Distractibility can be a major challenge, but there are many things you can do to maintain focus throughout the day when you find your mind wandering. Hi. Karl Shallowhorn here for the bphope.com vlog. One thing we deal with a lot in the area of bipolar disorder is distractibility, which can be one of...
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One of the challenges of living with bipolar disorder is the inability to remain focused. However, there are techniques to help stay on task. By Karl Shallowhorn One common symptom of bipolar disorder is distractibility. This sense of being unable to focus is something that can be very annoying, if not downright frustrating....
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Obsessive thoughts often revolve around irrational or exaggerated worries. The repetitive loops can make it difficult to focus on the tasks at hand, disrupt sleep, and affect daily behavior as you start to avoid certain activities or pursue others to an extreme. Psychologist Bruce Hubbard, PhD, offers these countermeasures: Switch your focus. In what Hubbard calls “the...
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Obsessive thinking is a fairly common but rarely discussed symptom of bipolar. We look at ways you can take charge when intrusive thoughts take hold. Getting something stuck in your head—the catchy chorus of a song, a gruesome image from the news—can be annoying for anyone. But annoying segues to alarming when intrusive thoughts,...
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Many children share similar behavior traits, but if you’re concerned your child is different, it may be time to seek a professional opinion; read on: Physical aggression Much different than the occasional tantrums that most children are prone to, with a behavioral issue the child will be regularly exhibit aggressive tantrums, throwing things, perhaps fighting...
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Learning issues can also affect how children with bipolar connect socially with others; learn more: Social cues are missed Some children with a behavior disorder often misinterpret the tone of a peer’s voice or body language and miss the point of a joke. Some also have trouble expressing themselves, may talk too much, interrupt...
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Bipolar flashbacks can take a toll on the mind and body; but there are ways to manage this symptom The past year has been remarkable in the lifecycle of my bipolar disorder because it is the first time I have experienced a total lack of symptoms. I could describe it as stability, or as...
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While common in children with ADHD, all children can struggle with executive functioning issues; here’s how to tell: #1 Time management difficulties Kids struggling with executive functioning abilities will have issues in being on time due to poor planning and disorganization. They will also have difficulty moving from one task to the next, so...
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It can be an emotionally difficult experience for children to fall behind their peers in school; here’s how to help: #1 Educate yourself about learning difficulties While not all children with a learning disorder become anxious, irritable or sad, it is common to have at least some period of emotional struggle, especially when they...
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In the early part of the millennium, multitasking was all the rage. It practically became a badge of honor to tell people how well you could multitask. “I can cook dinner while talking on the phone, feeding my toddler, doing a load of laundry, and putting the finishing touches on my 800-page novel!” We were...
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Having lived with Bipolar I for over a decade, I have been through my share of depressions. However, there was one from the winter of 2011 until the fall of 2012 that I wasn’t sure I would make it out of. This was my Great Depression. A depression so severe I could not get out...
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These simple, yet, surprisingly powerful strategies to break free of the loop that links bipolar depression, anxiety and negative thinking may just transform your life. There’s a well-established loop between dreary outlook and depressed mood—so learning to shift out of negative modes such as pessimism, catastrophic escalation, and destructive self-talk can improve your mental...
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Have trouble remembering names, appointments, where you put your keys? Is it hard to stay focused and get things done? Check out these workarounds to help you cope. Deb of Canton, South Dakota, has grappled with memory problems for a long time. Names, appointments, even special events like her children’s birthdays—they all drift off to some...
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On June 1st I finally began to get “unstuck” with my weight. It has taken me far too long to get to the point of making the decision that enough was enough. Since June 1st I’ve lost 40 pounds. I have many more to go. But, I’m on my way. I hated being “stuck”. Plus,...
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What we believe about ourselves, others, the world and life in general is very important. From what we believe comes our way of thinking and from how we think comes our feelings. These lies that we believe easily become emotional impairments that keep us from living and thriving well. Bottom line: if you believe lies,...
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by Julie A. Fast (Update 2016! I’m working on part two if this post today. I’ve recently moved to Europe and am working from England today. Part of me hoped and wished that this change of location would make a difference in my work ability. Nope! My bipolar work problems came along in my suitcase....
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Relapse is a reality. If depression returns, use it to learn management strategies. You’ve pulled through an episode of depression. You feel “back to normal”—for weeks, months, maybe even years. Then the dreaded symptoms come creeping or slamming back and you’re once again in that dark place you thought you’d left behind. When you’ve been...
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Thought provoking quotes from others has been key for me in my recovery. I’ve had to change a lot of the ways that I think over the last 20 years. I had a LOT of “stink-in think-in” to get rid of in order change a lot of my negative feelings and emotions, which were a...
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Being able to maintain your symptoms on your own is important, but here are some tips if you’re discouraged. By Stephen Propst W. Allen Wallis, an economic advisor to four U.S. presidents, defined statistics as “a body of methods for making wise decisions in the face of uncertainty.” If you’re like me, there’s quite a bit of uncertainty when it comes to living with...
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