| Nobody likes having bipolar disorder, and they | | | | sleep schedule in order to avoid it. This means |
| especially don't like going into episodes because of it. | | | | sleeping 8-9 uninterrupted hours of sleep per night. It |
| What if you knew the 7 secrets to staying stable | | | | is best to go to bed at the same time every night |
| with bipolar disorder? | | | | and wake up at the same time every morning. |
| • Secret #1: Medication | | | | • Secret #5: Balance |
| There can be no stability without medication. | | | | Having balance in your life will help you to keep your |
| Unfortunately, there is still no cure for bipolar disorder | | | | stress levels to a minimum. It will also help you to |
| at this time. The disorder is a chemical imbalance of | | | | feel better about yourself. You should be balanced |
| the brain, and only medication can control that | | | | physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In |
| imbalance. It is also a lifetime disorder, so you will | | | | addition, you should balance your professional, family, |
| need to take medication for the rest of your life in | | | | and personal responsibilities. |
| order to stay stable. | | | | • Secret #6: Productivity |
| • Secret #2: Therapy | | | | You may or may not still have a job; however, you |
| In order to maintain stability, you must deal with the | | | | must still be productive, or you will become lazy and |
| daily ins and outs of living with bipolar disorder. In | | | | or depressed. If so, you may be in danger of a |
| therapy, you learn to deal with the issues surrounding | | | | bipolar depressive episode. Find things to do with |
| not only the disorder, but yourself and your life in | | | | your time such as taking up a hobby, learning |
| general. | | | | something new, doing things around the house, etc. |
| • Secret #3: Support System | | | | It will give you a reason for getting out of bed and |
| You cannot manage your disorder on your own - you | | | | give you a sense of accomplishment. |
| need other people to help you. Therefore, you need | | | | • Secret #7: Help Others |
| to develop a good, strong support system. This | | | | One of the best ways to stay stable with your |
| consists of your primary supporter - usually your | | | | bipolar disorder is to help others. This will help you not |
| spouse or significant other - and anyone else you | | | | to dwell on your own problems. Volunteering is a |
| choose who can help you to stay stable, including | | | | wonderful way to accomplish this. If you go to a |
| your doctor, psychiatrist and therapist. | | | | support group, you can help others with their bipolar |
| • Secret #4: Sleep | | | | disorder through your own experiences. If not, find |
| Lack of sleep is one of the biggest triggers to a | | | | something that involves your interests and/or skills, |
| bipolar manic episode. You must stick to a proper | | | | or simply volunteer for a worthy cause. |