Do You Have a Bipolar Crisis Kit?Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. Updated: Aug 4th 2009 Recently I wrote a blog outlining 4 steps to stepping out of a mood swing. A reader responded to the blog outlining an additional step that has been helpful to him. I thought this was an important additional intervention and so I wanted you all to know about it.
Almost always, having bipolar disorder means working with a medication regimen to help stabilize mood from going too far into mania or depression.
This reader said he carries an additional "crisis kit" of medications with him that were prescribed by his Psychiatrist. He uses Lithium as his "frontline medication" and adds Seroquel when he notices symptoms onset. Because his medication is Lithium, he also carries a spare blood serum to test to ensure he is in therapeutic range as a precaution.
The purpose of me writing about this is to bring to awareness to the importance of discussing this option with your Psychiatrist or medical professional who is prescribing your medications. In addition to the 4 steps I discussed in the earlier blog, this could also be set up as a precaution when noticing the symptoms beginning to arise.
It's important to note that I am a Psychologist and not a Psychiatrist so I am not advocating any particular medications to use for bipolar disorder, all decisions for taking medications should be explored with a Psychiatrist (preferred) or medical professional. This idea is worth exploring.
Are there any other crisis regimens that have worked for you in respect to bipolar disorder? Please share your thoughts, experiences, and questions below. Your interaction here provides a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.
Crisis Kit - - Sep 22nd 2009
I have read the ideas for a crisis kit and when I am in a "normal" mood it seems like a great idea. But right now, when I feel like I do (a combination of depressed and extreme irritable) a crisis kit is the last thing I am thinking about. What I am thinking is I would like to take other kinds of pills that I am not supposed to. I don't want anyone near me and I could care less about my meds. I know this is wrong but I feel like I can't control it. Does anyone else feel like this? | 
Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and conducts a private practice in West Los Angeles. He is co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (New Harbinger, February 2010).
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