Hi & welcome to Daily Strength. I was also recently diagnosed last year however i've been dealing with this Bipolar Tornado for years without realising what it actually was. The good thing is that you have started medication and youre feeling better and balanced. I find exercise really helps me and gives me a very calm state of mind. Listen to some music read a book and find something that can "distract you" from reality. Well that works for me and it keeps me levelled and calm. All the best :-)

Thank you :)

Hi and Welcome..... 5 months is a very short amount of time to achieve stability so try not to despair ... You will find it however it can take some time

I find being straight with people is the easiest on me and them.... If you need some space or quiet time I would just say so and go for a walk or to your bedroom to have some time for you

Colouring can be a good tool .. . It uses both sides of your brain so something as simple as a colouring book and some crayons can help to de stress

DS is a great site.... I'm glad you found us.... Big hug.....xo

I'm not the best example here if you read my other posts.
But, vigorous exercise followed by yoga gets me in a better place. I try to do both every day but can't always because I'm overcoming decades of misuse and neglect and sometimes I can barely walk from hitting it too hard.
I see my therapist regularly. He is a great guide and nudges me in the right directions, hoping I'll follow through. I try to. Meditation helps when i force myself to do it. Coloring books are fun distractions. I eat mostly healthy. I take my meds on fairly strict schedule. I study spiritual texts but have no religion. I write journals and am trying to work out a novella I started I've 10 years ago. Classical music is so emotional to me. I have to be careful with it but some composers really had styles that could soothe. I listen to IDM when I know I need to release rage at times because I can get it all out and feel better after. Classic rock has overall gotten boring. I lurk here at DS trying to learn and maybe help. I made a new antenna design yesterday that has decent potential to get some QRP contacts, but I haven't put it through a modeling program or tested it yet. I'm doing things with friends. That's a boon for me. One friend can tell about the time I walk in that there's a bad thing going on and she helps figure out a way around it through. I practice self care; brushing teeth after meals; showing regularly; attempting sleeping on a schedule.
Balance is a goal, but being calm and clear is the journeys reason. If you need to hide yourself from others, then you might be with the wrong people, as my life has taught me.
Hope some of this helps.
Sending good thoughts and a hug.

hi and welcome to the board.

It takes a while for things to settle down on meds - and it maybe you need more or different meds - unfortunately it tends to be a bit guesswork.

so if it's better but you are still having problems and you think they are down to the bipolar then talk to your doctor

Hi, CQ. Welcome to DS.

What ways do you stay in the moment, stay calm, or stay in a logical state of mind?

Inside my own therapy program, that would be three distinctly separate steps. "Calm" is always my top priority. Without calm, nothing is going to make sense to me. Breathing exercises and mantras are my most used tool, but sometimes I need an intense physical work out to purge the adrenaline from my system before I can calm down.

"Staying in the moment" is my second priority. I like tactile grounding for this one. Touch usually brings me back to the here and now. Finding little things in my immediate surroundings worthy of appreciation is a tool I use often, as well.

For getting my logical process back on line, memory exercises and puzzles work well for me. My memory goes to hell when I am in episode and how well I can remember little things tells me allot about my condition.

Gentle support while you find what works for you, CQ. Welcome aboard.

First off, do you have a therapist? Id highly recommend you find a good one. They can work with you personally to find techniques that work best for you. I like grounding, which is focusing on your physical presence, the exact location of your body, where your arms are resting, what is immediately around you. Regarding the drugs you are on, I like lithium and liked lamictal too.

Thank you everyone for all the replies - greatly appreciated. I've found a therapist that I will begin to see in 2 weeks. I'm taking my meds on time. Trying to get enough sleep - this doesn't always happen since I have 3 kids. I'm an artist - I paint, draw, color, make jewelry, etc. - and it's always been super calming - almost like my mind just goes somewhere else for awhile. I didn't realize that it could be used as a calming tool. I will keep that in mind. Also I like the idea of puzzles - word puzzles - I will try that. I do like to be alone and I always feel weird telling my family I need to be alone. But will start letting them know. Also music makes me feel better - it physically makes me feel better - I can feel it all over my body - almost orgasmic - I found out recently the term is called "Frisson" and I don't feel so weird about it now. But the downside to that is I won't listen to music while I work because it evokes such intense feelings. Anyone else have anything to share please feel free.

hi, did you get a second opinion? To be diagnosed with both ADHD and Bipolar at the same time seems a little off.

I was diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar simultaneously also. But I recommend seeing a therapist or counselor to help you cope. Staying in the moment? I have a soft squishy rice filled bag I touch to refocus. And I also count things in my head to stay in the moment

According to the book I'm reading just now by Jay Earley Ph.D., if people are having problems with angry or stressed (anxious) patterns then the healthy capacity they need to work on is one of the softer ones, centredness. Centred anger transforms into strength. Therefore you wind up with being centred and strong and not angry...

He goes on to say being centred means being grounded AND not getting triggered... so I suggest you would do well to ask yourself and discuss with your t-doc whats going on at the time and what is so worrying or ominous that the very thought of it happening makes you stressed or angry. They can help with individual issues like that really well usually.

Hi CQ, welcome to DS. I was dx'd in 1984, and the most valuable tool I have I learned and have been using since 2010 is DBT. This centers around creating balance through the use of specific tools for emotion regulation. What I've found is most helpful, utube meditations, TED talks, journaling, gratitude, and working hard to do opposite action of negative thoughts or behaviors. For calming, focusing 'mindfully' on 1 of the 5 senses. The internet has Massive amounts of info, be careful not to overwhelm yourself. Since you are taking lithium, you should be having regular blood test to check your levels, and drink plenty of water to flush your system. If you are taking a stimulant....watch for hyper activity...I took Ritalin for awhile and had to stop because it made me hypomanic. Best of luck, self-care is the best way to travel! ml