Bipolar Disorder Triggers: Know When to Quit What is Making You Sick

Bipolar disorder is so easily triggered.  It’s a bad illness that way- even the things we look forward to can cause us trouble.

Over the years I’ve learned there are just some situations- no matter how successful or fun they are- that I just can’t do.

A friend of mine with bipolar disorder once took a math class that was very stressful.  She got quite sick from the class. When I – and a few others suggested she quit the class, she said, “I’m not a quitter Julie! I have stopped so many things because of bipolar. I just want to finish something!”

I said, “There is a big difference between ‘quitting’ from laziness or lack of attention to the topic- and the quitting that comes from taking care of yourself.”

She quit the class and was better immediately. The daily stress of the difficult math was too much for her bipolar brain. It wasn’t too much for her! She is an excellent and committed student. It was simply too much for her brain.

I know when to quit- though it upsets me a lot. Quitting because something is making me sick is admirable, not something to be ashamed of. I have to remind myself of this quite often.

julie

Related posts:
Do you take bipolar disorder sick days? I do!
Bipolar disorder triggers: Don’t do the things that make you feel bad….
Bipolar Disorder Sick Days