3 Tips For A Depression Relapse

3 Tips to Address a Depression Relapse

Today we’re continuing our series on real life answers for real life questions—tackling bipolar disorder.

I’m Angela Howard and my passion is to break the stigma of mental health issues among fellow Christians. If you’re new to my channel be sure to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss out on any of the new content!

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood. It exists on a spectrum and each person with the disorder experiences different levels of the symptoms. In addition, we often forget to refer to the types – type 1 or type 2. So here’s our real life question…

Real Life Question: “I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder and the medication worked really well for years, but now I’m fighting with bouts of depression again.”

Real Life Answer: This is pretty common, and there’s definitely something you can do about it. Here are 3 tips to address a depression relapse…

3 Tips to Address a Depression Relapse:

Start tracking it, the details matter: When did it start? Are you slipping into a negative thinking pattern, like overgeneralization, overreacting, or black and white thinking? Are you getting enough quality deep sleep? Are you having other health problems? Has there been other stressors, losses, or changes in your life? Ask a friend or family member if they can track these things along with you.
Head into the psychiatrist: Once you’ve tracked the relapse, go into the doctor and have someone you trust go with you. Sometimes when you’re feeling depressed it’s hard to have an accurate perception about life. There are always options for trying different medications or changing dosages. Your doctor only knows the symptoms you tell them about. Be honest, even when it’s hard. It’s worth it.
Consider stepping up therapy: Perhaps you’ve laid off on your counseling because things have been going relatively well, and here you are in a relapse. This is the prime time to make some weekly appointments with your counselor. Bipolar disorder is a difficult illness to manage. It’s important to have a safe place to process your emotions, and to establish a good relationship with a therapist who will notice changes in mood and help you make a plan to get back on track.

Even through our trials, when we don’t feel it, and when we’re at our worst, we can remind ourselves of the promises in God’s word. Romans 5:3-5 says…

Scripture

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Question:

What real life questions about mental illness do you have? I’d love to hear from you today, comment below.

No more confusion or wondering how you’ll face the roller coaster of life with mental illness. Mental Health Academy is here to take the mystery away, and give you the knowledge and the tools you need to have relationships that last! The time is NOW to get our first course: Trauma.

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