Everyone has a place or an activity that has a calming effect on them. Sometimes this place is at home, but for others. having friends and family around while they’re recovering can make their moods worse, especially if one’s family is not supportive.
Often, being in a place of peace can help a person to control the onset of mania. If a manic depressive is working a 9 to 5 job that slowly wears them down over time, they will not notice that they are manic until their condition is very advanced, maybe even requiring hospitalization. Taking a timeout to a place where one feel safe or one that is quiet to can help a bipolar get their moods under control.
An essential part of cognitive behavioral therapy is learning to control and manage your emotions, and that includes taking a timeout when you recognize a manic mood getting out of control. Here are some ways to recover from a mood episode or prevent it from preceding further.
Scheduling
Having a daily routine can ensure that you will not stay up late when you are manic, and that you will not sleep too much when you’re depressed. Most people function better with regular schedules, and this includes scheduling when they will eat meals.
Silence
Some people may enjoy noise and consider it therapeutic, while most will prefer a quiet and relaxing environment, so turn off your television and MP3 player, in order to have time to relax.
Isolation
Isolating yourself from criticism when you are recovering is important. No matter what you did, being stressed out is not going to change it, and will probably make your condition worse. You’ll have plenty of time to right any wrongs when you recover from your mood episode.
Find a Retreat
As was previously stated, everyone has a different place of refuge. Some people may enjoy going to the library and reading a book in absolute silence, while others may enjoy a sitting in a dark room and thinking about life. If you don’t have a place that you consider safe, try and find one, even if your idea of therapy involves walking a few laps around a mall.
Keep in mind that learning to deal with mood episodes on your own, by spotting them early and managing them with some alone time, will prevent hospitalization, as well as potentially reduce your need for medication.