Life Triggers
Trigger Factor
There are triggers I try to avoid on a daily basis, things that can alter my moods or state of mind. It is my responsibility in life to do this. Each one of us have to learn what things trigger our Bipolar Symptom's.
The strongest symptom for me is my Bipolar rage. The medication and the behavior changes I have learned help. This rage, sometimes an unexpected blink of an eye, is the trigger I have to watch out for.
Then there are the life moments that we just can not avoid, because it is life. These can be anywhere from financial issues, job loss, health problems, family problems, to death. A standard form in a psychologist office asks a patient to check off what type of events have occurred in the past twelve months. Some of the above events are usually considered the top ten most stressful in a persons life. Experiencing more one or more can be traumatic for the average Josephine, let alone someone who needs to be avoiding all stress or traumatic situations.
So what do you do to prepare, if there is no time because you are thrown a curve ball?
I have to be prepared ahead of time, a disaster plan if you will. A plan that includes calling the doctor right away, discussing anticipating a crash in moods.
This also includes being very open and honest with my family about what my limitations are.
In these times it is easy to set my expectations for my self too high. This is a set up only to crash in a very untimely situation. Or to have a manic rage in an embarrassing public moment.
There was a time when I thought I had to avoid situations, like funerals, because of the trigger factor. I have learned now how to deal with the family, the people, in smaller doses; to lower my expectations. I have learned how and now I know it is risky, but I can handle it.
Life happens, and we can not avoid all the storms...just be ready for them.
tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[Bipolar Triggers]
[Bipolar Rage]
There are triggers I try to avoid on a daily basis, things that can alter my moods or state of mind. It is my responsibility in life to do this. Each one of us have to learn what things trigger our Bipolar Symptom's.
The strongest symptom for me is my Bipolar rage. The medication and the behavior changes I have learned help. This rage, sometimes an unexpected blink of an eye, is the trigger I have to watch out for.
Then there are the life moments that we just can not avoid, because it is life. These can be anywhere from financial issues, job loss, health problems, family problems, to death. A standard form in a psychologist office asks a patient to check off what type of events have occurred in the past twelve months. Some of the above events are usually considered the top ten most stressful in a persons life. Experiencing more one or more can be traumatic for the average Josephine, let alone someone who needs to be avoiding all stress or traumatic situations.
So what do you do to prepare, if there is no time because you are thrown a curve ball?
I have to be prepared ahead of time, a disaster plan if you will. A plan that includes calling the doctor right away, discussing anticipating a crash in moods.
This also includes being very open and honest with my family about what my limitations are.
In these times it is easy to set my expectations for my self too high. This is a set up only to crash in a very untimely situation. Or to have a manic rage in an embarrassing public moment.
There was a time when I thought I had to avoid situations, like funerals, because of the trigger factor. I have learned now how to deal with the family, the people, in smaller doses; to lower my expectations. I have learned how and now I know it is risky, but I can handle it.
Life happens, and we can not avoid all the storms...just be ready for them.
tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[Bipolar Triggers]
[Bipolar Rage]
posted by Mom, Interrupted at 11:56 AM
5 Comments:
Hi Mom,
The rage is the thing... that is the one thing that I worry about most with my son. Trying to avoid the triggers... I hope my son can get to the point you're at - learning to cope with instead of avoiding the situations.
My triggers are so hard to avoid...some of them involve "Family Members." That is real hard to avoid!
Every time something is going on...at first I have such a good handle on things, but it is amazing how slowly I sink low without realizing it...It just happens to be honest..
As far as Rage Triggers...The worst I've gotten was people pissing me off and then me sending Rage Emails...this was BEFORE I was diagnosed with Bipolar.
Since I've been diagnosed...I am able to recognize the signs and I am able to realize where it is all coming from...and I have learned to back off...stay clear from people because NOW I know where my irritability is coming from and I know how to control it better..
Before I DIDN'T know that there was anything to control...I just thought I was Moody/PMSing!
It is hard sometimes, especially my Crazy/Fun Mania when I want to Party...I Don't but I get very frustrated and drive my husband nuts!!! LOL:)
Nothing makes me crazier than being in a romantic relationship or being in love. I don't handle these things well.
anon mom-
Avoidance is important, and also difficult to learn. (sometimes not entirely possible, unfortunatly)
dream writer-
Family seems to be a tough trigger for so many, and so hard to avoid.
(and mania is so tempting)
amourarmor-
Love, the heart; a toughy.
my god...how can our triggers truly be avoided. i find myself trying so hard to tune them all out. it's difficult when your triggers are the ones you hold so dear.
i came to realize a while ago that it wasn't my husbands fault that i had to start on medication. it wasn't mine either. no more blame, no more passing of the buck. lol i was born with this disorder as was my sister, probably my alcoholic mother, several of my cousins some of which have been in jail several times all the way back to my grandfather who tried to commit suicide a few times.
financial triggers, life triggers...all those things, they come and they go and maybe you can avoid them, but how do you avoid your family. i did for a really long time without realizing or knowing why. i wasted so much time without them.
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