Is it (like) a puzzle?

Is BP like a puzzle, and what does that mean?

It would mean it can be solved, at least. But what does that mean, exactly?

This is one in a series of seemingly random threads to see if we can combine our efforts to create a puzzle representing/simulating/of BP (a BP model, if you like) and whether we can solve it.

If hospitalisation means doing jigsaws most of the day, this might save you a trip to the hospital and allow you to feel productive and allow you to reach your potential.

It would be nice, right? It doesn't matter how long it takes because it might be a welcome distraction.

This may sound manically ambitious, but this time I'm confident I'm not manic (no, really!).

Another thread that was meant for this purpose was the states/stages thread you may have (it was wildly popular, so you can't have missed it ) and this is basically for the same reasons as I described here: to know what to do when, to recognise what type of state you're in and to know the best course of action or at least trying all that, so as to distract yourself, to not think crazy (optimistic, pessimistic or just plain crazy) thoughts which only make things worse.

It's very much like Buddhist (and similar) religious practice and Stoic philosophy. Those inspired psychology, most notably nowadays, mindfulness and DBT.

I believe the diagnosis of any mental health condition is a puzzle. Bipolar disorder is defined by certain criteria but it is still along the lines of normal human experience. What I mean is, I don't have bipolar for eixample but I do get elated at times. (I know bipolar moods last for weeks not hours as in my case.) It is a puzzle to figure out what is going on with someone in terms of symptoms and signs, and what will solve that puzzle. In the case of bipolar, mood stabilizers are the most useful treatment at this moment. This may change as science evolves.

Another game another dollar. Work for Mattel will 'ya?.

Is there any shame in seeing life as a game?

It's not rhetorical. It might depend. It may be a bad idea, maybe a necessary evil.

Ok, maybe (I really wouldn't know, but why not) we should start by solving the BP chicken-and-egg problem. The solution for the actual chicken-and-egg problem is of course simple: the egg came first. Really.

But which came/comes first: mania or depression? There's depression after mania, but there's also an egg after a chicken.

Another question: should stability be our aim or functioning despite instability (or both)? That's rather important in solving a/the puzzle, I think.

With me depression came first.

I think the answer is both. We need to be able to function regardless of our BP disorder. Sometimes we can handle it better than others and that's okay. The puzzle is to stay stable.