Hi everyone,

I recognize that I'll need to be on meds for the rest of my life, and I've accepted this. But I wonder how much our recovery from Bipolar Disorder depends upon our mindset - meaning, a positive or negative outlook.

I also wonder, are we able to control our mindset when we're deep in the pit of depression? Or do we need to first be medicated and/or attend therapy before we can begin to be more positive? How much control do we have over our mind, to decide whether or not we'll get through a depressive episode?

I'm not sure. When I was going through my worst ever depressive episode, my mind felt like I wasn't capable of making any choices, even the most basic of choices. Somehow I doubt I would have been able to form the thinking of "It's temporary, I'll get through this".

Now that I'm relatively stable though, on medications and attending both individual and group therapy, I can see how important our perspective is. There can be one person with Bipolar Disorder who decides that they're comfortable being depressed, not seeking help, not wanting to change...and of course they're more likely to stay depressed. Then another person with Bipolar Disorder may be more realistic. They may seek help, knowing that eventually the episode will pass.

I still experience the depressed day, or even the depressed week...but I find that having that realistic and optimistic perspective is very helpful.

Any thoughts?