Many people turn any "disability" into a weakness, but having Bipolar Disorder does not make you weak. It can make you stronger. You may be asking "How can that be?". It is true that having Bipolar Disorder is something we have to deal with, but overcoming anything will make you stronger. Although bipolar disorder is a life long illness, and you will no doubt have set backs along the way, you can thrive in spite of it. The first step is to get it under control by taking the right medication for you.

Medication is a key component to thriving. Once you have your symptoms under control with the right medication, you may also need to work on your thinking. It is important to have positive self talk and not to berate yourself for every little thing that you perceive is wrong with you. A form of therapy called "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy" can be very helpful. With this type of therapy, you learn to have positive self talk and link that to behaviors that reinforce it, and vice versa. This can be a very enlightening experience, and I definitely recommend it for anyone that is struggling especially with depression.

Once you have your thinking aligned with your behavior, you can do all sorts of things including helping others. When you are strong, you have the energy necessary to do things for others and yourself. You can also work on things that will make you even stronger like getting the right amount of rest, drinking plenty of water, getting exercise, and even enjoying a hobby and the relaxation that it brings. All these activities will lead to a better, stronger you.

What could you accomplish if you had your bipolar symptoms under control? Who would you help? Maybe you are in a place where the most you can think about is just getting the house clean. Or maybe you are a bit manic and started several projects at once, but have not finished any of them. How would your life be different if mania and depression were not an endless cycle, but more under control. You can have that and more. So back to the question, what would you want to accomplish? Maybe you want to go to college and get a degree that will help you get the job you want. Maybe you are more altruistic and want to help others in various circumstances. Many churches offer the opportunity to serve through their missions programs, and there are many worthy causes to be a part of like Habitat for Humanity. What do you want to do? Sometimes having a goal that is bigger than your present circumstances can motivate you to take the steps necessary to help yourself. Discover what would give you a purpose worth the effort to get your symptoms under control. Make a plan, write it down, and go for it!

I hope you gained some useful insights, and for more information visit me at www.thrivingwithbipolardisorder.com

You can contact me at Cassandra@ThrivingWithBipolarDisorder.com

You can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/thrivingbipolar

I wish you the best in all your pursuits.

Author: Cassandra L. Good