Bipolar I is no joke, I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through it.

Here’s something I wish I had heard when I was diagnosed after my first full fledged hospital-worthy episode.

Be mindful of stressful situations, like taking care of your mother with dementia. Stress can trigger an episode, though it can be random as well.

Remember to eat, get enough sleep, avoid THC like the plague. Weed while you have BP1 is like a credit card, you think you feel better for a little while, but it actually takes away from your total stability and mental health, and can lean you one direction or the other episode-wise. Same thing with alcohol, though I’ve found the effects to be less dramatic personally, but it can be just as bad for some.

Don’t be afraid to try new medications, or a cocktail of them, but always say something if it doesn’t feel right.

Take vitamins- mental health medications can sometimes strip you of nutrients or sometimes the right ones can help counter things like weight gain, etc.

It’s okay to go to the hospital to prevent a manic or mixed episode from spiraling out of control, no one is going to take your kids away, they just want to help, even if some hospitals aren’t as great with patient care.

None of this your fault, never forget that. Even if you need to take responsibility for being crappy with your partner or racking up tons of credit card debt, that part of your brain that incites these behaviors isn’t your fault. Always take responsibility, but never blame yourself for the illness itself. Shame and guilt can really knock you off your feet.

That‘s all I got for now, but I’m happy to share any specifics of my experience with you if you like.

Cheers to stability and creating a better life!

Bipolar Disorder Support