Bipolar disorder takes away our ability to evaluate ourselves realistically and calmly. Our behaviors and thoughts are funneled through a bipolar disorder filter and this filter changes everything…….
It’s hard to be kind to yourself, be rational or calm when this filter distorts the behaviors of others.
My solution? I try to memorize my typical bipolar symptoms created by this filter:
💔 No one loves me.
📘 I will never sell another book.
👪 People have so much better things to do than be around me.
🌎 The world is a scary place and I have never been treated well buy the general public!
😿 Etc. Woe is me when the filter is raging.
I constantlyremind myself that thinking my life is terrible when it isn’t is a sign that I’m sick. In fact, nothing is really terrible in my life- I may be unhappy or things may not be going well, but overall, my main problem is bipolar disorder. If I can remember that and treat the bipolar disorder first, then I can avoid the filter thoughts and make rational decisions!
You can learn how bipolar distorts your thoughts, feelings and actions and then do everything you can to get rid of the filter so that you can make decisions from the real you. This is life changing.
Julie
PS: This is is a different kind of filter, but it is the same concept. How do we see the real person? How do we see our real selves?
