Am I Bipolar

Keep A Journal

 If you recognize the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and answered the question am I bipolar, then you have taken the biggest step. Remember, if you seek professional consultation from a psychiatrist, one of the first things you are going to be asked to do is to start a journal. So why not stay a few steps ahead of the game?

A journal will allow you to keep track of your moods, document whether or not they are cyclical in nature, and also help you try and figure out what your triggers are that cause a Bipolar shift. Does the stress level at work make you feel irritable, anxious, or looking for a release of some sort? Are you getting enough rest? (Insomnia is not only a symptom of Bipolar Disorder, but not sleeping well can also cause a shift, which can create one of the feedback loops mentioned above.) When you are shopping, do you tend to spend frivolously on lots of things that make you feel better, rather than shopping practically?

The more information you put down, the easier it will be for you, or a licensed professional, to go back and see what may be causing the shifts, and the behavior that results from those triggers. It will also be a lot easier – should you opt to go the route of pharmaceuticals – to figure out what medication you might need as part of your Bipolar treatment, based on the severity of the chemical shifts.

Eliminate Stress 

This is something everyone wants to do, and there aren’t enough magic wands in the world to do it. However, there are things you can do in order to keep your stress levels down as part of your own self-administered Bipolar disorder treatment.

•  Set boundaries between your work and your personal life – There’s no reason to have work keeping you awake at night. Once you leave work, make it clear that everything related to your job can wait. Your life is always more important than job, and the two should not be equated.
• The power of ritual – When you get home from work, you take off your necktie, or kick off those uncomfortable high heels. You may make time for yourself to read in a nice bubble bath once a week, or go for a massage every Wednesday or Friday. Something that marks off where your time for yourself begins. Remember, even committing to attend the gym is a ritual in itself. And while we’re on the topic…
• Exercise & Yoga – If you want a Bipolar treatment that eliminates stress, and has other benefits, nothing beats old fashioned exercise and yoga. You burn away tension, breathe easier, and create a natural release of endorphins that the brain needs to help keep a chemical equilibrium. Plus it will help you get better quality sleep.
• Nutrition – While Bipolar triggers are mostly external, you can keep them from taking place by maintaining some balance internally. This starts with a healthy diet. Bipolar treatment via nutrition is not just about eating healthy, but also listening to your body. If you want that piece of chocolate, then have it. Odds are, your cravings are your body’s way of telling you it needs something, and what it needs can only be found in certain foods.
• Be wary of over-indulgence – While having that glass of wine at the end of the day can relax you (and raise anti-oxidant levels), over-indulging will lead to a chemical imbalance and cause shifts on both the manic and the depressive side of the scale. It’s a simple rule for Bipolar treatment, and it doesn’t just apply to drinking. For example, treating yourself to a great pair of shoes is a great idea. You deserve treats and rewards. Maxing out your credit cards on a mad shopping spree will cause an emotional high, shortly followed by a deep depression (not to mention the financial strain). That piece of chocolate might be very tasty, but eating too many will cause a sugar imbalance and will lead to a Bipolar shift (not to mention the weight gain). Moderation is the key, and will make those personal rewards seem that much more special.