Relationships tie directly into your support network. Those in your support network either add or subtract from your overall degree of stability. I may be overly dramatic in saying this, but the relationships in your life can either save you or destroy you. That is why it is imperative that whomever you allow into your circle, should be…
The medical model of treatment is comprised of medication management and therapy. Finding a therapist may seem intimidating and overwhelming, but I am here to provide you with some guidance. What To Look For In A Therapist When looking for a therapist, you must ask yourself some direct questions. The answers you get from these questions will help…
A very common response to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is “denial.” Do not fall into this trap! If you need to get a second or third opinion, go for it. When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I got several other opinions to validate my diagnosis. Each time, the doctor independently diagnosed me with bipolar disorder. I…
When it comes to how you identify yourself, there are countless amounts of adjectives you can use. When looking at your experience of living with bipolar disorder, what comes to mind for you? Do you see yourself as a warrior, a survivor, a victim, or a fighter? Perhaps something else entirely different? How you perceive…
Progress is something you need to gauge regularly. Reviewing your progress will help you decide if the treatment plan you are following is successfully managing your bipolar disorder. Successfully managing your bipolar disorder will lead to greater stability. This will give you more control over your illness. The result is stability. Lifting Weights is Similar to…
The dictionary defines success as, “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit; a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity.” For those of us living with a mental illness, the definition takes on a whole new meaning. I live with bipolar type 1, and I see firsthand…
Medication is the second component to the Western World’s treatment approach to bipolar disorder. The other component is therapy. The majority of modern research focuses on the use of medication as the foundation for the treatment of bipolar disorder. That being said, each person’s journey is completely unique. Bipolar may be the common diagnosis but…
When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, my doctor sat me down, and we had a heart-to-heart. Triggers of a mood episode were the focus of the conversation. My doctor went on to explain that medication would be the foundation of my overall treatment plan. She told me I would have to adopt a healthy lifestyle comprised…
Have you ever wondered about the different types of bipolar disorder? When I was diagnosed back in 1999, there were three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar type 1, bipolar type 2, and bipolar NOS (“not otherwise specified”). Fast forward to the present day, and you can see the change in diagnostic criteria of bipolar disorder…
The Ultimate Guide to Surviving When Your Partner Has Bipolar Disorder answers the question, “What are some strategies I should practice when my partner has bipolar disorder?” I picked the top 8 strategies I feel will help you and your loved one. This list is not at all exhaustive. Here they are in random order (mostly):…