Who_Wouldnt_ t1_iy8bnqc wrote
Lifelong bi-polar II here, anecdotally reporting that my highly active lifestyle was a learned coping mechanism for moderating my hypomania. So while competitive skiers may have a lower incidence of bi-polar, I'd like to see a study of active lifestyle traits of bi-polar vs normal people, there may be more like me who learned that exercise mediates hypo periods.
TheLostHippos t1_iy8or3y wrote
My hypomania makes me exercise... to the point I will injure myself.
neoplastic_pleonasm t1_iy93dej wrote
During my first manic episode, I spent night and day working out with kettle bells in my apartment. I'd switched back to depression by the time I returned to the doc a month later and only realized something had happened when the nurse pointed out I'd lost 30lb.
That being said, I've found that regular exercise (along side my medication and quality sleep) is absolutely vital for preventing mood episodes.
TheLostHippos t1_iy98t22 wrote
I've got two 20 pound kettlebells next to my desk at all times. Sometimes I just need to get that energy out.
Viperbunny t1_iy9u4ps wrote
I have small weights and an exercise ball because I have a two connective tissue disorders, but a need to do something to get out the mania.
Who_Wouldnt_ t1_iy8te72 wrote
What I learned from playing sports was the discipline to expend energy without injuring myself, I wasn't always successful and did overdo it sometimes, but it beat the alternative of just sitting there racing and holding on for dear life inside my head.
DJ__Hanzel t1_iy9tey2 wrote
Getting into the routine of things also helps create structure for navigating the downs of it more easily, I've found.
Viperbunny t1_iy9txsy wrote
Bipolar as well and this was my first thought. I am not always active, but I was in my teenage years because I couldn't deal with my bipolar and BPD mother and NPD father. Getting out and doing stuff was the only way to stay safe and keep myself from doing something destructive.
I watch a lot of videos on mountain climbing, scuba diving, etc, and I have said time and time again that so much of that, "call of the wild," is mania. Lots of broken relationships and a drive to do something they know could kill them because it's the only time they feel real peace. That isn't something I would expect of mentally healthy people. It doesn't seem healthy when people throw their life savings and families away to do some of these things. Not that they can't ever be healthy, they absolutely can. Just that none of what I have learned makes me think this study was looking in the right places.
Remarkable-Bookz t1_iy8hb89 wrote
As another person with such, this isn’t an actual solution, at least one where most people are able to do/take. Don’t try to tell otherwise
Who_Wouldnt_ t1_iy8t0jc wrote
Different approaches work differently for different people, I had no medication options in the 60's and 70's outside of Ritalin, learning to cope in any way I could was paramount to my survival.
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