Staying well with manic Staying well with manic depression/bipolar disorderdepression/bipolar disorder

Dr Sarah RussellDr Sarah Russell

Research Matters

Defining “staying well”Defining “staying well”

Staying well

What is a stay well plan?What is a stay well plan?

A ‘living’ documentA ‘living’ document

Identifies triggers and early warning signsIdentifies triggers and early warning signs

Describe preventative strategiesDescribe preventative strategies

Documents ‘stay well’ interventionsDocuments ‘stay well’ interventions

Developed with othersDeveloped with others

Preventing episodes of illnessPart 1

Life experiences

Adequate amounts of sleep

Manageable levels of stress

Lifestyle (exercise, diet)

Preventing episodes of illnessPart 2

Social support networks

Suitable medication and other therapies

Reliable professional support

Supportive workplaces

Compassionate local communities

Preventing episodes of illnessPart 3

Interventions to deal with triggers and warning signs

Insight into what triggers the illness

Awareness of warning signs

A stay well plan in actionA stay well plan in action Rob’s main triggers: Rob’s main triggers:

Jet lag Jet lag Increased work demands Increased work demands Change of seasonsChange of seasons

Rob’s warning signs: Rob’s warning signs: Obsess about a work problem or idea Obsess about a work problem or idea Talk faster than usualTalk faster than usual Feel a sense of urgencyFeel a sense of urgency Difficulty completing tasksDifficulty completing tasks Wake up in the middle of night thinking about Wake up in the middle of night thinking about

work problem or ideawork problem or idea

A lifelong journey: staying well with manic depression/bipolar disorder

Sarah Russell

Published by Michelle Anderson Publishing