Letting It Go With Bipolar

If we were to let everything get to us, we'd be in bipolar episodes all the time, and we can't have that, can we? So we have to find a way to let things go.

It's when we let things pile up that they can overwhelm us to the point of keeping us bound up - they can either wind us up and trigger us into a manic episode or depress us to the point of a bipolar depressive episode.

That's what usually happens when we take other people's problems and make them our own. We have to let them go. I'm not saying to be heartless or not to be a good friend, but you can listen to someone's problems and offer a supportive ear without taking those problems onto yourself - it's when you take them onto yourself that you get yourself into trouble.

You have to learn to let things go when you have bipolar disorder. You can't let things build up, or they will tear you down. A journal is very good for this, as you can write everything down and, once it's written down, let go of it.

I keep a God box for just this type of thing. When a friend brings a need to me, I listen to their problem, write it down on a slip of paper, put it in my God box (my prayer box), and then I let it go (let go and let God), because I know that I can't handle it.

I'm still being a good friend and a good listener, but I'm not taking their problem onto myself, because I know it's not good for my bipolar disorder or for me. I don't think of it as being selfish, because I am doing what I can, but I'm not going beyond my limits, and I'm not making myself sick (I did that too much before).

When you're facing too many stressful situations at one time, you need to let some of them go, or they will overwhelm you and mess with your bipolar disorder, too. Try to look at them objectively, and ask yourself if you can do anything about the situation. If you can, do. If you can't, let go of it.

In many cases, the situation will work itself out. In others, the situation will be there at another time when you will be more able to deal wtih it without being overwhelmed. Or you can ask for help (you can always ask for help).

Just remember - rather than being overwhelmed, LET IT GO! It's never worth going into a bipolar episode over!

Don't forget to check out my bipolar book at: www.brokenroseministries.com

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele