My Wife who is just recently diagnosed by family doc as bipolar has been on here for awhile because she original was thought to be depressed and have anxiety. I just recently joined to help me understand what others are going through. I also send hugs to help others if possible even if it is just being their for them to vent. Have one real good friend on here that used to be a counselor and he has set me straight on quite a few things and helped me get my head on straight so I can help my wife.

Excellent post!

I am so impressed with your list too.

To be honest, I really have got to get better about doing something for myself. I had been good about it, then with these last 6 months being almost constant drama, there just has been no time.

I am deciding right now that I am going to make time. I am looking into a yoga class, and this Saturday, they have a once a month Laughter Yoga session, which I have been looking for since I saw it on Oprah last year!

I'm on here.
I send hugs to friends
try to break up fights in the discussions that get out of hand on othert groups
I painted my toes
I go for walks when time is available
I try to get a decent night's sleep

Awesome post Kip!
I take time weekly to go the gym and burn off my frustrations so that I don't take them home to the discussions I have.
I make time for myself to go to the woods and sit amongst the tall trees, lapping breeze, and the silence in between them.
I come here when I cannot piece together the never-ending puzzle that is BP, search out new information with her about her illness so that we no longer sweep it under the rug or fear it.
Take time to love each other in special ways each day, whether via text, flowers, hugs, poetry, or the like ;-)
Hang with my friends, who know me best and will call my ass out if they see me slipping.
Show my daughter that she is the most important thing in our lives and work with her on becoming a little person!
Take the time at the end of the day to pat myself on the back for a job done best-as-I-could and know that I'm proud of who I am and where I am in life.
Works for me.

Great addtion to the post Kuup37. Sounds like some wonderful things. I even see some in there that I could learn from and use. Thanks.

I continually learn more about the disorder, because knowledge is power.

I have learnt not to hold in and keep it secret about my mum, that people don't judge me by how my mum is.

I have learnt that lots of people are sympathetic to Bipolar - more than I thought they would be.


I do Tae Kwon Do to keep me fit and deal with any stresses I have.

I go for long walks with my dog and loud music on my ipod.


I have taught my children about my mum's illness in a way they understand, so they don't grown up with the taboo of MI.

Great question. For the longest time I did nothing at all. Then in the last 3-4 weeks I have started hanging out with people where I live and trying to make friends with them. I started taking my daughter to the new park that was just built down the street. I am on here probably too much but it helps me and I get a huge lift from being able to help someone else. This week I am also joining a yoga class and getting a massage. Oh and I have read and researched everything I could about BP.

The most helpful thing I've done is joining this site. I've read a lot about bp but am learning so much more by sharing stories with everyone. Has really opened my eyes and shown me that the fears and doubts that I've had for a while are shared by so many others aswell.
I started decorating a couple of weeks ago but then gave up when I started feeling low, but I think this weekend is going to be a difficult one so I'm going to go out and grab some more paint to keep myself busy and help keep my mind off things.

I have gone back to school and work. I have demanded support from therapists, friends, family and this DB! It has been my life line lately. I tried to learn all I can about the disorder. I try to support others when I can. We are not just the friends and family of BP but we are people who have needs too!

I have gone back to school and work. I have demanded support from therapists, friends, family and this DB! It has been my life line lately. I tried to learn all I can about the disorder. I try to support others when I can. We are not just the friends and family of BP but we are people who have needs too!

getting out of this house.

I have set frim limits as to how far I will let bipolar disorder control my life.

I have started focusing more on my business, and being nicer to myself with haricuts & manicures.

I tyr to stay as busy as I am physically able to knowing this prevents depression over my sons bipolar syptoms from creeping up on me.

I read and learn as much as I can about this disorder.

Acceptance is the last thing I do. Accept my son doesn't always have control of his thoughts and behaviors. That there is nothing I can do to change his illness. The only thing I can do is prevent it from taking my life over by giving it to much attention. Which I refuse to do.