Bipolar Disorder (cont.)
How can I help myself if I have bipolar disorder?
It may be very hard to take that first step to help yourself. It may take
time, but you can get better with treatment.
To help yourself:
- Talk to your doctor about treatment options and progress
- Keep a regular
routine, such as eating meals at the same time every day and going to sleep at
the same time every night
- Try to get enough sleep Stay on your medication
- Learn
about warning signs signaling a shift into depression or mania
- Expect your
symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately.
Where can I go for help?
If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your
family doctor. Others who can help are listed below.
- Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social
workers, or mental health counselors
- Health maintenance organizations
- Community
mental health centers
- Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
- Mental health programs at universities or medical schools
- State hospital
outpatient clinics
- Family services, social agencies, or clergy
- Peer support
groups
- Private clinics and facilities
- Employee assistance programs
- Local medical
and/or psychiatric societies.
You can also check the phone book under "mental
health," "health," "social services," "hotlines," or "physicians" for phone
numbers and addresses. An emergency room doctor can also provide temporary help
and can tell you where and how to get further help.
What if I or someone I know is in crisis?
If you are thinking about harming
yourself, or know someone who is, tell someone who can help immediately.
- Call your doctor.
- Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get
immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
- Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a
trained counselor.
Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.
Next: Where can I find more information about bipolar disorder? »
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