Bipolar and what helps

What’s helps the most with bipolar for you? I have found meds is a must but what else?

@Dadinmichigan welcome to MSF. I hoipe Bipolar does not disrupt your life too much.

My experience with bipolar is through a friend that was diagnosed in 2007. They have been through a lot. Exercise helps, avoiding high carb diet helps with moods and also by eating healthy without lots of carbs weight gain can be minimized. Yoga is good for feeling better like Palouse or Adrienne's yoga on youtube.

Mindfulness helps keep an eye on what is happening with the mind.

Really severe bipolar where mania happens or severe depression may be treated while in the hospital with ECT or TMS. Talk Therapy helps some people but meds are important with my friend to keep them stable.

CANDC

[If you want me to see your reply to this post please include @CANDC in your message - not in requoting my message]

What helped me was yrs of good therapy and using that therapy to take responsibility for the things I can control. Like taking meds as prescribed, diet, sleep hygiene and routine. I also learned how to say no.

Having comorbid disorders under wraps, taking meds, no drugs/alcohol, and having something vaguely resembling a routine basically ensures I’m stable. Haven’t been stable in forever though.

Look up Social Rhythms therapy. It is an evidence-based approach to treating bipolar alongside medications. I have instituted it by myself and it helps a ton.

I go to therapy on a weekly basis and try to see my pdoc once a month (even if not having symptom issues). It's helpful for me to see him often since my symptoms are hard to manage and I'm sensitive to most meds so finding the right combo is tricky. I need a mood stabilizer, antidepressant, and antipsychotic to treat symptoms.

I also can't be to busy-hypomania can kick in if I am.

I also have therapy on a weekly basis. My therapist is my pdoc, too. I find it really helpful that he does both.

along with meds I can't say it any louder..
SLEEP!!!