Dealing With Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder have elevated high moods and irritable low moods, often cycling between the two extremes, with periods of normal or mixed moods in between. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but it can be managed in order to give people stability in the midst of emotional chaos and as normal a life as possible.

One of the first things in learning to live with this illness is acceptance. Accept that you have bipolar disorder and learn to recognize your cycles, but don’t let it stop you from accomplishing all the things you want to accomplish in life. There is a difference between having bipolar and being bipolar, and that difference is whether or not you control your illness or the illness controls you. Recognize your limitations, but don’t use them as an excuse not to do or try things. Take your medication as prescribed. There is a tendency with people who have bipolar disorder to stop taking medication when they feel better or feel more stable. While you may have periods of normalcy where your moods are level, a cycle can occur at any time. It’s important to continue your medication because you will have bipolar disorder for the rest of your life.

Schedule and attend regular psychotherapy sessions in addition to meeting with the doctor who prescribes your medication. Psychotherapy can help provide coping tools to help you recognize your cycles and emotional responses to them. If need be, join a support group. Having the support of family and friends is extremely important, as is networking with others who are also coping with the disease. You are not alone in living with this illness and a bipolar diagnosis does not have to mean the end of the world.