Greeting the Return of an Episode by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
In my past blog post, Bipolar Disorder: How Does Therapy Help the Return of an Episode, I described many different thoughts and feelings an individual might experience when an episode returns.
The return of depressive, manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes can bring up negative thoughts and emotions. These thoughts and feelings can feel all-consuming, and your thoughts and feelings about the return of episode are valid.
It’s here, now what?
What is done about the return of an episode is crucial. This means that action steps are taken so that the episode doesn’t increase in severity to the point where the individual is not taking care of themselves, not doing things they need to be doing, or lead to safety concerns.
How Do I Create Action Steps?
First, there’s importance in acknowledging that an episode is here. Dismissing or trying to ignore the episode will not be helpful. Next, use the identified solutions in your action plan. Creating solutions is done with a mental health professional. Solutions are created beforehand and vary depending on the person, what’s helpful to them, and the symptoms the individual most often experiences in their episode type. A few examples include specific go-to things the individual will do when they experience negative thoughts, specific things that will be done or quiet locations they’ll go to if they become irritable, relying on a specific person for support, calling their therapist, or knowing when an individual needs to go to the hospital.
You don’t have to do this alone. I specialize in bipolar disorder. Want to be a client? Let’s schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation.
I can provide video therapy. 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.