Articles and blog posts relating to the treatment of bipolar disorder and finding balance.
What if someone is telling you that you have bipolar, but you don’t think that the diagnosis is correct? A reader asked a really good question on my blog post “Dealing with Bipolar Disorder Denial.” She wanted to know what to do if someone in your life—a friend, loved one, coworker—tells you that they believe...
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You’re full of ideas and thrive on challenges, but know a stable lifestyle is essential. Fortunately, you can satisfy your desire for challenges, and still maintain balance. If you’re like me, you’re chock-full of bright ideas. You’ve got tons of inspiration. You love the new, new, new—and get bored easily. You’re always looking to shake...
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Getting stuck in the past prevents you from living in the present. While you can’t ignore your past, you can keep it in perspective while moving forward. I’m 56 years old. Well into middle-age and pushing the envelope on the later part of life. I’m certainly closer to the end than the beginning. But that’s...
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There are times when we are a mess inside emotionally, but we pretend that everything is okay. However, this practice can be counterproductive in the long run. It’s interesting how those of us living with bipolar disorder sometimes look like everything is okay on the outside, while really on the inside we’re just a big...
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Finding useful information and nurturing connections with friends, family, and people with common interests are good things. Depression, demoralization, and isolation aren’t. Today we communicate and interact in a manner unprecedented in human history. Social media—such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.—are mainstream technologies that allow us to communicate and connect with each other online....
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Tips for aging: solidify your support system, focus on your overall health, keep stress at bay, maintain stability, and nurture your self-esteem. By Stephen Propst When I turned 50, I was shocked—but it wasn’t for the typical reasons. Given my battle with bipolar, I just didn’t think I’d live this long! Getting on in...
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After Kelley Thorpe Baker accepted her bipolar I diagnosis and made positive lifestyle changes, she became a successful life coach and a mental health activist. By Denise Mann If only Kelley Thorpe Baker had access to the tools and resources that she has created for others when she was first diagnosed with bipolar I...
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Adjusting to life with bipolar disorder comes with a sharp learning curve—but with the right tools, you can achieve stability. By Lynda Williams By the time I received my bipolar diagnosis, I had already spent several years under treatment for major depression. The treatment was yielding poor results, so the news was hardly...
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Dealing with mood swings requires many of the same skills necessary for navigating the railway system– patience, planning, and self-reliance. By: Stephen Propst I dislike long road trips, so I often take other forms of transportation. I’d rather be on bus, plane, or train than stuck in a car. On a recent Amtrak trip,...
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What do members of the ‘thrive tribe’—those with Bipolar who maintain healthy, fulfilling lifestyles—have in common? By Melody Moezzi In an effort to combat the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health conditions, I’ve been writing and speaking publicly about my experiences with bipolar disorder for nearly a decade. In that time, I have encountered...
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Changing how we think about ourselves and how we react to situations can affect our feelings and when we affect our feelings that way, we can get better. Today I’m going to be talking to you about staying motivated with bipolar disorder. Now you might be saying to yourself, “Stay motivated? Yeah, I can...
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When self-sabotaging behavior joins the mix of bipolar disorder, new challenges can support self-defeating tendencies; here’s how to get out of your own way: By Robin L. Flanigan Like it or not, as humans, we have a tendency to get in our own way. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, we can set up all...
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There are many challenges associated with living with bipolar disorder, however as one gets older it is possible to gain insight into what can best work to develop a healthy pattern of living. I’ve been living with bipolar since the age of 18 which means that I’ve been having this condition for 37 years....
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The start of a new year means a fresh start for wellness! Starting small can help you with tackling your goals for 2018 and beyond. By Susie Johnson A New Year is here with its promise of possibilities! I am a firm believer in New Year’s resolutions. Yes, I am also aware that...
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When it comes to living with bipolar disorder, many people feel like they have no choice, especially when one’s actions have caused damage to themselves or someone else. But the truth is, we all have choices, no matter how big or how small. By Karl Shallowhorn “If you choose not to decide, you still...
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Air travel can be difficult enough for anyone. For people with bipolar disorder, there can be extra challenges. Here is your guide to approaching them. By Allison Strong Tensions are high these days at airports, according to what I hear on the radio, and see on TV—and I’ve experienced in person. Passengers suddenly having to...
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It is natural to feel emotional and sad while grieving, but also remember to be cognizant of your bipolar disorder to avoid the destabilization of your mood. This post is dedicated to my Dad, David J. Hoefs My dad passed away on May 12th of this year (2017). He was the first person I knew...
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Accomplishments, no matter how big or small, deserve to be celebrated. A week before my 18th birthday I was in a terribly dark place. I had been depressed for quite a long time, refused to seek help and believed I wouldn’t see my 18th birthday. When I was younger and asked what I wanted...
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The fact that you have made it this far is a testament to your strength & resiliency. You are an inspiration, and you are NOT alone. Each time I publish an article on bphope, I look forward to the influx of comments it will generate. More often than not, they are hopeful, helpful, kind,...
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You may have to modify your dreams to accommodate bipolar, but you can still dream big and achieve your goals. For a long time, my dreams of the kind of life I wanted were thwarted by bipolar disorder. I’d set a goal, create a plan, tell myself all the positive things I’d learned from self-help...
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