Getting Real with Bipolar

Something that worked with me with Bipolar went something like this:

Spend some time in public where there are other people - anywhere will do - a bus, or train, or sitting in a movie theater.  While you are there, just observe the other people.  Note how they are calm, unruffled.  Tell yourself that they face life's challenges just like you do, and they give it their best shot without worrying too much about the consequences. Note how they share a smile or laugh with their friends or family who are with them.  Try to realize that your anxieties are unfounded.

Next, while sitting calmly, try to go back in time and list "unselfish feelings" that you had at any time in your life.  This could just be wishing something good for someone you know.  Yes I know this is hard because we all live such selfish lives that finding something unselfish in us becomes hard - but never mind, just be alert to your feelings so you can catch an unselfish feeling when it arises. 

Keep this unselfish feeling alive in you.  Like fanning a flame to make it blaze forth, awaken other feelings in yourself.  As you go through life, allow yourself to experience whatever feelings arise.  If they are painful feelings, the just suffer - but since you have that unselfish feeling in you (see previous paragraph), this time your suffering (due to painful events) will not be infinite.  It will be finite.  You will be able to experience all other life experiences in the context of that unselfish feeling.

Try to realize that your life experiences is who you are.  Whatever joy and pain and rejection you have suffered - it is a part of you.  You can't get rid of them but you can see them in the context of your unselfish feelings which helps you contain them and prevent them from infiniting.