[Love&Toil]

My sister who has been problem drinking recently asked me how do I cope with my life. She has not traditionally accepted my diagnosis but I have been trying to educate her here and there, slowly leaking out tidbits of information, trying to help her understand what its like for me to have bipolar 2 or soft bipolar.

I'm on 3 kinds of meds and am doing really well. I function at work, at home. It's not perfect but I can get a lot of things done that I need to get done and feel pretty good most of the time. There are ups and downs though.

Having lived most of my life without meds I believe one of the reasons I am functioning as well as I am is because of my meds. But in addition to that, there are other skills and things I have learned from therapy, books, friends, mentors. I am exercising and eating well. I have a good relationship with my husband. I am really grateful for that.

I know we all make different choices and I fully support an individual's decision around being med free vs. choosing meds. So please know that I am not judge-y or something. There were years I tried meds and they were unbearable but we seem to have found a good combination.

I'm rambling but for those who feel like they're coping, do share why..... and how.... what works for you? What do you attribute your coping to?

[buzz bee]

We cope...coast...deal...because we dont have a choice. We cope or we die, its that simple.

Ask her how she can deal being a women. With all the hormones, stress over hair and what to wear....all the stuff women to through. You deal because its your life. You were born with it and you know nothing else.

I deal but taking my meds, going to the gym, going to therapy, seeing my pdoc, sense of humor (thats a biggy).... I have decided this summer to do some changes in myself. Ive been ruled by my bipolar, Im taking over and Im in charge now. Im doing everything I can to stay one step in front. If I know I will have a problem with something, I take measures to make it easier for me.

[Rick7892]

Coping with being bipolar is something I am working on again. My drinking resulted in my accepting that I am an alcoholic and getting ongoing help and support through AA. Now I am trying to use some of the tools of 12 Step programs to accept, truly accept, that I need to stop ignoring or denying my bipolarity and to cope with it. I am beginning to accept one of the reasons I drank when I shouldn't of was to try to cope when I was manic, to try to calm down. But even though I was manic, I didn't know I was. I continue to try to learn how to Live Life on Life's Terms because that is one of the ways I cope. Thanks!

[rollacoasta]

How do I cope with Bipolar? Good question.

- I eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veges in it, along with fish oil.
- I try and get good exercise more than a few times a week.
- To be honest anti-psychotics have been helping a lot
- I try not to allow myself attend super stressful situations.
- Talking with people (like all of you guys) helps me a lot.
- I get as much sleep as I can

They would be my top tips

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by buzz bee

We cope...coast...deal...because we dont have a choice. We cope or we die, its that simple.

Ask her how she can deal being a women. With all the hormones, stress over hair and what to wear....all the stuff women to through. You deal because its your life. You were born with it and you know nothing else.

[coping strategies deleted]

Existential view of life as a BP? I like it!