A person with bipolar disorder experiences times of
severe depression and
times of mania, or "high" mood. The risks during a low mood include
an inability to function at work and in other areas of life. During mania, the
person may be at risk of making reckless decisions. If the mood becomes too
high or low, psychosis can
develop. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but treatment enables people to
manage it. Some of the following lifestyle adaptations can also help, alongside
the medication:
a.
Lifestyle changes
Counseling, cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT), and a range of lifestyle changes can
help people with bipolar disorder to manage their symptoms and improve their
overall quality of life.
b.
Sleep
Regular sleep is important for people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar
disorder can disrupt a person's sleep. During a manic phase, an individual may
sleep very little, but during a low phase, they may sleep for a long time. Missing
sleep can trigger a mood change, and getting enough sleep is essential to
managing mood. Good sleep hygiene can encourage people with the condition to
have regular sleep. Tips include:
-
going to bed and getting up at regular hours
-
making sure the room is comfortable
-
avoiding screen time and potentially stressful situations before
bed
-
not eating a large meal too soon to sleeping
-
avoiding or limiting alcohol intake
-
People with bipolar disorder who have difficulty sleeping should
speak to their physician.
c.
Diet
A healthful diet is an important lifestyle habit for a
person with bipolar disorder. A 2011 study found that up to 68 percent of people seeking treatment
for bipolar disorder have excess weight or obesity.
People with bipolar disorder also had a higher risk of various other
conditions, including diabetes, low bone density, and cardiovascular
disease. A healthful diet can help to reduce the risk of these conditions. In
2013, another study found that people
with bipolar disorder are more likely to engage in binge eating than the
general population. This may be a side effect of medication or due to
overeating during episodes of depression. Being overweight can complicate
recovery and increase the risk of diabetes, high
blood pressure, and anxiety. Regular eating habits can help people with bipolar disorder
to stay healthy and avoid gaining excess weight.
Doctors do not know what causes bipolar disorder, but it
may be due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
These chemicals, also called neurotransmitters, are noradrenaline, dopamine,
and serotonin.
Serotonin can also affect appetite. It may be that when serotonin levels are
low, people experience cravings for carbohydrates and
sweet foods. Tips for maintaining a healthful diet include:
-
keeping to regular eating times
-
ensuring that the diet is varied, well-balanced, and has plenty
of fresh fruits and vegetables
-
making a meal plan for the week, preparing a list before going
to the grocery store, and sticking to it
-
Learning and
practicing new recipes during times of positive mood may help a person to
establish these habits.
d.
Exercise
Moderate and regular exercise can help to balance mood
and prevent a number of health problems, such as obesity and cardiovascular
disease. There is a lack of evidence to show that physical activity can
specifically help people with bipolar disorder, but some research suggests it
may help to improve mood during a low phase. A 2015 review of studies suggested that exercise
"may be a viable and effective strategy to deal with the depressive phase
of bipolar disorder." Another review, published in
2016, concluded that "generally, exercise was associated with improved
health measures, including depressive symptoms, functioning, and quality of
life." More studies are needed to find out how much exercise an individual
should have, how often, and how intense the activity should be, especially as
bipolar disorder involves a number of physical and psychological factors.
People
with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of engaging in addictive behaviors. One
study found that 56 percent of
people with the condition had at some time experienced addiction involving
either alcohol or drugs. Certain circuits in the brain play a role in pursuing
rewarding experiences. One study has suggested that people with bipolar
disorder have stronger activation in these circuits. This may be what drives the person towards
risky behavior. The positive side of this, say the authors of the study, is
that it encourages people to work with energy toward their goals and ambitions.
On the other hand, it may mean that an individual focuses fully on the
short-term rewards of a decision while disregarding the possible long-term
risks. Tips for avoiding these problems include:
-
becoming more aware of any tendency to engage in risky — for
example, addictive — behaviors
-
seeking help if there is already a problem
-
asking friends and loved ones to support any decisions to avoid
destructive or addictive behaviors
-
Friends who are
aware of the risks might, for example, suggest going to see a movie instead of
a bar on a night out.
Article courtesy of Medical News today
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