By Stephen Propst
To prevent getting lost in our bipolar disorder, we need to evaluate who we really are, or our true “self.” This can be done by focusing on self-awareness, among other factors.
It took me years of living with bipolar before I arrived at a life-changing conclusion: If I want to gain the upper hand on this condition, I have to get a better handle on my self. I realized that I had to begin taking steps to accept my situation, admit my lack of knowledge, embrace my worth, and address my behavior.
When it comes to developing a proper sense of self, four factors are particularly important:
Self-Awareness
It’s hard to imagine anything rocking a person’s world more than being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The everyday challenges of your life are compounded by chaos, confusion, and the crush of being labeled with a chronic condition.
I spent years fiercely denying my diagnosis. I suffered with “anosognosia”—which is common with bipolar—meaning that I lacked awareness that a problem even existed. Fortunately, in working with my psychiatrist and therapist, I learned to be more in tune with the reality of my situation.
Self-awareness means being mindful of your environment by recognizing and responding appropriately to triggers—persons, places, or phenomena—that can provoke mood changes. For me, that’s meant sorting out my friends, staying out of stressful workplaces, and steering clear of Atlanta traffic!
Self-Education
The more I lived with bipolar, the less I realized I knew about it. I’ll never forget a doctor sitting me down at a computer one day to research a medication he was considering prescribing. I realized that I was responsible for educating myself!
For my own welfare, not just for the writing and speaking I do, I routinely read books and research the Internet for the latest information. I’ve found that support groups are invaluable for exchanging ideas, learning about new concepts, and discovering innovative recovery techniques.
You can’t put knowledge in a pill. Gaining all the insight you can about effectively managing bipolar is key.
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