Managing bipolar disorder and university life
Studying with bi-polar disorder can be challenging but is possible - we have had many students with bipolar disorder who have successfully completed their course.
There are however a number things that you can do to help yourself and increase the chances that you too will be successful.
Stress
We know that stress can trigger a manic of depressive episode. University can be a stressful experience and it is important to do all that you can to reduce your anxiety.
You can find some advice and guidance on reducing anxiety and improving your relaxation and sleep here.
Self-monitoring
Learn how to recognise the signs that your mood is swinging out of control so you can get help early. You may be able to avoid both full-blown episodes and hospital admissions. Keeping a mood diary can help to identify the things in your life that help you - and those that don't.
Relationships
Depression or mania can cause great strain on friends and family - you may have to rebuild some relationships after an episode.
It is up to you whether or not you tell your friends at university about your experiences. Some people can react negatively to such information - this reaction is usually borne out of fear and ignorance. You can help to reduce this possibility by giving your friends some good information about bipolar disorder and explaining to them how it affects you.
Mind provide easy to read information about bipolar disorder.
Activities
Try to balance your life and study, leisure, and relationships with your family and friends. If you get too busy you may bring on a manic episode.
Make sure that you have enough time to relax and unwind.
Exercise
Reasonably intense exercise for 20 minutes or so, three times a week, seems to improve mood. You may wish to join the UDSU gym - Fizeek. You can get information about this here.
Fun
Make sure you regularly do things that you enjoy and that give your life meaning.
Continue with medication
Some medications can have side effects that can make studying more difficult - particularly first thing in the morning. It is important that you do not try to reduce your medication yourself or stop taking it. This will only lead to you becoming ill which will impact even more negatively on your academic work.
If you are concerned about the impact of your medication you should discuss this with your GP.
We can also allow for the impact of your medication within your support plan. For instance, we have previously arranged for students to sit all their exams in the afternoon, if their medication makes it difficult for them to concentrate in the morning.
Diet
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Drink unsweetened fluids regularly. This helps to keep your body salts and fluids in balance.
- Eat regularly - this will also help to maintain your fluid balance.
- Watch out for caffeine - in tea, coffee or cola. This makes you urinate more, and so can upset your Lithium level.
