What does it mean to Thrive when you have Bipolar Disorder
- Author Cassandra Good
- Published August 27, 2010
- Word count 521
What Does it Mean to Thrive When You Have Bipolar Disorder
The definition of Thrive according to the dictionary means 1) to prosper or flourish 2) to grow vigorously or luxuriantly; improve physically. As individuals with bipolar disorder, we sometimes look at just getting by or just surviving another day. When you are in the depths of depression sometimes it is really about survival. However, you can improve physically and mentally. You can grow and prosper despite the disorder. I implore you not to live a life of mediocrity that is doomed to surviving one day to the next. You can do better than that. You deserve more than just survival, but you must have a basic level of survival first.
Let's talk a minute about survival. When you have bipolar disorder you have to have a basic level of functioning that I call survival. That means taking care of yourself by taking your medication, getting enough sleep, exercising, eating right, drinking water to compensate for the dehydrating effects of the medication. You must have a basic level of survival before you can move to a level of thriving. When you have the level of stability of the surviving level, you are free to explore areas to thrive. I believe thriving has many levels and has many facets.
What are the dimensions of thriving? I think they include health, relationships, intellectual and/or educational pursuits, work life, finances, experiencing new things, creating a home that is a sanctuary, and a spiritual dimension. They are by no means limited to these areas, but these are the ones that I choose to work on. What are your dimensions? Where will you spend your time and energy beyond the basics of survival? Although balance is nice, you may choose to work on only a one or two of these at a time. That is okay, just always strive to be growing, learning, and prospering. Life is boring when you are stagnant, and it is easy to slip down the slippery slope of depression.
I should also speak to the manic side of bipolar disorder. When you are hypomanic, it may seem easy to tackle all these at the same time, but you will most likely be spinning your wheels, really fast, but just spinning none the less. Try to focus your energy on only a few at a time, and this will give you a lot of forward momentum that you can capitalize on later when you are calming down. Manic episodes are way over the top, but if you can focus, try to spend your energy on growing in a few of these areas and stay away from the credit cards. That will wreck your finances for sure.
The bottom line is that when you are at a basic level of survival, you can choose to move to thriving in any area of your life. The sky is the limit. Go for your dreams! You can do it!
I wish you the best in all your pursuits.
For more information, go to www.ThrivingWithBipolarDisorder.com or http://blog.ThrivingWithBipolarDisorder.com
Author: Cassandra L. Good, MA
Cassandra L. Good works and resides in Colorado, USA. She has been employed at the same company for nearly 18 years despite having been diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder.
Her new goals include helping other people with bipolar disorder to live a life that is rewarding and fulfilling. She wants to teach people how to move from surviving to thriving with bipolar disorder.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Power of Connection: How Walking With a Friend Reveals What Truly Matters
- Unlocking Your Potential: The Value of Taking an Online IQ Test
- Adult Attachment Theory and Research
- Social and Mental health issues don't mean it's the end of the world
- Substance Abuse Today and the Role of Therapy in Recovery
- The Childfree Choice as Self-Care
- The Multilingual Advantage: How Speaking Multiple Languages Enhances Brain Functioning and Leadership Abilities
- Embracing Discomfort: The Catalyst for Personal Growth and Transformation
- Gaslighting Tactics Exposed: Strategies for Combatting Psychological Abuse
- Why Ignoring Feelings Harms Kids and Adults: Discover the Antidote
- Why Psychiatrists Email Lists Are Essential for Healthcare Marketers
- Quantum Behavioral Psychology: The new frontier in mental health.
- A Take On Recovery
- Online Psychology: The Evolving Landscape in Mental Health Care
- Holistic Anxiety Treatment: Embracing Mind and Body Approaches
- What the Freeze Response Tells You About Your Anxiety
- Understanding Authenticity
- Understanding Men's Mental Health
- Exploring the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health
- The Psychology of Avoiding Accountability: Unraveling the Web of Excuses
- Harmony in Understanding: The Interplay of Psychology and Emotional Intelligence
- Disability Discrimination
- You Are Not Your Brain
- Counselling psychologists to the rescue for better parenting
- The Transformative Power of Mindset
- Understanding the Depths of Mental Health: Unveiling the Hidden Struggles
- Understanding Different Types of Trauma: A Comprehensive Overview
- 8 Affordable Therapy Options for 2023 in the UK, Including CBT
- Breaking Down the Benefits of Online Counselling in Alberta with Ouronlinetherapy.com
- Realistic, prudent-thinking in this age