Coming to terms with having bipolar disorder has been a long journey for me. It wasn’t something I expected to have to deal with, but it’s become part of my life. It can be hard to manage, especially when it comes to my emotions. One minute I’m feeling on top of the world and nothing can drag me down, the next I’m spiraling into an abyss of darkness and despair.
The toughest part has been accepting there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing my illness. I still struggle with recognizing when things are starting to go wrong or worse, how to prevent it from reaching a point of no return without taking drastic measures. However, through trial and error over time I’ve come up with a few ways that have helped me keep on track.
A big help has been scheduling regular activities throughout the week that give me structure in my day-to-day life. Having certain milestones helps me break down tasks into more manageable pieces while also allowing for some “me” time where I can recharge my batteries if needed. Another helpful practice is setting boundaries and asking for help from close friends or family members if necessary. Having people around who understand what you’re going through and that love you unconditionally is invaluable - they are my lifeline many times!
Finally, simply being aware of what’s happening in your head is key too. Noticing negative thought patterns early on rather than letting them brew unseen can make all the difference when it comes to preventing a full-on episode from occurring in the future. Over time you find out which coping strategies work best for you – don’t be afraid to experiment until you find something that fits your needs!
Bipolar disorder doesn’t define who I am as a person even though it affects every aspect of my life – if anything, dealing with this illness has made me stronger and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally by showing how resilient I truly am!
