Being Bipolar In The Time Of Coronavirus
Remaining stable is no treat while the world is in panic.
Whenever you check your Facebook feed these days, you’re bombarded with scenes reminiscing the latest Black Mirror episode. Only this time, it’s for real. Is the world about to end? Is this the apocalypse? Probably not, but your bipolar brain does not need much to be overstimulated, and before you know it, you’re spiraling deeper and deeper into anxiety fueled paranoia.
What is bipolar disorder, for those who don’t know? According to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), bipolar disorder is a group of brain disorders that cause extreme fluctuation in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Sounds complicated? Basically, if you’re “blessed” with this illness, you can experience periods of major depression (extreme sadness) as well as hypomania or mania (extremely elevated mood or activity).
Crisis situations make it extra challenging to remain calm and stable, as bipolar patients normally benefit from a trigger-free environment. But can life be free of triggers? Unless you can afford to buy your own paradise island, that scenario is very unlikely. What remains is equipping ourselves with a set of coping mechanisms, and making sure we don’t leap into hysteria. Ironically, social distancing can be a great opportunity to enjoy the safety of our own homes and take some well deserved break from the usual rush of everyday life.
Coping strategies
Are you able to work from home? Great! Make sure you still follow a daily schedule as lazing around all day can often prove detrimental to our health. Get off social media, and try to stay productive. Use the time that you gain from not having to commute to:
- Start that online yoga course that you’ve been putting off
- Write your morning journal
- Meditate and practice mindfulness
- Work on that passion project you never had the time to explore
- Take a nice brisk walk with your dog… because fresh air is still okay!
- Catch up on those books that you never read
- Maybe start learning a new language?
But what if all of this is putting you under pressure?
Then don’t.
The beauty about quarantine is that you’re allowed to claim this time as yours to do as you please.
I get it. You see all these people bragging about how they’re launching their new website, writing a book and learning Japanese while also following HIIT classes online, and the thought of having to match all that sudden burst of productivity is just too damn overwhelming.
So what else can you do? How about this: just relax.
Turn your quarantine into a mini-break. Do things that calm you down. Listen to your favorite music. Watch your favorite show. Breathe and be conscious of your breathing. Allow yourself to do nothing and just be in the moment. Whatever you decide to do with all this time, do not feel guilty. You’re already doing the world a huge favor by just staying home. That’s a pretty significant task to check off your to-do list, if you ask me!
Lastly, stay in regular contact with your loved ones. If you have a decent internet connection, it should be easy enough to video call them. How about a Skype session with your friend while you’re having tea? Or even a glass of wine? I personally find a beer conference call with my mates incredibly fun and heartwarming in these isolating times. You might even find you’ll rediscover some long-lost connections this way.
“Bees need a hive, people need a tribe.” — Johann Hari
Keep an eye on yourself
Watch out for symptoms such as obsessive thoughts or difficulty sleeping. Keep in touch with a professional if need be. Make sure your support system is in place. And in case you haven’t heard this enough already… wash your hands!
