Bipolar activity revealed! | Bipolar Trek

I had always suspected there would be more problems with physical health as a result of bipolar. Its pretty obvious - a sedentary lifestyle is going to cause health problems. But what causes this lifestyle in bipolar patients exactly? Is it medications? Is it because of anxiety? Is it really just laziness? Is there something else?

Are you active (honestly)? Have you had problems with staying active outside of episodes? What do you think affects your own activity levels?

[IndieVisible]

60 patients is not really enough to make any conclusive statements, but enough to raise interest in the subject and ask ourselves questions

For example for me I go through phases. Some times I'm in the whole gym thing in a big way almost fanatical, I also go thru my lazy phases too. I would think that might have a factor in the study?

[Happy Camper]

Every time I try to get into the habit of exercising I end up injuring myself. It pisses me off to no end.

Most recently I thought I could get away with simple walks around the neighborhood. Well, about 2 months later and maybe 35-40 miles total I started getting joint pain in my knees. I'm only 20 and not even overweight.

I admit I am lazy in thinking of forms of exercise to do, and since I'm apparently fragile as a stack of cards, I'll have to look for some way to do ultra low impact cardio. Maybe I'll just starve---I don't really care about muscle.

___
For what it's worth, I think most psych medications are toxic to the body and mind, and are only justifiable if they add more to your quality of life than they take.

[Blue_Bird]

I recently became active again, before I was on medication I wasn't at all. Now I do 40 minutes of exercise 6 days a week first thing in the morning. I have a lot of anxiety and it helps me cope with that. I feel much better about myself and healthier.

[Anika.]

Im pretty active, I practice yoga, run, bike, snowboard, hike, swim ect. I am active daily, I dunno but I don't really enjoy sitting very much, and have a need to be outdoors moving at least for part of the day or I just feel crummy.

Been injured quite a few times too, and it is a frustrating process of constant recovery...I hear you Happy Camper. Maybe swimming would be a good one for you, it is a good one for joint problems and pain.

I told my self I would run 21.5 k by next summer. So I am determined to make that happen. I just started running this year. I was doing hot yoga 6-7 days a week for and hour and a half a day and that helped me so much. I still practice but would like to find a way to be able to balance more yoga with my running. Snowboarding season wilk be here soon too, and I want to get some snow shoes.. I have a beautiful forest and mountains around me and sitting indoors all winter.. I can't do it. It's cold here, winter is long and dark but you have to find some way to enjoy it or it will eat you alive.

When I was having severe manic episodes and depression I did have a hard time maintaing activity aside from pacing. I was always so extremely agitated that pacing and cleaning was probably all I did for long periods of time.

I'd have to say that regular activity has helped me achieve stability without a doubt.

I have an auto immune disease that gives me chronic pain and other problems, but I feel that is all the more reason for me to try and mantain my physical health...I really suck at dealing with physical illness and pain...forget it. It's all played a big role in my mental health as well. I'm not willing to give it up for anything. Somedays it's hard to get myself out there, but I know that it will benefit me in the long run.

[wildflowerchild25]

In mania I am active but depression and even baseline I feel too stressed out to do anything. My mind is consumed with other things and when I think about how I should be getting exercise it just ends up a tick in the failure box for me and makes me feel worse :-/

[Moose72]

I haven't been to the gym for a month- not since before I was inpatient. Guess I should go do that, huh? Zyprexa is always in the background!

I go through phases based on my mood, during my mania last spring I was taking multiple classes per day and going for several hours to the gym. Lately I haven't been able to make myself go to water class more than a couple of times a month. Heck, there are days I wont even go outside to the mailbox because I dont want to face being outside. It just depends.

[noshadows]

Hi Supanova, I think your question was about staying active outside of episodes because mania and depression obviously influences it.
For the past few months I have found it very difficult to be active. According to my knowledge you're right about most bipolars leading a pretty sedentary lifestyle. I recon there are so many aspects about it that can contribute to this.
For me personally, it takes a while to wake up from a depressed episode and sometimes the next one happens before I get going. I definitely think that the medication, which ever, has an effect not only physically but also mentally in terms of slowing me down and clouding clear motivation strategies. Also, a lot of it for me is cognitive where I have built up some disempowering believes because of the illness like; even if I get started on a fitness routine, I believe it won't last or I won't succeed cause I hardly ever have and thus fail to convince myself that this time, I'm gonna do it. I tend to use some not so useful thinking patterns like "all or nothing"-thinking where I imagine that I must either go full out and be active every day or do nothing at all. It's a scary one and I identify using the "all or nothing" attitude often in my life. I'm sure there's something about a healthy (or unhealthy) body perception and also some issues regarding worthiness and social engagement. These I think stem from the very symptoms of bipolar. I sometimes drink painkillers because of chronic back ache or as an attempt to change my state and that also doesn't help for feeling energetic enough to get going. I know that cigarette smoking adds to feeling lethargic and sticking to a healthy eating plan, which can be difficult with constant pain and the ups and downs I experience in a bid to achieve 'normal', probably also plays a role.
It's not a losing battle because the above are insights and not justifications so I keep trying.
What do you think it is for you?

[Phoenix_1]

When I was young, I exercised for at least an hour 5 times a week. Walking, aerobics classes, not sports. I also did yoga for 45 minutes almost every day.
25 years ago I tore cartilage in my knee and I've become less and less active every since. I'm a certified couch potato now.
I think that when I was young I had more hypomanic episodes and the exercise helped out - it helped burn off some of the hypo energy. Now I'm more depressed than hypo. Is it due to my exercise level changing or something else? I really don't know.

[noshadows]

The sad thing is the more we do, the more we would want to do but I rebel against the voice telling me I have to do something, I shout at it to leave me alone, that I won't and become very 'determined' to win the argument...that I'm subsequently having with myself - weird.

[avlady]

I always wondered if i am just lazy, or not. I am on alot of meds and find it hard to get the simplist things done. Even waking up in the morning is a chore. I do chores all day long and if i can't do everything i need to get done i feel useless, instead of feeling good for the little bit i did get done. I don't want to be called lazy, but that is where it stands now, a couch potatoe now because of fibromalisia too, and just have too many doc appointmments this month, i'll also be going to get an EEG on my brain, next week, I'm anxious about it and can't wait to get it over with. (along with my regualr doc appointents of which there are several this month.

Well, there's that other thing too, the meds. Even when you arent in an 'episode' per se, some of the meds make you so sluggish you find yourself falling asleep sitting upright on the couch without even trying. That's what was happening to me. I didnt feel bad I just couldnt wake up.

[Zabine]

Working out is my main medication.

I am a triathlete and distance runner. I ran 762 miles, pedaled 304, swam 52 and lifted weights 3 x's a week since 1 Jan……

Before I started my master's degree I would run at LEAST one marathon a year and compete in at least 1 big triathlon at year, at a minimum! I even drag myself out during depressions because I ALWAYS feel better.

[Confusedinomicon]

Honestly, I don't think that bipolar folk are any more 'Sedentary' then the average person. Its the current lifestyle. Its not convienant to eat healthy or exercise for anyone, really. Internet brings everything to you so its easy to sit on a computer for countless hours.

I could believe that some medications correlates positively to weight gain but I don't think that means the person is inactive. Also lots of comorbid issues that can contribute to certain lifestyles.

Originally Posted by noshadows

Hi Supanova, I think your question was about staying active outside of episodes because mania and depression obviously influences it.
For the past few months I have found it very difficult to be active. According to my knowledge you're right about most bipolars leading a pretty sedentary lifestyle. I recon there are so many aspects about it that can contribute to this.
For me personally, it takes a while to wake up from a depressed episode and sometimes the next one happens before I get going. I definitely think that the medication, which ever, has an effect not only physically but also mentally in terms of slowing me down and clouding clear motivation strategies. Also, a lot of it for me is cognitive where I have built up some disempowering believes because of the illness like; even if I get started on a fitness routine, I believe it won't last or I won't succeed cause I hardly ever have and thus fail to convince myself that this time, I'm gonna do it. I tend to use some not so useful thinking patterns like "all or nothing"-thinking where I imagine that I must either go full out and be active every day or do nothing at all. It's a scary one and I identify using the "all or nothing" attitude often in my life. I'm sure there's something about a healthy (or unhealthy) body perception and also some issues regarding worthiness and social engagement. These I think stem from the very symptoms of bipolar. I sometimes drink painkillers because of chronic back ache or as an attempt to change my state and that also doesn't help for feeling energetic enough to get going. I know that cigarette smoking adds to feeling lethargic and sticking to a healthy eating plan, which can be difficult with constant pain and the ups and downs I experience in a bid to achieve 'normal', probably also plays a role.
It's not a losing battle because the above are insights and not justifications so I keep trying.
What do you think it is for you?

I can totally relate. For me at the moment due to PMDD I am going through a cycle of depression every month and it takes me the rest of the month to recover from it before it hits again!

I try to be active, I really really do but I struggle motivation, and the function to even think of what exercises I could be doing. I have to look at a list each day on the fridge to "remember" that I need to exercise. Then some days (not all) it is a huge effort to even start. I do get on the bike every day, light yoga a few times a week, plus my active job and horse but I still do spend a lot of time sitting down - far too much time sitting down. I never quite realised how much I sat down until I read that article and though, hang on yeah, I am sitting down for the majority of my day (if I am not at work). I logically know this will cause health problems but its like I cant connect the dots that I need to exercise.

I have never noticed an effect on my mood when I am exercising or not, but my body does feel better for it.

I wonder how much meds have an influence on this. Since dropping the AP just a little bit, it is already easier to get out of bed in the morning. I dont feel sedated as such on it but I've been on it so long, whos to know what affect it is having? Maybe I dont remember what its like not to be sedated.

I also wonder what effect anxiety has. Somedays I am too anxious to leave the house, I always go outside everyday regardless, but somedays being outside feels very unsafe, so I do what I need to do then come back to the safety of my house. When I push myself to stay out longer than I feel able to it results in me being quite sick (throwing up, headaches, dizzyness, weakness).

I also judge myself a lot - some days I will get stuck in a negative thinking pattern - this is all just an excuse you ARE just lazy. But many days I know it is more than laziness. People that know me would never consider me lazy but I do put that label on myself. Which I do not think is helpful. But I dont know how else to push myself to do more.

Keep the replies coming, I am pleased to see some people able to keep active, maybe you could share your secrets?

[medicalfox]

I'm super active. On my nights off I do intense cardio for 45-60 mins then I lift weights for another hour. I basically work two hours or more each gym visit and I visit 2-3 times a week to the gym. I also do yoga at home and go to a studio on Wednesdays for an hour. In the summer I am an active cyclist and hiker. I'm kind of lazy outdoor wise in the winter since I'm really sensitive to cold temperatures.

Lifting weights improves my mood because it makes me excited how I'm getting stronger. My muscles are becoming more noticeable and I'm faster now too from all the cycling and running. My goal is to eventually do trail running with my friends, but I'm not fast enough yet. Being stronger and faster motivates me the most.

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by emomom

Well, there's that other thing too, the meds. Even when you arent in an 'episode' per se, some of the meds make you so sluggish you find yourself falling asleep sitting upright on the couch without even trying. That's what was happening to me. I didnt feel bad I just couldnt wake up.

That's no way to live, life is for engaging in, enjoying... Before you know it life has passed you by while you sleep through it in the name of stability.

I know just how sleepy one can get on thes meds, trust me. Twice when I started a new med it was incredibly sedating and I would actually have to drink energy drinks after my morning dosage to be able stay awake at work. But for me, the sedating effect wore off after a few weeks or so.

I suggest speaking to your pdoc if the sedation is not showing any signs of dissipating. Could be that you're on the wrong med or incorrect dosage.

Errr back on topic. I'm not the exercise type, there's no physical pay off to justify such hard boring work for me. I do however enjoy hiking and hope to start a dance fitness class as soon as I start working again.

For me it has been incredibly difficult to break depressive habits after an intense episode. I do however make the effort to indulge in the opposite of what suddenly comes all too naturally, like lying in wayyy too long or not contacting anyone. Its hard because my room, my bed is my comfort zone, but I know its not healthy so I fight it.

[lawrenman]

I think this article makes a cold assumption that those with bipolar do not work out enough.

I am sure there are plenty of examples of macho men with workout routines that contract mania or even depression.

Overall mania/depression seemed more linked to a chemical imbalance of some sort that snowballs. How the body interacts is certainly a concern. But to make the jump from being sedentary to bipolar seems awfully accusational.

IMO, its better to concentrate on how the brain interacts/changes with bipolar mania/depression than to concentrate on how much someone works out. We really need to know how the brain works before we blame the body.

[henrydavidtherobot]

I've had several health issues due to the stress that hypo mania and depression have put my body through. It was harder to diagnose me because they were suspecting hyperthyroidism for years until they realized that most of my problems were psychological.

[~Christina]

For me its simple when physically I can work out I do....when I can't I don't .....I have chronic pain it will never go away .. So I do what I can and when I am on the couch trying not to cry I lay right there and no I do not feel guilty.

But working out is not for everyone ... Some people don't get that runners high or like being a gym rat .. I miss those days .. But no point in me moaning about it.

Life is all about balance ... Thank gawd all 7 billion people on this spinning rock have there own "balance".

Ok another question, how many of you guys are considered overweight by medical standards? We all know the meds pack on the pounds.

My BMI is 28 so I am approx just over 10 kilos overweight (but this changes quickly up and down). It doesnt bother me in the slightest, I am not careful with what I eat and I as I said I am pretty inactive when I am low or baseline. But I do worry about long term health problems, and the weight possibly creeping up.

Extra weight is a health problem and one that plenty of non MI people also struggle with, but is it more prevalent in Bipolar?

[medicalfox]

My bmi is 21 so I'm not overweight, but this is the heaviest I've ever been which bothers me. My antipsychotics make me eat so much and I gain 20 lbs from them! I recently lost 5lbs from going to the gym so I'm trying to keep it up. I think people with bipolar are more at risk for being overweight because of the side affects of medications such as increased appetite and our mental condition affects our energy levels. When you're depressed you're most likely going to stay home and sleep all day along with intaking more calories than you need. There may be a study on this published in a psych journal and could be accessible online

[Phoenix_1]

My BMI is 31 mostly thanks to the lithium. Also my arthritis prevents me from even walking to exercise. I don't dare go to the gym. I suppose I could swim though.

Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk 4

To copy from another thread -

Originally Posted by medicalfox

That's quite excessive, all you need is at least 30 minutes a day. If you walk a good pace for 30 minutes that's adequate exercise for low impact, just walking around the block is not though (unless your block takes 30 minutes to walk around).

I do at least 30 mins of exercise a day (If I add in the mucking out stables, walking to and from the stables, and the bike not including yoga or meditation) but I am still considered inactive. Is 30mins a day really enough if you are sitting on your arse the majority of the rest of the day (on non work days)?

Are there more co-exisitng health problems with BP, such as Fibro? I have met a few with pain issues as well. And having had chronic fatigue symptoms and traits while depressed I can understand how incredibly hard, if not impossible it is to be active when symptoms flare up. Is this in turn going to cause even more health problems? Do people with BP react differently to pain, whether it be from an injury or illness?