Having Bipolar Disorder versus being bipolar

Bipolar Disorder is a disease. It is not who I am. I am so much more. To say that I AM bipolar may imply that there is no hope of transcending the worst symptoms. The term bipolar itself shows attention only to the extreme moods of mania and depression. Moods do not exist only as these extremes. There is rather a continuum of moods marked by at least 6 divisions. Starting with low mood, there is not only major depression, but also minor depression. People with Bipolar Disorder can also go through long periods of euthymic , or "normal" mood. Then there is mild mania, known as hypomania and full-blown mania. Another point on the continuum would be mixed states, where symptoms of mania and depression are combined,

It may be best also to distinguish between being an addict and having addiction. I am more than my addiction. Even when I was using i had positive qualities and potential. Our self-esteem may be damaged by identifying ourselves with this scourge on humanity. We are learning that there are various markers or "stages" of abstinence and recovery. Our unifying factor is that we are all somewhere on the journey. Also, I believe that those of us with bipolar disorder can be at different places in our recovery.

So what is recovery as applied to bipolar disorder? it seems that medication compliance has been the standard of recovery for many mental illnesses, This seems to assume that the disorder has been properly diagnosed and that the optimal medication is not only currently in existence, but has been correctly prescribed, Unfortunately, it has unfolded that different people with the same disorder respond better to different medications or combinations of medications.

Research has shown that non-medicine approaches to the treatment of bipolar disorder are also effective. To be fair, the best results were achieved with pharmacotherapy (use of medication plus the therapy). One example of this is Interpersonal Social and Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) developed by Ellen Frank and others. They developed a 5 item social metric which advocates for regularity with 5 behaviors: getting out of bed, first contact with another person, Starting work, school, volunteering or family care, dinner and bed-time. They found that clients gained more mood stability as they got closer to performing theses function about the same time every day. There is also a 17 item version of the social metric. Attention to the consistency of sleep may be another factor in mood stability. Frank and associates seem to have begun the work of helping clients to change their daily routines.

Other empirically supported psychosocial treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Marital and Family Therapy. A specific form of family therapy, known as Family Focused Therapy has been shown to be effective for clients with bipolar disorder and their families. A growing body of evidence-based practices implies new parameters for being in recovery from bipolar disorder. My own experience is that different people are attracted to and therefor more likely to practice different behaviors that contribute to mood stability, Perhaps we can see recovery tools as a buffet. As more of the tools are selected and used we can become healthier and healthier. After all, isn't it all about balance?