HOME! I am practicing what I preach these days. Early to bed and early to rise- it makes such a difference when I have a lot of work to do. I have to send in a manuscript on Tuesday for a book I don’t really want to write. In the past, this would have made me stressed and ill- these days I know that I have to modify my life in order to keep moving forward so that I can meet my deadline.
I went out with my family tonight to a spiritual event based on Shaman teachings from Mexico. It’s always great to hear different ways of thinking!
In the past, I would have gone to karaoke afterwards- but not tonight.. NO. I am managing the illness instead of letting it manage me! I know that going out late is a trigger, especially with all of the hypomania I’ve been going through. I want to make choices that keep me well. Iused to see this as so boring I thought I would go crazy- now I see it as peaceful.
Julie
As you may have heard me say a million times in the past, I get a lot of inspiration from professional athletes. They are unique in the world in that their minds must be completely under control in order for them to be successful at such a high level. Here is an example. The world series of baseball is going on these days – the pitcher on the mound tonight had a fight with his catcher earlier in the year. This of course is not ok in the multi million dollar world of professional baseball.
So the pitcher saw a famous sports psychologist named Ken Ravizza and learned to get his mind under control so that he could use his physical talents to win games. Here is what the psychologist said:
“It’s not like an elite-level athlete is messed up and we’re going to fix him,” Ravizza said. “It’s about what it takes to be great. The mental game is such a big part of it; you have to develop it like the physical game.
“It’s not about feeling great. It’s about learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable. You’re going to be uncomfortable. You’re going to feel pressure. If you think you’re going to be relaxed and mellow, you’re kidding yourself. The difference is embracing it.”
That’s what I’m learning about bipolar disorder. I control as much as I can and I’m exponentially better than I have ever been, but I still have a lot of serious mood swings. I’m just learning to live with some of the uncomfortable thoughts I [... Read More ...]
I heard a person say this at a restaurant the other day. “I’d never put myself in the position.”
What a concept!
If we don’t put ourselves in certain situations, then we can’t have the bad outcomes that often come with the location/person we chose to be with/or dodgy situation /etc.
I listen to sports radio and NPR all day. One big topic on sports radio is the number of football players that get: shot or shoot someone, robbed, beaten up or beat up someone and stopped by the cops for reckless/drunk driving. Interestingly, there is a statistic that the sports radio commentators keep bringing up. Trouble happens between the hours of 1-5AM. And that is when almost all of the football player trouble happens.
They put themselves into the position of getting in trouble. They choose situations that huge, rich professional ball players should simply avoid.
How does this relate to bipolar? Because when I used to get manic- I did all of the above- or at least came close to it. I know others who have been in similar situations. When we feel ourselves get manic- we can say- no! I will not go to that bar. No! I will not put an ad on Craigslist just to see who’s out there. No! I will not go drinking with you. No! I will not have sex with a stranger! No! I will not take money that isn’t mine. No! NO! NO!
Mania has a treatment window. Those of us with mania problems should [... Read More ...]
Bipolar Disorder Triggers
I just finished an article on bipolar disorder triggers for my column in BP Magazine.
I was going through some serious trigger issues when I wrote it! Do you write things down when you’re sick? I find it helps. I can often see my role in what’s going on if I write about what I’m honestly feeling.
I started seriously examining my bipolar triggers about eight years ago when I created the Health Cards (my treatment plan on bipolarhappens.com )- wow, I was a mess. I walked into situations without thinking and I was constantly ill. I’m a lot more vigilant now. A lot more. The minute I start to get sick, I think to myself- what is going on here? And I examine my life. Often it’s a problem with a person or work. Considering that my life pretty much revolves around relationships and work, this is depressing!
A friend of mine was doing really well after spending a few months in the hospital over 10 years ago. And then he got a job promotion. He had his first manic episode in over ten years. He went back to his regular job and got better quickly. It’s not fair is it.
Triggers aren’t always negative. There are many ‘positive’ triggers as well. It helps if family members can remember that those of us with bipolar are just ridiculously sensitive to change. We don’t like it. I hate it. But it’s our reality.
I think I use the phrase- it’s our reality- about a million times a [... Read More ...]
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