Avoid drugs and alcohol
Some people with bipolar disorder find they can stop misusing alcohol and drugs once they're using effective treatment. Others may have separate but related problems of alcohol and drug misuse, which may need to be treated separately.
Factors such as stress, poor sleep, and even seasonal changes can play a role in triggering your bipolar symptoms. Learn how you can reduce your risk of bipolar episodes and better manage your condition.
One preliminary study found that patients with bipolar disorder who eat a higher quality diet abundant in anti-inflammatory foods (including fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, and seafood) respond better to supplemental treatments than those who eat a diet that is high in sugar, unhealthy unsaturated ...
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and guided imagery can be very effective at reducing stress and keeping you on an even keel. A daily relaxation practice can improve your mood and keep depression at bay. Make leisure time a priority.
Some evidence suggests that caffeine may worsen mood destabilization in bipolar disorder, potentially leading to manic episodes. Caffeine can also disrupt bipolar disorder treatment, resulting in potentially dangerous side effects or reduced treatment effectiveness.
B vitamins are often used to treat mood
Anxiety disorder often accompanies bipolar disorder. Vitamin B1 can help ease anxiety and irritability for some adults, according to a 2021 study .
Bipolar Triggers and Warning Signs
Bipolar disorder features extreme shifts in mood that are unpredictable and often disruptive to daily functioning. Changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, emotions, and behaviors accompany the mood swings.
Sleep, negative life events, drug and alcohol use, seasonal changes, the reproductive cycle, as well as goal attainment and positive events can all have a deleterious impact on your stability, triggering a destructive cycle of mood switching.
If you have bipolar, it may have implications for driving. You must inform the following about any medical condition you have that could affect your ability to drive: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) (Includes the correct form for doing so) Your insurance company.
First of all, it's normal for people with bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions to “shut down” when their brain gets overwhelmed.
Magnesium: Magnesium — found in whole grains, beans, and dark leafy vegetables like spinach — has been shown to have an effect similar to lithium, the most common bipolar medication. Upping your intake of magnesium, a natural mood stabilizer, may decrease your need for medication.
While chocolate may not do much for mania and depression on its own, it may help relieve symptoms when consumed alongside other mood-regulating foods.
Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder or other types of substance abuse can be a dangerous combination. Each can worsen the symptoms and severity of the other. Having both conditions increases the risk of mood swings, depression, violence and suicide.
Living with bipolar disorder does not mean that a person will experience difficulty making and maintaining friendships. However, without suitable treatment and a support network, symptoms of the condition may put a strain on relationships.
It can manifest itself in many ways, including avoiding social events, not engaging in eye contact, and having low self esteem. These symptoms are common in those with bipolar, leading people to ask whether the two are linked.
“Many people think that a person with bipolar disorder doesn't have any control over themselves or that they're unable to take care of themselves or function in society. This simply is not true,” says Ikaika King, who was diagnosed with bipolar II when he was 17.
This was a question recently asked of me, “can people with a mental illness, like bipolar disorder, live alone?” The answer to me was obvious – yes! Absolutely. Of course a person, even with a serious mental illness, can live alone.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. Experts believe there are a number of factors that work together to make a person more likely to develop it. These are thought to be a complex mix of physical, environmental and social factors.
Coping with your symptoms of bipolar disorder on your own is possible — even if it can feel really challenging at times. Self-care is key in managing symptoms of bipolar disorder. You can do many things on a daily basis to cope with your condition and minimize any challenges that come up.