Over time, many people who have Bipolar Disorder may forget the very reasons why they stay stable.
This can become very easy to do with the day-to-day management of the disorder; however, remembering these reasons can help you to stay stable over the long-term.
Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming complacent, and complacency can lead to an episode if you are not careful.
Let's compare this to a 12-Step Program.
One of the reasons these programs are so successful is that they have you remember why you are staying "clean," or "sober," or "thin," or "non-codependent," etc.
They have you examine yourself on a deeper level.
Putting this on paper can be very helpful, and gives you something to refer back to (especially if you keep a journal).
First of all, think of what you are doing to stay stable, and make a list.
For example: • Take my medication • Go to the doctor regularly • See my therapist • Keep all my appointments • Get blood tests when needed • Go to a Bipolar Support Group • Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly • Pay all my bills when due • Have hobbies and enjoy my family • Manage a relatively stress-free life Now think about all the episodes you've had in the past.
Think about your triggers, and make a list of them.
For example: • Stress • Lack of sleep • Worry/Guilt/Shame • Isolation Add to your list by thinking of longer-term reasons which may have led up to why you had episodes in the past, such as: • Improper diet and exercise • Missing appointments with doctor and therapist • Not going to Bipolar Support Group • Not participating in family functions • Going to sleep too late You need to remember why you are staying stable.
Is it: •...
for my husband/wife.
•...
for my children.
•...
for my family.
•...
for other people.
•...
for myself.
•...
for my future goals.
• I am staying stable because...
Now, you need to dig a little deeper.
Think about your past episodes and remember: • How much money have you lost? • How many friends have you lost? • How many people have you hurt through your acts and words? • How much damage have you done that cannot be undone? NOW do you remember WHY you are staying stable? NOW do you understand WHY it is so important to remember the reasons WHY so that you can stay stable over the long term? If you forget the very reasons why you are staying stable - ...
if you forget what you are doing to stay stable, ...
if you forget your triggers, ...
if you forget your longer-term reasons that led up to past episodes, ...
if you forget why you are staying stable, ...
if you forget how much damage you have done in your past episodes, ...
you can become complacent-and if you become complacent, you run the danger of falling into another bipolar episode.
And you don't want that! By remembering all these things, by remembering WHY, you will have the best chance of staying stay stable over the long term.
This can become very easy to do with the day-to-day management of the disorder; however, remembering these reasons can help you to stay stable over the long-term.
Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming complacent, and complacency can lead to an episode if you are not careful.
Let's compare this to a 12-Step Program.
One of the reasons these programs are so successful is that they have you remember why you are staying "clean," or "sober," or "thin," or "non-codependent," etc.
They have you examine yourself on a deeper level.
Putting this on paper can be very helpful, and gives you something to refer back to (especially if you keep a journal).
First of all, think of what you are doing to stay stable, and make a list.
For example: • Take my medication • Go to the doctor regularly • See my therapist • Keep all my appointments • Get blood tests when needed • Go to a Bipolar Support Group • Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly • Pay all my bills when due • Have hobbies and enjoy my family • Manage a relatively stress-free life Now think about all the episodes you've had in the past.
Think about your triggers, and make a list of them.
For example: • Stress • Lack of sleep • Worry/Guilt/Shame • Isolation Add to your list by thinking of longer-term reasons which may have led up to why you had episodes in the past, such as: • Improper diet and exercise • Missing appointments with doctor and therapist • Not going to Bipolar Support Group • Not participating in family functions • Going to sleep too late You need to remember why you are staying stable.
Is it: •...
for my husband/wife.
•...
for my children.
•...
for my family.
•...
for other people.
•...
for myself.
•...
for my future goals.
• I am staying stable because...
Now, you need to dig a little deeper.
Think about your past episodes and remember: • How much money have you lost? • How many friends have you lost? • How many people have you hurt through your acts and words? • How much damage have you done that cannot be undone? NOW do you remember WHY you are staying stable? NOW do you understand WHY it is so important to remember the reasons WHY so that you can stay stable over the long term? If you forget the very reasons why you are staying stable - ...
if you forget what you are doing to stay stable, ...
if you forget your triggers, ...
if you forget your longer-term reasons that led up to past episodes, ...
if you forget why you are staying stable, ...
if you forget how much damage you have done in your past episodes, ...
you can become complacent-and if you become complacent, you run the danger of falling into another bipolar episode.
And you don't want that! By remembering all these things, by remembering WHY, you will have the best chance of staying stay stable over the long term.
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