Everyone who has bipolar disorder has their own unique version of the illness. We all understand what it is like to be stuck in the physical anguish of a depressive episode and the euphoria of hypomania but the severity of our symptoms, how they manifest and how we respond to medication is different. It is important to learn as much as possible about your bipolar disorder to have a positive life.
For example, after my last manic episode, a psychiatrist told me that taking too much pleasure in creative thinking, solutions to problems or philosophical ideas can trigger a manic episode for me. He called this, “Intellectualizing.” When I reflect on all three of my manic episodes, I realize they were all triggered by intellectualizing. This means, I am careful about what I talk about and think about. I do not push my brain to the edges of philosophical questions, and I am mindful of how excited I get about my own thoughts.
I have learned from my experience of having depressive episodes as well. When I am in my car and I notice that I keep changing the radio station I start to wonder if my mood is dipping. An inability to enjoy things is a symptom of depressive episodes and this can be the first sign that this is occurring for me. Then, I think about whether or not I am having other symptoms like poor appetite, fatigue, and lack of concentration. If I am, I add more physical activity to my routine. This does not make me feel better, but it prevents things from getting worse. I force myself to eat to prevent my appetite from dropping even further and I meet people to reduce the possibility of self isolating.
Medication plays a crucial role in managing bipolar disorder. Without it I could become acutely ill on a regular basis which could potentially be fatal. There is no imaging device or blood test that a psychiatrist can use to assess the symptoms of someone who has bipolar disorder. They rely on their observations and our report on what is happening in our life. To make this process more effective you can use mood charts that rate your mood daily to learn about patterns that may exist. Also, Crest.bd has a Quality of Life Tool that asks you a series of questions and produces a report that can help you understand how you are doing in the context of your illness. Providing this information to your psychiatrist can improve your treatment.
When you have bipolar disorder, creating a routine that includes consistent opportunities for joy and fulfillment requires learning as much as possible about your illness. Over time, this knowledge can empower you to lead your best life. While it is not a guarantee that your symptoms will never become acute it gives us the best chance to lead a rewarding life long-term.
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