DIY: stabilize your mood in four steps

Relax News
Monday 08 March 2010 20:00 EST
Comments
(2010 Julie A. Fast)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Julie Fast, an author and expert on bipolar disorder, explains four steps to stabilize your mood and combat depression and mania.

On HealthPlace.com's youtube videos, Fast shares her tools for mood stability and other important tips for living with bipolar disorder.

"You can have a much higher quality of life, there is no question about it. It takes work and sometimes takes years, but you can start and it's definitely possible, " said Fast.

The process begins with finding the right doctor. Unfortunately this can be a great obstacle as the primary course of action requires a screening by a general physician not formerly trained in psychology but expected to diagnose.

Bradley Gaynes, M.D., M.P.H, associate professor of psychiatry at UNC, said for those "who suffer from depression and anxiety-related mental health disorders never receive treatment because they don't understand what's wrong, and when they go to their family doctor these treatable illnesses are too often missed."

Fast's four-step plan to mood stability includes:

Step 1: Medication (work with your physician to get it right, many drugs have side effects that can be avoided with other options)
Step 2: Lifestyle changes (take a look at your daily life, give up the addictions)
Step 3: Behavioral modification (get positive, look to the future)
Step 4: Ask for help (share with friends and family, get comfortable with them acknowledging your depressive or manic actions, reactions)

Listen to Fast explain all of her "Tools for mood stability" (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNwsHR9f3HA&NR=1

The 4-step plan to mood stability in greater detail (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iaMOT9HZFU&feature=related

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in