BIPOLAR DISORDER AWARENESS

5 Types of Narcissism and How to Recognize Each

from PsychCentral.com; Medically reviewed by Jeffrey Ditzell, DO — Written by Courtney Telloian on September 15, 2021

As a personality trait, narcissism can come in many forms and levels of severity. As a mental health condition, there’s only one diagnosis. 

Read more:  How Many Types of Narcissism are There? (psychcentral.com)

Are You a Perfectionist? Bipolar and Perfectionism May Go Hand in Hand

ibpf.org; By: Conor Bezane

A perfectionist strives for that which is flawless. Impeccable. Immaculate. My name is Conor, and I’m a perfectionist. I also have bipolar disorder.

According to Psychology Today:

Perfectionism is a trait that makes life an endless report card on accomplishments or looks. A fast and enduring track to unhappiness, it is often accompanied by depression and eating disorders. What makes perfectionism so toxic is that while those in its grip desire success, they are most focused on avoiding failure, so theirs is a negative orientation.

Read more: Are You a Perfectionist? Bipolar and Perfectionism May Go Hand in Hand - International Bipolar Foundation (ibpf.org)

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bphope article

"Moving from Regret to Acceptance"

- Robin L. Flanigan

Moving from Regret to Acceptance
By Robin L. Flanigan

Senior writer, bphope newsletters

“It’s toughest to forgive ourselves. So, it’s probably best to start with other people. It’s almost like peeling an onion. Layer by layer, forgiving others, you really do get to the point where you can forgive yourself.” —Patty Duke, actress and mental health advocate with bipolar

It can be much easier to do things for others than for ourselves—and that includes offering forgiveness.

Instead, we can tend to hang onto shame and regret, especially after a bipolar episode, and avoid taking responsibility for our behavior, which would help us move on.

“Regret is a powerful and potentially devastating emotion,” says Michael Craig Miller, MD.

Here’s where the power of self-forgiveness comes in.

Studies have shown that the inability to self-forgive can be a factor in depression, anxiety, and a weakened immune system. According to therapist Keir Brady, that’s because beating ourselves up strengthens feelings of guilt and shame and reinforces the belief that we’re inherently flawed.

On the other hand, says Brady: “Self-forgiveness enables you to separate who you are from the mistakes you have made. This way, you can begin to learn from your choices and find ways to make amends when possible.”

In fact, as psychology researchers from Baylor University found, making amends makes self-forgiveness easier.

To take ownership of our actions and gradually move to a place of self-compassion and growth, Helen Brown, PhD, suggests fostering benevolent thoughts and emotions, as well as actively trying to make things right by repairing relationships and reaffirming any moral values that were broken.

No one is perfect. We’re going to make mistakes. However, learning from them helps cultivate an inner strength that can be used during—and after—the next mood episode.

When bphope blogger Carin Meyer comes out of a mood cycle, she writes down a list of her qualities: “I remind myself that bipolar does not define me,” she says, “that it is a biological disorder, and—most importantly, that I am a good person.”

From Regret to Self-Forgiveness | bpHope.com

A Mindfulness Technique

The Bipolar Matrix

This is pretty cool.  Click here for the video. (1) THE BIPOLAR MATRIX: Mindfulness Technique - Polar Warriors - Bing video

8 Best Quotes about Bipolar Disorder from Kay Redfield Jamison

By Tanya Hvilivitzky
Last Updated: 1 Jul 2021

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8 Best Quotes from Kay Redfield Jamison about Bipolar Disorder | bpHope.com

Food for Thought

12 Super foods that help manage bipolar moods

Read the whole article here. 12 “Superfoods” That Help Manage Bipolar Moods | bpHope.com

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#1 Avocados

#2 Beans

#3 Walnuts

#4 Dark Chocolate

#5 Fruit...

for more, click on the link above.