[Moreta]

Bipolar can seem scary at times, with wild mood swings from depression to mania and even a mixed episode can be mixed in with all the moods. The moods can be managed though, but it takes a lot of hard work and time, maybe lots of time, or not so much time. All people are different and we all have our own healing process that could take months or years. It took me 15 years, but I’m finally to a stable point in my life, after hitting rock bottom last June. Here’s some things you can try to reach stability. When I opened my mind to other ways to get better it really helped me. Everyone should try a little hippy ****. haha.

Medications - Finding the right meds is crucial to getting better. Some people can do it without meds, but personally I can’t. It took me forever to find the right meds, and I have been on almost all of them, but don’t give up. Some meds I’ve tried 2 or 3 times. It’s all about finding the right combo that works with your brain chemistry. It might seem like a lot of meds to be on, but whatever it takes to get better, I’m down with. I’m on 4 meds for bipolar right now, but I know I need them to function like a human. There might be more meds for other disorders you have. I take 2 for anxiety, with them though I have no anxiety. Just be patient.

Exercise - Exercise can help your mood, and reduce the number of mood episodes. 30 minutes of cardio 3-5 days a week will help. You can do more if you want to. If you’re just starting out with exercise, remember to pace yourself so you don’t get hurt, and set your expectations low. Remember to breathe and stay hydrated. I like doing the elliptical for a while and the recumbent bike. Yoga is also a good exercise and can center your mind and body. Don’t get discouraged, it takes a while to start a new habit.

Sleep - It’s good to get 8 hrs of sleep a night. If you’re having problems sleeping you can always ask your pdoc for a sleep med, or try a natural alternative like melatonin, but please ask your dr first before starting a supplement. They also make a sleepy time tea that has chamomile and other things in it that can relax you. Bath and Body Works also make some lotion that can help you relax that’s pretty good.

Therapy - Therapy has been a crucial thing for me getting better. It’s all about finding the right therapist that will get you to grow and challenge your thinking. My therapist doesn’t let me weasel out of anything and blows my mind a lot of the time. I’ve seen 8 therapist and so far she is the best. It’s important to work on your issues in therapy, despite how hard they are. I feel like you need to address all your issues to become a better person and once the issues are worked on, they won’t even be in the back of your mind. If you’re married and having issues, I suggest couples counseling. It really helped me and my husband because he understands now why I act the way I do, and we have a better relationship because of it. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

Journaling - I think journaling is a great way to get your ideas out onto paper where you can leave them. Just write whatever comes to mind. You don’t have to do it every day. I just do it when things come to me. The most beneficial journaling I do is left handed journaling. You write the problem with your dominant hand and write the response with your non dominant hand. It can look pretty awful, but it makes the other side of your brain work, which comes up with crazy things sometimes. Try it one time, it can be quite inspiring.

Hippy **** - Try some hippy ****. I lost all hope that I could be helped, and was up to trying anything, so I tried it and now I’m hooked. It’s the best. I have a shaman and we’ve been doing biofeedback recently and it leaves me much calmer and happier. We’ve done cord cutting ceremonies, one which was for bipolar and since then I haven’t really felt negativity towards bipolar, she also loads my crystals, and clears my energy. Man, if you ever have your energy cleared, expect to pass out for a couple hours. Last time I passed out in a hammock for 2 hrs. lol. There’s also crystals to think about. Here’s a few: tigers eye is for depression, quartz is for anxiety, blue howlite is for anger, amethyst is for overall well being, and rose quartz is for self love and creativity. Those are the ones I have and I feel they work the best for my issues. You can always look up other crystals to help you.

Finally, you should try to go on a spiritual retreat somewhere, to reset everything. Just take a week and get away from anything. It’s amazing to commune with nature in its glory. I went to a mountain retreat, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.

Sorry for the long post, just thought I’d share some tips.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Very nice. Thank you!
I went swimming in the ocean yesterday. Took my headache away and I felt great.
I have a cat and dog here in Costa Rica. Just petting my cat, centers me, makes me feel love and peace.

Great tips! I really need to get some crystals. Also I like essential oils. I put drops of them on a cotton ball and put them in a old prescription bottle. Open it it up when needed.

Again thanks.

[Moogieotter]

Mo, you're cool.

[xxblackrosesxx]

What you've mentioned in the thread is spot on to becoming better ! I've been cycling almost everyday instead of taking public transport and it helps me a great deal.

[DesigningWoman]

I love swimming. By swimming, I mean bobbing around a pool and then floating until I get pruney. I never considered myself a swimmer. But I found that floating, walking in the shallow end, and treading water is incredibly relaxing and relieves stress.
I love outdoor pools the best. Just float and watch the clouds roll by. I even joined the YMCA for an indoor pool for winter.

[Nammu]

Great tips. It also helps to work on any other problems so that you can see clearly what is bipolar and what is something else. For instance I also had c-PTSD and dissociation disorder. Working on those and learning which was what helped me accept the bipolar was real...not just part of the other diagnoses, not something I could ignore. Sleep hygiene, that was big for me.

[DesigningWoman]

Post inpatient stay in early December, I started living on a schedule with alarms on my phone to remind me what's next. 6:30am get up, shower, breakfast, take meds, etc. my therapist J recommended setting an alarm 15 min before and then for getting into bed at night. Normally, I will stay up for hours working on a project doing one last thing..and then one more. Then it's 3am.
Now there are times when the alarm dings, I curse it, but I start getting ready for bed. Second set of dings, I get into bed thinking I'm not tired. I could keep working. Five minutes later I am sleeping.
I am someone if I get too hungry or not enough sleep I get irrational and mean. So this tight schedule although a pain until I got used to it. I have come to appreciate. Best sleep of my life.

[pirilin]

Great reading!.

[lilypup]

Great reading...what are you on for anxiety?

[Moreta]

Gabapentin. I find it highly effective. I also have klonopin, which i rarely take.

[fishin fool]

Originally Posted by DesigningWoman

I love swimming. By swimming, I mean bobbing around a pool and then floating until I get pruney. I never considered myself a swimmer. But I found that floating, walking in the shallow end, and treading water is incredibly relaxing and relieves stress.
I love outdoor pools the best. Just float and watch the clouds roll by. I even joined the YMCA for an indoor pool for winter.

I couldn't agree more, just being in the water is very therapeutic.
Even if you can't swim it's great to get in and just relax.