Parkinson's caregivers support groups are excellent sources of information, advice and emotional help. If you care for someone with Parkinson's disease, you'll know that the role of a Parkinson's caregiver isn't always easy. While being able to care for a spouse or family member and improve their quality of life can be rewarding, it can also be upsetting, frustrating and isolating, sometimes resulting in Parkinson's caregiver burnout. Therefore, it's vital that you surround yourself with the support you need. Here's how and where to find Parkinson's caregivers support groups.

What Are Parkinson’s Caregivers Support Groups?

Parkinson’s caregivers support groups are meetings designed for the family members and loved ones of people with Parkinson’s disease (go here if you're looking for support groups for Parkinson's patients). If you live with or care for someone with advanced PD, you may find support groups a great source of comfort and a chance to connect with other caregivers. If someone you love has been newly diagnosed with Parkinson's, support groups can help you and your loved one come to terms with their condition, seek out information and know what to expect.

Here are some of the benefits of Parkinson disease support groups for caregivers:

• Connection: As a caregiver, you may not have many opportunities to socialize. Attending a Parkinson’s caregivers support group is a chance to connect with others who understand your situation.
• Advice: Support groups aren’t just for emotional support – they can also be great for practical advice, especially from others who have been where you are.
• Education: The more you can learn about your loved one’s condition, the more you can help them. A support group should provide you with plenty of information and actionable advice – both in terms of caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease and making sure your own needs are met.
• Knowing you are not alone: Being a caregiver can be isolating at times. Simply knowing you're not alone can help relieve depression and equip you with coping skills.

What Makes a Good Parkinson’s Support Group for Caregivers?

It’s hard to know exactly what makes a good Parkinson’s support group for caregivers, as every person is different. Some find it helpful to sit around and talk about what they’re experiencing, while others prefer to take a more proactive approach.

Jan, a Parkinson's caregiver advises:

“If they (support groups) are not constructive, they will bring you down. A good support group always has new ideas that can make life more enjoyable.”

The sign of a good support group is one that makes you feel uplifted or positive when you leave. The group should be open, welcoming and friendly. There should be a diverse mix of people of all ages from a variety of backgrounds, all willing to share their stories and help others. If you dread your meetings or feel downhearted at the end of them, these are probably signs you should find a new support group.

How to Find the Right Support Group

There are plenty of places to find Parkinson’s caregivers support, both online and offline. You can easily find local meetings by searching for “Parkinson’s caregiver support group near me” on your phone or computer with your Location Services turned on. If you would prefer to talk to someone about your options, you can call the National Parkinson’s Foundation helpline on 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636). If you’re looking for your local meeting, you can use the APDA Support Group Finder on the American Parkinson’s Disease Association website.

The Caregiver Action Network also has a great Care Community for Parkinson's disease caregiver support where you can join forums or start your own posting threads. Again, you may find some online forums and chat rooms more uplifting than others, so take your time to explore all of the options.

If you’ve tried Parkinson’s caregivers support groups before and haven’t found them helpful, it’s worth talking to your doctor about talking therapy or one-on-one counseling. Plenty of people experience stress or depression when they care for someone with Parkinson’s disease, so it’s not uncommon. However, it’s important to look after yourself and find the right Parkinson’s disease caregiver support for your situation.

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Learn about the major differences between the treatment of bipolar depression and depression and why it's so important you know about bipolar depression.

The treatment differences between bipolar depression and depression are directly related to the different symptoms of the two. It's much easier for a person with bipolar depression to lose control of their symptoms and require hospitalization; especially after a full-blown manic episode. Often a person with bipolar depression gets one part of the illness under control, such as their depression, and then something else pops up and further complicates the situation.

Treatments that may work for depression in general, including supplements and light boxes, can also cause complications for bipolar depression. Talk therapy for situational depression can be very successful. Unfortunately, therapy has less success in genetic mood disorders, unless the physiological symptoms of the illness are addressed first. A therapist experienced in mood disorder treatment can greatly improve depression and bipolar depression treatment. Overall, treatments that work for depression may have less success with bipolar depression due to the accompanying symptoms that most people with depression rarely experience.

The following explains in detail the symptoms that are more common in bipolar depression than depression.

Intense anxiety symptoms: Worry, trouble breathing, scared to go out in public, feel like something is going to go wrong or that something is going to harm you. Feelings of spinning out of control, physical agitation, and racing, worried thoughts. Obsessive worries that you have done something wrong or that you left something on in the house that you have to check. All of these anxiety disorder symptoms can be more frequent and intense with bipolar disorder - which further complicates bipolar depression treatment.

Mania symptoms: Vigilant monitoring for mania is essential with any bipolar depression treatment plan, especially by family members and healthcare professionals (HCPs). A mixed episode (the presence of depression, mania and often psychosis) can create intense treatment difficulties as well. When the mixed episode includes aggression, treatment is even more complicated.

Psychosis symptoms: Hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there, delusions that objects such as radios or billboards are sending special messages, intense physical agitation, seeing yourself getting killed, feeling that someone is following you or talking about you, and much more. Many people with bipolar disorder experience psychosis along with depression.

Rapid Cycling: More than three mood swings a year, going in-and-out of depression a few times a month, week, and even day, a manic episode following a depression episode on a regular basis, feeling happy and then suddenly depressed for no reason. Rapid cycling is a very concerning symptom of Bipolar Depression because once it's present, it's difficult to treat and tends to remain for the life of the illness.

All treatment for Bipolar Depression must address the above symptoms- looking for these symptoms can help healthcare professionals make a correct diagnosis between depression and bipolar depression from the beginning and then start appropriate treatment. To do this, the HCP must compare the typical symptoms shared by both depressions and then look for the specific signs of bipolar depression, ask questions about mania symptoms in the past and then take a detailed family history and look for bipolar disorder. If a member of the family can actually assist with this, the information is more helpful.

If you were a HCP seeing a client with depression for the first time, here are the questions you have to answer in order to determine the correct depression diagnosis:

• Is the depressed person tired all of the time?
• Have they gained unexpected weight?
• Do they have trouble sleeping that doesn't sound like insomnia?
• Have they tried antidepressants without success?
• Does the depression come and go without a specific trigger?
• Has the person experienced mania, even if it's a mild hypomanic day?
• Is there a family history of Bipolar Disorder?

These questions need to be asked of all people who experience depression so that the correct depression diagnosis is made, appropriate medication treatment starts and the person can move on to a comprehensive treatment plan for bipolar disorder. If you asked yourself these questions or asked them about a person you care about, what would be the diagnosis?

Conflicts in relationships happen all the time. How you resolve relationship problems will help determine the quality of your relationship. Here are some excellent suggestions for dealing with relationship issues.

There are times in all relationships when things don't run smoothly. Often, this is because people have conflicting expectations, are distracted with other issues, or have difficulty expressing what is on their minds in ways that other people can really hear and understand what is being said. Sometimes they just don't know what to do to make a good relationship. The following information covers ways of enhancing relationships and working with common problems.

Common Relationship Problems

Emotional Support

Let's begin with emotional support vs. emotional demands. Emotional support for each other is critical. This means giving your partner a feeling of being backed, supported; you're behind him or her no matter what. This does not necessarily mean agreeing with one another all the time. Realistically, no two people will agree on all occasions. What it does mean is treating your partner in a way that says, "I love you and trust you, and I'm with you through anything."

Emotional demands can damage the relationship. Insisting that your partner spend all of his or her time with you, insisting that they give up their friends or that you both hang around only your friends, insisting that you give approval of the clothes they wear, making sure that you make all the decisions about how you spend you time together and where you go when you go out, making them feel guilty when they spend time with their families, making sure you win all the arguments, always insisting that your feelings are the most important... each of these is an emotional demand and has potential for damaging the relationship.

Emotional support involves accepting your partner's differences and not insisting that they meet your needs only in the precise way you want them met. An example might be when you want your partner to show love for you by spending free time with you, sharing and being open, paying attention to your concerns and needs. Of course, these are important activities, but your partner may often show his or her love by doing things, like sharing home responsibilities, bringing you gifts occasionally, discussing the day's events or books and movies you've shared. Find out how your partner chooses to show his or her love for you and don't set criteria which mean that your partner must always behave differently before you're satisfied. Remember, too, that the words "I love you. I like being in a relationship with you. You're important to me." are not demands and need to be said occasionally in any relationship.

Time Spent Together and Apart

Time spent apart and time spent together is another common relationship concern. You may enjoy time together with your partner and your partner may want some time together with you, but you also may enjoy time alone, or with other friends. If this gets interpreted as, "my partner doesn't care for me as much as I care need" or "I resent the time my partner spends alone because they don't want to spend it with me and they must not really love me," you may be headed for a disastrous result by jumping to a premature conclusion. Check out with your partner what time alone means and share your feelings about what you need from the relationship in terms of time together. Perhaps you can reach a compromise where you get more time together but leave your partner the freedom to be alone or with others times when it is needed, without your feeling rejected or neglected or thinking of your partner as selfish, inconsiderate, or non-caring. Demanding what you want, regardless of your partner's needs, usually ends up driving your partner away.

Your Partner's Family

For some people, dealing with their partner's family is difficult. You may wonder how you can have a good relationship with them, or if you want to. Let's assume at the very beginning that most parents are concerned about their children. They do want to stay in contact with their children. They do want to see them, visit them and have continuing contact with them. However, a problem sometimes arises when these parents forget that their children are separate individuals and that they now have separate lives and that they must make their own decisions. Some family members volunteer a lot of uninvited advice or try to tell you and your partner how to run your lives. One way of handling this is to listen respectfully, let them know that you care about what they think and what they would do, but not make any promises to follow their advice. Just simply listen because they have a need to say it. If they attempt to pressure you into agreeing with them, you must be firm in saying, "I respect your views and ideas. Thanks for letting us know how you might deal with it. We'll think about that when we make our decision." You might need to say this a number of times before the family members finally get the message that you're going to make your own decisions even after hearing their advice. It will also be important that you and your partner be in agreement that you will deal with unsolicited advice in this way so you can support one another in the face of what could be some very intense "suggestions."

Friends

There are some people who seem to believe that "If I'm in a relationship. I have to give up all my personal friends unless my partner likes them as well as I do." Giving up your personal friends should not be a requirement of being in a relationship. Neither should it be assumed that your partner will like your personal friends as much as you do, so insisting that your friends should be their friends might not be reasonable. Just as with other areas in a relationship, who you and your partner spend time with together can be negotiated. You might ask, for instance: "Which of my friends do you enjoy seeing and which would you rather I see alone or at other times when I'm not with you?" There is certainly no reason to inflict upon your partner a friend who she or he does not enjoy. You can see those friends somewhere else or you can see them at home at a time when your partner is out doing something else. You do not have to give up your friends who mean a great deal to you. Being forced into giving up friends usually leads to resentment. It's important to talk with your partner about friendships with others, to negotiate them and to recognize that each of you need to continue your friendships even when you are intimately involved with one another.

Money Matters

How do you and your partner make decisions about handling money? Are decisions made individually or mutually? How are the priorities set about how money is to be earned? Spent? Who pays the bills? How much money goes into savings and for what purposes? How are "big ticket" (tuition, childcare, rent, car payments) items decided on? Does each member of the partnership control her or his own money or is it pooled? Is each partner expected to add to the mutual income? If only one is to work, how is it decided who it will be? If you find that you and your partner have differing expectations, it makes sense that you will have to make time to talk about them after stating your feelings, wishes, and desires and listening carefully to those of your partner. Decisions that might be easy to make when you're making them only for yourself might be more difficult when they involve someone else and the best solutions might not be those you think of just on your own. Discussion and cooperation may not provide any magic solutions to difficult financial problems, but knowing you and your partner agree about how to approach the situation will relieve at least some of the stress.

Coping with Changing Expectations in the Relationship

Relationships change over time. This is neither a good nor a bad thing, but it is a fact. What you want from a relationship in the dating stages might be quite different from what you want after you have been together a number of years. Changes in other areas of your life, outside your relationship, will have an impact on what you want and need from the relationship. You need to be sure you and your partner make time to discuss your expectations and negotiate responsibilities. The most important thing is that you need to do a great deal of careful, respectful listening to what each wants, and a lot of careful, clear communication about what each of you wants. Change of any sort tends to be at least a little stressful, yet because it is inevitable, welcoming change as an opportunity to enhance the relationship is more fruitful than trying to keep change from happening. Planning for changes together can lead the relationship into new and exciting places.

Seven Basic Steps to Maintaining a Good Relationship

1. Be aware of what you and your partner want for yourselves and what you want from the relationship.
2. Let one another know what your needs are.
3. Realize that your partner will not be able to meet all of your needs. Some of these needs will have to be met outside the relationship.
4. Be willing to negotiate and compromise on the things you want from one another.
5. Do not demand that a partner change to meet all your expectations. Work to accept the differences that you see between your ideal and the reality.
6. Try to see things from the other's point of view. This doesn't mean that you must agree with one another, but rather that you can expect yourself and your partner to understand and respect your differences, your points of view and your separate needs.
7. Where critical differences exist in your expectations, needs, opinions or views, try to negotiate.

If you are currently having relationship concerns and these tips are not helpful, perhaps you need to consult with a professional counselor in your area.

Note: This document is based on an audiotape script developed by the University of Texas, Austin. With their permission, it was revised and edited into its present form.

The term “natural mood stabilizers" means different things to different people. For some, a natural mood stabilizer is an activity or coping mechanism that helps them manage the symptoms of bipolar, such as exercise, meditation or talking therapy. For others, natural mood stabilizers are taken in the form of herbal supplements, vitamins, and herbs, either alongside or in place of traditional medicine. The world of alternative medicine can be hard to navigate, and it's not always easy to know what works. Let's look at some of the natural mood stabilizers for bipolar and examine their effectiveness.

Natural Mood Stabilizers: Are They Real and Do They Work?

Do natural mood stabilizers even exist? The answer is yes, but whether they work is a matter of speculation. As with all kinds of medication and treatment, what works for one person may not work for another. While some people rely on prescription mood stabilizers to keep bipolar symptoms under control, others find that the side-effects outweigh the benefits and decide to turn to complementary treatments.

Natural mood stabilizers unofficially used in the treatment of bipolar disorder include:

• Rhodiola: This herb, known as Rhodiola rose, is a mild stimulant. It has demonstrated positive effects on people with depression, but it is not recommended as a substitute for antidepressants or mood stabilizers. You should check with your doctor before taking this if you have bipolar disorder.
• Magnesium: Studies show that magnesium supplements can help lower stress, but there is no evidence that they work as a natural mood stabilizer. If you want to try a magnesium supplement, talk to your doctor first, as taking magnesium with some other medications can cause blood pressure to dip too low.
• Omega-3: Scientists found that bipolar disorder was less common in countries where people consumed a lot of omega-3, which can be found in cold water fish, nuts and plant oils. Making positive changes to your diet and establishing a routine around your meals can help in the management of bipolar disorder. Ask your doctor if there are any special diets he or she can recommend and whether there are any foods you should avoid.
• Ashwagandha: This plant from the nightshade family can reduce stress and improve mood, but there is no evidence of its treatment for bipolar disorder. Ashwagandha supplements are typically well-tolerated, and there are few side-effects if any. However, you should still consult your doctor before taking it, especially if you are on other medications.  

It’s important to keep in mind that even “natural” bipolar medicines have side-effects. Lithium, for example, is technically a natural mood stabilizer because it is a mineral – not a manufactured drug. It does, however, have many potential side-effects, including tremor, diarrhea and long-term damage to kidney function. To use another example, taking St. John’s wort – a flowering plant sometimes used to treat the symptoms of depression – can have dangerous implications for someone with bipolar disorder, as it has been linked to serotonin syndrome and the onset of mania.

Natural Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar: Do They Work?

The National Institute of Health claims that while natural mood stabilizers may help lift symptoms of depression, there are no known complementary therapies for mania. Therefore, taking natural mood stabilizers for bipolar is not generally recommended.

While herbs and supplements may ease some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder and help to lift mood, there is little evidence that natural mood stabilizers are effective. When combined with a proper treatment plan (such as medication and therapy), natural remedies do have their place in the management of bipolar, but you should never substitute or stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.

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Most Parkinson's caregivers take great pride in caring for a loved one with Parkinson's disease, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. Whether you're a spouse, loved one or relative of someone with Parkinson's disease, it's important to be aware of the challenges you'll face so that you can look after yourself physically and emotionally as Parkinson's disease progresses. Let's explore the challenges of being a Parkinson's caregiver, as well as tips for how to look after yourself and your loved one.

The Challenges Faced by Parkinson’s Caregivers

Being a Parkinson's caregiver is an important job. Most people with PD are self-sufficient in the first stages of the illness, but their needs increase as the disease progresses. Those with late-stage Parkinson's disease often rely on strict medication schedules to keep their symptoms under control. They may also struggle to wash, feed and clothe themselves. Looking after someone with Stage 5 Parkinson's disease requires round-the-clock care and attention. Many people find this responsibility overwhelming.

Becoming a caregiver may also involve new living arrangements or difficult family dynamics. You may suddenly find that you have little time for yourself, especially if you're still trying to work or you also care for young children. Life can be particularly tricky if both you and your spouse have Parkinson's disease, as one of you may need to care for the other.

When Does Someone with PD Need a Caregiver and Why?

Most people with Parkinson's disease need full-time care eventually. Because their condition causes motor symptoms, many Parkinson's patients struggle to move around freely, while others may stop moving entirely for periods (also known as shuffling or frozen gait). These Parkinson's disease symptoms worsen as the disease progresses, even if they are controlled by medications for Parkinson's.

Parkinson's patients have an increased risk of falls and other accidents. Therefore, it is unsafe for people with Stage 5 Parkinson's to be left home alone for long stretches. Non-motor symptoms are also common in Parkinson's disease. Those with the condition may experience sleep problems, incontinence and, in 50% of cases, dementia. Others may hallucinate as a result of medication. Late-stage Parkinson's patients may be unable to eat or drink independently and may have trouble breathing.

For all of these reasons, being a Parkinson’s disease caregiver comes with a great deal of pressure and responsibility. You may also find it distressing to see your loved one experience these symptoms.

By Stage 5, most people with Parkinson’s disease have to use a wheelchair due to severe postural issues. As a result, most late-stage PD patients and their caregivers are housebound for the majority of the time. This can take its toll on the caregiver’s mental health and make them feel isolated from the outside world.

Tips for Parkinson’s Disease Caregivers

Although being a Parkinson’s disease caregiver is challenging, there are ways to make it easier on yourself and your loved one with the condition. Here are some tips for Parkinson’s disease caregivers:

• Don’t try to do it all yourself: If you’re caring for a spouse or family member, try to enlist others to help out so you can take a break. Your wellbeing is important too.
• Get educated: It's wise to learn as much as you can about your loved one's disease. This is so that you know how to care for someone with Parkinson's disease, as well as what to expect and when to call the doctor.  
• Empower your loved one: It's tempting to try to do everything for someone with Parkinson's disease, but this isn't helpful to either of you. If your loved one can still dress or do things around the house, let them. Try to allow them as much independence as you can while ensuring they are safe and looked after.
• Don’t put your life on hold: Putting your life on hold for someone with Parkinson's disease will only make you feel resentful, and your loved one may feel guilty. Although caring for someone with PD will involve some sacrifices, try to keep up with your commitments and social arrangements wherever possible.
• Explore other options: When caring gets too much, you may decide to look at alternatives. This might mean bringing in a nurse or professional caregiver for a few hours a week or looking at other living arrangements – such as a care home or hospice. Just be sure to keep the dialogue open with your loved one, so they know they have an input.  

Being a Parkinson's caregiver isn't always easy, but you don't have to feel alone. If you're struggling with your role, it's important to reach out to a Parkinson's support group or helpline. The American Parkinson's Disease Association (APDA) provides plenty of support and advice to caregivers, and you can use their handy tool to find groups and meetings in your area.

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There is a whole list of mood stabilizers, and they are all slightly different. Medical professionals group these drugs together because they help to stabilize mood and prevent, manage or reduce depressive and manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. The effectiveness, side-effects and recommended doses of these drugs vary, and many people want to explore their options before committing to a course of treatment. Here is a mood stabilizers medication list, as well as some important facts about each medication.

The Complete Mood Stabilizers List

There is a long list of mood stabilizers, and what is right for one person may not be right for another. Three types of medications fall into the category of mood stabilizers: minerals, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics.

Mineral Mood Stabilizers

Lithium is commonly used to treat depression and mania in bipolar disorder. It was approved by the FDA in 1970 and is still used in a number of cases today. It can be prescribed alone or along with other medications that treat bipolar disorder. Commercial brand names for lithium medicines include Eskalith, Lithobid and Lithonate.

Lithium is highly effective when used to stabilize mood, but it can cause side-effects. These include:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Tremor
• Weight gain
• Confusion
• Diarrhea

High levels of lithium in the blood can be dangerous, so doctors will routinely monitor your health via blood tests if you take lithium medications.

Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilizers

Anticonvulsants are commonly prescribed to patients with epilepsy, but they are also highly effective at reducing the severity and frequency of bipolar episodes. There is a long list of mood stabilizers in this category, but commonly prescribed medicines include:

• Valproate/valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, Epitol, Equetro)

The following anticonvulsants are sometimes used “off-label,” meaning they are not officially approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder, but the FDA approves them for other purposes. Doctors can prescribe off-label medications for the benefit of a patient's care.

• Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal)
• Gabapentin (Horizant, Neurontin)
• Topiramate (Qudexy, Topamax, Trokendi)

Common side-effects of anticonvulsants are similar to those of lithium, but they may also include headaches, sexual problems, abdominal pain, fever, confusion, blurred vision and abnormal bruising and bleeding.  

Antipsychotic Mood Stabilizers

Antipsychotics are another medication type on the mood stabilizers list. In some cases, they are prescribed alone, but they may also be taken with other mood stabilizing drugs. Medications in this category that are approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder include

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)
• Lurasidone (Latuda)

Antipsychotic medications can cause side-effects. These may include:

• Tremors
• Blurred vision
• Weight gain
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sensitivity to sunlight

All side-effects should be reported to your doctor. If you experience swelling of the hands or face, difficulty breathing, body rash or irregular heart rhythms, you should seek medical assistance immediately. Some drugs on the mood stabilizers medication list can also cause adverse mood symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts and behavior, hallucinations and problems with memory. If any of these occur, it's important to seek immediate medical advice.

Which Drug on the Mood Stabilizers Medication List Should I Choose?

If you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your doctor will examine your symptoms, medical history, allergies, intolerances and other general health factors to determine which course of treatment is right for you. You may need to try different medications from the mood stabilizers list to determine which works best.

During this time, it's important to meet with your doctor regularly to report any side-effects and see how well your treatment is working. Your doctor can then make periodic adjustments to your medication to keep your side-effects and symptoms under careful management.

See Also:

• Side-Effects of Mood Stabilizers and How to Manage Them
• Mood Stabilizers for Kids: Are They Safe and Effective?
• Mood Stabilizers in Pregnancy: Are They Safe?
• Do Mood Stabilizers Help Manage Bipolar Anger?
• Are There Natural Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar? (And Do They Really Work?)

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Did you know you can take mood stabilizers for anger? Aggression, anger and irritability are all symptomatic of bipolar disorder when they occur alongside other symptoms of mania and depression. Irrational anger and aggressive or violent behavior can be incredibly destructive to your life, work and relationships, so it’s important to seek help and treatment to help you manage these symptoms. Let’s examine the effectiveness of mood stabilizers for anger and explore some other options for dealing with anger.

Mood Stabilizers for Anger: Do They Work?

Mood stabilizers for anger will only work if you are being treated for a mood disorder (such as bipolar I or II). Only time and medical guidance will determine how effective these drugs will be.

Anger alone is not usually indicative of bipolar disorder. Anger and irritability are normal human emotions that we all experience from time to time. In bipolar disorder, however, anger can go to unprecedented extremes. You may feel impulsive, erratic and out of control. For most people with bipolar disoder, anger presents during mania, causing them to lash out physically or verbally. Anger and irritability can also occur in bipolar depression.

There are several approaches to managing anger as a symptom of bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers for anger can be effective because they work to lessen, delay and even prevent episodes of mania and depression that may fuel these emotions. Other anger management techniques include:

• Avoiding triggering situations: Avoiding situations that trigger anger can be helpful in bipolar disorder, but this isn’t always possible. Common triggers include driving and relationship conflict, and avoiding these situations isn’t always possible. Other triggers, such as alcohol, social media and watching the news are more easily avoided.  
• Talk therapy: It’s not always possible to avoid anger triggers. In these cases, a therapist can help you work through your feelings and create strategies to help you cope. Many people with bipolar disorder seek therapy in addition to taking mood stabilizers for anger.
• Calm activities: Activities that help with bipolar anger include exercise, meditation, creative pursuits like writing or drawing. Attending a bipolar support group or going to anger management classes may also be helpful.

Are There Natural Mood Stabilizers for Anger?

There is little evidence to support the use of natural mood stabilizers for anger and other bipolar symptoms. While “natural” management techniques such as time spent outdoors, meditation, exercise and various holistic therapies may accompany bipolar treatment, they are not usually recommended as a substitute for medication ("Are There Natural Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar? (And Do They Really Work?)").

Lithium is an element that occurs naturally; it is not a manufactured drug, and can, therefore, be described as a natural mood stabilizer.

Managing bipolar disorder with any form of medication can be challenging, and it may not be for everyone. If you decide not to take medication for bipolar disorder, you must seek guidance from your doctor.

Herbs and supplements that can also be taken as natural mood stabilizers for anger, including:

• Magnesium: Studies suggest that magnesium plays a role in regulating mood and reducing symptoms of mania and depression, but it’s more effective when taken alongside mood stabilizer drugs. You can talk to your doctor about taking magnesium supplements.
• Omega-3: Some studies have found that fish oil omega-3 may reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder, as scientists found that bipolar disorder was less common in countries where people ate a lot of fish. Salmon, nuts and plant oils are excellent sources of omega-3.  
• Ashwagandha: Although there is no evidence that this herb can be used to treat bipolar disorder, a 2017 study printed in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that it helps to balance levels of epinephrine in the brain, reducing stress and other mood-related symptoms.

Some natural remedies for depression, such as St. John's wort, can trigger symptoms of mania, so they are not recommended for people with bipolar disorder.

Overall, it is not clear whether vitamins, herbs and supplements play a role in treating bipolar disorder, and most doctors won’t recommend natural mood stabilizers for anger. This is because the symptoms of untreated bipolar disorder usually carry far more risks and adverse effects than mood stabilizers themselves.

If you’re thinking of taking mood stabilizers for anger, it’s important to work with your doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms and discover the best course of treatment. Never start taking a new medication, natural or otherwise, without medical guidance.

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Bipolar depression coping skills are the keys to your happiness, wellbeing, and quality life even while you’re in the throes of a depressive episode in bipolar disorder. You can create the life you want to live, and you can be the person you want to be. Thanks in large part to bipolar depression coping skills, you don’t have to wait for “someday” but can begin today.

As powerful as they are, coping skills alone, however, can’t help depression symptoms. These skills are part of a bigger plan to treat and manage bipolar depression. Medication and therapy are almost always the top two recommended treatments for bipolar depression. Coping skills are an adjunct to medication and therapy, and they let you do little things every day to build your quality of life.

Bipolar Depression Coping Skills Come First, Before Depression Eases

A crucial note before we dive into the three bipolar depression coping skills you need to have: You don’t have to like them or feel anything positive right away. As you are likely well aware, bipolar depression zaps your energy, motivation, drive, and sense of pleasure and joy. People, places, and activities you once cherished can feel heavy, dull, and difficult.

Coping skills help you deal with the general “lack” that bipolar depression causes. Depression can feel so miserable that people believe they can’t start using coping skills until they start to feel better; however, it’s the opposite that’s true. Taking action and using coping skills are what lead to improvement.

Of course, this means that at first, whatever you’re doing might feel hollow and meaningless. You might not feel anything positive when you begin. Feel the depression and use your coping skills anyway, perhaps recalling a time when you did enjoy certain things and activities. The positive feelings, energy, and motivation will follow.

3 Bipolar Depression Coping Skills You Must Have and Develop

The term “coping skill” is incredibly broad. It encompasses anything you do intentionally to reduce and/or manage the symptoms of bipolar depression. They’re tools that put your life in your own hands rather than keeping it in depression’s stranglehold. Out of the myriad bipolar depression coping skills at your disposal, the following three are instrumental in helping you grow and thrive.

• Develop your perspective. How do you see yourself and your world? Bipolar depression clouds your thoughts and interpretations of your life. Begin to shape what you see and how you see it. Start to appreciate beauty. Even if nothing looks beautiful right now, find and record things that you used to enjoy or might appreciate again. Keep a gratitude journal in which each night before bed you record three good things from your day. They don’t have to be great; just good is helpful. As you change how you interpret your world, your world will begin to change.
• Create a vision. Bipolar depression robs you of a sense of purpose. Take it back by visualizing what you want your life to be like and how you want to be in your life. When living with depression, it can be almost impossible to look far down the road and imagine a bright future. That’s not what creating a vision is about as a coping skill for bipolar depression. Keep it small. Create a notebook, journal, or poster board to collect small ideas, images, and quotations that have the potential to inspire you. Study it daily, add to it at least every other day, and visualize the potential. Make a list of small steps to take to realize your vision. It’s one of the best ways to actively take back your life.
• Enhance your presence. Many people describe feeling invisible, insignificant, or worthless because of bipolar depression. This coping skill helps you change that. You can believe in yourself again, and you can be confident in who you are and what you do. To enhance your presence, allow yourself to simply be. Perhaps sit in meditation or move around mindfully. Let judgmental thoughts go and repeat, “I am simply being. I’m worthy of being.” You can remind yourself, too, that bipolar depression isn’t who you are. It’s only something you’re dealing with.

Perspective, vision, and presence are three coping skills that help bipolar depression on a deep level because they help you broaden your thoughts and fine-tune your actions. These activities are intentional and lead you to action while also respecting the fact that depression is difficult. These bipolar depression coping skills are big-picture skills that inspire and motivate yet don’t pressure or force. Use them on purpose, each day doing at least one thing to develop one of them, and begin to enjoy the feeling of rising up from the depths of bipolar depression.

article references

1. Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar Disorder - Introduction
2. What Kind of Bipolar Disorder Do I Have?
3. What is the Most Effective Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
4. What Medications are Currently Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder?
5. How Many Medications For Bipolar Should I Try?
6. What About Side Effects of Medications for Bipolar Disorder?
7. What is Microdosing?
8. What if I'm Only Getting Some Relief From the Bipolar Medications?
9. How Can I Get the Most from My Bipolar Medications?
10. Are Bipolar Disorder Medications Safe If I'm Pregnant?
11. After Medications, What is the Next Step in Managing the Illness Effectively?
12. Lifestyle and Behavior Changes
13. Does My Diet Have Anything to Do with Bipolar Disorder?
14. Does Exercise Really Make a Difference?
15. Is Bright Light Exposure Good For Bipolar Disorder?
16. What are Triggers and How Do They Affect Bipolar Disorder?
17. My Thoughts are Terrible. What Can I Do?
18. Do I Need a Therapist?
19. Do I Need to Go to the Hospital?
20. What if I Need More Help?
21. Current Bipolar Disorder Research
22. What Are Some of the Bipolar Disorder Treatment Challenges?
23. What is Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder?
24. What if I'm Too Sick to Help Myself?

About Julie A. Fast: Read Julie A. Fast Bio

Cyclothymia, also known as cyclothymic disorder, is a mental illness that has been defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) since 1980. It continues to be included in the latest version, the fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-5) under the category of bipolar and related disorders. In other words, cyclothymia is a type of bipolar disorder. According to some research, it may actually be the most prevalent form of bipolar disorder. Cyclothymic disorder appears to be more prevalent in youth. Both of these facts may relate to the fact that those with cyclothymia often go on to progress to bipolar disorder type I or II.

The bipolar disorder spectrum of disorders is thought to bridge the gap between schizophrenia spectrum disorders and depressive disorders in terms of symptomology, family history and genetics. Bipolar type I is closest to the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder type II moves along the spectrum closer to the depressive disorders and cyclothymia is closer still.

Cyclothymic disorder causes aren’t known but it’s thought that cyclothymia is at least partially genetic, as it runs in families, is due to biological brain differences and is also due, in part, to environmental stressors such as traumatic experiences.

Cyclothymic Disorder vs Bipolar Disorder

In order to understand the definition of cyclothymic disorder, one must understand the states of mania, hypomania and depression. These are the states seen in bipolar type I and bipolar type II. The reason these states need to be understood is that it is symptoms from these states that occur in cyclothymia, but in cyclothymia, full-on mood episodes of mania, hypomania or depression are not present.

So, a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder is given to individuals with periods of both hypomanic and depressive symptoms without meeting the full criteria for a manic, hypomanic or major depressive episode. Those who do meet the criteria for mania, hypomania or depression are diagnosed with other forms of bipolar disorder.

When looking at cyclothymic disorder vs bipolar disorder it’s also important to note that while suicidal thoughts can occur in cyclothymia, they are more likely to occur in bipolar disorder type I or bipolar disorder type II.

Cyclothymia Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms

According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of cyclothymia requires the following:

• Having many periods of elevated mood (hypomanic symptoms, see below) and periods of depressive symptoms (see below) for at least two years (one year for children and teenagers) — with these highs and lows occurring during at least half that time.
• Periods of stable moods usually lasting less than two months.
• Symptoms that significantly affect you socially, at work, at school or in other important areas.
• Symptoms that don't meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, major depression or another mental disorder.
• Symptoms that aren't caused by substance use or a medical condition.

According to Medscape, the DSM-5 defines hypomanic episodes as being an elevated, expansive (unrestrained emotional expression, often accompanied with an overvaluation of one’s importance or significance to others) or irritable mood of at least four consecutive days in duration that also includes at least three of the following symptoms:

• Grandiosity (an exaggerated belief in one’s importance) or inflated self-esteem
• Diminished need for sleep
• Pressured speech
• Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
• Clear evidence of distractibility
• Increased level of goal-focused activity at home, at work or sexually
• Engaging in activities with a high potential for painful consequences

The mood disturbance must be observable by others and not be as a result of substance abuse or a medical condition.

Manias have the same symptoms but are more severe and must last at least seven days.

In the case of cyclothymic disorder, then, some of these symptoms would be present, but a full mood episode – either mania or hypomania – as defined above, would not be.

According to Medscape, the DSM-5 defines depressive episodes (depressions; major depressions) as, for the same two weeks, experiencing five or more of the following symptoms, with at least one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or characterized by a loss of pleasure or interest:

• Depressed mood
• Markedly diminished pleasure or interest in nearly all activities (also known as anhedonia)
• Significant weight loss or gain or significant loss or increase in appetite
• Hypersomnia or insomnia (too much or too little sleep)
• Psychomotor retardation or agitation (physical and psychological slowing or restlessness)
• Loss of energy or fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Decreased concentration ability or marked indecisiveness
• Preoccupation with death or suicide; the patient has a plan or has attempted suicide

These symptoms must cause significant impairment and distress and must not be the result of substance abuse or a medical condition.

Again, for cyclothymia, some of the above symptoms would be present during a low mood but not enough of them to meet the criteria for a full, major depressive episode.

Cyclothymic Disorder Treatment

It’s important to know that cyclothymia is unlikely to get better on its own so medical cyclothymic disorder treatment is usually required and the earlier one starts treatment, the better.

If you have cyclothymic disorder, also be aware:

• Not treating cyclothymic disorder can cause problems in every area of life.
• Those with cyclothymia have a high risk of misusing substances.
• Those with cyclothymic disorder commonly also have anxiety disorders.
• Treating cyclothymia (particularly if done early) reduces the risk of progressing to a more severe version of bipolar disorder such as bipolar disorder type I or bipolar disorder type II.

Cyclothymic disorder requires lifelong treatment – even during periods where symptoms aren’t present. The main treatments for cyclothymia are medication and psychotherapy.

No medications are specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cyclothymic disorder. Medications that are used to treat other forms of bipolar disorder are typically used, however. That means medications like mood stabilizers (lithium), anticonvulsants (such as lamotrigine [Lamictal] or valproate [Depakote]) and antipsychotics (such as quetiapine [Seroquel] and the olanzapine/fluoxetine combination [Symbyax]) are common.

To treat cyclothymia with psychotherapy, the following may be considered:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – This common, time-limited therapy helps identify unhealthy beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. Additionally, CBT works to identify what might trigger cyclothymic disorder symptoms. This therapy also teaches skills to help deal with stress.
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy – This type of therapy focuses on the creation of routine, particularly in the areas of sleeping, waking and eating.
• Other therapies – Other therapies do have some success in specific cases and your doctor or therapist can help assess which one is right for you.

While cyclothymia can seem like a frightening diagnosis, it’s important to know that with treatment, most people with cyclothymic disorder do go on to live healthy, productive lives.

Cyclothymic Disorder Test

While there is no specific test for cyclothymia, according to the Mayo Clinic, the following are the kinds of questions a healthcare provider would ask in order to determine cyclothymia as a diagnosis:

• How would you describe your symptoms?
• How have the people close to you described your symptoms?
• When did you or your loved ones first notice these symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been getting better or worse over time?
• If you have intense high and low periods, how long do they generally last?
• Do you also have periods where your mood feels relatively stable?
• How would you describe your mental and emotional state during high versus low periods? How would your loved ones answer this question about you?
• How would you say your choices and behaviors change during high versus low periods? How would your loved ones answer this question about you?
• Do your physical needs change during high versus low periods, such as your need for sleep, food or sex?
• How are these cycles affecting your life, including work, school and relationships?
• Have any of your close relatives had similar symptoms?
• Have you been diagnosed with any medical conditions?
• Have you been treated for other mental health disorders in the past? If yes, what type of treatment was most helpful?
• Have you ever thought about harming yourself or others?
• Do you drink alcohol or use recreational drugs? If so, how often?

article references