[TheGoatKing333]

I'm pretty negative. I think I'm going to suffer for a long time. Maybe for the rest of my life. My mom said that I can stop suffering today but with bipolar I can't control my moods. I need to learn how to be positive. One of my psychologists says to be positive and realistic. How can I think more positively?

[coffeebuzzbuzz]

Well, personally I need medication to help me *stay* positive. However, to *think* positively, I am grateful. Even at my lowest of lows, I force myself to think of something that is going right. It can be trivial too--fresh blankets on my bed, my morning coffee tastes perfect, a good tv show is on, etc. To help find something going right I remind myself that I will always be doing better than someone else. It might seem wrong, but it does help. I stay on top of world news. It's a constant reminder that my life is not that bad. Because of that, I can see the glass half full and not half empty. I can also brush off things not worth getting upset over. Such as, I spilled something on the floor. I think, well at least the floor will be clean now. Maybe the store ran out of my favorite snack--no big deal, they will restock eventually and I can try something new in the meantime.

When you master being grateful and turning the little negatives into positives, the bigger problems don't seem so bad. You are also able to work through them quicker and easier.

I hope that helps. It has taken me many years to figure that out. I have learned it also makes my depressive episodes not as bad and/or last as long.

[vjdragonfly]

It is true you can't control your moods and I can relate to the whole thing of ppl thinking you can just make it go away by changing your thoughts. When you are depressed it is very hard to think positive. I love coffee's advice. I have learned over time that just excepting where I am at and knowing it will not be forever (otherwise it wouldn't be bipolar). I find keeping myself occupied helps a lot too. Anything to keep myself from thinking because my thoughts are my worst enemy. I hope you feel better soon.

[gayleggg]

I need medication, too, to keep me on a more positive road, but I find I have to force myself to think positive thoughts. I have to turn around the negative ones and make them positive. One thing that helps me is to have a gratitude journal. When I think of all the things that I'm grateful for it gives me a more positive outlook. Even if it's just the beauty of a flower or a blade of green grass. I tend to look at nature a lot for my gratitude, but it can be anything, even if it's just something simple.