Triggers are any person, place, thing, experience, requirement, or situation that makes you have bipolar disorder mood swings – in other words, depending on who you are, any situation can trigger mood swings. There are very general ones, arguing, work, travel, drugs and alcohol, chaos, baseball games, children responsibilities, etc, etc. The list is actually endless. My Health Cards are filled with triggers I need to avoid.
My books have full chapters devoted to recognizing and avoiding triggers. My last newsletter was all about how I had to prepare for the inevitable triggers that come up when you travel.
But here is the big problem! What if the trigger is your family? I’m in that situation now. I love my family, that is a given. But this doesn’t mean I can sacrifice my health for them. Ever. What use am I if I’m so stressed over their situation that I can’t sleep and start to cry in worry? I don’t even mean to do this. It’s strictly bipolar disorder. I personally can handle the situation rationally- but bipolar is never rational. So I have to do what I can and walk away. It’s hard when children are involved.
I know how to take care of myself and I do it every day. This means that I know my triggers very well- after 12 years of truly managing the illness- I darn well better know my triggers! So, I limit my contact with some members of my family. This doesn’t mean I don’t love them. I remind myself of that when I feel guilt. It means I am there when things calm down and they take action instead of fighting with each other.
A difficult choice for me- but an essential one. They respect me for it.
Julie
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