What is a Social Safety Net  A Social Safety Net is an excellent means to chart out the relationships you are currently involved in, rating them from most intimate in the center to working or less intimate in the outer rim or circle.  By placing people in the varied concentric circles you are establishing how the... Continue Reading →

Now, I must stress before I write any further that these are my assumptions and observances from my own personal experiences. I have come to these conclusions through many years of being in the mental health care system. There are of course many different opinions and life experiences in the big world out there that... Continue Reading →

Psychiatrist | | Hospital Nurse (if in hospital) | | Therapist, Counselor, Psychologist | | General Practitioner | | Proctor or Home Care Nurse | | Self-Help Groups or Therapy Groups, Drop-in Centers | | Crisis Phone Line and Crisis Teams (only for emergency use) | | Pharmacist | | Reading Material

I am an animal lover. I am not particularly fond of every creature of the animal kingdom; mind you, but most of them. The more I am forced to cope with my disorder in my everyday life the more convinced I am of the effectiveness of pets on my daily mental health. They certainly don't... Continue Reading →

You may dearly miss the person you fell in love with; keep in mind that with proper treatments and your support that person will come back to you. Find your own therapist; you may need a professional to help guide you through the hard times. Look for a support group for partners of bipolar sufferers.... Continue Reading →

Spouses of bipolar sufferers often are the caretakers and caregivers of the relationship. They are expected to hold everything together when emotional hurricanes hit their families. They hang on in spite of everything that is flying around them just waiting for the calm. Many people close to them expect them to be strong and almost... Continue Reading →

Avoid conversational topics that will upset me. Avoid people who may antagonize me. Limit the amount guests in the house Limit the amount of social activities Stay away from alcohol or other mood altering substances Try to go in another room and rest for a while.  If I am overstressed or over stimulated. Go to... Continue Reading →

I try to focus on the present.  I often think of all my mistakes in the past and obsess on them. I force myself to only sleep at night and if necessary, the bedroom is off limits for the day. I take lots of showers and baths. I make sure I eat/don't binge eat because... Continue Reading →

My husband is a great early detection system for me.  He usually can detect the subtle signs that I am on the verge of a manic episode.  It is a good way for me to prepare myself for the coming onslaught. I minimize my social responsibilities.  My husband takes over my social activities; he steers... Continue Reading →