How to Live with Bipolar Depression
Depression can be incredibly hard to live with; it permeates every part of a personâs life and leaves them feeling very low and unable to cope with day to day life. Most people will have an encounter with depression during their life and most people cope with it and move on without any problems. For people with bipolar depression life can be quite different.
Bipolar depression tends to come in cycles which are mixed with periods when the sufferer feels intense highs. During these highs bipolar depression is forgotten and the person might feel invincible and this can lead to other problems. When someone who is bipolar is in the middle of a bipolar depression period they tend to go into a deep depression, their sleeping patterns can be affected, they may lose their appetite, they lack motivation and their personal relationships can suffer. If the bipolar depression episode is particularly intense they may even contemplate suicide, so it is essential that they learn effective ways that will help them to live with bipolar depression.
Firstly it is important to try to get bipolar depression under control as this will make life slightly easier for the sufferer. This should be done by getting medical advice and treatment to stabilise the moods of the person with bipolar disorder. Medication to control bipolar depression can be prescribed and many people with bipolar disorder find that this is a huge step forward for them. They will still have periods or episodes of bipolar depression but with the correct medication and management these can become less frequent. By lowering the frequency of these periods, a person who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder can deal better with them.
As well as medication, another good way to learn to live with bipolar depression is by attending cognitive behavioural therapy sessions which can help a person to pinpoint triggers for their depression. When a person is able to pinpoint these triggers they can then either try to avoid these types of situations, or if they are unavoidable, learn strategies to cope and lessen the impact of bipolar depression when it strikes. Obviously, this type of treatment is not suitable for everyone but many people do benefit from it and it is worth taking a look at if you suffer from bipolar depression.
Exercise can also play an important role in living with bipolar depression as it encourages the production and release of endorphins, a natural chemical that the body produces when it is happy. This also occurs when a person exercises â so it is a good idea for those people who suffer from bipolar depression to take regular exercise as it will benefit them.
Some people also advocate alternative treatments such as taking up yoga or meditation as it allows the bipolar depression sufferer to relax and learn further coping mechanisms. Whilst not everyone would agree, those people who do practice yoga or meditation do find that it improves their mood and general wellbeing which is both useful and valuable.
Lina Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-live-with-bipolar-depression-831559.html
October 9th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Do you think you can live with depression/ bipolar without meds??
I am thinking about going to my doctor about my depression/ social anxiety/ bipolar, which i’ve had literally the whole of my life. I am now 22 years old, and am thinking well it’s now or never really. I’ve dealt with my depression and social anxiety for a long time and I just feel it’s so much a part of my character. And maybe depression/ social anxiety etc are not faults, we’re being made to think we should all be these happy bubbley people, but those people aren’t real. Anyway I’m pretty much a loner, and I don’t want to end up like one of those old men who become so introverted they forget the outside world. So should I get wrapped up in all this medication malark, which would probably improve the quality of my life temporarily, but in the end your still left with yourself.. or should I just battle on, ride the highs and the lows?? What do you think.. (I’m a very down to earth person, who probably won’t be committing suicide anytime soon.. so don’t be scared to say what you think).
October 9th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
yes you can easily it is all about how u choose to deal with things put in front of you. Be strong dont let people scare you there just the same as you.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Im 35 and had the same problem. I battled through it alot but it just isnt worth the trouble. I finally went to a doctor and got on lexapro antidepressant.
The medicine will not change you as a person trust me. I am so glad I am taking it and dont ever want to go back to battling depression and social anxiety. It just isnt worth it. Life is hard enough as it is.
Try the medicine for a few months trust me you will not be dissapointed. It really helped me. Dont grind along like that it just isnt worth it.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
You seem to have some misconceptions of the effect of meds. They don’t make you "happy bubbly people" they help you with the negative aspects of bi polar and depression.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
My life was awful for years. It cost me my marriage and tons of other problems. I’m now on Lexapro, and it allows a chance to get through the day. I am a much better person now. I am real thankful. Good luck. It’s not a problem to tell your doctor. They’ll get you samples first, and see how well it helps you.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Very interesting question, although one I couldn’t answer for you without knowing you a lot better. I do know people who cope with some pretty bad bi-polar without meds, although they sometimes have to rearrange their lives to do so [f'instance, having someone else look after their money so they don't spend it on everything].
I think the major question is, are you suffering? Do you feel you *want* or *need* to change? If it ain’t broken….
Good luck!
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Works in mental health.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Well its very difficult to say,If it was happening to me,even though I was never a pill person for the past few years I have had to take strong pain killers,I now cant do with out them,so if I were you I would go with them for a while,you relly need some friend to help you with this too,do you have a girlfriend,if not try for one and then you can share your anxieties with her,she can be of help to you.Another thing is i know very little about this condition and am simply trying to advise,i just feel you have a right to be happy and must want to be so.Hope this helps and the best of luck.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Usually I try to stay off the meds if I can, especially when i was pregnant. I don’t care what they say about that.
I have been off them now since I was preg. with my last baby, 2 and 1/2 years ago now. I just had a traumatic loss, and know that I am at a very extreme low, and am trying to find some help. But I do not stay on the meds for the rest of my life unless I feel my condition is affecting the normalcy of my life.
However, if you are bipolar, meds should not be stopped without serious consideration, the help of a doctor and gradually weaning. Maybe start some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy first.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Oh yes, you can live without medication. The question is - can others live with you?
My father had bipolar all his life and refused to take medication. My mother went through 47 years of hell with his mood swings, unreasonable spending, rages etc., and we kids were terrified of him cos we never knew how he would react to anything - it all depending on how he was feeling. So please do the world a favour and take your meds. Thanks and good luck.
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
You need therapy and group counseling and a consult with your psychiatrist about medications (there are new ones and new thoughts on their use all the time). It has been my experience that people with bi-polar disorder need at least minimal medication to stabilize their moods.
The Ol’ Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I think its not going to be a case of living with your depression like you say. But you need to conquer the depression. God to the doctor and try some anti depressants, or ask to see a psychiatrist for an assessment and maybe you could have some cognitive behavioural therapy. I found CBT really helpful because it has taught me have a totally different view on life. Depression is horrible, get it sorted before it takes over you!
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Hi,
You should go to the Doctors, tell him how you are feeling, depression,anxiety, try the medication, go to counselling,see how it goes for you,it’s not going to harm you, is it ,you are a young person, you have a long good life ahead of you,please don’t become introverted,and don’t stay a loner, make new friends, join a club/gym,a singles club, go to night school learn something new,there are lots of things you can do,
These Happy,Bubbly People are they really happy, I think not, they just pretend they are.
I hope you do seek your Doctor advice,
Lots of Luck
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I don’t take meds, i don’t think they help in the long run, you need to know how your own strain of bipolar will affect you and others. If i know i have a ‘moment’ coming on i lock myself away from others for fear of hurting them. A darkened room and a shot of vodka can do the trick.
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Experience.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Social anxiety and depression are definitely amenable to good psychotherapy, with long-lasting - possibly life-long - improvement in how you feel. You’re absolutely accurate in suggesting that these things aren’t ‘faults’, and that many of us suffer from aspects of them some of the time. However, if your life is somewhat overwhelmed by this, as you seem to indicate in your fear of becoming totally introverted, doing some psychological work now would pay huge dividends. It’s not a quick fix - be prepared for at least a year of regular weekly psychotherapy, and probably for maximum benefit more like three years - but you will find a gradual enriching of your life. It can, however, be tough as you’ll become aware of things you’ve managed to blot out so far.
You throw in a brief mention of bipolar disorder but don’t give any clue as to whether you do actually have manic phases. If you do, and these lead you to do things which are seriously damaging to your own life or those of others (spending all the money you can get access to, setting fire to things, phoning people continually at 3 or 4 in the morning, for example) then medication might be worthwhile. But even then, I have known people who suffer from bipolar disorder who have, through psychotherapy, found ways to manage it without medication, although mostly they have had a period of medication which enabled them to take a long cool look at things.
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