Observation Improves Behavior, But Charting Can Be Depressing

Even though it’s far from perfect, I’m finding my Jawbone UP electronic wristband quite helpful in gathering information about activity and sleep without the stress of journaling symptoms. Although they can be very helpful, I’ve found that personally charting my moods, sleep, activity, etc. is something I shouldn’t do unless there’s a particular goal and then only for as short a time as will be effective.

One of the secrets to the great life I live is reducing stress and implementing strategies to avoid triggering symptoms. For example, if I have successful strategies for not forgetting to lock my car and not forgetting that I didn’t forget to lock my car, my OCD symptom that requires that I check the car’s lock status repeatedly gets triggered only every so often instead of nearly every time I park the car.

When I am confronted by evidence of my disabilities many times in a single day it causes anger, it lowers my self-esteem, it increases my stress level, it makes me anxious (I have GAD too) about whether I’m going to make a mistake that will hurt me (like a car accident or losing my purse), etc. Since I have ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder the stress of all these negative emotions getting riled up can easily trigger an episode.

Another Non-Human Assistant -- an Electronic Bracelet

I have a very supportive family. Even my ex-husband dealt well with my disorder once it was diagnosed and explained to him. I could ask my loved ones for help managing my bipolar disorder, but I rarely do.  Why?

Mostly because they are human. Human beings, even the good ones, treat you differently when they are too focused on bipolar symptoms. The observation gets in the way of normal relationships. Also, if they are asked to help too much they end up with compassion fatigue. They simply get worn out by the stress. Getting support from peers is great, but they too can only handle so much -- plus they may be too sick to help when you need it.

What's a girl to do then?  Find non-human assistants.  I've done just that.  I've been using a psychiatric service dog since 2010 (dogs don't judge and don't suffer compassion fatigue), I use apps on my smartphone to help organize me, and now I've added an electronic bracelet called a Jawbone UP.  Most people use this device in their physical fitness program. One of its primary functions is not too different from a pedometer. So what's this got to do with bipolar disorder?