#103: Your Foundations can be Stable (Even When Your Mind is Not)

FROM THIS SHOW…

Have you ever seen aerial footage of the aftermath of a hurricane or a cyclone? Maybe you live in a storm zone, and you’ve had to evacuate only to come home to the wreckage. 

It can be surprising to see beachfront structures still standing is that, although they are filled with trash, debris and water damage, are fairly intact!

The same can be said of anyone who’s built a foundation in their management of bipolar disorder. The storm can surge and the waves can pound, but that home is still standing.

Yet this cannot always be said for those who go into their disease management with no plan and no foundation. They haven’t storm-proofed their mental health with the best available materials.

Today's show story is a great example of the power of building your foundation right, using common sense and a little determination.

Don’t miss this special episode!

Listen to the podcast:

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!  With every past episode at your fingertips, plus special Bonus Content with my guests, what's not to love! And if you're feeling generous, would you please leave me a review? It is a special treat to read each and every one of them. Just write about your favorite part of the show! :-) 

TAKEAWAYS

• Building your foundation for mental health can take a long time to solidify and settle. It’s not uncommon for smart people with recurring bipolar symptoms to take years getting their basic management style dialed in and effective. Be patient. Be persistent. 

• There’s no need to go into your foundation building without a clue of where to start. Pick up a good book that teaches you the basics of this disease and informs you about intelligent courses of action to take. In this episode, Mike recommends “Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder” by Julie Fast and John Preston, MD. It’s an excellent read.

• Stability is about self-discovery. And it can be super scary to open up the box of a mental health diagnosis to see what’s inside. But if you can push past that fear, a world of growth opportunities opens up to you. It doesn’t matter where you’re at in the journey of self-discovery, as long as you’re progressing along.

Lifer Discussion Guide

Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to assist you over any hurdles you may have to clear as you address your mental health. These are special conversations!

“Lifers” are people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick by you through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)

The Questions:

1) How did the mental health analogy of seasonal hurricanes make sense to you? / Can you think of any patterns of bipolar symptoms showing up in your life every year?

2) Which parts of the “foundation” of disease management appeal to you? (The foundation is made up of medications, having mental health conversations, gaining knowledge of the disorder, building a healthy body, and making your daily environments healthy)

3) Which parts of the “foundation” of bipolar management are going to be a challenge for you to build?

4) Have you bought a good book on managing bipolar disorder? / What did you learn that has helped you the most?

Join the Tribe!

Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!