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5 Ways to Take Charge of Your Bipolar Care

11/15/2016

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Self-managing your health care means enhancing existing treatment to better deal with your bipolar disorder. Dr. John F. Greden offers these five tips to participate in your own wellness:

 

#1 Keep track of how you are doing

You can create a chart or graph on paper to monitor your daily moods, but many smartphone apps now make this task easier. Some also keep track of exercise, weight, alcohol intake, and other variables. Pick out the ones that list elements that are most important to you.

 

#2 Join a support group

Peer support groups allow individuals and families to learn from others in their situation how to best monitor and manage symptoms. Advice coming from “teammates” with lived experience is sometimes easier to absorb. But such encouragement should be evidence-based, so checking in with clinicians should be routine.

 

#3 Exercise

Beneficial changes occur in the brain following regular exercise. Exercise improves neurotrophins, a family of proteins that promote brain functioning. (Neurotrophins are among the most exciting new developments being explored by neuroscientists.) Make sure to talk with your doctor about beginning an exercise program if you’re not physically active.

 

#4 Eat well

Certain foods can have a negative effect on mood and even small changes to improve your diet can improve the way you feel. Limit junk food, fast food and reduce or eliminate stimulants like caffeine. When in doubt seek advice from a nutritionist or dietitian.

 

#5 Develop positive self-talk patterns

Thoughts influence moods. Recognize the role that your negative thoughts play in causing you stress and the settings in which that tends to occur. Then “cut those thoughts off at the pass” as soon as they start to form. Knowledge is power. Knowledge heals. And self-knowledge plus action introduces one of the most effective players—you—in your recovery.

 

 

 

 



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     Today, NAMI Tulsa is heavily focused on education, support groups, public policy, training, and we have developed lasting relationships with many local, state, and national agencies for the betterment of the care of our mentally ill.

    The views expressed in these columns come from independent sources and are not necessarily the position of NAMI Tulsa. We encourage public engagement in the issues and seek good journalistic sources which advance the discussion for an improved society which fosters recovery from mental health challenges.

    President Steve Baker

    2017 President of NAMI Tulsa.
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