Do you have a daily routine?

I've read that having a daily routine can help stabilize bipolar disorder.

I have bipolar 1, ultra rapid cycling...I'm disabled so I can create my own schedule.

Problem: I'm a night owl and have been my entire life. I also prefer to be spontaneous--these two factors don't make for a good routine. I hate...routine.

Please post about if you have (or don't) a routine and if it helps you? I need serious motivation. I'm hypomanic most of the time and insomnia has been an issue well before my diagnosis. How can I get motivated to develop a routine? Buckle down and force myself? Give it a shot?

Thanks

I have a daily routine? It includes college, swimming, running, and study. I keep it pretty tight Monday - Friday. I relax it on Saturday. Sunday is a free day. I need the routine to keep me focused and driven. I do it because it works best for me. Even sleep is a routine. In bed by 10 at the latest and up by six at the latest. Based on my life this is best for me.

I'm glad you are doing well! I'm a lawyer, but can no longer work since bipolar disorder 1 with psychotic features, ultra rapid cycling...entered my life.

A continuation from my original post:

I worked hard when I was practicing law, suited up everyday and doing trials in the courtroom. I had a routine: exercise, shower for work, work my rear off, commute home, dinner, bed. Rinse and repeat.

Those days were fulfilling in an exhausting way, I helped a lot of people. My pdoc told me Stress is the killer for bipolar disorder. He's correct, at least in my case. I'm disabled now, not how I wanted it to turn out...but stuff happens. I'm treatment-resistant and classified "extreme" as to my bipolar 1. I've always been a high achiever. *rolls eyes at myself*

My boyfriend also has bipolar 1 with psychotic features. He's awesome. Been together ten years. He hates routine, too. We are always med-compliant...but sleep is an issue (sometimes).

I feel like I'm taking responsibility for my health as much as I can...except the routine aspect. He's also a night owl. We end up IP every few years.

I've been told by a team of respected pdoc's IP/"complete meltdown" is to be expected every few years, due to the severity of my condition. It's best case scenario. I've been told I will need meds for life. I'm ok with that. When IP happens, I aways admit voluntarily and participate in groups, work the IP program to get well, continue treatment upon discharge. Rinse and repeat. Pdoc is top notch. I'm in therapy.

Do I need to give the night owl business a final rest/end? I take PRN Geodon if I'm approaching 48 hours no sleep. I'm rarely depressed. Am I being irresponsible? I'm a grown adult. I avoid mania and psychosis like the plague. I know the signs. No alcohol, no drugs. This bedtime curfew with routine...I resist. Do I smarten up? It sounds boring. No sleep in the day instead? I'm not shirking responsibility. I have several anxiety disorders to boot. Night is a calming environment. Thanks for listening.

I need to research if I can establish a routine but use night as my "daytime"? I think my circadian cycle is different. These "vampire hours" run four generations on my mom's side. I could compromise with a routine that way.

Six hours is the perfect amount of sleep for me, pdoc agrees. He worries if I'm at 9-10 hrs.

I'm going to see what a DBT for bipolar Workbook of mine says. Ask my T. Hmmm...OCD rumination happening. I don't need to figure this out right now.

I'm not really disciplined about keeping a regular routine for a long period, but I can focus very intensely for short periods... staying on task with few diversions for a few months. Then I need a break and a change. Also a high achiever... probably better stated as "high personal expectations" because I haven't achieved anything spectacular.

Night owl? YES.
Being on the west coast of Canada, the British and European members of the psych forum are available to interact with in the middle of the night if I'm having a bad time.
I try to be a day person, but I don't force it. My best time is between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am. It has always been that way.

Compliant on meds? YES

Sneaked through a 32 year career as a professional forester in the hinterlands of Canada's primordial forests. So cool. Retired now. Came close to loosing it all a couple times because of illness.

How do I survive?
I have a general but flexible plan for the next few months... break it down to "This Week", and "Today" as need be. Some things I get to. Some things I get to later. Sometimes I let go of dreams and ideas.

I live my own life. I don't make too many commitments. I don't see a lot of people, but I do have friends and family who I am active with. Trying right now to get back into some of the "good things" I did in the first few years of retirement. Also ditching some of the things I have enjoyed in the past.

I think you and your boyfriend are lucky to have each other. Nurture that relationship. I would really like to be in a committed loving relationship. Between my illness and my personality, I've crashed my marriage and a couple relationships in the 19 years since my divorce.

Go with what you've got. Don't wish for what might have been, or what others call "normal". There is no "normal". There is only you, here and now.

Take care,

When I am normal, I keep a routine.
When I am hypomanic, I can't sleep so routine is shot. Plus, I have too much to do and a routine is just getting in my way.
When I'm depressed, I could care less about keeping a routine. If I make it to work, it's a win.

No routine for me, and I've tried many times.

Skilsaw - thank you for your post. It resonates with me. My partner is awesome, ten years now. We take care of each other. I'm divorced, too.

God - thank you for your post, too. Admittedly, I've never been "Normal." But I'm glad it works for you. We need level-headed folks out there! Well, part-time normal lol xo

Part-time normal. I love it! I should try to change my PsychForums name to that.

I'm glad you found a partner who understands. My wife of 23 years was initially shocked by my diagnosis, but has become a great supporter.

Very best.

I love the line "God, thank you for your post".

I don't have a routine. I would love to. But I cycle too fast. When I tried to have a routine all I got out of it was lots of frustration. I follow the "Just for today" NA motto. I wake up and within 15 minutes I know whether I will be depressed, hypomanic (rarely), manic (more rarely) or stable (sometimes). Anxiety will appear or not. I will be able to leave the house or not. Maybe I should build my routine based on mood in the morning, rather than day of the week.

Oliveira wrote:I love the line "God, thank you for your post".

lmao

I don't have a routine. I would love to. But I cycle too fast. When I tried to have a routine all I got out of it was lots of frustration. I follow the "Just for today" NA motto. I wake up and within 15 minutes I know whether I will be depressed, hypomanic (rarely), manic (more rarely) or stable (sometimes). Anxiety will appear or not. I will be able to leave the house or not. Maybe I should build my routine based on mood in the morning, rather than day of the week.

I cycle ultra rapid...but you are super, ultra, ultra rapid! That must be tough.

Thanks, everyone. It was a big thing for me to quit alcohol. I'm med compliant. See a T. Etc.

I'm relieved that I'm not the only one who does not have a regimented routine. I don't fluctuate as quickly, but yeah...sticking to "go to store at 11:00 a.m."....I have agoraphobiaits a struggle to see pdoc and T. If I got to the darn store, I'd best have Klonopin in case my Panic disorder erupts. My insomnia is a problem. If I can catch an hour's sleep ....it's wiser to skip the store if I've been awake over 24 hours.

And it better not be a clothing store. I'll buy it out if I'm manic, lol

I'm exaggerating a bit. Normally, it's unlikely that ALL that would happen on the same day.

Bipolar is such a beast and the anxiety disorders, I need SOME autonomy. I was feeling guilty because I have a friend that has a regimented schedule. And I can't even get my OCD revved up on it. *whew, blows kisses*