[thatrez]

I have had bipolar disorder since I was 16, now I am 30. I have learned to manage it with a combination of medication, therapy, and self help. I would like to know from others what methods they find useful for managing their highs and lows. Any responses are greatly appreciated. Thank you

[blueoctober]

thatrez glad you have learned to manage your bipolar. What helps me is eating right, exercise and doing things I love. I suffer with depression most often and when I'm in that phase it's important for me to keep exercising (even though I don't feel like it) and spending time with my horse.

I hate that part of depression because I stop enjoying anything, but it's important for me to stay on a schedule, go to work etc. even though all I want to do is lay on the couch.

[finlander#2]

Originally Posted by thatrez

I have had bipolar disorder since I was 16, now I am 30. I have learned to manage it with a combination of medication, therapy, and self help. I would like to know from others what methods they find useful for managing their highs and lows. Any responses are greatly appreciated. Thank you

Been struggling for 24 years now. Took the docs 7 years to decide I was bi-polar. Im on medication, go to therapy, have a spiritual program and go to AA. Thats how I cope. It works to keep me somewhat balanced but I still struggle. No manic spells but lots of Depression. Still hanging on
its good to go to sites like these to how others a coping.

[sugahorse1]

BlueOctober - when you say you eat right; just a very quick summary: What foods do you avoid, and what do you eat lots of?
Is it eating for your mental state, or more a matter of eating healthy so as not to put on weight?
I luckily do not have a problem with weight gain (Yet) but I still suffer badly from depressive spells.
Thanks for your insight.

[blueoctober]

sugahorse, I unfortunately gained a lot of weight (50 lbs.) in a VERY short period of time after being put on risperdal and then serequel. I had never had a weight problem before, but had always ate healthy. It is slowly coming off, but it has only been since I was put on lamictal.

As far as what I eat I certainly still have a cheat day and allow myself to have my treats, but in general I eat lots of veggies, fruit, brown rice, chicken and I have salmon at least once a week. I do drink coffee (1 large cup / day) and my Starbuck's unsweetened black tea lemonade...... I couldn't function without caffeine! I also take omega-3 supplements, a multi-vitamin high in vitamin B and vitamin C each day.

Foods I avoid is fast foods like McDonalds etc., I find if I eat crap I feel like crap. I also avoid alcohol, but I have had 1 drink out a dinner and this averages out to maybe once every six months.

A great book on this is The Food Mood Solution by Jack Challem.

[thinker22]

Hi thatrez. I have probably had bipolar most of my life and should have been diagnosed at age 20, but instead it happened at age 29 when things got particularly out of hand. How I manage is not very well recently. But when I am doing well I do the same things I do now...keep my mind preoccupied with tasks, exercise (long walks and pacing), take my meds and vitamin/mineral supplements, read books about bipolar and depression, go to therapy, listen to my doctors. Sometimes no matter what you do, though, the chemistry or past baggage comes up and blindsides you. That's where I am now. Still doing all the right things, still feeling terrible, but know I would feel worse if I didn't keep on doing them. But I'm glad you're all here.

[sugahorse1]

I find reading up on the theory behind BP, as well as hearing of personal accounts, has armed me with an arsenal of knowledge. I find peace in knowing I'm not alone. When I get particularly depressed, I tell a few close friends who understand, as well as my boyfriend. When the thoughts get too negative, I take a sleeping tablet and sleep it off. I feel I'm safe from myself that way.
I've just started seeing a T, but I envision myself being able to lean on her of emotional support when things are too much. And naturally my pdoc needs to be kept in the loop all the time