Newly Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder? How to Process Your Emotions
If you’ve just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might feel like your world has been turned upside down. The prospect of getting on mood-stabilizing medication can make you wonder whether you’ll truly be yourself again.
If you’re a creative person, you may feel your mood shifts fed your creativity—so what happens when you’re more even keel? It’s important to think of this as an opportunity. You’re beginning a new stage of your life. Processing your emotions won’t always be easy, but in the end, you’ll come out stronger.
Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling
After the diagnosis, it’s okay to feel a whirlwind of emotions. What you knew about yourself has been put into a new light. Don’t judge yourself for whatever you’re thinking or feeling. Denying or suppressing your feelings can intensify them over time. Instead, acknowledge and name each emotion as it arises. Getting in tune with your feelings now will help you as you progress through treatment.
Educate yourself
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to understanding your condition. Take the time to educate yourself about bipolar disorder. Learn about its symptoms, triggers, treatment options, and coping strategies. Look into books by people diagnosed and treated successfully—seeing yourself in other people’s stories can give you a whole new perspective on what you’re going through. Understanding what you’re dealing with can help demystify the condition and empower you to take control of your mental health.
Keep up with treatment
Some people rationalize quitting medication and treatment early in their diagnosis. This is absolutely the wrong thing to do. Stay connected with your treatment team and talk to them about your concerns. Keep taking your medication, especially since it can take weeks to take effect. While it might seem like nothing is working, give it time.
Focus on what you can control
While your world might feel completely unmoored right now, focusing on what you can control can help you regain a sense of agency. Look for the things in your life you influence, such as sticking to your treatment plan, getting in touch with your emotions, and working on newer, healthy coping skills. Focusing on these things will give you something to hold on to daily.
Keep a journal
Journaling can be a valuable therapeutic outlet for processing your emotions and tracking your moods. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences each day. Reflecting on your journal entries over time can give you insights into your emotional patterns. One day, you’ll reflect on these and see how far you’ve come.
Set realistic expectations
Adjusting to life with bipolar disorder takes time. Be realistic about what you can achieve, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps—for example, taking your medication daily and seeing a therapist weekly. Celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Setbacks are a natural part of the recovery process. Progress isn’t always linear, and that’s okay.
Be kind to yourself
Be gentle with yourself right now. Self-compassion means treating yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, especially when you’re struggling. Practice self-care activities that nurture your mind and body, whether it’s taking a warm bath, going for walks in nature, or meditating. Find an activity you love and stick to it each day or week.
Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
Coping with these new feelings and experiences isn’t always easy—in fact, more often than not it’s a difficult journey. Find a therapist you connect with who can guide you through these complicated emotions.
To find out more about how therapy can help you cope with bipolar disorder, please reach out to us for depression treatment.
