How can individuals with bipolar disorder get through the depressive phase?

Nov 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Baohua

Introduction

Bipolar disorder patients can typically get through depressive episodes by adhering to standardized treatment, engaging in mild activities, seeking emotional support, and tracking mood changes. It is essential to strictly follow medical instructions regarding medication, avoiding self-adjustment or discontinuation of drugs even if there is no obvious improvement in mood. Regular follow-up visits should include feedback on emotional and physical responses, allowing doctors to adjust treatment plans promptly and prevent relapse or a shift into manic episodes.

Patients with bipolar disorder can typically get through the depressive phase by adhering to standardized treatment, maintaining regular daily routines, engaging in mild activities, seeking emotional support, and tracking mood changes. The details are as follows:

1. Adhere to Standardized Treatment: Strictly follow medical instructions regarding medication, avoiding self-adjustment or discontinuation of drugs. Continue treatment even if there is no obvious improvement in mood. Provide feedback on emotional and physical responses during regular follow-up visits so doctors can adjust the treatment plan accordingly, preventing relapse or a shift into mania.

2. Maintain Regular Daily Routines: Establish a fixed daily schedule, ensuring adequate sleep without staying up late or oversleeping. Eat three balanced meals regularly, focusing on nutritional balance, while minimizing caffeine and alcohol intake. A stable lifestyle helps regulate mood and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and low spirits.

3. Engage in Mild Activities: Choose low-intensity activities such as walking, yoga, or gardening, and practice them for 15–30 minutes each day. Avoid refusing physical activity due to low mood. Mild exercise promotes the release of mood-enhancing hormones, improves emotional well-being, maintains physical function, and reduces bodily discomfort.

4. Seek Emotional Support: Proactively communicate with family members or trusted friends, expressing emotions and personal needs to gain understanding and companionship. Joining peer support groups for patients can also be beneficial—sharing experiences with others who have similar struggles reduces feelings of loneliness and strengthens confidence in overcoming the depressive phase.

5. Track Mood Changes: Use a notebook or electronic document to record daily moods, events that trigger fluctuations, and physical sensations. Monitoring these patterns helps identify emotional trends and early signs of improvement, while also providing valuable information for doctors during follow-up evaluations.

If suicidal thoughts occur during the depressive phase, if low mood persists for more than two weeks without improvement, or if severe insomnia or refusal to eat develops, it is essential to immediately contact a doctor or seek medical care to prevent delayed intervention and ensure safe passage through the depressive episode.

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What is lithium carbonate sustained-release tablet?

Under normal circumstances, lithium carbonate sustained-release tablets are commonly used in psychiatry, primarily for the treatment and prevention of manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. Adequate fluid intake should be maintained during medication use, with a daily water intake of approximately 2000 milliliters to promote drug metabolism and excretion. A light and balanced diet is recommended, and prolonged low-salt diets should be avoided to prevent fluctuations in serum lithium levels.

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Is it acceptable to take only oxcarbazepine during the stable phase of bipolar disorder?

Oxcarbazepine, as an antiepileptic drug, is primarily used in the treatment of bipolar disorder to control manic episodes by stabilizing neuronal membranes and reducing abnormal electrical discharges. If a patient is in a stable phase with mild manic symptoms, without depressive episodes or mixed features, and has previously tolerated oxcarbazepine well, the physician may consider monotherapy for maintenance treatment, with regular monitoring of serum drug levels and mood status.

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What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings. Main symptoms include elevated mood during manic episodes, racing thoughts during manic episodes, low mood during depressive episodes, loss of interest during depressive episodes, as well as abnormalities in energy and sleep. Severe mood fluctuations can significantly disrupt daily life, and family members and friends should provide understanding and companionship.

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What should I do if I feel depressed, emotionally blocked, and extremely distressed?

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