Manic Episode Averted

Just an update about my condition (sleeplessness that I wrote about in my last post) -- I am feeling much better now. I think the medication just had to take a little while to "set in" and reach a workable level. All I know is, I'm sleeping good again, and I'm feeling stable.

Today, I wanted to stress the importance of having balance in your life. It can mean the difference between being stable or going into a bipolar episode. Like how I got my sleep schedule rebalanced, and averted a manic episode.

Let me ask you this first: Do you know how tellers learn how to spot a fake bill?

They aren't taught the zillion ways you can tell a bill is faked -- instead, they are taught to know the real bill SO well that they could spot ANY discrepancy.

So that's how you can stay balanced with bipolar disorder. Learn the disorder SO well (triggers, signs, symptoms) that you can quickly spot ANY discrepancy. Like I did with my sleep being off. Just one thing out of balance, but catching it so quickly kept me out of an episode.

You need to be balanced physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And you also have to know yourself VERY well. That way, like the fake bill, you can catch anything wrong soon enough to do something about it.

YOU are in charge of managing your bipolar disorder. Although you should have a good, strong support system to help you, YOU know yourself best.

Even if it's just a "gut feeling" that something is wrong, you need to give attention to it. The most important thing is to stay stable, to stay in control of your bipolar disorder (instead of it controlling your mood swings, etc.).

Do the things that keep you stable: Take your medication faithfully. See your doctor, psychiatriist and/or therapist regularly. Have a strong support system. Continue positive lifestyle changes (sleep, diet, exercise, etc.). Keep a positive attitude. And all the other things you do personally to keep your well-being.

If you do this, then you too can avert a bipolar episode.

What are some of the things that you do to keep yourself stable?

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele