It’s inevitable at times for something to happen that will shatter the beautiful recovery we’ve worked so hard to maintain. This is life. Reclaiming that recovery after a crisis will happen, but it may take some time. I recently had to deal with a few crises that happened all at once, which almost broke me. Here is a list of some tips that helped me and may help you get back on the road to recovery.
1. Focus on Getting Sleep
There is so much to say about sleep therapy especially with an illness like bipolar disorder. Make sure both during and after the crisis you get enough sleep. I know that depending on the severity of the crisis, you may not be able to sleep. However, bipolar disorder is one of those illnesses that requires you to maintain a routine. If you are able to, make sure that you at least go to bed at the same time every night, even if it is just to close your eyes and rest your body. One of the events that happened to me recently was that my son had unexpected surgery and I stayed with him in the hospital every night. I made sure to go to sleep on my regular schedule, which helped me get through this tough situation more smoothly. If you are unable to maintain your normal sleep routine during a given crisis, when the crisis is resolved try to get back into your sleep routine as soon as possible. Here is an article that may be beneficial for you in your quest to get back into a sleep routine. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/how-to-sleep-better.htm
2. Make Sure to Take Your Medication
Another thing that helped me through these crises was being sure to take my medication regularly. Taking my medication helped prevent an even bigger crisis from unfolding; a relapse. So even though I was going through tough situations and dealing with a tsunami of emotions, I knew that I would be in a better state after it was all over than I would have been if I stopped taking my medication.
3. Lean on Others When You Need Help
I tend to try to tackle everything on my own. I hold back from asking others for help because I am extremely independent and feel like asking for help shows weakness. However, when the load is just too much to bear, it’s ok for you to ask for help. Your loved ones would rather you ask for help than see you overwhelmed or get hurt. At one point during these crises, I reached my breaking point. I called family members who would make my work load more bearable and it was the best decision I ever made. You never have to suffer or face things alone.
4. Prioritize
Trying to get back to the way life was before a crisis is a difficult journey. My life was flipped upside down so the best thing for me was to prioritize my life. Basically, I tackled situations and tasks that needed my immediate attention while less important tasks that were not as relevant were put on hold for the time being. This helped me feel less overwhelmed and not like I was drowning in all of my responsibilities.
5. Be Kind and Patient with Yourself
It takes time for you to get back to the way you were before your life took this twist. Be patient with yourself. Don’t expect to be back to normal overnight. There will be meltdowns, crying spells, and thoughts of giving up. During these times, be kind to yourself and do something for you. Self-care is one of the most important parts of recovery with any mental illness. Do something fun; go for a walk, eat your favorite food, meet up with a good friend, watch a movie, drink some coffee, or get a pedicure. You only live once so take care of yourself and know that in time, recovery will happen.
These twists and turns in life make it worse for a person living with bipolar disorder, but the tips I just listed and discussed can help you through a crisis and help you get back on your feet after a crisis. Life is not easy, nor is it linear so we just have to make sure we have the tools we need to recover from whatever life presents us with. If I can do it, I know you can too.
To read more from Lynn, see the rest of her posts for IBPF here, or check out her personal blog.