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Things To Know
One of the most important tools in your mental health toolbox is information.
Simply knowing the facts about your condition (or the condition of your
loved one) can mitigate the way the illness impacts one's life.
The link below will allow you to download a booklet called Taking Charge: A Guide To Living With Bipolar Disorder And Depression.It
describes Bipolar and Depression, therapies, medications, keys to
recovery, book lists and more. The booklet is available in two formats:
Microsoft Word Doc format, and Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
TakingCharge.doc /TakingCharge.PDF
Finding a good psychiatrist
is No. 1 in your Wellness Kit. For your convenience, we're providing
viewers with a partial listing of psychiatrists in the Philadelphia
area. [Distribution of this document does not indicate endorsement by
New Directions].
Psychiatrists.doc /Psychiatrists.PDF
Another source of information
comes from The DBSA [The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance]
newsletter, which covers the latest in Mood Disorder research, success
stories, and other items of interest. To subscribe to the newsletter,
send an email to webmaster@DBSA.org
Keys To Wellness:
Credo:
Your mental health-your moods, your behavior and acuity of mind -are
the most important things you possess. To achieve these
incontrovertible essences:
- Find the
very best psychiatrist you can find. Good psychiatrists are found in
all sectors of society, from large teaching hospitals to private
practice to community mental health centers. Use every resource you
have, including paying out of pocket, to find a good psychiatrist.
- You
and your doctor should be partners, working hand in hand to find the
medication(s) that work best for you. Make sure your doctor is
listening to you, respecting you and responding to your needs.
- It is important that you not feel intimidated by your psychiatrist, and that you do not put him or her on a pedestal.
- Psychiatry
today is a collaboration between doctor and patient. Get parameters for
your medication. In other words, how much medication is it okay to
safely take by yourself? For example, if you are unable to fall back to
sleep at night, have the doctor give you parameters of how much
additional medication you can safely take.
- If you
are having trouble with medication and feel you'd like to consult
another doctor, by all means get a consultation with someone else. You
should not feel you are being disloyal to your doctor. In fact, good
doctors will welcome-or even suggest-another opinion.
- Work
with a therapist who understands mood disorders and can guide you
toward self-acceptance; getting along with your family; getting along
with co-workers; maintaining a scheduled, balanced life; handling
anxiety and anger, and being alert to episode-triggering events.
- Establish
a powerful support system-friends, family, support group-and make
generous use of them. Don't be afraid to reach out. Just talking to
someone who understands is a powerful mood-stabilizer. You should have
a network of people that you can phone or meet with when you are going
through a hard time. Attend a support group and bond with people who
can be of help to you. Then in times of need call them up. When you
call, say something like, "I'm having a bad day"... "I'm struggling"...
or "I need someone to talk to." Never feel weak or ashamed to reach
out. Your mental health, the most important thing you own, depends on
it.
- Avoid "toxic situations." Often it is
difficult for us to be around certain people or situations which
exacerbate our illness. Drug or alcohol abuse worsens our illnesses.
Avoid circumstances which increase risk for drug abuse, such as
spending significant amounts of time with individuals who are abusing
drugs in your presence. Structure your life, with the help of your
support team, to learn how to live with the inevitable anxiety and
disappointment that are a part of life.
- Pursue
the wonderful! Find out what makes you feel good about yourself and the
world around you. Pursue it for all its worth: People you love...
art... nature. The possibilities are endless!
Content © 2005 (c) 2008 New Directions