BIPOLAR AND ‘RECOVERY’: MORE THAN JUST ABSENCE OF SYMPTOMS

Wellness is not defined simply by ‘the absence of illness or stress.’ So here’s how to move in a positive direction toward a fulfilling life.

Dimensions of Wellness

With bipolar or any other brain-based health disorder, recognizing signs of illness is important. So, too, is being able to recognize what it looks like to be well. After all, being free of symptoms is just part of a holistic approach to mood stability.

According to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), true wellness is not merely the absence of symptoms or stress. Instead, a fulfilling life involves paying appropriate attention to all eight “dimensions of wellness” — interrelated elements of well-being shared among us all.

There are practical ways to create (and sustain) a healthful lifestyle — being mindful of the various aspects of a life well-lived is a good place to start.

1.  Emotional

It goes without saying that bipolar disorder involves coping with strong emotions. Beyond those more-intense feelings, however, looking after our emotional health also entails learning to effectively handle life’s challenges and create satisfying relationships.

None of us lives in true isolation, and a life devoid of community comes at a cost to our emotional health. Investing time, energy, and effort into sustaining relationships that are mutually supportive and fulfilling contributes not only to our own well-being but also to our loved ones’ wellness and quality of life.

2.  Environmental

At the very base of famed psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs — a depiction of the building blocks for self-actualization, or the realization of a person’s full potential — we find our safety and physiological needs.

These human requirements include water, shelter, personal security, resources, and other similar necessities. Safe and pleasant surroundings support well-being and are required for a life of health and purpose.

3.  Financial

Stress about financial stability frequently ranks as a top concern among the general public. When hypomanic or manic episodes result in risky decision-making about money, gambling, and overspending, these woes are exacerbated — sometimes intensely so.

It should come as no surprise, then, that maintaining a stable lifestyle entails reducing stress and anxiety around our financial situation.

4.  Intellectual

Learning new things, harnessing creativity, and thinking critically are key to a rich inner — and intellectual — life. Those who live with bipolar are often regarded as people who have a flair for certain skills and an entrepreneurial spirit. According to SAMSHA, an important element of wellness includes recognizing one’s creative abilities and exploring ways to expand special knowledge and skills.

5.  Occupational

In most cases, occupational stability is connected to having our basic needs met — what SAMSHA refers to as the emotional dimension, entailing our basic safety and security needs.

But, beyond providing for basic needs, our work, whether volunteer or paid, can also provide a source of meaning, a sense of purpose, and personal satisfaction. As such, it, too, is an important part of a fulfilling life of wellness.

6.  Physical

The more we learn about the brain and mind, the more we understand how interconnected it is with the rest of the body. Our mental health is very much contingent on our physical health.

As many who live with physical health conditions can attest, when we are unwell, our quality of life can decrease — and often our mental and emotional health also suffer negative consequences.

Caring for the body by engaging in regular physical activity, consuming healthy foods, staying hydrated, and obtaining restorative sleep all contribute to our overall wellness.

7.  Social

As recent years have demonstrated, maintaining connections — whether in-person or virtually — is imperative to our health and stability. We neglect our social lives to our own detriment. Developing a sense of connection, cultivating the feeling of belonging, and trusting in others as part of a wider support system are especially important when facing the challenges of living with bipolar disorder.

8.  Spiritual

Although how we define this aspect of our lives varies from person to person, it has been shown time and again that having a sense of purpose and meaning in life is a net win when it comes to living well and feeling fulfilled.

UPDATED: Expanded, June 16, 2022

The post Bipolar and ‘Recovery’: More Than Just Absence of Symptoms appeared first on bpHope.com.

2024-04-15T15:36:33Z dg43tfdfdgfd