Bipolar disorder affects approximately 1% of the population. It is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by manic and/or depressive episodes. It can have devastating consequences for the patient's life, especially if they have a lot of recurrence and the condition is not well controlled. If you have bipolar disorder, you may find yourself having trouble at work and having problems with your colleagues. When your family members are frustrated with your behavior when you are not feeling well, social barriers can also arise. In particular, divorce rates for patients with bipolar disorder are much higher. Patients with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of suicide, especially when they are in an uncomfortable state of mind.

Therefore, prevention of recurrence of bipolar disorder is essential to prevent deterioration of psychosocial and occupational functions. Here are some steps you can take with any other person with or with bipolar disorder to ensure you have the lowest possible risk of recurrence.

1. Look at your psychiatrist

Many times, patients will violate their treatment because they do not believe in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and are not sure how the medication or treatment will help them. Usually, when a patient is unwell, a bipolar diagnosis is made. Even if the doctor does take a lot of time to explain and conduct psychological education about the bipolar, the patient may not understand the problem at hand because of poor judgment. And concentrate during periods of manic or depressive episodes.

Therefore, when you feel better, you must repeat the education about illness and treatment in subsequent classes. If your psychiatrist does not do this, it is best to mention and clarify any questions or concerns you may have about your condition.

Good contact with your psychiatrist will help you understand your illness and build trust in your treatment plan. It takes time, so it's important to stick to appointments and see a doctor regularly.

2. Know yourself

No one knows you better than yourself. Yes, not even your therapist or your psychiatrist. You know best what is your stress and what makes you happy and satisfied. Finding time to explore these issues and understanding them will help you. Understand your limitations and seek to accept them. Remember, you can only begin to change yourself if you accept who you are.

Many patients with bipolar disorder begin to worry about recurrence when they feel happy or sad. Know your emotional limits and record them on normal days, which will help you understand them better. By understanding your normal mood, you can begin to be aware of abnormal emotional states and take the necessary steps when they occur.

3. Know your condition

In bipolar disorder, there is usually a recurrence feature. This means that the pattern can be discerned before recurrence. For example, some patients may start sleepless nights, or they may begin to notice that they are more talkative or speak faster. Knowing your illness will help you determine your recurrence signature. This will in turn allow you to seek treatment as soon as possible and prevent recurrence.

4. Stick to your schedule

It has been shown that patients with bipolar disorder have performed well with a stable biosocial rhythm. This means that regular rhythms in regular activities such as sleep, wakefulness, eating and exercise can improve quality of life, alleviate symptoms, and help prevent recurrence.

5. Stick to the use of drugs!

The best evidence for preventing recurrence is to make sure you take your medication regularly and replenish it in a timely manner. Generally, when the disease is relieved, the dose of the drug can be reduced. If your medication has side effects, you should talk to your psychiatrist about how best to reduce or overcome them. Sudden stop taking the drug will put you at risk of recurrence!

Method for preventing recurrence of bipolar disorder was originally published on Spring