The Holidays staying Stable

[CRSeaside]

What is your best coping mechanism for staying safe & stable on your Bipolar meds during the Thanksgiving & Holidays? We need to be here for each other & be strong. New Years party's the works!

[CRSeaside]

One way I cope is to get out of Dodge!
By spending Thanksgiving , my anniversary , Christmas, New Years & my Birthday down here in Costa Rica I can eliminate tons of stress.
     Except my totally manic years, when I buy loads of gifts & food, get a bunch of workers to execute my plans & Party•Party•Party.
     Key words here are " I can" , not I will. With Bipolar there seems to be at least in the very early stage of Mania an element of choice.  Pamela

[weaver71]

Accept that enjoying Bailys is a good memory. Make a toast with water. I think about what the scene will look like if I go manic and get drunk. Then I know that I am not drinking for everyone's benefit, not just mine. Maintain perspective that there are things you want even more than to drink. Remember that you are okay without it. You are better without it, because you feel yourself doing what is right for all those around you. Then you go through the experience and reflect on it. You just made a drink free memory to start replacing your old memory of how things used to be. That is my crazy train of thought that I go through in those situations. Recovery from my addictions, doing things despite consequences, I have to redefine my past by making a new one. As time passes, recovery will be a section of time in the past. I will have to focus on my personal growth for the rest of my life, but there are worse penalties for doing what I felt like doing for so long. Now it's time to be better, not worrying about feeling better. I think that will be what leads to feeling good as a side effect. Buddha said that if you meditate seeking enlightenment, you are not meditating. Jesus said unless you go to the father like little children, you won't find the Kingdom. Lao Tsu wrote about surrender to the Tao, not resisting the balance. I think with the mental process I shared above, I think that our spirit is involved. People feel inspired by many things. Anything that makes a person want to be their very best and is worth sacrificing some things for. Mainly booze and other drugs, but old bad thinking habits too. It's the inspiration this manic misses most, so I look for it anywhere I can find it. Hope I make sense, I wonder sometimes.

[CRSeaside]

One of the biggest temptations of the Holidays is DRINKING.
   Every bottle of medicine I have says DO NOT USE W ALCOHOL.
There are wine toasts w dinner, excuses== Oh it's the Holidays. A little won't hurt. There is that Liter of Baileys, my husband picked up at Duty Free. ( my absolute favorite.
Plus/!Alcohol is a trigger for Bipolar. In my case anyway.
So coping mechanism?
I need one.  Pamela

[89NotAgain]

That's a med I don't know about. We have been on med after med. Good luck n glad its working! !

[007Bunny]

How true.
Pam I minimased have to as I simply couldn't do anything and nearlybecame hoarder. I really had to move to be able to get rid of things and a mess. I am still on my way to recovery but it is much muchbetter at the moment.
I fount CBT very useful but was stripped off it when they decided that I am ill enough to have psychiatrist. So I had just one assesment with psychologist and I am waiting for another appointment. It is a waiting game here in the UK but it is free. I will get there.
I am trying my best and sometimes I am just building Lego with my son for hours and hours. I really enjoy him. I know he will grow up very fast and will have his own life. I just hope he will have nice memories on his childhood. :)
I had to tell him that I am ill as sometimes I am really - out of order and I don't want he thinks it is because of him. I told him that dome chemicals in my brain are naughty and make me unwell. He explored my head from front to back, shaked it and said that the chemicals are now at the right places lol. Two days later he told me ' poor mummy you are not well as you are shouting at me'. Upsss. And he was calm and composed as usual.
I really hope Lamictal will be compatible with me as it is the best choice for my condition.
Fab to have you here people to have a chat. :) Marie

[weaver71]

I haven't been on meds long, but pre meds, I tried to live vicariously. I turned my attention of of how I felt, and how I can make my family comfortable. Sometimes that meant a walk or just listening. If I was depressed, I thought of all the kids who woke up alone that morning or on the street. If I can give my mood a bigger meaning than just feeling that way, somehow it defuses me some. I am a huge fan if CBT and directing my focus as best I can, it's not fool proof obviously, this fool has lost it plenty, but it has helped.

[CRSeaside]

Minimize " the I Have" in life to, " I will do my very best ". Happy Holidays

[007Bunny]

Pam I am trying to minimaze lol. I moved in the summer and decided thst I HAVE to keep the place tidy and in order - therefore all the place is white. How calming. Things are getting into place slowly. I have a fantastic relationship with my son and he is the best what happened to me in my life. He is my lifesaver as well. :)
I am trying not to think but it is hard. I am sure I will calm down eventually. Not sure if I will ever survive Christmas without depression ;).
Oh my son has packed some pressies for me already  lol. And I need to buy more wraping paper now! X

[CRSeaside]

Hi Marie, remember love is the best gift you can give. I practically raised my 2 1/2 brothers. My mom was sick (may have been post partum)
The 2 little boys had more fun with the wrapping & empty boxes. Spend your free time with your child.
   Thinking about the future too much , caused anxiety.
Being too much in the past causes depression.  Minimize things instead.
Thanks for your reply. Pamela

[007Bunny]

So far none Pam :(. I struggle with it all the time and I woke up last year from Christmas depression in mid April. On the top of it I have to do fab Christmas for my son - something what I never had as a child. I always over do things.
I am hoping every year that this will the year when this s*** will end - so far no success. Lets hope Lamictal will be helpful this year. Actually I feel much better already as I know what's going on with me ( freshly diagnosed). The knowledge is the power. Have a good day. Marie