Ultimate Guide How To Advocate For Yourself

Living with a chronic illness like bipolar disorder is exhausting and sometimes overwhelming. This is especially true if you proactively manage your illness.

It takes an enormous amount of time and energy to take steps to manage each day. This is something that someone without bipolar disorder oftentimes cannot fully grasp.

That being said, you need to be your own best advocate. After all, you are the one battling bipolar disorder and walking in your own shoes every day. Ultimately, all of this “work” will pay off in the long-run-and save you down the road from, say, experiencing a full-blown manic or depressive episode.

Today, I’d like to share some ways to advocate for yourself. They have helped me tremendously, and I hope they do the same for you.

Be Patient and Never Give Up

Living with bipolar disorder is a lifelong battle. Think of it as a marathon and not a sprint – one day at a time.

It’s important to realize this so you can be patient with yourself and your journey through life living with bipolar disorder.

Also, do not put a time constraint on anything because you’ll just end up getting let down and defeated. Realize this is just a part of your daily life, and try not to put unnecessary pressure on yourself. That is about being patient and giving yourself grace when things don’t turn out the way you like.

Along the same lines of patience, do not give up! If things are overwhelming and don’t go your way, just know they will get better. I have to tell myself this constantly when I’m in the throes of a bipolar depressive episode. 

“Things will get better.”

“This too shall pass.” 

Sometimes this is a difficult notion to accept, especially when that is the opposite of what you feel. Just keep reminding yourself continuously throughout the day. Put those words on a note card, and carry it with you.

If you can just remember to never give up and be patient with yourself, the life you are living will greatly improve.

Know Your Insurance

Knowing your insurance is instrumental to traversing the healthcare system. There are countless types of insurance plans out there. Make sure you know yours.

Here are some questions to ask:

• What services does your insurance cover? 
• How much is your deductible? 
• How much does it cost to see a provider? A specialist?
• What medications does your insurance cover? 

Knowing your insurance will help you find the best treatment, while wading through all of your options. You can always call customer care (usually the number on the back of your insurance card) and get referrals and suggestions regarding providers, medication, and types of treatment.

Shop Around and Find the Right Providers

Remember, you are in the driver’s seat of your care. If you feel your provider isn’t supporting you properly, find another one. You are paying them for a service, so make sure you are happy with that service.

If you are not satisfied, shop around and find someone else. The relationship you have with your provider must be one of mutual respect. Feel free to suggest ideas, ask questions, and have a say in your own treatment.

Your treatment directly impacts your quality of life. Make sure you advocate for what you want and feel comfortable with. Don’t just settle.

If you love your provider, that’s great – stick with them. If you don’t, shop around and look until you find someone you mesh well with.

Keep a Journal

A journal is a great tool to use. You can record simple things about your day, such as what is going well and what isn’t. If you observe any changes after modifying your treatment, write them down. Write down anything you want for that matter.

When you journal between appointments, you can bring it in with you and show your provider how you are doing. That way, you don’t have to think about what has happened over the past few weeks. You have only a short window with your provider. Bringing your journal helps you be prepared, while making the time count.

You should dedicate one part of your journal to questions. When a question pops up that you want to run by your provider, write it down. How many times have you gone into an appointment, and after it is done and you have left, you kick yourself because you forgot to ask one of your questions? Solve that problem by writing down your questions as they come up during the week.

A journal is a wonderful tool to help you advocate for yourself. If you follow through and journal between appointments, you’ll have a written record of your journey.

Do Not Be Afraid to Reach Out for Help

Never feel bad for asking for help. When you live with bipolar disorder, there will be times when you need to lean on others for support. That is okay, and you should never feel bad about that.

If you need something, speak up. If something is bothering you, speak up. If you feel you are getting out of control, speak up.

Do not stay silent. You are not alone, and you should never feel that way.

Let me give you an example from my own life. In the past, I have struggled tremendously with both the manic and depressive poles of bipolar disorder. When I feel a shift, I tell my wife and call both my medical provider and therapist. Together, we always come up with a game plan to better monitor me, tweak my medications, and implement other strategies. I am not ashamed to ask for support, and you shouldn’t be, either.

Last Thoughts

You are your own best advocate. Put yourself in the driver’s seat of your own care by making your voice heard and taking action. 

With any long-term illness, you need to pay particular attention to making healthy decisions. Living a healthy lifestyle is a way to advocate for yourself. It is something you have control of and it will improve your overall quality of life.

As a recap, I spoke about the importance of being patient and never giving up. Each day is a battle, but you are a warrior-you’ve got this!

Get to know your insurance, and call customer service if you have questions. Knowing what your insurance covers and does not will help you to navigate the healthcare system. It is yet another way you can be proactive in your treatment.

Always shop around and find the right provider if you aren’t happy with the one you have. There are so many healthcare providers out there that you should never settle, especially when it comes to daily medication management and therapy. You want someone on your support team that you trust and feel comfortable with.

Make sure to keep a journal. Keep your thoughts and ideas written down along with how you are doing each day. Also, write down your questions whenever they pop up.

Remember, do not be afraid to reach out for help. If something isn’t right, speak up, and do something about it. Be proactive, and take action.