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