Managing Bipolar Disorder: 7 Coping Tips and Strategies

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you may want to take your own initiative to keep your symptoms under control. Thankfully, there are some coping tips and strategies you can keep with you to keep your disorder at bay. Here are seven important tips you can start implementing into your daily schedule.

1. Become Involved With Your Treatment

When dealing with your Bipolar Disorder Symptoms, it’s important that you’re familiar with how your treatment works. Be active and ask questions. Do some research so that you can recognize your own symptoms and discover which treatment options might be available to you. Be patient, speak with your treatment provider, take your medication as instructed, and get therapy to help you cope with your frustrating symptoms.

2. Monitor Your Symptoms

You need to be attuned to the way you’re feeling so that you can better understand how your disorder works. If you learn to recognize your symptoms of mania or depression, you can often figure out what is triggering these symptoms so that you can avoid them altogether or learn to better cope with them. Catching them early can help you prevent a mood change from becoming full-blown mania or depression.

3. Do Something When You Notice Warning Signs

Once you start recognizing the early signs, you should act immediately. You and your therapist may have developed a toolbox together of coping mechanisms and activities you can use to help stabilize your moods. This toolbox should also be equipped with a list of emergency contacts in the event that your symptoms become extreme.

4. Reach Out To Someone

Develop a strong support system by talking to those you trust about your bipolar disorder, and inquiring as to whether they’re willing to be a good listener when you need someone to talk to. Isolation and loneliness will only make your symptoms worse.

5. Develop An Active Daily Routine

Work on creating a healthy routine of eating well, getting some exercise, and having good quality sleep. These good habits won’t fix your disorder overnight but they can help to minimize the chances of having a sudden mood swing in the middle of the day.

6. Minimize The Stress In Your Life

Stress can be a trigger for bipolar disorder, so it’s a good idea to know what your limits are and communicate them to those around you so that they know not to push you. Don’t take on more work than you can handle, and practice some relaxation techniques when you feel like the stress is starting to become too much for you.

7. Be Careful With Food

Your moods can often be affected by what you’re eating. Focus on a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables, and don’t indulge in sugary foods or drinks. Add omega-3s to your diet, as they have been shown to decrease mood swings.

No one should ever have to deal with their bipolar disorder symptoms alone. Just talking to someone can help you recognize your symptoms and get the help you need. Speak to your primary healthcare provider to see what treatment options and coping strategies work best for you.