My Approach to Bipolar Support

My Perspective:

We know that Bipolar is a chronic illness. No current treatment cures it, only manages the symptoms. Fortunately, medication, therapy and lifestyle choices have great outcomes for many people.

I have lived experience as a person with Bipolar. I share this openly because I view it as a medical condition that does not need to be hidden or have shame attached to it. I know the struggle that many of us go through to find and maintain stability, and misconceptions our society holds about people with Bipolar.

My treatment approach:

  • Medication is essential for nearly everyone with Bipolar. I can’t prescribe, but can refer to prescribing clinicians who understand the unique needs of people with Bipolar. I consult regularly with medical professionals on the medications my clients take.

  • Regular therapy. Many people with Bipolar will meet with a therapist frequently at the beginning of their journey for stability, then less frequently as they find a good rhythm in their life. If mood swings occur, they will connect with me and their medical provider to meet more frequently to help regain their balance.

  • Lifestyle choices. I am trained in IPSRT: Interpersonal Social Rythym Therapy. Basically, when we have routines and regularity in social interactions, our neurochemistry is more stable. This focuses largely on someone’s sleep habits. Being aware of the impact of alcohol/weed/nicotine/other drugs is also important.

    My goal is for my clients to develop habits in their life to set up the stability they want, and to have systems in place to be responsive to disruptive mood changes should they happen.

A person with purple hair sitting on a couch, holding a clipboard and pencil. The room is warmly lit with a floor lamp, plant, clock, and cushion.

Medication Provider Referrals:

Oregon
https://www.thriveintegrativepsychiatry.com
https://www.stasispsychiatry.org

Washington
https://www.binnaclepsychiatry.com

https://www.flowersfamilypsychiatry.com

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic mental health condition that causes changes in someone’s mood, activity levels and sleep. Untreated, it can cause problems in work, relationships, and can manifest in depression, mania, psychosis, anxiety and irritability. It is a medical condition that can be incredibly debilitating and can lead to suicide. However is is very treatable, with a systemic and holistic approach to wellness using medication, therapy and lifestyle choices and habits. Researchers currently see Bipolar as a sensitivity to circadian rhythm changes, or changes in internal body clocks, which is why many people with Bipolar disorder notice significant mood changes with the seasonal changes.

How did I get Bipolar Disorder?

No one can do anything to cause Bipolar, it is currently seen as an inherited condition due to genes and some environmental factors. Once someone has an accurate diagnosis, it is a life-long condition.

Is there anything I can do to control my moods?
Absolutely. Working with a competent medication provider is vital. Finding a therapist you trust and understands Bipolar is also key. The piece that people have the most control over is their daily habits and rhythms. When you wake, when you sleep, when you go to work, when you eat are all cues to tell our bodies what time it is and will stabilize our internal clocks. Irregular sleep habits or meal times gives our body confusing signals and will tell the hormones our body releases to work at the wrong times.

This is a frustrating reality for most of us with Bipolar; our bodies thrive on regularity, and disruptions in our daily schedule can have larger impact that for other people. It can also mean that using substances like alcohol, weed, nicotine or other drugs can have a disproportionate impact on our bodies.

A lot of this is preventative, setting up a life that is gentle to fragile circadian rythyms. At times, you can do everything “right” and still have break-through mood swings. Having a good support system and plan in place to get the intervention you might need, like adjustment in medication, more therapy, or time off from work, can help people keep a mood swing manageable, when it could have been historically much more difficult.

Take-aways:

Stabilizing your daily routines and wake/sleeps cycles is hugely helpful and for many people can prevent break-through mood swings.

www.dbsalliance.org

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