Impulsivity is a failure to consider consequences of a behavior before you act. If you live with bipolar disorder and face a problem with impulsive behavior, it’s essential you learn to control impulsivity or it can come to control you. Here are 6 suggestions to put in place:
#1 Acknowledge and accept
First and foremost, you must admit that a problem exists and must be addressed. When you don’t learn to control impulsivity, it can absolutely come to control you. And, thinking there’s nothing you can do about it only increases the likelihood that the situation will remain “as is.”
#2 Adjust attitude
Adopt a new, healthy and positive mindset toward tackling the problem. The need to practice self-discipline—like getting things done if you struggle with procrastination. The more discipline to complete regular tasks, the more equipped emotionally you’ll be to call upon this self-discipline when impulsivity hits.
#3 Seek support
Instead of trying to deal with your impulses and feelings about them on your own, discuss any irrational impulses with your doctor/therapist. Attend a support group —from DBSA to AA or NA—based on what you’re confronting. Remember, if you don’t ask for help, you can’t expect to magically receive it.
#4 Put precautions in place
Managing impulsivity often requires guarding against what you know provokes the impulsive behavior. It helps to have an agreed-upon plan with family/friends or with your doctor /therapist. Depending on your impulsive tendencies, you may have to restrict or closely monitor Internet usage, arrange for safekeeping or supervision of credit cards, ATM cards or even car keys, or even put a Power of Attorney into place.
#5 Restrict or monitor Internet use
This is to avoid all impulsive triggers: online shopping, gambling and pornography or cybersex. It’s also wise to take a breather before responding or posting something that could be deemed controversial. If you’re prone to this type of impulsive instant communication trigger, practice taking a breather before pressing send. A good rule of thumb is to place the post or email into a “draft folder” and sit on it for a day or two.
#6 Tame the mania triggers
Since mania feed impulsivity, it’s important to pay attention to and control known triggers to mania. Trying for a constant state of mindfulness is helpful to pay attention to those things that would likely set off emotions and open the floodgate for impulsive actions.
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