By Stephen Propst
Whether you are cooking in the kitchen or dealing with your bipolar disorder, you need the right tools.
In my former life—before bipolar disorder took hold—I worked for one of the largest restaurants in the country. As assistant to the president, I worked in every phase of the business, but my favorite place was the kitchen.
Often called the “heart of the house,” the kitchen provides the critical behind-the-scenes support for the whole operation. Success depends on a capable staff using quality products and working with the proper tools of the trade.
A chef can have all the ability in the world, but if he doesn’t have the necessary equipment to work his magic, cooking can be catastrophic!
The same is true when it comes to successfully living with bipolar disorder. Effectively managing the condition requires having all the right recovery tools in place.
So, let’s explore the kitchen and check out some gadgets, each of which suggests an important principle for effectively managing bipolar. As we take a tour of the “heart of the house,” I hope that you will take these valuable lessons to heart.
Measure
When cooking in the kitchen, it pays to follow the recipe. The same is true when confronting a mood disorder. The right mix of ingredients is crucial.
Start with a healthy measure of insight, a positive attitude, and caring support. Next, add a good doctor-patient relationship, effective therapy, and the right medication combination to the mix.
Then, just for good measure, fold in unconditional determination that you “can and will recover.” That’s a recipe for success.
Sieve
A sieve serves three purposes.
It can be used to strain/refine something (like gravy) or to filter out an unwanted ingredient (like the water from pasta). It can also be used to obtain the proper mix and weight of items (like dry ingredients for a cake).
When you’re dealing with bipolar disorder, sometimes you need to refine or smooth out a situation, and sometimes you need to filter out what’s causing the trouble.
Then, there are times when you need to sift through your thoughts and perhaps shift your perspective.
Temperature Gauge
Every Thanksgiving, I always make sure that we have a working temperature gauge. I like the kind that gives you a continuous readout. Those pop-up types are okay, but they don’t indicate where you are in the process.
Paying consistent attention to your recovery is important, too. A mood calendar or journal can help you gauge where you are in your recovery. Having a set of coping skills to use if things start to get too hot makes sense. Find helpful, constructive ways to blow off steam and keep things in check.
Funnel
In Atlanta, there’s a water park with a huge funnel-shaped ride called “Tornado.” It looks just like a funnel you would use in the kitchen. You get tossed around quite a bit, but the funnel keeps you moving in the desired direction and within prescribed limits. Ultimately, you end up coming out of the spout.
Sometimes you get tossed around in life, so, when times get tough, stay on target. If your thinking is scattered, take time to refocus your efforts. When you have predetermined parameters, and you keep moving—even erratically—you eventually “funnel” out right where you need to be.
Non-Stick Pan
When you’re facing a serious illness, it’s easy to let things get to you. Nothing rolls off; everything sticks. You wear your emotions on your sleeve, which can thwart recovery and hurt your relationships.
Try not to overreact to every little thing. Develop a Teflon-like outer shell that allows some stuff to slide. You’ll have a less stressful life and fewer messes to clean up.
Timer
In the kitchen, time matters. It pays to stick to the recipe and that includes keeping track of time. Time is of the essence in recovery as well.
Whether you’re looking at how long you’ve tried a particular medication or how long you’ve been in therapy, measuring success along a timeline is essential. So keep track of time and your progress on the road to recovery.
Knife
No kitchen is properly equipped if a good set of knives is missing. Of course, you have to keep them sharp. When you need to cut, chop, slice, or dice, you’re prepared.
It can be a real challenge, but keeping your recovery skills honed can make all the difference in daily living, especially when dealing with the disconnected, chaotic mental health system.
Cookie Cutter
Using a cookie cutter gives you form and consistency. You need the same structure when it comes to effective recovery. A wellness plan with defined parameters is essential. On the other hand, a so-called “cookie-cutter” approach may not always be in your best interest. Not everyone needs the same set of tools in their recovery package. Best is a customized program that takes the nuances of your situation into account.
Rolling Pin
A rolling pin can be used constructively to roll out dough. Then, the pastry is more manageable. Likewise, sometimes you need to stop and take the time to roll out the various aspects of your recovery into a workable format.
On the other hand, a rolling pin can be used destructively to hit someone over the head. That never makes sense. Neither does beating someone over the head (even yourself) for having a mood disorder. It’s not a matter of fault. Blame and shame have no place in your recovery.
Principles for Stability with Bipolar Disorder
Now that we’ve taken our tour, let’s talk about some important principles as you assemble the right tools for your recovery.
There are no quick fixes. Do you have a drawer full of gadgets that you rarely use? Sometimes, we look for quick fixes in the kitchen. Rarely do these “miracle” tools work as advertised. The same is true with managing bipolar disorder. Looking for a miracle cure is not the answer; however, using tools that are proven to work is.
Organization counts. It can be frustrating and time-consuming when you don’t have your tools assembled in a way that facilitates carefree cooking. Likewise, recovery is more difficult when there’s no well-organized recovery plan in place. When everything is properly arranged in the kitchen, the food comes out right. Similarly, the better orchestrated your recovery, the higher the chances of a favorable outcome.
Know what you’re doing. The right tool in the wrong hands can spell disaster in the kitchen. By the same token, the wrong medicine, the wrong type of therapy, or even the wrong kind of support can be problematic. You must accompany the tools you choose to use in recovery with the proper knowledge and understanding. Education is the key, and you can’t put that in a pill!
There’s an investment required. It amazes me that someone will spend tons of money on a kitchen renovation but then use worn-out, outdated tools. You have to invest in good tools that will have a lasting impact on your cooking. In like manner, you have to invest in your recovery— particularly in terms of time, energy, and commitment. Making the effort to find the right doctor or making the commitment to regularly attend support groups are but two examples of wise investments.
There’s a payoff. Whether it’s cooking or recovering, having and using the right set of tools pays off. Doing so saves you time, money, and a lot of frustration. In the kitchen, the ultimate payoff is a delectable, well-executed meal. With recovery, the reward is having a meaningful, fulfilling life.
Interestingly, the accessories that early pioneers had at their disposal were limited and very rudimentary. Today’s kitchens have a host of more efficient tools to make cooking a breeze. The same is true with mental health care. There are far more tools to use today compared to just a few decades ago—a host of medications, types of therapy, and alternative treatments from which to choose.
Hopefully, this tour around the kitchen gives you a better “handle” on things bipolar. There’s no need to relinquish your appetite for having a rich life, even with an illness such as bipolar disorder—which can unquestionably be tough to swallow. If you use the right recovery tools, you can indeed have a full plate and enjoy a bountiful life.
It’s time to get cooking!
Used by permission.