What solid piece of advice would you give to someone who's bipolar? Base your advice on your past experiences. For example, "benzos can be highly addictive: be wary of taking them too often."

Learn as much as you can about your illness right away. Begin identifying early warning signs and stay on top of things.

[MusicLover82]

Take your meds and don't quit taking them. But by all means, if you and your close friends/family feel that your psychiatrist is not treating you properly, seek a second opinion. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the BEST psychiatrist for you.

[pirilin]

Don't run the streets naked. Unless you're good looking. Otherwise they will think you're crazy.

[wildflowerchild25]

It's not all about meds. They do help when you find the right ones but therapy (like cbt and dbt) and lifestyle changes are important too.

[Wild Coyote]

Pirilin, I am enjoying your sense of humor!

You are reminding me: Do not dance on nude tables, not even at Dunkin Donuts at 2 a.m.

**************************

Have a "buddy system" set up with spouse, friends, family -- anyone you trust to give you honest feedback. Invite them to let you know if you start to show signs of mood swings or other key information which indicates a different action needs to be taken soon.

Keep a mood chart/diary, even a simple one. It will help to pick up on trends as soon as they start to change.

Chart sleep, too.

Great idea for a thread!
Thanks,
WC

[raspberrytorte]

You know yourself best. Do what YOU feel is best. If your doctor is a moron ditch them fast or they could really end up ****ing you up.

[JustJace2u]

Thanks for this. As someone who's 'new' to BP it is always good to see what others have to say.

[st0psign]

know thyself

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Be patient. It can take a while, longer than you want, to find a combination of treatments (meds, therapy, etc) that works for you.

[Unrigged64072835]

Be your own advocate. Be honest with your therapists and psychiatrists. If stuff doesn't work, tell them up front.

[xRavenx]

-If your meds seem to be working, make sure you stay consistent and take them on time, or you'll likely run into some trouble again

-Learn more about your condition, but also learn more about yourself, since you are separate from your diagnosis

-Coping strategies are very important to learn

-Try to find a support system, whether it be here or with others you can talk to (ie group therapy, if it is for you or just non-judgmental friends, family members, individual therapy, or mentors)

-Have a pdoc that you trust. If you cannot find someone you are comfortable with or need a second opinion, go ahead and do so. Remember to advocate for yourself, and you have the right to agree or disagree to different forms of treatment (such as med recommendations you aren't comfortable with due to the side effects, etc). Don't be afraid to ask questions.

-Take care of yourself and recognize your limitations. Try not to put pressure on yourself during the hard times so that you can stay hopeful

-Figure out how to not take on any additional stressors to avoid flare ups in symptoms or even episodes (ie making healthy relationship choices, staying away from negative influences the best you can)

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Be patient. It can take a while, longer than you want, to find a combination of treatments (meds, therapy, etc) that works for you.

Patience is not my strong suit.

[OctobersBlackRose]

All great.advice, I.dint have any to.give, but thanks everyone for.all the advice.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

Patience is not my strong suit.

Yeah, bipolar has taught me a lot about patience.I was pretty patient to begin with but not with myself. I'm still learning that.

nice responses so far!

my advice:
share your personal experiences with other people. the more we share, the more we learn. everyone benefits from knowledge.

also bond with other bipolar people; build friendships with them. these people are there to help you and you can leverage their personal experiences to make yourself a better person. it doesn't matter if your bipolar friends are online or in person. we are all people.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

nice responses so far!

my advice:
share your personal experiences with other people. the more we share, the more we learn. everyone benefits from knowledge.

also bond with other bipolar people; build friendships with them. these people are there to help you and you can leverage their personal experiences to make yourself a better person. it doesn't matter if your bipolar friends are online or in person. we are all people.

I wish I knew people locally who would truly understand what it is I go through on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

I wish I knew people locally who would truly understand what it is I go through on a daily basis.

I only know one person in real life who has bipolar, and he's a total asshole.

He *was* my friend until he shoved his girlfriend down a small set of stairs (3 steps) for fun. Then he went around stealing people's iPods and tried to resell them to other kids. After that, I wanted nothing to do with him.

This was back in high school, but I really don't feel like reconnecting with him.

I plan on going to a DBSA meeting someday to possibly make some new bipolar friends. I don't think they'd be assholes like him, but I also have a lot of anxiety about going to one of those meetings.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

I only know one person in real life who has bipolar, and he's a total asshole.

He *was* my friend until he shoved his girlfriend down a small set of stairs (3 steps) for fun. Then he went around stealing people's iPods and tried to resell them to other kids. After that, I wanted nothing to do with him.

This was back in high school, but I really don't feel like reconnecting with him.

I plan on going to a DBSA meeting someday to possibly make some new bipolar friends. I don't think they'd be assholes like him, but I also have a lot of anxiety about going to one of those meetings.

WTF??? Yeah, I'd probably ditch that friend as well. I've gone to 2 DBSA meetings and a NAMI meeting thus far.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I really recommend NAMI's Peer to Peer class both for meeting people and learning stuff, especially when this is new. I took it 10 years after diagnosis, I have a degree in psych and a master's in a related field and worked in mental health for years and I got stuff from the class. My therapist pretty much forced me to take it after a hospitalization for a suicide plan and I'm glad I did. I'd be more happy if there was NAMI around here but I live in the middle of nowhere so there aren't lots of things.

[JustJace2u]

I researched about the PEER TO PEER sessions and there doesn't seem to be one convenient to where I live.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I had to take it in the city 75 minutes from here but I was there anyway to see my therapist.

It's too bad it's not an option; it's a good class.

[Nammu]

Get a therapist early as possible after the diagnosis and learn to recognize the early signs of depression/ mania so you can be proactive. It will help steer a more moderate course.

[LadyShadow]

Be honest with your therapist. Its the best way to get results.

[fishin fool]

If you can, try to have one person you know and trust and love that is not struggling
with MI as a confidant and that is willing to go on this crazy bipolar ride with you.
If that is possible then have them learn as much as they can about bipolar so they
can try to help you get through the tough times. They can help keep you safe and
help you get help when you need it.