Psychoeducation

So I have been reading about the concept of psychoeducation, which refers to a patient gaining insight and understanding of their illness by being informed and educated about that illness. I have been doing this on my own for several years, and didn't realize if was a legitimate treatment approach for bipolar disorder and psychoses. I wanted to discuss the benefits I have experienced by learning about and educating myself regarding my illness.

One of the first benefits is a greater understanding of what my symptoms look like. There are things that I wouldn't have thought of as symptoms without education on the subject. Especially in the early parts of an episode, I may have milder symptoms that I would brush aside if I was not vigilant and aware that they are early warning signs of an episode.

Especially during a manic episode, it can be hard to recognize symptoms for what they are. The early stages of a manic episode feel GOOD. Elevated mood, a grandiose self-esteem, hyperactivity and increased energy and drive. How can that be bad? Knowing how my illness works, I can often recognize what is happening in the very early stages and use safeguards to limit the damage my symptoms can cause. I know that when I start making more plans than I can reasonably fulfill, when I feel unusually energetic, when I feel more talkative than usual - I know that these are symptoms.

My depressive episodes, too, can be caught early when I know more about them and what they look and feel like. Catching both mania and depression early means that I can better manage symptoms. Which brings us to the next benefit of understanding my illness.

Nearly all the coping skills, strategies and safeguards I have in place came from reading about bipolar disorder and the things that worked for others in managing their illness. Education offers a range of approaches, and I tried many of the options and strategies I read about, and kept the ones that were effective. Education allows me to understand what I can do, what therapy can help me to do, and how my therapy and medication help me manage my symptoms. Which is the next benefit.

Psychoeducation has meant that I read about the medications I take, their effects, how they work, any potential side effects, and their method of action. Knowing what my meds do and how they help me makes me it easier to take my meds and less likely to skip a dose or go off of them. Bipolar disorder puts one at a greater risk of noncompliance with medication, and education helps. Plus, knowing what more severe symptoms look like and knowing that experiencing an episode makes future episodes more likely, I am more likely to remain on my meds.

There is a concept in both seizure disorders and  bipolar disorder that is called "kindling". Some research suggests that each seizure/mood disturbance involves misfiring in the brain, and that everytime the misfire occurs, the brain learns the pattern, and it becomes easier for the brain to misfire in the same way again. The brain becomes more sensitive to triggers and stressors with each episode. The episodes become more frequent and more intense with each episode. The idea is that each successive episode adds kindling to the fire and progresses the illness. That is one reason meds make sense to me. Preventing or minimizing episodes means that the pathways and patterns that cause then aren't as deeply embedded in my mind. Staying on meds helps me prevent and minimize episodes. Knowing that makes my choice clear.

The last thing I wanted to mention is that education has increased my awareness of triggers and stressors, and the best ways to avoid them. I learned that getting enough sleep and some moderate exercise helps me manage symptoms. I learned that over stimualting and high adrenaline activities can trigger mania. Spending too much time alone or sleeping a lot can trigger depression. Certain events, activities and even certain people can trigger symptoms. I know that sometimes, if I am having any signs of symptoms, I should avoid those things if possible.

Education has given me greater insight into my illness. If you are struggling with a mental illness, I encourage you to do the same thing.