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This article was originally published in Bp Magazine under the title Stability, Bipolar & Coronavirus (COVID-19)\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n It was the first article I wrote when it became obvious that many of us would be staying at home.<\/p>\n **<\/p>\n This is the first time the world has watched a pandemic unfold in real time. For this reason, emotions are high, and uncertainty is raging. What can we do as people affected by bipolar disorder to make sure our BRAINS stay well while the world changes before our eyes?<\/p>\n Write your doctor today and calmly explain that your bipolar often comes with anxiety, and this virus experience is a trigger. For this reason, ask for your regular meds to be on a double script if possible. Ask for more automatic refills\u2014at least six months out. Thank your doc for continuing to work during this outbreak. If you have to go into the office to get psych shots, take care of this now. If you need blood tests, get one now. Be proactive. Don\u2019t cancel appointments.<\/em> Simply have them by phone or video.<\/p>\n Getting pissed off is often a by-product of fear. If you\u2019re stuck at home with roommates you rarely see or family members whom you need to avoid for your own stability, make a plan now. You<\/em> determine your relationships. Make a pact with yourself now. You will not fight or get irritated with others.<\/p>\n A world crisis will naturally affect the depressed brain. If you\u2019re already feeling hopeless and helpless in regular life<\/a>, you will feel this even more today.\u00a0Use this mantra: \u201cIt\u2019s natural that I feel this sick. The world is off its axis, and I need to focus on my brain and my brain only. I have been through this before and will go through it again. A virus is not a reason to get more depressed. I am going to treat this depression right this minute and get help.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re already on the anxious side\u2014and especially if you\u2019re prone to paranoid psychosis, as I am\u2014now is the time to turn off the sources that feed this paranoia. This especially includes politically charged social media. Removing the inflammatory triggers of paranoia and anxiety can cut your symptoms in half.\u00a0Ask yourself if being \u201cinformed\u201d is worth the pain of anxiety and paranoia.<\/p>\n This sneaky symptom may make you less worried about the virus, and, for that reason, you will take personal-contact and especially sexual-behavior-contact suggestions less seriously. If you\u2019re starting to feel manic now<\/a>, acknowledge it and use your plan to get stable. Now is not the time for wildness.<\/em><\/p>\n For many, taking care of pets is like taking care of a child. How is the food situation as of now? Does your pet need a vet appointment? What about grooming? Make a list of your pet\u2019s needs over the next three months, be the superhero you are, and go through the list one at a time.<\/p>\n Oh, my goodness. If we believe everything on social media, all of the toilet paper is gone and there is brawling in the aisles of grocery stores around the world!<\/p>\n While no one can deny that there has been some fighting over products, it\u2019s important to know that there is always conflict in stores. It\u2019s not new. We don\u2019t have a \u201csocial media IV\u201d attached to our brains. It is up to us, as people with bipolar, to TURN OFF what makes us sick.<\/strong><\/p>\n Social media wants you to stay, so they will play on your worries. If you choose not to turn it off completely, at least be aware of what you are viewing. Look at the words and images they use to suck you in. Be thoughtful and intelligent and truly see the reality of what they are selling: FEAR.<\/strong><\/p>\n What if your symptoms are getting worse, and you can tell you\u2019re heading for an episode? I have many articles on this topic<\/a>, and you can use the ideas step by step to calm your brain and prevent a big episode. I also recommend the work of Melody Moezzi<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re reading this and thinking, \u201cOh, it\u2019s the stuff Julie always says! \u2018Take care of yourself and be a detective and remove triggers!\u2019\u201d <\/em>Yes. It is the same.<\/p>\n Like all illnesses, bipolar responds to a plan. It\u2019s a triggered<\/em> illness.<\/a> You have so much more control than you think<\/strong>, if you\u2019re not feeling well right now.<\/p>\n You can take charge of your brain. Bipolar disorder responds to management, and removing triggers is the best way to handle this crisis<\/em>. If you have my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder<\/em>, now is a good time to read the triggers chapter again!<\/p>\n Yes, I am a repeating robot, but this is what works:<\/p>\n What we are going through now is not permanent. Seasons change, and the world is up for the task. We are working together. Let\u2019s find the not-so-awful part of this current situation:<\/p>\n We are in control of ourselves. Let\u2019s use this time<\/strong> to be smart about the rotten bipolar symptoms that probably will show up, get help, and then take the time to reflect on what we want in our lives.\u00a0I am trying to use this system, and, so far, I am not overly panicked\u2014even when facing my worries about money and health. That is pretty good, considering the brain I live with daily!<\/p>\n This article was originally published in Bp Magazine under the title Stability, Bipolar & Coronavirus (COVID-19) <\/a><\/p>\n It was the first article I wrote when it became obvious that many of us would be staying at home.<\/p>\n **<\/p>\n This is the first time the world has watched a pandemic unfold in real time. For this reason, emotions are high, and uncertainty is raging. What can we do as people affected by bipolar disorder to make sure our BRAINS stay well while the world changes before our eyes?<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Start with the Basics Bipolar Medications. <\/p>\nLet\u2019s Start with the Basics<\/h3>\n
Bipolar Medications.<\/h4>\n
Irritation.<\/h4>\n
Depression & Hopelessness.<\/h4>\n
Anxiety & Paranoia.<\/h4>\n
Hypomania & Mania.<\/h4>\n
Pets.<\/h4>\n
Social Media.<\/h4>\n
If You Feel an Episode Brewing\u2026<\/h3>\n
General Strategies to Stay Stable During the COVID-19 Outbreak<\/h3>\n
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Remember\u2026<\/h3>\n
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Julie<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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