What to Do When Overwhelmed by Bipolar Disorder

I had a bad night last weekend. A really bad night. I was just so overwhelmed by my bipolar disorder! It actually scared me. So much so that I had to pull out my bipolar toolbox and fight it with all that I had. So I thought that might be good to talk about, since if it happened to me, then it's probably happened to you as well.

It was just one of those days when I didn't take care of myself. I let everything get to me, you know? Instead of taking care of each thing as it happened, I let everything pile up until I felt overwhelmed.

See, even when you've been stable for a long time, and you know the right thing to do, it isn't a guarantee that you'll always do it. We're all human, and we all make mistakes. Well, last Friday, I made mistakes. I let things happen that I should have stopped in their tracks. What got to me is that I knew better!

So the next thing I knew, I was overwhelmed and in the middle of an anxiety attack, out of control. That's when I knew I finally had to do something or things would get even worse. That's when I took out what I call my bipolar toolbox and got to work.

The first thing was that I needed to get over that anxiety attack. So I had to start controlling my breathing. I did some deep breathing exercises to slow my breathing down and to lower the anxiety level as well. It worked.

However, I still felt a high degree of stress, so I did some stress reduction exercises. I laid down on my bed, and closed my eyes. I visualized myself on the beach in Florida, with the warm sun beaming down on me. I began to relax each part of my body, one part at a time, as I used my deep breathing at the same time. Gradually, my whole body was relaxed, and the stress was gone.

I was relaxed, and no longer overwhelmed. Now, that doesn't mean that I still didn't have to face my problems, because I did have to manage them. But I wa able to manage them in a much better frame of mind after relaxing my body and mind with deep breathing and relaxation exercises.

It doesn't matter how you do it - whether you use the methods I use, or yoga, or tai chi, or meditation, or imaging, or self-hypnosis, or whatever.

The important thing is that you have to change your frame of mind when you feel overwhelmed, or you will just feel worse. These are just methods that allow you to do it, that's all. Different people use different methods. You need to use what works for you.

You also need to learn your lesson and be prepared for the future. Don't let yourself get into the same position again! Don't let things build up like I did. Handle things as they come up and they won't pile up, making you feel overwhelmed.

Make sure you stay balanced as well. A well-balanced person never feels overwhelmed, because, well, because they are balanced! Make sure you are balanced mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Make sure your professional life is balanced with your home life, and that your family duties are balanced with your personal needs.

If you do these things, you won't be overwhelmed by your bipolar disorder.

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