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The Most Useful Bipolar Management Tool Is Empowerment

February 4, 2010 Cristina Fender

Self-empowerment is an important bipolar management tool. More on this bipolar recovery tool on the Bipolar Vida blog.

I've often been asked how I can be so high-functioning as a bipolar. I would say that my number one most useful bipolar management tool is empowerment. I'm talking about self-empowerment in which you believe in yourself. Empowerment, a bipolar management tool, causes you to think positively about bipolar disorder. It doesn't negate all the bad, but it makes you see the good. It's important to see the good. Life can't go on without it.

Today is a gray day. The kind I hate. The last few days have been full of sunshine and I didn't get to bask in it as much as I would've liked. I like to get out of the house and sit in the sun as I write. The sun invigorates me.
But, today there is no sun.

So, how do I deal with the feeling of dread that enters me whenever I look up at the sky? I remember the sun. I remember that tomorrow it might come out. It probably will come out. I remember that I'm alive and the feeling surges through me. It empowers me to look on the positive side of things.

change-your-life-158x180It's so easy to get bogged down by the hard things. Feelings of inadequacy, bipolar symptoms, and life can make one want to squeeze into a little ball and sleep until it's gone. But, those things will never leave until you make them get up and out of the way.

So, you have to face them head on. Get up out of bed. Open the blinds. Live life.

Empower Yourself to Use Bipolar Management Tools

How do you do that when the symptoms of bipolar set over you? You get a team to help you. You'll need a psychiatrist, a therapist, and something to get up for. Don't have a psychiatrist that you trust? Interview new ones. Ask them their take on your disorder and what they'd recommend for medication.

Only you can make a difference in your life. Empower yourself to make some good choices. Find something that makes you happy. Find something that makes you willing to get up out of bed. Whether it's painting or walking the dog or appreciating your family and friends, it will empower you. It will make you remember why you want to live.

Empowerment, a bipolar tool, will change your life for the better. You'll wake up every day feeling different, happier, and more secure. Mood changes will not go away for some. Instead of becoming frustrated, become empowered that today you will make a difference and head toward recovery.

It may not work today, but there's always tomorrow.

APA Reference
Fender, C. (2010, February 4). The Most Useful Bipolar Management Tool Is Empowerment, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, December 21 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/bipolarvida/2010/02/empower-yourself-a-bipolar-tool



Author: Cristina Fender

Sheri
February, 4 2010 at 3:48 am

Very helpful post. I haven’t gotten as far as you have, but at least most of the time I can talk myself into functioning. I can especially relate to your statement “…there’s always tomorrow.” I tell myself that quite a bit.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
February, 4 2010 at 7:08 am

Hey, Sheri!!!
Nice to have you visit. I hope you'll keep reading.
I think functioning is a relative term. What may be functioning for me may not be functioning for you. I do my best to live through the anxious moments by remembering that tomorrow is another day. And it might be sunny!
Best,
Cristina

theresa
February, 4 2010 at 8:03 am

i so appreciate this blog. attitude does help so much and when it is hard...impossible the we just ave to hold on and know that tomorrow comes. medication is a vital tool. i tend to stay away from using it but have been finding out that using it for what I consider small symptoms does make a big difference in my life and in avoiding the big symptoms.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
February, 4 2010 at 8:36 am

Thank you, Theresa, and welcome!
I think a great combination is medication and attitude. If you believe you can, you will. I think a great attitude makes you realize that you have to do all you can to help yourself just like you're doing.
Keep it up and nothing can stop you!
Cristina

veronika
February, 19 2010 at 1:41 am

i am at that place wher i can talk myself into functioning. it took awhile but i am there and i know there is plenty more coping skills to keep me functional. thank you and iwill stay tuned

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
February, 19 2010 at 6:58 am

Veronika,
I'm glad you've learned the value of positive self talk. I'm just learning more about it and I'll share what I know.
Cristina

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