48-Hour Rule

The "48-Hour Rule" for those with Bipolar Disorder is a strategy to prevent impulsive, risky decisions during HYPOMANIA/MANIA by delaying action for at least two full days before deciding on major changes like ending a relationship in particular with a parent or parents, quitting a job or making big potentially unnecessary purchases etc. This "48-Hour Rule" once again creates the crucial time to distinguish and separate INTENSE URGES from sound judgment.

How it Works

Identify the Urge: You feel a strong impulse to end a relationship in particular with a parent or parents, quit a job or make a significant in reality unnecessary purchase or any other major life change.

Create Space: Postpone any action for 48 hours (two full days).

Re-evaluate: After 48 hours, reassess if the decision still feels right and is truly ultimately proper/beneficial or WRONG/HARMFUL.

Why it's Effective

Counteracts Impulsivity:

Bipolar episodes often involve impulsivity and poor judgment.

Reduces Risk:

Waiting helps you differentiate between a truly good idea and one a HORRIBLY/AWFUL one that just feels good in some particular moment due to mood elevation.

When to Use It

Ending relationships, primarily with a parent or parents.

Quitting a job.

Making large but in reality FOOLISH or UNNECESSARY financial decisions.

Any major life change driven by a sudden, intense feeling during a HYPOMANIA/MANIA state.

In conjunction with other strategies and in particular consulting with your psychiatrist this rule really does offer a practical way to maintain/regain control and prevent REGRETTABLE/DESTRUCTIVE ACTIONS.

ONE THING TO BE AWARE OFF, BIPOLAR DISORDER WILL MOST LIKELY IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL COMPLETELY DESTROY YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BD DAUGHTER OR SON AND WILL ALSO IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL MOST LIKELY TOTALLY OBLITERATE ANY RELATIONSHIP WITH A LOT OF THE REST OF YOUR NEAREST & DEAREST. THIS IS A BASIC FACT AND THE VERY UNFORTUNATE NATURAL IMPACT OF BD. THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO REALISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SOMETHING MIGHT BE WRONG WITH YOUR DAUGHTER OR SON BY KNOWING AND KEEPING A LOOK OUT FOR THE CLEARLY OBVIOUS SIGNS NO MATTER HOW HARD/DIFFICULT THAT MIGHT BE ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A VERY CLOSE RECENT FAMILY HISTORY OF BIPOLAR DISORDER. THAT IS WHEN YOU REALLY NEED TO TAKE HEED!