Coping skills

Coping skills in having Bipolar

I am going to list in how I cope with Bipolar along with medication.

Anxiety: I have medication for panic attacks, however I am only limited to a certain amount. When I have an anxiety attack, my voice sounds like a cartoon character, chest hurts and sometimes hands shake. I will lay in a dark room and breathe from my stomache.

They always pass. If I am away from a dark room and have an attack, I will do my breathing techniques. Since I have an exercise routine my anxiety attacks have decreased. My goal is to stop taking the anxiety medication, however for now I need it.

Depression: I keep a journal and track the length of sadness. I take the journal to my Psychiatrst and see if I need a medication tweak. I try to become proactive, which I believe will decrease the depression. I have to feel like I have a purpose in life. As most of you know, I volunteer, take a night class, and exercise. Too be honest there are days where I have to push myself to do daily activities.

Obsessive thoughts: when I begin to obsess I have to talk it out with a friend or my husband. Sometimes I draw/clean/or go on the computer to redirect my thinking.

Racing thoughts: I will draw/talk with a friend or husband/ and chores etc. Racing thoughts are rough to redirect. I have to keep busy.

I also pray to the Lord for strength.

Thank you for taking the time in reading my blog. hugs and strength to you all.

update

My Coping skills for bipolar disorder

As most of you all know my friend died. I also suffer from OCD. My friend was murdered and in having these disorders I need a method besides medications to redirect my mind from fixating on her death. They have not found a suspect yet. When I begin to put the pieces together in my head repetively, in regards to her case, I redirect back to pictures of her and I. The pictures calm my mind and happy memorires occur.

Family and friends have created a group site where we can write stories about her and reminise. The site is therapy for me. When the obsessions in my head begin I refrain back to the group page and pictures. Sometimes my obsessions will interfere with my everyday life and I need to find other coping skills to redirect my thoughts. I will think of one topic in my life and focus on that throughout the day until I find another way to refocus.

Life

   Continuation with my story about having Bipolar

I have been thinking about how I have progressed.  I am taking a night class four days a week and driving as most of you know. I am also looking to volunteer during the day. I joined a gym and exercising five days a week. I thank all of this to the Lord, family, doctors, and medication. It has been a battle, However right now I feel stable. Hugs and strength to you all.

Visit to the Psychiatrist

Visiting my psychiatrist has its positives and negatives. He wants to increase my medication (mood stabilizer). I have tried several types of medicines. He was going to place me on one that did not agree with me. I typed up a history that listed all my medications and have him refer to the document. It is very important you write up your past history that list all your medications, diagnosis, doctors, hospitalizations, etc. My doctor is forgetful and even with the best of psychiatrists, you need to be your own advocate.

He is increasing my mood stabilizer since my moods have been shaky. I still have the crying spells and since my freind pasted away, depression is right around the corner. Thank you all for your support and encouraging comments. How are your visits to your doctors office? Through your experience what ways have worked for you that made the visits easier, any advice?

My Friend

My friend that I have known for over twenty years just passed away. She was murdered. I am very shaken up over this. My heart aches for her family and her three year old daughter. When a tradegy happens and having bipolar, I have to watch for symptoms. My body does not heal compared to a typical person.

My other friends are handling this well and now we wait for a suspect. I also have OCD. Right now the negative and obssessive thoughts seep in. I try to rediect my thoughts by thinking of the good times and the wonderful memories I have of her. Now is the time to see my therapist to help me cope with her death.