You may already know this information, but its all new to me. Thought I would share

http://www.bipolartreatmentinfo.com/cbip/not/step/taking-control.aspx

The ups and downs of your bipolar disorder don’t always have to get in the way of leading a healthy life. Below are some helpful suggestions that may help you begin to take control of your condition. Remember, you can always ask your health care provider, family, and friends for additional help.
Take Your Medication as Prescribed



People with bipolar disorder often do not take their medications as prescribed. There are many reasons for this:
Some medications may cause unpleasant side effects in certain people
Some people with bipolar disorder may miss the “high” feeling that comes with a manic episode<SUP>1</SUP>
Other people may also have problems with alcohol or drug abuse that make them less likely to take their medicine as prescribed<SUP>2</SUP>To have medication work effectively, you must take it exactly as your health care provider instructs. Sometimes sticking with your medication regimen is easier if you have the help of someone you trust, such as a family member or a close friend.
Reduce Stress



Many experts believe that stress may trigger episodes of bipolar disorder. To reduce stress try to
Get more exercise
Relax and take more down time
Share household or family responsibilities
Avoid conflictsEnhance Your Life with Enjoyable Things



Feeling good is something we all need. Consider incorporating the following into your daily life:
Pursue a hobby or interest
Make it a priority to find time for things you enjoy doing—things that give you a sense of peace or achievementGet Regular Sleep



Sleep problems are common with bipolar disorder, including getting too much (hypersomnia) or too little (insomnia).<SUP>3</SUP> If you are having sleep troubles:
Talk with your doctor
Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine—both are known to interfere with sleep patterns<SUP>4</SUP>Eat Healthy

The food you eat can affect your health, your energy, and even your mood. Sugary foods, alcohol, or caffeine may negatively affect your moods. Foods such as vegetables, fruit, oil-rich fish, and whole grains may help with stability.<SUP>5</SUP>
Be Prepared for a Future Episode

Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, it is important that you are prepared if you have another episode. By recognizing the possible signs of an upcoming episode (http://www.bipolartreatmentinfo.com/cbip/not/seroquel/what-you-should-know-seroquel.aspx), you can seek medical attention and receive appropriate treatment as early as possible.


Having a plan in place may help you and your loved ones feel a little more in control. You may want to keep the following information in a convenient place<SUP>6</SUP>:
Contact information for doctors and pharmacy
A list of medication names and dosages
Insurance information, such as plans, coverage, and approved providers
Contact information for support groups or crisis linesWorking with your health care provider and taking action every day to help manage your symptoms is something you can be proud of. By doing so, you're giving yourself and those around you the peace of mind and hope for the future that you all deserve.

You should PM hollyduck and ask her to sticky this.

Get Regular Sleep


This part is especially key for me. The mania result of too little is discussed at great lenght, yet the opposite of causing depression isn't mentioned enough imo. Too little sleep and I feel like a zombie, which makes me depressed and in turn alot harder to fall asleep and the cycle continues.

These are all things that my friend and neighbor, a clinical psychologist who teaches at Columbia University and is doing an NIH study on mood disorders, recommends. My fiance read a book "Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder" that discusses the same things.

Only problem is, I have trouble doing any of them. I might give it a half-hearted try for a day or two, but then decide that it's making my life boring, and that "rules" are not meant for a person like myself. When my fiance brings up these things, tells me I need to go to bed at a normal time and stop wandering around the park at 3 am etc., I always get mad at him and tell him he's just saying that because "the book" told him to. Then I proceed into a diatribe about why "the book" is a bunch of s***, etc. Even though I can rationally understand that I should do these things, I always interpret it as being "told what to do" and so have to rebel against it.

An aside-- The only thing I do like about "the book" is that it explains why people who are bipolar may not be good at household chores and they might be too depressed or too manic to be reasonably expected to clean and pick up after themselves. Everytime he complains about me being messy and disorganized, I remind him of this section.

Good info, thanks for posting.