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Bipolar Depressive Episode Safety Plan

STAY SAFE (however you have to)—stay in your safety zone.

Do not be alone, if at all possible (be around someone who is aware of bipolar depressive symptoms and can help you control them).

Be accountable to someone (who will know you are in an episode, will make sure you take your medication, and will sit and listen to you).

Make sure you take your medication and on schedule, and that you keep appointments with your psychiatrist and therapist.

Do not make any major decisions, or even any minor ones (if you can help it).

Although you may have suicidal thoughts, understand that they are coming from the depressive episodes, and talk to someone about them, or call 1-800-SUICIDE.

You may be sleeping too much, or too little, but this is one of the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. There are things you can do about this—talk to your psychiatrist, therapist, or doctor about it. It may be just a temporary problem because of the depression.

If you can’t find someone to talk to, there are chat rooms on the Internet where others experiencing bipolar depressive episodes will understand how you are feeling.

Take care of your personal needs (grooming, eating, exercising, sleeping, etc.).

HALT (never get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired).

Although this may be difficult when you are depressed, try to do what you would normally enjoy (read, watch television/movies, go to your support group, etc.)

Do what you can to improve your mood (take a bath, read inspiring books, listen to soothing music, walk to enjoy your surroundings, garden, meditate, etc.).

Remember the deceptive nature of your thoughts and feelings during a depressive nature (your mood will improve as the episode lifts).

Keep in mind that this is only a temporary situation, and do not do anything that has permanent consequences.

Tell yourself that "Nothing is as bad as it seems," "This too shall pass," "Every cloud has a silver lining," and any other positive thoughts you can use to replace your negative thoughts. Remember that: NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ARE ONLY TEMPORARY WHEN YOU ARE IN A BIPOLAR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE.

About the Author

Michele Soloway has dealt with bipolar disorder from a very young age. Her grandmother, mother, herself, and her teenage son all have the disorder. She also lost her sister to suicide because of bipolar disorder. Michele has a blog for bipolar survivors at http://bipolarsurvivor.blogspot.com, and is also a contributing writer to www.bipolarcentral.com.

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This Week's Bipolar News

Overeating and substance abuse are similar disorders
Los Angeles Times
People with bipolar disorder have higher-than-average rates of obesity and substance abuse. But McIntyre found that the obesity rate in bipolar patients was ...

Club stoush bowls out member
The Advertiser
A MAN suffering from bipolar disorder and depression has been barred from membership at a Sydney bowling club after a clash over club bylaws.

Mom abandons 18-year-old under Nebraska safe-haven law
Richmond Times-Dispatch
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Police say a woman has abandoned her 18-year-old daughter at a hospital, saying she can't control the girl, in what may be the latest use of Nebraska's unique safe-haven law. The woman told officials at BryanLGH Medical Center West that her daughter, who was adopted, is bipolar and has a learning disability, Assistant Police Chief Jim Peschong said today.

Click here for all Bipolar News.

Featured Article:

Romancing Your Spouse

"Romancing your spouse?" Ok, I can already hear you yelling at me! I know, it's a strange concept, but hear me out. Some of the longest-running marriages have lasted because of this very concept.

You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, but it does. Even the best of marriages has some strain on it - the pressures of day-to-day living, at the very least. However, Bipolar Disorder puts additional pressure on your marriage because of the issues you have to face in dealing with the disorder, whether you are the survivor or the supporter.

No matter how long you've been married, the suggestions in this article can put some "spark" into your marriage. And if you've only been married a short time, putting these suggestions into place now can help ensure a long, happy, healthy marriage (of course, you will still have to do some hard work yourself to make that happen as well!).

Click here to read the entire aritcle

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