Overworking in Bipolar Disorder by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
The ability to be highly productive can feel like an asset in bipolar disorder. It can be easy to complete many tasks or produce a lot of work at the beginning of a manic or hypomanic episode. Plus, other people in the individual’s life may even praise them for their productivity. Productivity can also feel like the last thing an individual would want to reduce.
The Challenge
Individuals might ride the high of their symptoms when a manic or hypomanic episode begins to take form, leading to an abundance of ideas and inspirations. Pressing the stop button, or calling it a day, might be the last thing on the individual’s mind. The dilemma is that riding this high can make the episode come to fruition. This means that what started out as productivity and excitement has evolved into difficulty staying on one task, difficulty with clear ideas, irritability or anger, loss of sleep, and internal feelings of physical restlessness. Fortunately, you can complete the tasks you need to complete in a way that is contained so that it does not fuel mood episodes.
Things to Consider
Use your motivation and skills to plan out deadlines beforehand. This means scheduling what needs to be done and the due dates.
Scheduling a certain number of tasks to complete each day.
Decide on a time of day or night that you will stop doing work. This is important so that you know when to stop and shift your focus to your personal relationships, relaxation strategies, nighttime routine, or other coping skills that you can do to decompress.
Create a sleep routine. Having a sleep routine is the foundation of mood management. After doing a sleep routine on a regular, consistent basis, your mind and body will get used to it and it will become easier to fall asleep. If you would like tips, watch the video below:
(NOTE: This video was filmed when my office was a at previous location. I am now in Irivine, CA)
You don’t have to do this alone. I specialize in bipolar disorder. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.