YOU'RE GONNA WIN, Despite Your Bipolar Diagnosis!

While it's true that bipolar disorder is incurable, there are things we can do to handle it successfully and live a happier and more stable emotional life. So, before I begin this second article, let's review what we learned from the first one:

First, have a routine that we can implement and work with every morning. This is a kind of "road map," just as we would use in starting a day's drive.

A good breakfast and taking time to meditate or read devotional material is the second action. This is like the gas we need in a regular car—it gives us the physical and mental vitamins and minerals needed to keep ourselves running well throughout the day.

Early in the morning, when the air is crisp and clean, we can take a brisk walk around our neighborhood, park or wherever we would feel safe and secure. Not only are we doing mild exercise but the brain's endorphins start to perk us up.

Remember that we're NEVER alone in this! Nationally, 5.7 million (and, worldwide, 48 million) are already diagnosed as bipolar. That's not including millions more whose diagnosis is still being determined or that are UNdiagnosed!

We can find a lot about the disorder on the internet, and also people to discuss it with (via Facebook and other good social sites).

Find three good, non-judgmental friends you can talk with whenever you begin to feel either side of the mania, those whom you can call at any time and will listen and help. If you're having a hard time finding those, then contact your local mental health center or, better yet, call one of the numbers listed below:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255)

Boys Town National Hotline: (1-800-448-3000) This is one especially designed for young people. However, they can and will also help others.

Crisis Text Line: text “CONNECT” to 741741 To my knowledge, this is the only crisis line that can help you through text messaging. Often, people will prefer that rather than talk to someone (for fear of being overheard).

Get a hobby, just as Becky, Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill, and millions more have done. This helps us concentrate, calms us down - and possibly can turn into a lucrative sideline!

ABOUT MEDS: Undoubtedly, you've been prescribed medications to help you handle your disorder. Take these according to its dosage instructions (see the labels on them) only!! Do not take more than prescribed - but do take them!Many of these are excellent, but be sure to let your psychiatrist know of any other meds you take (sometimes, they can interact with "psyche" medications and produce unwanted effects). Also, if you have any unpleasant side effects from your current bipolar medication, let your doctor know immediately. He or she may be able to find a substitute that will work with well with your system.I had to do that shortly after being prescribed a med that totally upset my digestive system. Fortunately, she found one that worked really well and helped me "level off".

Now, there are situations in our lives that actually have "triggered" episodes of either mania or depression. They might include loss of a job, death of a family member or pet, broken relationship or other traumas - even holidays. While some of those situations aren't possible to avoid, we can recognize them and prepare ourselves for the challenges they present (remembering the old saying, "Preparation prevents poor performance"!). If we have trouble dealing with the challenges, we can either call on friends who are willing to help or the helplines I've listed above.

There's a lot more ground to be covered, and I hope this has helped you (or your friends, should you decide to share) in lessening the impact of a bipolar diagnosis. For those who want to re-read the first article, it's listed below. Now, I'll continue this shortly. In the meantime, I hope you'll consider donating. Any amount will help in not only my studies and writing, and well, it also helps pay the rent!