Tips to prevent relapse and promote the welfare

Many people with bipolar disorder, but not all can benefit from counseling, psychotherapy or services of an occupational therapist, a social worker or nurse. 

These stakeholders can help develop strategies to reduce their symptoms, cope with everyday stress and reduce the risk of recurrence. The health care providers should recommend a personalized treatment.

1-Learn to build on your disease. Ask your health care provider to learn about the disease and its treatment. There are many resources at your disposal, whether written publications, videos, support groups and the Internet. The quality of information varies according to the source, ask your provider to direct you to good sources.

2-Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Do not use alcohol or drugs, because they increase the risk of relapse. Eat a healthy diet. Research has also shown that regular exercise can improve mood. Also adopt good sleep habits, especially when traveling, on vacation or when you need to work long hours. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. Avoid stimulating activities just before bedtime. Pay your bills, do your job or finish your important tasks in the early evening or preferably during the day.

3-Stress is inevitable, so find new strategies to adapt to them. Many people use only one coping strategy. With your treatment team, find strategies to help you cope better with daily stress.

4-Do not isolate yourself. Some people with bipolar disorder tend to spend too much time alone, and thus feel more depressed, unmotivated and sad. A good social network can be a great help. It can protect you against stressful situations.

5-Try to achieve a balance in your life. Do not forget that you need to exercise restraint. Spend time with your work, your family, friends and leisure activities. A more balanced and satisfying lifestyle could help you cope with stress and reduce the risk of relapse.

6-Pay attention to your symptoms. Many people with bipolar disorder have characteristic symptoms, returning to each episode. Thus, some learn to recognize the warning signs of relapse. For example, they feel they need less sleep, they are irritable or think they no longer need medication. By monitoring these signs and consulting providers, can prevent an episode. Often it is helpful to keep a diary in which mood is described. Most people experience a range of emotions, all the mood swings are due to bipolar disorder.

7-Get support from your family and friends. At the beginning of an episode, we do not always realize what is happening. If your friends or family can recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder, they can help you get treatment if necessary.

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