by Danielle Thompson

Created on: April 24, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Living with bipolar disorder has varying consequences depending on how you choose to manage it. Personally, I believe a combination of proper medication, therapy, and a support network, as well as a routine schedule results in what one could call a normal lifestyle in what can sometimes be a chaotic mental disorder.

I discovered I had bipolar disorder at age 19. I was researching depression on the Internet and found an article on what it was then called-"manic-depression." I saw the description of exhilarating highs, and debilitating lows, and realized that I had more than just unipolar clinical depression. This discovery also enlightened me to why the anti-depressants I had tried had sent me into manic spells which included rage, risk-taking behavior, and sleep-deprived nights.

What seems most important in managing bipolar disorder is medication management. I tried many different medical remedies, each resulting in life-threatening side effects. After almost 8 years of trial and error, I have found that a combination of an atypical anti-psychotic and anti-depressant keep me on an even keel.

The second most relevant factor in managing bipolar illness is a regular sleep-wake cycle and daily routine. A consistent work schedule is imperative in keeping life balanced. Getting up at the same time every day and going to bed at the same time keep mood swings at bay.

A therapist who is experienced and highly familiar with bipolar illness is also a key component. I had experience with one therapist who was not familiar with my illness and simply responded to my manic spending sprees with advice about budgeting and my self-medication with alcohol with tirades about 12-step programs. I soon switched to a therapist with 25 years of experience, and she helped me identify healthy lifestyle behaviors and coping strategies that worked.

A strong support network is definitely a mediating factor in managing bipolar disorder. Having objective people around you who can identify when your behavior warrants intervention is especially necessary when the lapse of judgment that results from a manic or depressed episode. People familiar with your typical behavior can step in an direct you to take action before a hospitalization is necessary. Spending time with others in a support group can take away the feelings of isolation that come with living with a mental illness.

It is good to embrace having bipolar disorder. For quite some time, I wished it could be "cured." I felt as if something was wrong with me, or that I was strange. Due to my resistance, I prolonged receiving treatment and ended up in the hospital multiple times. I never told anyone except my family about my disorder, and I never felt authentic. Finally, I began telling people around me, close friends and co-workers. I found that no one responded with judgment or pity as I had expected. Perhaps it is because these people realized I was just like them. The bipolar stigma does not have to impose on one's self-image.

The most important thing to remember is to find what works for you. Every person is an individual, and no one type of medication or combination of medication will work for two different people. No one style of therapy is best for bipolar disorder. Although cognitive-behavior therapy works well for many people, there are other methods that can be equally therapeutic. Remember that you are not a bipolar person, you are a person living with bipolar disorder and there is a difference. Don't look at what the illness takes away, look at what it gives you. Valuing yourself and your strengths are what make living with a mental illness no different than any other challenge in life's path.

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