended up going to the mall and spending my whole paycheck. I’m still recovering from spending all my money and catching up on bills. Junk food and carbs and trigger depression cause I will tell myself I’m gross and fat. I’m finally starting to change my diet and have been starting my morning with fresh fruit and a bottle of water. Small changes can have huge effects on us bipolar warriors!!

[sandramcnamara]

I'm just getting over a really bad time with someone I love very much, my sister. Instead of understanding her side I got caught up in a severe rage. I knew I had to get away from the situation so I went into my room and turn on some loud old rock and roll until I could feel myself slowly coming down to reality. The next day I felt so bad I apologized to sis and gave her a big hug and told her how sorry I was and told her I loved her. This disorder is so hard to deal with. Thanks for all your information.

[normacardello]

I’m afraid to include my family with my symptoms of bipolar, in the past I have been very abusive when they pointed them out. I shut myself off from them and try to do it alone. I need them in my life and have to open up with them about the help I need with my illness. Thanks Rob!

[kenndajustice]

I know my triggers but I'm mostly unaware to how to stop them. Thank you for your openess

[Scspencer]

It took me a long time to figure out some of my triggers. Looking back over the last 20 years I've realized that starting or ending a relationship or job are huge triggers. I just thought everyone felt like I did when they started or ended things, except they didn't end up hospitalizied like I did. I have smaller triggers too, that I haven't quite figured out.

[ashaminix]

I just love these videos! They remind me that medication only does so much and that I have to take care of myself wholistically to stay well. Thank you for posting these videos!!!

[javissimpson]

After my mom passed I hated being alone and doing nothing so I started to burry myself in school work to and my depression would get worse so I'd burry even more and end up felling like crap and then my cutting started and had a problem so i traced back and realize things all when to shit; and it was change and stress. Great change and the stress that came with it took me to a dark place am still trying to come from.

[beckybailey]

I have bipolar II and this video was so eye opening for me! Thank you!
I’ve realized that a huge trigger for me is when I handle family conflict poorly. An underlying trigger is mess and clutter in the house. I am working on becoming a minimalist. I’m also learning how to handle conflict better. It’s a journey for sure, and I appreciate the help of your channel!

[laurabrookstone]

My life calmed down considerably when I stopped trying to control what other people say or do. When I feel myself starting to react, I say " why are you taking this so personally". Other people have reasons for how they act that really has nothing to do with me. I really only want to give my energy to those who love and care about me. I avoid shallow, mean spirited people like the plague. There's no law saying you have to interact with everyone. Choose your companions wisely. It really helps

[anangel]

Here is a master trigger for you. I am the bipolar, and i suffer from PTSD, and anxiety attacks.


I was dating someone for 3 years. As the relationship progressed, my partner slowly started to ignore me. He would come home from work after a long bad day and say things like I just need space. So, i gave it, no questions asked. Then he started coming home and saying I love you, give me a kiss, then sit at his computer/xbox and play games for 6-10 hours straight. I'd ask when he'd be done, and he'd reply right after this battle. sometimes he would, most often he wouldn't. The times he didn't, it was because someone would text him in game right before he was logging off asking for help with something. He would help them instead of getting off the game. There were times I asked him to not help the person. He would say things like: "you know I hate abandoning people when they ask for help", or "it will only take a couple of minutes", or "wow, i haven't talked to this person in years, idk when I will get the chance to talk with them again, do you mind?", or "honey, you know how difficult it can be to find help in a game sometimes", etc. He just gradually stopped doing anything with me. He always made me feel like I had to let him help others before he could give any time to me.


There were times when his brother (who lives 3 states away) would call and ask to hang out - Which meant in a game. My partner would break preexisting plans with me saying things like: "but honey its my brother", or "family is important to me", or "I miss talking to him", etc. Then his brother would leave the conversation for hours, and my partner just sat on the phone listening to silence waiting for him to return. Sometimes his brother didn't tell him he was leaving at all, and my partner was sitting there for 5 minutes saying "hello?" "did you leave?" "are you coming back". His brothers excuses were always: "sorry bro I went OUT to get food", or "Sorry bro, I fell asleep", or "sorry bro, people came over unexpectedly", etc. Then there were times where my partner would be playing a game/chatting on the phone with his brother, and his brother would say: "hey so-and-so just got on, I'm going to add him to the call", and his brother would never say another word to my partner for hours, even though he was still in the same call. UNLESS, my partner said, "hey bro I'm gonna go". Then his brother would say "no, no, hang on, i'll just be a moment". My partner would stay and continue to get ignored, all the while I was ALSO being ignored by my partner. When my partner was finally pissed off enough from his brother's neglect, he would get mad at his brother. His brother would say: "whatever bro, do what you want", or "Don't talk to me like that, I don't want to deal with your sh*t", etc. My partner would get off the phone, sad, and angry. And I got all that frustration dumped on me.


So not only did my partner ignore me, but when he did pay attention to me, all i got was his bad attitude. I tried to be supportive, and understanding, but eventually I couldn't take it anymore, and I would have a manic episode. I didn't figure it out that first, second, or third time, but I saw the pattern by the fourth. I made my partner aware of the situation. I told him, what he was doing to me, I pointed out what his brother was doing to him (and how it was exactly what he was doing to me - a trickle down effect), I explained how unhappy i was becoming, and that if this didn't stop I would cycle faster and faster each time. I offered him advice on how to place boundaries within his relationship with his brother to avoid being treated badly. It took a few more manic cycles getting triggered by this exact thing before my partner finally accepted it as truth. He tried to use the advice I gave him, and his brother fought against the boundaries. His brother never wanted to accept the boundaries, which made my partner more frustrated, and he eventually just cut his brother out of his life all together. This made him more upset, and he took it out on me. He was taking out his brothers inability to change and accept the boundaries, on me because I was the one that instigated, and pushed for him to put them in place.


At this point in the relationship, my partner almost never did anything with me. He started coming home and sleeping, or putting on headphones and listen to music, anything to avoid me. He also, stopped playing games, which meant he was shutting everyone out, not just me and his brother. As, he started this process, he would say: "I am going to go watch tv with my girl", or "I'm gonna go eat dinner with my girl", etc. Which he did at first, but that died off fast. And when he did, he was always sulking. All that his friends and family thought, was that he was cutting people out because of me, because I was forcing him to do it. While in reality, I was constantly asking him to make plans with his best friend, co-workers, and family. He would try once or twice, but each time they would have an excuse (busy with work, sick, out of town) so he stopped trying.


Meanwhile I was cycling more often as a result. I was so busy trying to make things work. Trying to help my partner see the issues so we could work on them and make things better in our relationship. One day, he ignored me, and we had a fight over it, he apologized and said he would work on himself and his issues so he didn't take it out on me. which is what he always said, and he would for a month, a couple weeks, a week, a few days, then it would start all over again. I broke.


After 3 years together, we had a really bad day. He ignored me, we fought, we made up, and a few hours later, he ignored me again. The next day, the mania exploded out of me while we were cleaning the house. He was sweeping the kitchen, and I was dusting the living room. a fight started, over what i have no idea. We were yelling at each other, and he tossed the broom to me saying, and said "go on, hit me, i know you want to." I was too lost to the mania, and no shocker, I hit him with the broom. So hard, that the broom snapped in half. The sound and visual of the broken broom snapped me out of it. I died inside. I never wanted things to get this bad, which was why I kept trying to do my part to help my partner see the triggers.


What I failed to do, was leave him before i lost it. I kept thinking I can make this work. If I can just get him to stop triggering me we can fix things. I just need him to understand, and stop. What I should have done, was say" I need to stop, I need to walk away from the thing that is triggering me. I need to save myself. I can't help anyone, if I can't help myself.


That was when I realized something about myself I never knew before. I was a co-dependent person, and so was my partner. My co-dependency is a desire to fix other people, his co-dependency is to please his family at his own expense.