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Three Habits of Successful People With Bipolar

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  Having insight into your health conditions, prioritizing sleep, and being responsible with substances is always smart — especially if you have bipolar disorder. I received two rejections recently, one of which forced me to click on four links and enter a password before I could access my “regret-to-inform-you” letter. I consider it a sign of intense maturity that, at 41 years old, all I did was hurl curses at a screen instead of hurling my laptop across the room. People think writers are good at rejection, but the truth is we deplore it just as much as anyone else. Even if we  say  we’re “good” at it, we’re wrong. I used to be one of those delusional writers, boasting a “thick skin,” insisting that the constant rejection didn’t gnaw at my spirit like a festival of rapidly replicating viruses. Of course, I was lying — to myself and everyone else. All that rejection is crushing. But what prevents me from throwing tantrums and laptops on a daily basis is knowing that I am ...
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7 Ways Your Partner Can Help You Manage Your Bipolar Disorder

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  Whether your primary support person is a spouse, relative, or trusted friend, enlist their help in managing your bipolar disorder symptoms when times are tough. As a therapist, I assist people with  bipolar disorder  in making a plan of action — and enlisting a spouse, trusted friend, or relative in co-creating such a plan — for managing things when the going gets tough. Here are seven ways you can help your primary  support  person know how to be a partner with you in your diagnosis . 1. Make a Written Agreement Sit down with your chosen person and a pen and paper. Explain that you need a partner to help you  manage your bipolar , and that this will require the two of you to work out details together. Make certain that your person trusts you and your judgment when you are well, and is willing to take this on with you. 2. List Your Unique Early Bipolar Symptoms Both  mania  and  depression  can be managed more easily if they are recogn...
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10 Things Not to Say to Someone With Bipolar

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  Choosing your words carefully can strengthen relationships, fuel recovery, and make for a better quality of life for everyone. You may think that talk is cheap. But, when words are used thoughtlessly, carelessly, or hurtfully, they can take a heavy toll. Like an arrow, “wrong” words can be sharp, piercing a person’s spirit, ripping away at self-esteem, and making a person feel belittled or even betrayed. Ill-chosen words can strain friendships and create stress. And especially vulnerable are  people who have bipolar disorder . Now, let’s be honest. Dealing with  bipolar disorder  is not only tough for the people who have the illness, but it’s also a challenge for those who live with them. Taking time to consider the impact of what you say before you “fire away” makes it easier. Choosing your words carefully can strengthen relationships, fuel recovery, and make for a better quality of life for everyone. “Never tell anyone that he looks tired or depressed,” says H. J...
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