Pulling the Trigger on Bipolar
22 June 2009
2 Comments
Many people think the extreme mood shifts in Bipolar are like erratic winds. There’s no telling when the person with Bipolar will blow up or bury down. I also had that view once upon a time. Now, I’m learning Bipolar has predictable triggers. A mania or a depression episode doesn’t just fall out of the sky. There are certain events and actions that trigger a Bipolar episode.
Why Tackle Triggers?
Just like there are triggers increasing the inches around a person’s waist – lack of exercise, stress, increase in appetite – there are also mania and depression triggers beckoning an episode.
Knowing Bipolar triggers beforehand is a monumental step towards prevention and recovery. Why? Preventing Bipolar can save trips to the doctor and hospital. It can keep relationships strong and help you manage the disorder more effectively. Prevention also doesn’t cost much.
Interestingly, it is not always negative stressors that can make you ill. It can also be positive and joyful events. Any major changes and stressors can make you sick. So it’s a smart idea to keep a look out for the following triggers. You’ll also want to schedule a doctor’s appointment around major events to stay on the safe side.
Bipolar Triggers
These are some general Bipolar Disorder triggers:
- Salah deprivation – missing one of the 5 daily prayers or not praying at the appointed time
- Sleep disruption – missing sleep or sleeping too much
- Changes in work and/or school or moving to a new place
- New relationships – marriage, new baby
- Travel
- Malnourished diet
- Lack of exercise
- Too much pressure – deadlines, taking on too much work
- Joyous social events
- Alcohol and street drugs – practicing Muslims have this covered
Add your personal triggers to the above list and put them up where you look often like your fridge, desktop and beside your mirror until you know them. This will serve as a great reminder for yourself and your family in sha Allah.
Knowing these triggers can lift a lot of confusion off your shoulders. Many times, I felt super depressed after parties and could not figure out why. I thought I was being ungrateful for the fun I just had. This led to a lot of self-beating. Now I realize the major cause was Bipolar. And because I am working on the cause (Bipolar) the effect (depression) is subsiding.
Which triggers cause you the biggest challenge? How do you deal with them effectively?
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Asalaamu alikoum!
SubhonAllah I just watched a video on bipolar and the triggers and how *everyone* is bipolar in the sense that we experience highs and lows but those “diagnosed” as bipolar often have many triggers (usually from childhood) and so certain looks, sounds, scenarios can start an ‘episode’.
There is a technique called EFT (emotional freedom technique) and mixed with NLP is VERY effective in removing these triggers completely.
The site above has information and contact for some practitioners. There is Robert, but there is also Linda who is very good.
Hope this helps. I did have an appointment with Linda and watched several of Robert’s videos and learned a ton and have been helped a ton alhamdulillah..
Take Care Sister
and masha’allah I didn’t know Saba meant Morning Wind…now I love the name even more subhonAllah!
25 July 2009 at 10:51 am