Practical Coping Strategies for Bipolar I
Dr. Dave Scheiderer: Hi. I'm Dr. Dave, a board certified psychiatrist. I want to talk to you about ways you can cope with your bipolar I disorder.
First, understand the pattern of your bipolar I disorder. Know it inside and out. What are some of the things that may drive you into hypomania or mania? Similarly, what are the things that make you vulnerable for bipolar depression? The more you know the particular pattern of your bipolar I, the more you can set yourself up for success and also deal with unexpected problems as they arise.
Next, know how your symptoms show up or manifest. There are apps and a great mood tracker found on this website, in fact, that can help you track your symptoms over time.
Next, find a good therapist if you can find a therapist who specializes in bipolar I disorder. Now there are lots of therapists out there, so find one you trust and with whom you can make a conscious, intentional, deliberate decision to embark on a treatment journey for your betterment.
Next, try to get consistent sleep. The highs and lows of bipolar I are often accompanied by irregular sleep habits. Improving one may help the other.
Now, not every treatment method will work for everyone. Reach out to a psychiatrist or an experienced mental health clinician to discuss your treatment options. They may recommend changes to your treatment plan in order to improve your bipolar I.
Symptoms do not settle. There are a lot of good options out there. Please explore them thoroughly with a clinician you trust.
Practical Coping Strategies for Bipolar I†
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Practical Coping Strategies for Bipolar I
Dr. David Scheiderer, MD, DFAPA
Board-certified psychiatrist
Dr. David Scheiderer
Hi, I’m Dr. Dave, a board certified psychiatrist. I want to talk to you about ways you can cope with your bipolar I disorder.
Text on screen
1. Understand the pattern
Dr. David Scheiderer
First, understand the pattern of your bipolar I disorder. Know it inside and out. What are some of the things that may drive you into hypomania or mania? Similarly, what are the things that make you vulnerable for bipolar depression? The more you know the particular pattern of your bipolar I, the more you can set yourself up for success and also deal with unexpected problems as they arise.
Text on screen
2. Know how your symptoms show up
Dr. David Scheiderer
Next, know how your symptoms show up or manifest. There are apps and a great mood tracker found on this website, in fact, that can help you track your symptoms over time.
Text on screen
3. Find a good therapist
Dr. David Scheiderer
Next, find a good therapist. If you can, find a therapist who specializes in bipolar I disorder. Now there are lots of therapists out there, so find one you trust and with whom you can make a conscious, intentional, deliberate decision to embark on a treatment journey for your betterment.
Text on screen
4. Get consistent sleep
Dr. David Scheiderer
Next, try to get consistent sleep. The highs and lows of bipolar I are often accompanied by irregular sleep habits. Improving one may help the other.
Now, not every treatment method will work for everyone. Reach out to a psychiatrist or an experienced mental health clinician to discuss your treatment options. They may recommend changes to your treatment plan in order to improve your bipolar I symptoms. Do not settle, there are a lot of good options out there. Please explore them thoroughly with a clinician you trust.
Text on screen
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†This content does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-physician relationship. Please talk to your healthcare provider about your specific treatment needs.