Bipolar Triggers

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When intense irritability and “anger attacks” disrupt your life and damage your relationships, you may question how to move forward. To regain control over this sometimes-bewildering symptom of bipolar, look to the source—could it be a mood swing, increased stress, or an unrecognized trigger? If Terry had to give herself a diagnosis, it would be...

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In facing personal turmoil and societal upheaval, I have found that routine has been key to my stability with bipolar. Changes to my schedule can have a massive impact. But so can reinstating new patterns and structures in my days. Routine Has Been My Best Bipolar Management Strategy Last year, I shared about how a...

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Often overlooked as part of an effective treatment plan for bipolar disorder, rest is one of the most important tools we can use to maintain our well-being. What Is Rest? Nighttime: Sleep I believe we can rest during both sleep and wake times. Sleep is what comes to mind as an obvious source of rest....

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With this diagnosis comes lifetime admission to the Bipolar Theme Park, where the possibilities for mood flare-ups (and downs) are endless! … But, guess what? We don’t have to ride ALL of the roller coasters. In my journey with bipolar, I’ve been puzzling over how to detect the signs of an oncoming mood episode. I...

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My episodes seem to come out of nowhere when I ignore everyday triggers and find it hard to admit that—even as a proud “supermom”—I sometimes need backup. Finding a signal for support has made a big difference. “Here We Go Again” Well, here we go again. Most of us with bipolar know this phrase all...

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When faced with disappointment, my brain never gives me the luxury of deciding how I feel and how I want to react. Nope. It just experiences it and immediately starts doing bipolar flips and twists in a way I find very hard to control. Here I share two related stories about disappointment that led to...

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What to pack? Preparing for a trip is always a conundrum, but especially when you want to explore the world without triggering a mood episode. Here are my tried-and-true tips to stay stable, no matter your destination! When Travel Is Your Passion The main reason I work and earn money (other than to pay bills)...

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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. What’s...

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 If you can quickly become overwhelmed when there is too much noise, it’s OK to allow yourself to escape the chaos without feeling guilty about it. Many of us with bipolar disorder deal with hypersensitivity, in one form or another. The most prevalent form of sensory sensitivity that I experience is “auditory overload.” For me,...

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The changing of the seasons and Daylight Saving Time can cause sudden mood shifts and instability, but there are tried-and-true methods to stay stable.   In my mind, Alaska is a “bipolar” land, with its two extreme seasons marked first by an intensity of light during the long days of summer followed by long months...

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Gaining insight into your triggers and treatment strategies to manage mood swings takes patience and dedication, but it can payoff by helping you achieve stability.   There is a term that is used in the mental health world called “insight.” In the dictionary, insight is defined as, “the act or result of apprehending the inner...

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Learning your high-risk triggers is important so you can practice avoiding them to maintain stability. I consider bipolar disorder a genetic illness. I was born with it and my symptoms showed up unannounced when I was in my late teens.  I didn’t control this. But I can control the triggers of my bipolar. Here is...

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Understanding what can trigger bipolar symptoms is important—and you shouldn’t feel guilty for avoiding what can make you sick. Bipolar disorder is so easily triggered.  It’s a rough illness that way—even the things we look forward to can create serious mood swings. People get sick from planning a wedding that is a bit too big...

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Healthy sleep is one of the most important—and difficult—aspects of maintaining stability with bipolar disorder. Luckily, there are five simple rules you can follow to get those vital ZZZs during daylight saving time and throughout the year!   I really have a love/hate relationship with daylight saving time (DST). When I was younger, I always...

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If you are a “highly sensitive person,” overstimulation from your environment can be a trigger for bipolar mood episodes. Here is what you need to know. Are you bothered by sounds and smells that don’t annoy the people around you? Are you often accused of being overemotional and too easily upset? You may qualify as...

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Bipolar flashbacks are intrusive and painful––which can really take a toll on the mind and body. But there are ways you can successfully 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...

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Everyone has their own personal triggers for bipolar mood episodes. Here are strategies to reveal and tame yours. #1 Identify Your Stressors Learning what your hot buttons are is the first step toward developing strategies to tame your triggers. Be on the lookout: What tips you off-balance? What’s the environment or activity that often precedes...

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Behind the glitz and glamor, the holiday season is difficult for many. For people with bipolar disorder, the holidays often trigger intense depressions. I’ve been without a manic or depressive episode for nearly 2 months now. It’s the first time in many years that I have survived the holiday period without questioning if I would...

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Have you ever wished you could just ‘grab’ your mind and make it happy? You Can! Read on to learn how.   By Allison Strong   When I went to bed on Christmas Eve, I hoped to be looking forward to the holiday, filled with anticipation. Instead, I was obsessed with a negative train of...

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Get educated BEFORE you joke about suicide or mental health. It’s not about ‘political correctness’, it’s about respect. And it’s just not funny! People who have a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, are often thought to be dangerous, scary or criminal, but this is the furthest thing from the truth. It is not only...