What Triggers Bi-Polar?
A recent report has it that, the Grammy award-winning singer, Chris Brown has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar II.
According to webpronews.com, his treating Physician asserts that, “Mr. Brown became aggressive and acted out physically due to his untreated mental health disorder, severe sleep deprivation, inappropriate self-medicating and untreated PTSD”.
The question on my mind when I came across that news, was, what triggers bipolar? (Hopefully, I will share my bi-polar story in my next post).
Webmd.com suggests that, “Scientists have found that bipolar disorder is not caused by a single gene but rather by multiple genes, each contributing only a small amount to the vulnerability, acting together in combination with other environmental factors such as stress, lifestyle habits, and sleep”.
It went on to say that, “People are sometimes diagnosed with bipolar following a stressful or traumatic event in their lives. These environmental triggers can include seasonal changes, holidays, and major life changes such as starting a new job, losing a job, going to college, family disagreements, marriage, or a death in the family”.
Interestingly, WebMD, notes that, “Stress, in and of itself, does not cause bipolar disorder (much the way pollen doesn’t cause seasonal allergies), but in people with the biological vulnerability to bipolar disorder, having effective skills for managing life stresses can be critical to a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid things that can aggravate the illness (such as drugs and alcohol)”.
My suggestion to you is that living with Bipolar is definitely not God’s best for you, but you can take deliberate steps to live life at your best, you have to develop effective skills for managing life stresses. This will take a while, it doesn’t happen overnight. Some of the ways I consciously develop effective skills for managing life stresses are:
- I made peace with God: Thanked him for all that I have been through and for creating me with these emotions, because He knows me inside out and loves me still.
- Loving Me: I Love ‘Me’! There is only one ‘Me’, only ‘Me’ can do things that make ‘Me’. Regardless of what people are going to say about you, or what you think about yourself; you are in a class of your own, created in the image of your heavenly father, equipped with the talents and skills to do things, God knows only you can do. Focus on your strengths while partnering with God to work on your weaknesses.
- I seek to add Value: When you add value to others, you get fulfilment. Fulfilment gives you that kind of joy that makes you look forward to adding value to more people on a daily basis. The ability to add value is an indication of a soul sold out to loving God and service to humanity.
- Develop a strong support system: This may include members of your family, friends and loved ones who know your bi-polar story and are committed to the process of seeing that you are getting better every day in every way.
- Know yourself: Study yourself like a book! Pay attention to your feelings and emotions, if you feel sad, find out why? If you are excited find out why? If you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself what’s the overwhelming factor in the situation? Knowing yourself is a very effective way to manage the stress you encounter daily.
While these are just a few tips, I will like you to try them out and share your experience with me. I have tried them and still do them. You will have a worthwhile experience and God’s grace will make your inputs effortless.
PRAYER
Father, Keep me as the apple of your eyes and let all my experiences impact positively on my life and the lives I encounter daily, in Jesus Name, Amen.
KINDLY REMEMBER:
· That you have to take your medication(s) as prescribed by the doctors.
· That you don’t have to avoid your appointments with your physician.
· That you have to rest well, eat healthy, exercise safely, and avoid stress.
· That you can pray over your medications that; they will work perfectly for you without side effects.
· That you can pray to God to perfect all that concerns your mental.
REFERENCES:
My name is Precious, I was Bi-polar, and I live a full life
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