Introduction
In my previous article, I addressed Cognitive Behavioral Techniques to monitor symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder. I mentioned three techniques, including monitoring your mood, problem solving, and accepting your diagnosis. In this article, I will describe more techniques to monitor the symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder. They include undergoing cognitive restructuring, enhancing your social skills, and stabilizing your routine.
Undergoing Cognitive Restructuring
The first technique discussed in this article to help monitor symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder is undergoing cognitive restructuring. According to everydayhealth, “This process focuses on correcting flawed thought patterns by learning how to become more aware of the role thoughts play in your mood, how to identify problematic thoughts, and how to change or correct them. The therapist teaches the patient how to scrutinize the thoughts by looking for distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking, and generating more balanced thinking.” In other words, it is essential to decipher between irrational and rational thinking and develop rational, balanced thought patterns.
Enhancing Your Social Skills
In addition to undergoing cognitive restructuring to help monitor your symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder, another technique used to monitor symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder is enhancing your social skills. According to everydayhealth, “Some people with bipolar disorder lack certain social skills, which causes them to feel that they aren’t in control of a certain aspect of their lives. Learning skills such as assertiveness can help you manage interpersonal relationships better.” In other words, social skills can be a challenge for someone with Bipolar Disorder. With that said, assertiveness training can help individuals with Bipolar Disorder to communicate how they are feeling to others in an effective manner.
Stabilize Your Routine
In addition to undergoing cognitive restructuring and enhancing your social skills, another technique used to monitor symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder is stabilizing your routine. According to everydayhealth, “Engaging in activities on a regular and predictable basis establishes a rhythm to your day, which helps stabilize your mood. Examples include exercising in the early afternoon, setting a consistent sleep and mealtime schedule, making social plans, and doing chores around the house.” In other words, having a balanced routine can help alleviate symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder and help stabilize your mood.
Conclusion
With that said, to conclude this article, three CBT techniques to help monitor symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder have been mentioned in this article. They include undergoing cognitive restructuring, enhancing your social skills, and stabilizing your routine. These are three practical techniques that can be employed in an out of a counseling session.