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.

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Journaling for Self Awareness

GTTMbutstillme
GTTMbutstillme

How many of you keep a journal of some sort?



I used to; I don't need it so much anymore, but journaling was an important part of my Journey for awhile, as I became self aware.  I



needed to keep one for Years, to be able to look back and see when I was manic, when I was depressed, whether I saw it coming, and how I behaved during those times.


I kept up with what meds I was taking When, and whether those meds seemed to make a difference in my mood swings.


I wrote about relationships and family dynamics too, so that I could remember what was likely due to the bipolar, and what was Not.


I found journaling Very helpful to show me that I needed to break patterns, try something new or sometimes to stick with what already Had been working, even if I couldn't remember clearly.


I know I couldn't always remember whether I had been behaving the same way in previous years, or during prior episodes, without a journal to look back in.


What are your thoughts?

Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Hey MA.....The only time that I've used one daily was in the hospital.... It was actually a shock to me even during that time to go back a few days later to see what I wrote and how I was feeling

I was disassociating at the time and I would totally forget what I had written.... It was a strange feeling

I think that they can be really helpful.... I should really start to journal again

I do journal here from time to time however it's really only during those rough days when I need some support..... I should actually spend some time rereading some of those journals.... They would probably surprise me

Good topic!!…. Big squishy hug.....xo
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
I actually have started a journal that I do daily. Idk if it has been of help yet but I do sometimes look back at what I wrote and am surprised by it. I enjoy doing it though. I get some sort of relief from it
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
I do journal at least several times a week and when we anything significant happens.
GTTMbutstillme
GTTMbutstillme
I know Mark has talked about mood tracking online - that's good to use, too.

For me, because I cycled between mania and depression, my personal journal entries varied Wildly between the two moods.

It was almost like I was two different people. And that was eye-opening...I wasn't properly medicated at the time.

But journaling did help me see how reality got distorted in my mind, depending on my mood cycle, and slowly convinced me I needed medication All the time, and to keep it Checked.
OlderCPer
OlderCPer
I write in a Journal at the end of every day. Have for the last 40 years or so....it helps me to do brain dumps at the end of the day onto paper and I like the tactile feeling of writing with a pen.

I don't like going to sleep with all the crap from the day in my head.
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