*~*~*~*...us Bipolar exsperts on managing skills...*~*~*~*

[I'ddie4him]

sipping soda or orange juice helps me. ... comfort food sure can be nice. like a box of chocolates. or hot coco with marshmellows ........ i'm hungry!

My comfort food ???
I have so many.
My main way of coping and dealing with things is cooking.
I tend to be quite creative in the kitchen.

 

[Phasefree]

What helps me stay even?

--prayer & reading God's word or other spiritual writings
--going to worship services
--Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day
--sticking to a schedule and doing things at the same time each day
--lifting weights, running and power walking
--avoiding too much sugar
--reading something casual, like a music or gaming magazine
--plucking on my guitar
--playing video games

 

[goldenviolet]

What helps me stay even?

--prayer & reading God's word or other spiritual writings
--going to worship services
--Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day
--sticking to a schedule and doing things at the same time each day
--lifting weights, running and power walking
--avoiding too much sugar
--reading something casual, like a music or gaming magazine
--plucking on my guitar
--playing video games

 

[wayfaringstranger]

Well, I usually don't talk about it but I'm bi-polar. I've been getting treatment for it for thirty years now. I've had everything from shock treatments to therapy. I'm doing pretty well with a combination of medication and therapy. It works pretty well most of the time and I'm able to hide it pretty well. I don't talk about it because most people don't understand. They would just kinda look down on me or just feel sorry for me. I don't want that. Being bi-polar doesn't make me any less human than any one else. I meet plenty of people in worse shape than me and don't even know it. I've kinda just learned to deal with it in my own way

 

[goldenviolet]

Well, I usually don't talk about it but I'm bi-polar. I've been getting treatment for it for thirty years now. I've had everything from shock treatments to therapy. I'm doing pretty well with a combination of medication and therapy. It works pretty well most of the time and I'm able to hide it pretty well. I don't talk about it because most people don't understand. They would just kinda look down on me or just feel sorry for me. I don't want that. Being bi-polar doesn't make me any less human than any one else. I meet plenty of people in worse shape than me and don't even know it. I've kinda just learned to deal with it in my own way

God bless you! i'm glad you shared with us ...
it is hard to share when you are critizised, misunderstood and drama is added to the conversation.
we try to avoid that with eachother. will you share the things you do to help yourself on tough days?

 

[wayfaringstranger]

God bless you! i'm glad you shared with us ...
it is hard to share when you are critizised, misunderstood and drama is added to the conversation.
we try to avoid that with eachother. will you share the things you do to help yourself on tough days?

Thank you and God bless you too. Some of the things that help me on a down day are doing aerobics or kick-boxing or even just dancing. Anything that exerts physical energy

 

[AngelRider]

sounds good to me GV
I try to listen to a lot of music during the day that is relaxing as I tend to my duties around the house and with son
I pray a lot and read a lot of the word throughout the day
I write out a list of daily stuff to be done so as to keep a focus
I pray some more and let God take me by the hand even in my worst mood shifts of the day and I remember that it is mental and will pass

We all have things we face daily and it sure is nice to have this forum to discuss and perhaps enlighten others of this fight we fight


keeping medicine in line and keeping doc appts sure helps also

AngelRider

 

[Shalia]

Am I the only one that *can't* do prayer or read the Bible when manic?

I tend to religious delusions, and if you feed me religious anything, be it the Bible or a Joyce Meyer book, it'll usually make me delusional...

For me...

No noise. Or bright lights. Or strong smells. Or sensory input of any kind, really. Senses are bad. <Maybe it's cause senses can deceive me? I dunno.>
Coloring
Dance Dance Revolution - on hypomanic days when I can handle it
Getting online
Bubble bath with good book
Swinging
comfort food (although I'm likely to only eat part of it)
ebay (that's SO dangerous)
Force myself to stay in my bed a minimum of 5 hours whether I want to or not
Keep a mood chart

I don't tend towards the depressed. I get manic as all get out, crash to a horrid mixed state from hell, and oscillate back and forth from there until restabilized. So mine are based more on mania control for me. :dunno:

 

[goldenviolet]

Shalia no, you aren't the only one. we all just need to do whatever works to keep us safe at that time. and when i have had my toughest struggles; a break from everything, even devotionals; to just be ministered to has deffinately happened. i'll sleep alot and coloring helps me too. the hospital puts me in a safe house with nurse for a few days. being taken out of routine, and resting from everything does help. we still love God. our faith is restored and just as worthy. getting away for a few days or hours isn't bad... it's calming and refreshing. i deffinately relate to sensory system going bonkers!

on these days i get away; i love to color, paint, dance, and eat ...and sometimes write poetry.

it seems instead of praying i more meditate on life and my walk.

 

[Alive again]

Not to change the topic from Shalia's important question, but . . .

Does anyone else just feel the words of the song Jesus take the Wheel, just speaking to them about how easy it is to forget who is driving in their life? I find it a great reminder!!!

Artist/Band: Underwood Carrie
Lyrics for Song: Jesus, Take The Wheel
Lyrics for Album: Some Hearts


She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Oh, Jesus take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh

 

[Alive again]

I find that music and particular songs are now very helpful for helping me cope!!!

But there are phases where music is and was very irritating (noise in general was)

Recently music and dancing have become enjoyable to me.

And my all time favorite are some cassettes I have that have relaxation music and scripture together. Does anyone know a way to dup cassettes to cd??? They no longer make these tapes that I can find and I am afraid I will lose them by wearing them out!!! PM me if ya know a way. Thanks!!!

 

[Alive again]

BTW Comfort Food

This has always been my medicine of choice for any mood or insecurity (self medicating) I have!!! Could explain the 260#'s I used to weigh!!! Finally felt good enough to begin the journey of dealing with that problem, but this coping style is, for me, a very difficult habit to break!!! I am at about 165 and shooting for normal weight at my height of about 135.

 

[Shalia]

I LOVE that song. My music pastor asked me to solo, and as soon as I can find that song in a minus one track, that's the one I want to do. It's just so beautiful. OK, so it's *techically* a country song, not a Christian song, but... anything with those lyrics should be OK in a charismatic church, right?

I just cried and cried the first time I heard that song in the car. It's so powerful and beautiful. I had no intentions of buying her CD <I'm *still* a Clay Aiken fan... > but after hearing that one, I want it. I also wonder why that song isn't on the Christian stations. It should be. It's a perfect Christian station song.

Shalia

Not to change the topic from Shalia's important question, but . . .

Does anyone else just feel the words of the song Jesus take the Wheel, just speaking to them about how easy it is to forget who is driving in their life? I find it a great reminder!!!

Artist/Band: Underwood Carrie
Lyrics for Song: Jesus, Take The Wheel
Lyrics for Album: Some Hearts


She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Oh, Jesus take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh

 

[Alive again]

I LOVE that song. My music pastor asked me to solo, and as soon as I can find that song in a minus one track, that's the one I want to do. It's just so beautiful. OK, so it's *techically* a country song, not a Christian song, but... anything with those lyrics should be OK in a charismatic church, right?

I just cried and cried the first time I heard that song in the car. It's so powerful and beautiful. I had no intentions of buying her CD <I'm *still* a Clay Aiken fan... > but after hearing that one, I want it. I also wonder why that song isn't on the Christian stations. It should be. It's a perfect Christian station song.

Shalia

I've heard it on Kluv and our local Christian station for the past 2 weeks!! I have asked a soloist at our church to sing it as well!!!!

 

[Shalia]

*sniff* Sure, I haven't heard it. *pout*

LOL! I flipped over to a local country station <which I *never* do> and heard that song as the very next song on the radio. And my music pastor had told me to listen to the radio and wait till I heard the song that spoke to me and I would know it was the one that God wanted me to sing. So I'm gonna do it.

 

[goldenviolet]

look up to the top of page to the last purple strip with buttons. on the left side is RADIO. select the christian contemporary section: LIFESONGS station

 

[GaelSong]

Hi just found this thread again...

What works for me when I feel close to mania
Make sure I take meds
Get enough sleep (big trigger if I can't)
Listen to soft music
Turn off the tv, phone ect
Read the bible or any good book
Going outside
Being with my pets
Talking with my husband

These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[_sunshinegirl]

• Open communication with God (at all times)
• Reminding myself perfection is only real within our savior Jesus
• Dancing, singing <- Rockin' out !?!?!
• talking to my Mom
• sticking my tongue out [[at myself]]
• reading the Bible (or another book)
• medication <- take it .&. enough sleep

 

[goldenviolet]

caring for my bunnies.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

When I'm close to mania
I make dolls
listen to music
go shopping
or break things
change my signature
read harry potter
or look at icons