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.
For a while now, I have been pretty much always stressed/sad/anxious/off the wall. There's a friend I talk to a lot because they have mental illnesses too so they understand. Anyways, it was brought to my attention that I only go crisis to crisis and barely exist between them. I always seem to have some big worry or something to completely distract me. I am tired of the racing thoughts and sometimes feeling like I'm going to jump out of my skin. I talked with my therapist and she suggested staying present. I am finding it very hard. Does anyone have a book suggestion or coping skills that can help me deal with my symptoms better. I'm on a decent amount of medications already so I'm looking for tips to have a more peaceful existence. Thank you.
How about spending some time out of each day like an hour or a half an hour listening to relaxation music or enjoying a bubble bath. I think it is important to wind down once each day.
Life is stressful lets face it but you may have to work harder then others to unwind your self. Medications can help but I find the effectiveness wears off after a while. So just learning how to relax might be helpful.
Someone shared this suggestion for staying in the moment but I can't remember who it was. Please, if it was you, take a bow. I love this method and, believe it or not, it works. Don't tell normal folks but this is the closest thing to "snap out of it" that I've found.
When heading haywire, hold a few ice cubes in each hand. It immediately draws my every sense to attention to what's happening in my palms. A little drippy, but effective.
In Mindfulness I read a book that said use your breathing - its always with you, and available - sorta like concentrate on it and NOT change it - relaxing and centering...
Do the NEXT right thing - not next weeks list, what do you have to do right this minute? Sometimes for me its take a shower! LOL
If we don't try, we'll never get there - change our behavior and sick thinking is HARD - but so worth it ((((BIG HUG)))))
Breathing Vocal Lessons.
Even though they are singing lessons the breathing exercises are fantastic.
I paid for them but they are free now.
So I exhaled and got suckered but that's cool.
Anyway, thats the way I look at it. Hope it helps.