I've had this problem all my life and as I read many others threads and posts here I see that the problem is common- at least on here.
Insight of your own behaviour is a real plus with mental illness. Seeing yourself from the "outside" just like others see you and your behaviour is one of the ways you can change your actions and reactions. But what if you know there is a change needed and you cannot do anything about it? It can be excruciating.
I accept everyone is different but here are ideas for you to think about to assist your mind to make changes.
- writing it down. I fell into this idea in desperation. eg I have an air compressor in my shed. Everytime I switched it on I forgot to switch it off after suing my nail gun. In the middle of the night...off it would go and my wife gave me the usual elbow to turn it off. Out I'd go in sub zero temps to turn it off. One day I made up a large sign "TURN OFF COMPRESSOR" and stuck it to my shed door. Funny that. I've never looked at that sign but have always remembered to turn it off. It was the action of writing the sign that made it stick in my mind. I then realised the effectiveness of writing it down.Take a notebook with you to psych appointments and write things down as you chat.
-Phone reminders. The modern day revelation. Learn how to use your alarms and notebook in your phone.
-Take a breath and step back. Visitors coming for a BBQ?. You are told that your mania exposes more when you get worked up on some topics but although you are aware of it, you find it hard to relax. Take hints from your partner and as well regularly step back from conversations and just listen. Over time this will become normal for you.
-Keep things simple eg mnemonics, point form,prioritise.You might have a list of 5 things you are wanting to change about yourself. Prioritise them and keep the details simple eg say my issues are -not being punctual, not allowing others to finish their sentence before I interrupt, getting emotional at social gatherings. Prioritising could be- PASPunk. If I can remember PASPunk as a word then it will allow me to break it down (this is suing mnemonics) P for punctuality, AS for allowing others to finish sentences and Punk for punctuality.
-Self encouragement/reassurance/positive thinking. Study positive thinking techniques
-Reading and re-reading.Go over paragraphs over and over again if you want it to stick in your mind
There are many reasons why sufferers of MI cannot progress. Hope this help you
