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I posted this as a reply today to a member who wanted help as how to notice triggers better. I think it will help others, so here it is.
Hi, I am Bipolar I as well. I hope this helps you out. I have learned (in my 30's now) how to notice my triggers through different relationships, and sadly, losing a boyfriend quickly after we broke up, brought so much to light as to how I behaved. I wish that this does not happen to anyone to begin a real recovery, but this illness makes us blind for so long. As for noticing triggers, I think realizing that the mood is what will cause us to think there was some trigger. I think that for me, I have to really try and focus on how to interact with others who make me irritable. I try to prepare myself ahead of time whether or not I should avoid them all the way, or if I am in the mood to interact in a good way. If I feel my mood is bad, then stay from the stress and it may work out to that "trigger" won't set off a terrible day to follow. Another example is preparing for a mood that will most likely come because you know that you are being paranoid. FOCUS on a situation before reacting. I know that is easer said than done, but if a loved one who is patient with you can help you, this will be a great change. I told my boyfriend that when I am texting like crazy or writing too much or jumping from one question to the next or being mean for no reason that he should text me this "I understand. I want you. Think of the situation and what is happening right now before you text me back" and oh my goodness, it has been life changing for someone like that to see and know. Does he always know when it's true anger or the illness? No, but once a person knows you, like the "fight or flight" thing I do, they can help more so. I also want to pass along that Lamotrigine has been a life changing med as well. I never liked the other mood medicine because it made my mind shut down more than I liked. Like you, I forget words when I talk but they are in my mind. They just don't come out or I second guess how to pronounce them. It happens all the time. Like you, my thoughts flow easier through writing. They also flow better when praying..perhaps because I am not under some rule to follow, it is just my heart. I do not take anything other than Lamotrigine and a sleeping aide that helps me, which is really just a .5 mg of lorazepem I thenk that's it for anxiety and that helps me sleep. What has helped me greatly is knowing that I WILL definitely be in a long depression if I do not exercise and be happy about my image. It has caused me soooo much depression in my life, that I simply have to workout and eat healthy or I fear the weight of that moving into all my happiness..almost all of it, so I encourage you to keep that a motivating factor always. I have been able to spot my moods better because I want to love better. I know the definition of that in many forms, and when my heart is convicted, I know that my mood/illness is the problem. But I also know when I am being me which is not the illness. I guess that journalling a lot and being an avid reader, it has helped me separate my personality from the mood disorder in ways that I can't really describe. Also, I have faith in God that He is involved with what I have, and I know that it was not given so that I would not have a great future or a plan. That is not at all the truth for me or for anyone. Another good thing is distinguishing lies from truth. There are lies we tell ourselves that are just not true. Lies that people don't like us who we work with, lies that there are no good people, lies that God has given up on us, lies that we cannot find someone to love us for who we are, lies upon lies that enstrangle all the light and cause the depression. I was able to see the lies more clearly after going through so much, but it will help to wake up believing in the truth and focusing on how that truth can mold the rest of your day. Stop and try to refocus if you can, it is hard, i know when we say mean things or do things that begin a domino effect. But try to stop when you see it happening. Turn the phone off. Go to sleep even. Be alone for a while. Read. Write. Have a healthy meal...call a girlfriend who knows you well. It can be okay. And don't let the yesterday be a repeat for the next day. Try to...it's hard when the mood goes into depression because our minds can't pull out of it even though we want it to. I hope this has helped ![]() |
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