What Is Bipolar Disorder?

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“Social rhythm therapy” is simple and often effective (and not a new dance step).

Identifying and managing daily life rhythms and triggers is up to you, and powerful.

Social rhythm therapy can help some people avoid or soften bipolar episodes.

A bipolar diagnosis is a major life change, and as we learn more and more about the bipolar spectrum, we know bipolar II, and other less impactful versions than bipolar I, are more common than we think. And often, easier to control.

Although medication management is the hallmark of living well with bipolar, lifestyle hacks (like social rhythm therapy, or SRT) can be effective in helping forestall episodes or decreasing their intensity once they begin. Medications and therapy work best together—better than either alone—and SRT is a therapy that’s in your hands.

A simple lifestyle tool that can make a big difference, SRT is easy and just what it sounds like: paying attention to “social” rhythms and managing lifestyle triggers. Here’s how it works:

You’ve probably heard this, but lack of sleep for even a day or two (or oversleeping on the other end) may tip you into hypomania, mania, or depression. Healthy sleep is essential to bipolar health, yet often complicated by the fact........

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