Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsVzKCk066g&t I believe strongly that diet and exercise (calm down, that just means walking if you want it to!) is the REAL way to manage bipolar disorder. I'm not saying stop your meds, and definitely always see a therapist regularly. But I believe I'm living proof that diet and exercise can make a severe bipolar type 1 disorder very managable. I've managed my disorder successfully for 10 years now without having any major episodes. I have definitely had mood swings but I have managed to curb them before they have disrupted my life in too major of a way. Granted there are a lot of things to balance along with diet and exercise, but I think they are key!
When I say diet I mean no processed foods, eat mainly whole organic vegetables, fruits, and healthy meats like wild seafood, wild game, or things like grass fed beef and free roaming chickens. I follow the paleo diet. Sugar and alcohol are probably some of your worst enemies, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them. I cheat with junk food 1 or 2 days a week on average, and I cheat hard, but I felt SOOO much better when I didn't cheat, it's just hard to do. And occasionnally I'll have a drink or two or even get drunk, but do NOT make that a habit if you want to manage your disorder. You probably shouldn't smoke cigarettes either but I don't know how they effect mood. I used to smoke, I quite like 5 years ago and am very glad I quit.
When I say exercise I just mean walking. You can do more if you want and that's great, but make sure you walk a lot, like at least 30 minutes or so a day. And don't beat yourself up if you don't do it for a day, but don't give up before you've tried to make a habit out of it. Try it every day for 9 days and it might just become a habit!
I want to share this info because even though I'm not cured I feel like I've really broken some ground on living with this disorder. And I know others have had success with the same methods, I want to encourage people to try this instead of just popping the newest pills and relying on doctors that are probably not really trying to help you in the long term.
Tell me if you agree or disagree and we can share our experiences. Good luck everybody!
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
Exercise is good for everyone as is diet but they would probably be quite far down my list.
I have a pooch so that encourages me to get out most days.... Spring has sprung here so that's also a good motivator..... Thanx Benitro!....x
Eating right is always a struggle, there is just way too much temptation and junk out there and EVERYBODY else is doing it! I remind myself that I have more good reasons to eat healthy than well... healthy people. But that still doesn't always work! Good luck sticking to your guns folks. =D