This article was originally published in Bp Magazine under the title Stability, Bipolar & Coronavirus (COVID-19)
It was the first article I wrote when it became obvious that many of us would be staying at home.
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This is the first time the world has watched a pandemic unfold in real time. For this reason, emotions are high, and uncertainty is raging. What can we do as people affected by bipolar disorder to make sure our BRAINS stay well while the world changes before our eyes?
Let’s Start with the Basics
Bipolar Medications.
Write your doctor today and calmly explain that your bipolar often comes with anxiety, and this virus experience is a trigger. For this reason, ask for your regular meds to be on a double script if possible. Ask for more automatic refills—at least six months out. Thank your doc for continuing to work during this outbreak. If you have to go into the office to get psych shots, take care of this now. If you need blood tests, get one now. Be proactive. Don’t cancel appointments. Simply have them by phone or video.
Irritation.
Getting pissed off is often a by-product of fear. If you’re stuck at home with roommates you rarely see or family members whom you need to avoid for your own stability, make a plan now. You determine your relationships. Make a pact with yourself now. You will not fight or get irritated with others.
Depression & Hopelessness.
A world crisis will naturally affect the depressed brain. If you’re already feeling hopeless and helpless in regular life, you will feel this even more today. Use this mantra: “It’s natural that I feel this sick. The world is off its axis, and I need to focus on my brain and my brain only. I have been through this before and will go through it again. A virus is not a reason to get more depressed. I am going to treat this depression right this minute and get help.”
Anxiety & Paranoia.
If you’re already on the anxious side—and especially if you’re prone to paranoid psychosis, as I am—now is the time to turn off the sources that feed this paranoia. This especially includes politically charged social media. Removing the inflammatory triggers of paranoia and anxiety can cut your symptoms in half. Ask yourself if being “informed” is worth the pain of anxiety and paranoia.
Hypomania & Mania.
This sneaky symptom may make you less worried about the virus, and, for that reason, you will take personal-contact and especially sexual-behavior-contact suggestions less seriously. If you’re starting to feel manic now, acknowledge it and use your plan to get stable. Now is not the time for wildness.
Pets.
For many, taking care of pets is like taking care of a child. How is the food situation as of now? Does your pet need a vet appointment? What about grooming? Make a list of your pet’s needs over the next three months, be the superhero you are, and go through the list one at a time.
Social Media.
Oh, my goodness. If we believe everything on social media, all of the toilet paper is gone and there is brawling in the aisles of grocery stores around the world!
While no one can deny that there has been some fighting over products, it’s important to know that there is always conflict in stores. It’s not new. We don’t have a “social media IV” attached to our brains. It is up to us, as people with bipolar, to TURN OFF what makes us sick.
Social media wants you to stay, so they will play on your worries. If you choose not to turn it off completely, at least be aware of what you are viewing. Look at the words and images they use to suck you in. Be thoughtful and intelligent and truly see the reality of what they are selling: FEAR.
If You Feel an Episode Brewing…
What if your symptoms are getting worse, and you can tell you’re heading for an episode? I have many articles on this topic, and you can use the ideas step by step to calm your brain and prevent a big episode. I also recommend the work of Melody Moezzi.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Oh, it’s the stuff Julie always says! ‘Take care of yourself and be a detective and remove triggers!’” Yes. It is the same.
Like all illnesses, bipolar responds to a plan. It’s a triggered illness. You have so much more control than you think, if you’re not feeling well right now.
General Strategies to Stay Stable During the COVID-19 Outbreak
You can take charge of your brain. Bipolar disorder responds to management, and removing triggers is the best way to handle this crisis. If you have my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, now is a good time to read the triggers chapter again!
Yes, I am a repeating robot, but this is what works:
- If you are really getting sick, turn off social media and ask stable friends for updates.
- If it’s moderate, turn off the social media that raises fear, anxiety, and anger, and focus on what creates positive feelings.
- Call someone right now. Say hello with your voice. Leave voice messages.
- Don’t cancel support groups. Set them up online or on the phone through services such as Free Conference Call. Make sure you have all of your bipolar appointments. Don’t cancel!
- Write/contact every place where you have monthly fees and services and ask the business to waive fees for a month or more.
- If you meet with a substance-abuse support group, move it all online or on the phone. Don’t cancel. Even if you do this with a few members, it’s worth it.
Remember…
What we are going through now is not permanent. Seasons change, and the world is up for the task. We are working together. Let’s find the not-so-awful part of this current situation:
- Is this a time for a deep clean of your room or home?
- Is it time to reconnect by phone with old friends?
- What opportunities come up when the world slows down?
We are in control of ourselves. Let’s use this time to be smart about the rotten bipolar symptoms that probably will show up, get help, and then take the time to reflect on what we want in our lives. I am trying to use this system, and, so far, I am not overly panicked—even when facing my worries about money and health. That is pretty good, considering the brain I live with daily!
