Sha of The Bipolar Bisexual offers a list of ways to get through a party when you’ve got bipolar disorder and things like drinking too much, staying up late, and overexcitement may trigger an episode or knock you emotionally off-balance. A few tips from her experiences:

- Take breaks
One way of pacing yourself and making sure you can get through the night is to take regular breaks. If you feel overwhelmed, take yourself away from the bulk of the party and sit down alone or with a friend for five minutes to collect your thoughts and recollect your plans, then return once you feel refreshed. If you have friends keeping an eye on you, it’s a good idea to inform them of your plans rather than spontaneously walking off alone.

- Leave at a sensible time
It’s generally not a good idea to go to bed more than 1-2 hours later than you would do normally as the disruption to your routine can trigger mood problems. Decide on a maximum time to leave beforehand and make sure you don’t talk yourself into staying later once you get there. The chances are that you’ll still be enjoying yourself when it’s time to leave but you must quit while you’re ahead, otherwise you may suffer in the long run.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 19 Jun 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.