I'll just keep it generic without writing *too* much detail. Basically, I'll keep it at a high level. (e.g., Some people may feel extremely triggered by a very specific action that someone takes, so I don't want to mention too many details, especially if it relates to PTSD.)
Top 3 *bipolar specific* triggers for me:
- Trigger #1: Stress --> Too much work and/or errands to do, especially in a limited amount of time.
- Trigger #2: Anxiety --> When too many things make me anxious all at once, I start to experience a shift in mood, sometimes up, sometimes down.
- Trigger #3: Sleep --> Too little sleep or too much sleep make my mood go up (the former) or down (the latter).
How I handle my triggers:
- Trigger #1: Stress --> Try to mentally or physically organize everything as much as possible. For example, make checklists, whether they be mental ones or ones that I actually write down. Also, I try to see if I can find someone to help me do whatever I need to do, to offload some of the workload. (I don't try to give other people my responsibilities, but I ask if they can help at least partially so that I'm not so stressed.)
- Trigger #2: Anxiety --> I'm not so good with handling this one, but I feel better when I am able to talk to someone -- anyone -- be it my therapist, co-worker, someone online, etc.. I find that bottling up my anxiety just exacerbates it. I need to release some of the pressure or I'll end up like a balloon that keeps inflating and inflating and eventually pops when there's too much.
- Trigger #3: Sleep --> I have trouble with this as well. I try to force myself to sleep at a regular time so that I wake up at a regular time. I know I need more sleep than the average person (about 10 hours a night), but I've been told by a number of professionals that it's okay to need a *little* more sleep if meds sedate me, as long as the amount of sleep stays the same and it's not excessive (e.g., 11+ hours). It also helps to keep a routine during the day so that you're able to keep a sleep routine. The more structured my day is, the more likely I am to go to sleep at my normal time and wake up at my normal time.
Edit: the advice I gave is how I would handle dealing with triggers that people may have, as a way to support someone.