COPING WITH MY BIPOLAR
“Have you tried exercise? It’s done wonders for me!” A person who you just disclosed about
having bipolar disorder tells you.
When it comes to mental health, there are a lot of ways to cope. What’s important to remember
is that it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. What works for one person might not work for
another. There are many different ways to cope with bipolar. In this article, we’re going to focus
on 2 different and common ways to cope with bipolar.
2 Different and Common Ways To Cope With Bipolar
There are many ways to cope with bipolar disorder. However, lets focus on 2 of the most
common ways to cope with bipolar disorder.
1. Medication
If you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar, then a common topic that comes up with a mental health
professional is medication. Although the exact cause of bipolar is unknown, it has roots in a
person’s genetic background, environment, and other factors. According to the NHS, bipolar is
associated with chemical imbalances in the brain. Medication, then, is one way to address these
imbalances.
Common medications used to treated bipolar include:
● Antipsychotics such a seroquel and abilify. Antipsychotics, as the label implies, treat
psychosis. This includes symptoms such as visual, auditory, and other forms of
hallucination, paranoia, and delusions.
● Mood stabilizers such as lithium and lamictal. Mood stabilizers help with the ups and
downs that are typical with bipolar disorder.
Not every individual with bipolar will or wants to take medication. Taking medication or lack
thereof is something that an individual, with the help of a mental health professional, will need to
decide for themselves.
2. Therapy
In addition to medication or even instead of medication, a person diagnosed with bipolar may
also try different therapies. For example, different forms of therapy such as:
● Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
● Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
● Group Therapy
There are lots of different therapies that an individual can try. Ultimately, the goal in trying these
therapies is finding out what works for you.
Individualised Approaches To Coping With Bipolar
As you look for ways to cope with bipolar disorder, look for ways that cater to you and your
values. For example, if nature works for you and helps you with your mood, then that’s
something that you can incorporate into your lifestyle. Likewise, music, art, journaling, running,
dancing and walking are just some of the different approaches to coping with bipolar. The goal
in trying different therapies is to have a variety of tools and skills that can help you in your daily
life.
With the help of a qualified mental health professional, living a healthy, stable, and happy life is
definitely possible!
