I have a normal or stable Health Card (my treatment system) that reminds me what stability looks, sounds and feels like.
I can’t do this on my own. I am not a reliable source. I need to write my symptoms down to remind myself that bipolar disorder often takes over my life and tells me that what I’m experiencing is real.
My Stable Health Card looks like this.
- Able to focus. I can clearly think of what needs to get done and come up with a reasonable plan to execute a simple to do list.
- I do not cry during the day for work or relationships reasons.
- My mind is clear. I’m not hearing snippets of songs, conversions or counting.
- My brain works in a linear way. I see something, think about it and then come up with a reasonable response to the situations.
- I exist in the moment. The past is not terrible and the future is not scary.
- Music is just music.
- Friends who are busy are just friends who are busy. They are not upset with or nor are they plotting to leave me.
- My manager is my manager. She is not upset with me or thinking of leaving our business.
I could go on and on here. I am SO profoundly different when stable.
Stability is always my goal. When I know my list of stable behaviors, it means I will also know when I am sick!
I’d love to see a list of your stable behaviors. If you have the Health Cards, what does your normal or stable card look like?
Julie
The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder explain in detail the system I use daily to stay stable enough to work and maintain relationships. This is an advanced management plan that uses symptom lists to prevent mood swings from taking over a person’s life. Parents and partners love the system as it can be used even if a person is refusing help.
