5 Things People With Bipolar Should Not Do

There are many facts about bipolar disorder that you might not be aware of because it is a complicated condition.First of all, there are many things we should do to stabilize moods while managing bipolar symptoms: such as therapy for bipolar disorder.But there are just as many things people with bipolar should not do.Here's what to avoid.Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary greatly and are frequently concealed by patients, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose the condition.Hiding symptoms from your doctor is one of the things people with bipolar should not do because it is counterproductive and can lead to more severe effects.Also, it can be very risky to choose to stop taking medication prescribed by a doctor.In no circumstances should a person with bipolar disorder stop taking their medication without consultation from their doctor.When you're already dealing with the challenges of bipolar disorder, being around negative influences isn't helpful.Such toxic individuals will undoubtedly make you feel worse, which is detrimental to your mental health.

They Should Not Consume Alcohol

There are too many negative outcomes associated with alcohol use to even begin to list them all; for people with bipolar disorder, this is especially true.First of all, those who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder are often required to take some medication in order to manage their symptoms.As a bipolar person, if you're taking medication, drinking alcohol may reduce its effectiveness.Also, it's common knowledge that consuming alcohol can lower inhibitions, prompting people to act in ways they normally would shy away from.Alcohol's effects could be the deciding factor in whether or not a person moves from a stable state into depression or mania.The two possible outcomes are equally undesirable.The risk of developing an alcohol use addiction is higher for those who also suffer from bipolar disorder.Due to its depressant effects, alcohol is frequently used as a means of self-medication.During manic episodes and when dealing with rapid thought processes, slowing down thoughts with alcohol may seem like a good idea.In reality, this treatment is worse than the disorder itself.

They Should Not Hide Symptoms From Their Doctor

One of the most important things people with bipolar should not do is hide symptoms from their doctor.Due to the stigma associated with bipolar disorder, many patients conceal their diagnosis, fearing personal and professional repercussions.According to studies, it takes an average of nine to ten years for individuals to receive an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder.This is due to two significant factors.One is that doctors frequently miss the diagnosis, even when certain symptoms are brought to their attention.The second is patients' failure to report symptoms.We have all tried to cover up our true feelings with fake smiles or grins.In some cases, bipolar patients may try to mask their symptoms by acting as though everything is fine, even though they know it's not.This can be very risky for your mental health in the long run.Extreme fluctuations in mood that disrupt daily life or make it hard to work should prompt a visit to the doctor.If you don't talk to someone who can help you get a diagnosis, you might never know how bad your symptoms really are.

They Should Not Discontinue Their Medications On Their Own

At some point during the treatment of your bipolar disorder symptoms, you may feel that your medications are no longer effective.You may be tempted to discontinue one or more of your medications without first consulting with your physician.Although there are many valid reasons for deciding to stop using a particular bipolar disorder medication, experts agree that doing so is almost never a good idea.The reality is that the desire to discontinue one or more of your prescribed medications is not unwarranted.There are numerous justifiable reasons to want to stop using certain bipolar medications, such as dangerous side effects.Sometimes multiple drugs must be tried before the optimal combination is discovered.Sometimes, after a period of treatment, the effectiveness of a drug appears to diminish.

They Should Not Maintain Toxic Relationships

It's up to you alone to decide if the relationship's drawbacks are more severe than its advantages.It's probably toxic if the other person constantly puts you in danger through words, actions, or inactions.It may cause adverse reactions such as self-harm, self-loathing, or even worse.Either way, you can easily identify the people who consistently cause you emotional pain, who sap your strength, and who launch repeated attacks.Depending on the nature of your relationship, cutting ties with a toxic person can range from simple to extremely challenging.However, it is crucial that you take action.

They Should Not Modify Their Medications Without Talking to Their Doctor

Prescription drug abuse is more common than many people realize and can have serious consequences.Some people choose to meddle with the drugs prescribed by their doctors or modify the dosage they were prescribed: the risks are far too dangerous.For some, the perceived benefits of abusing prescription drugs justify their risky behavior.However, harmful drug interactions and the wrong dose are both risks associated with tinkering with your medication.Some other examples of risk involved include severe adverse reactions and the potential for dependence and abuse are all additional concerns.

Conclusion

From dealing with symptoms to doctors and from medication to relationships, these are all examples of things people with bipolar should not do.Rather than risk one's health, it is advisable to seek therapy for bipolar disorder which will have positive impacts.Here are some things people with bipolar should not do: they should not consume alcohol, they should not hide symptoms from their doctor, they should not discontinue their medications on their own, they should not maintain toxic relationships, and they should not modify their medications.

Resources

https://www.everydayhealth.com/bipolar-disorder/stopping-bipolar-disorder-drugs.aspx

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9294-bipolar-disorder

https://www.verywellmind.com/toxic-relationships-4174665

https://www.bphope.com/blog/3-things-people-with-bipolar-disorder-shouldnt-do/

https://www.verywellmind.com/things-not-to-do-loved-one-is-bipolar-379821

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20615179/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/bipolar-disorder/living-with-bipolar-disorder.htm