By Stephen Propst
Columnist Stephen Propst questions us on how we’ve been maintaining our mental health.
Bipolar disorder affects so many areas of our lives. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to take inventory of our attitudes, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors, and question where there’s room for improvement. Doing so can provide helpful insight crucial to recovery and a better quality of life.
Following are a myriad of seemingly simple questions you might consider—everything from A to Z, literally! Patients, as well as family members and mental health professionals who support them, can use this “alphabetical” exercise to question how effectively they’re dealing with bipolar disorder and with life in general.
There are 130 questions, so you can take inventory and examine your strengths and weaknesses in a host of areas. Some questions will be easy to answer and create no real cause for concern. Others, however, might give you pause for reflection and uncover areas where you might make changes for the better.
In such cases, explore further by asking:
- Whom do I need to talk to or reach out to for help?
- What additional resources, knowledge, or skills might I need to acquire?
- When am I going to start addressing the situation?
- How will making changes enhance my wellness and my overall well-being?
Since writing the article, I’ve found myself going back through the questions a number of times. It is indeed a worthwhile, constructive process. Now, it’s time for you to take inventory—letter by letter!
Do you focus more on your ability or on your disability? Do you have a positive attitude? Have you accepted your situation? How do you handle the times when you feel alone? Do you see any advantage in having bipolar disorder?
What are you doing to control your behavior? Do you blame someone for your illness? Is your life in balance? What are you doing to fix your brain? Are you ever bored?
How committed are you to improving your health? Are you in control of your day-to-day affairs? Are you compliant in taking prescribed medication? Do your circumstances seem overwhelming? How hard are you working to make a change for the better?
Do you have a confirmed diagnosis that you’re confident about? In what direction are you headed? Are you determined to stay on course? How much doubt do you struggle with? Have you damaged any relationships?
How high have you set your expectations? Are you educating yourself on your illness? What kind of effort are you making to achieve wellness? Have you made any changes in your environment? Are you keeping your ego in check?
Do you create a façade to hide behind? Are you looking for a quick fix? Is your outlook fatalistic? Are you filled with fear? Have you let your family/friends know what you need?
Are you gung ho about restoring meaning to your life? Have you set measurable goals? What are you grateful for? How genuine are your relationships? Are you more mindful of your genius or your illness?
Do you have hope for a brighter future? Do you take care of your health? Do you have a sense of humor? Have you developed good habits? Are you humble or full of pride?
Who and/or what inspires you? What’s really important to you? What ironies do you see in your life? What insight have you gained lately? Do you still have areas of immaturity you want to work on?
Are you jealous of people who don’t have a mental illness, or who have achieved more than you’ve been able to? Do you feel you are unfairly judged? Do you want a fulfilling job? Do you ever jabber too much? Have you ever jeopardized your character?
How much knowledge have you acquired about your illness? Has your life been kaleidoscopic—with ever-changing events and phases? What keys to successful recovery have you learned? What know-how (like coping skills) have you developed? How keen on recovery are you?
Are you ready to get your life back? Do people ever say that you’re just being lazy? How logical was your last major decision? What leaders have positively influenced you? Have you ever told your story to a legislator?
How well are you managing your life? Have you learned from your mistakes? How motivated are you to help others? Have you considered therapy to work on how you see things in your mind? How positive is your mind-set?
Do you feel normal? Have you identified your real needs? Have you been nice to someone today? Have you neglected to do what’s in your best interest? Do you ever feel like a nobody?
Are you optimistic about where you’re headed? How ordered is your life? What obstacles do you currently face? What changes have you observed in your life lately? Are you prepared to take advantage of the next opportunity that comes your way?
How would you describe your pain? In what ways have you changed your perspective? When was the last time you prayed? Have you developed some good partnerships with people who are helping you? Have you been persistent in following your treatment plan?
Do you need to spend more time being quiet and listening? What qualities do you possess that you are most proud of? What qualifications do you have for the job you say you really want? What famous quote best describes your life? What do you have questions about?
Sometimes, it’s a good idea to take inventory of our attitudes, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors, and question where there’s room for improvement.
What are the most important relationships you have? Have you found it hard to face reality? Do you respect yourself? Do you think before you react? Do you ever ramble on and on?
Are you getting the support you need? What are you doing to alleviate stress in your life? Are there some things you shouldn’t be silent about any more? What is your strategy for improving your life? Do you stand up for yourself?
What are your triggers? Do you generally think before you speak? What talent do you have that’s been underutilized? Do you think time heals all wounds? Have you been true to yourself?
Are you unique? What have you done to help others understand what it’s like to have bipolar disorder? Do you sometimes undertake too much? What are your underlying beliefs? Do you ever feel unnerved?
What’s your vision for the future? Do you feel like a victim? What do you value in your life? Are you looking for vengeance? How do you define victory?
How careful are you with the words you use? Do you ever put your thoughts in writing? Do you ever feel worthless? Do you have a winning spirit? What is your life’s work?
Do you have a proper DX (diagnosis)? What is your TX (treatment plan)? Are you regularly taking your RX? Have you ever seen a Xerox of your patient records? Do you know you can X-ray the brain and get an image of bipolar illness?
Are you taking care of yourself? Are you living in yesterday? What do you really yearn for? Do you sometimes feel like a yo-yo? Have you considered yoga?
Do you feel like you’re on a zigzag path? Have you zeroed in on your real problems? Do you think life’s a zoo? Do you wish you could zap your illness and make it go away? Do you have a zest for life?
Hopefully, this exercise made you stop and think a bit. You might use it as a catalyst for opening a dialogue with your family or friends. Or, perhaps you can share the thoughts that surfaced with your doctor or therapist and examine further particular areas of concern.
The magic is not in the questions, however. The magic happens when you take action in response to them. Only then do you begin to see positive changes happening in your life. Regardless of the steps you choose to take, it should be easier now that you’ve taken inventory—now that you know your ABCs.
Used by permission.