Righting The Ship: Weathering the Storms of Bipolar II Disorder

Having attempted suicide, I'm well aware of my own vulnerability and of the dangers my unchecked thoughts and moods create. Given this, I believe that it's essential that I have a Crisis Plan - what I call My Self-Care Plan  - in place to help supplement my safety should the crisis arise. This is that Plan . In presenting it to you I include notes explaining why I've structured My Self-Care Plan as I have. As you'll read in those notes, I view my Plan as something that helps me not only in a time of crisis, but as I conduct my everyday life. My Self-Care Plan Shortly after I attempted suicide, I read about crisis plans. I immediately sensed that this was a tool that I'd benefit from; however, I didn't know how to create one so I asked my case manager to help me. He agreed and made a few suggestions on what I might want to include: the warning signs of mood change, the signs that immediate action is needed, who to approach for help, how to distract myself, etce...

A common theme when speaking of our thoughts is to remind ourselves that thoughts are not the same as facts, as truths. However, just because something is untrue doesn't mean that it's a lie. Allow me to explain my thinking on this. When I'm hypomanic a number of changes are present. I feel lighter on my feet. My body posture is more erect and my shoulders are uplifted and straight. My gait is something of a strut. My pace is quicker, more assured. My thinking accelerates as ideas come quickly and fully composed. They come effortlessly and bouy my mood. I can concentrate, focus. However, over time everything quickens, the thoughts come too quickly to hold onto, and focus becomes muddled. Mistakes creep in and I begin to lose myself. Alongside this is a general sense of improved well-being, of improved confidence. It can, and has, shifted to growing feelings of grandiosity, of an invulnerability, a sense I can do no wrong. Conversely, when I'm depressed different changes...