Dec 08 2008
Tip: Planning in case of manic bipolar episodes
Sometimes it can be challenging to sit down and think of what exactly we can do about manic episodes because we feel helpless. We are not helpless against bipolar disorder, though. We can’t cure it, but we can manage it and improve life in spite of manic depressive episodes. Here are some of my plans to avoid manic episodes that have helped in the past to head them off at the pass or shorten their severity and duration.
- Force myself to eat 3 meals a day whether I like it or not.
- Quit drinking caffeinated beverages
- Do at least one focusing exercise a day
- Make myself go to bed on time, take sleeping meds if needed to sleep
- Take at least a day off from work
- Decline invitations if possible/practical
- Tell my therapist, psychiatrist and/or supporter how I’m feeling
- Get away from the computer for at least half a day
- Make time to do something relaxing, whether I feel like it or not. Some good relaxing things are: read a book, watch a funny movie, make jewelry for the hell of it, do my nails.
- Rearrange plans so that exciting stuff is done later in the week/month
- Make myself nail taking all meds and at exactly the right times
Maybe these can give you some ideas about getting a plan together, so that when you feel a manic episode coming on, hopefully you can avoid the worst of it. Having a plan in advance makes it so much easier to deal with.
