Objective
Scant research to date has focused upon strategies used to maintain or regain wellness in bipolar disorder (BD). We present results from a qualitative study of self-management strategies used by a Canadian sample of high-functioning individuals with BD. Specifically, we: 1) Provide a description of the self-management strategies identified as effective, and 2) Explore these results from a clinical perspective.

Methods
Individuals with BD type I or II (N = 33) quantitatively determined as high functioning (i.e. a global score of 1 or 2 on the Multidimensional Scale of Independent Functioning) completed quantitative scales to assess depression, mania, psychosocial functioning and quality of life, and underwent either an individual interview or focus group to explore the self-management strategies they used to maintain wellness.

Results
The self-management strategies that individuals enacted are contained within the following categories: 1) sleep, diet, rest and exercise; 2) ongoing monitoring; 3) reflective and meditative practices; 4) understanding BD and educating others; 5) connecting to others and; 6) enacting a plan. These strategies can be supported by the clinician via a range of techniques in an effort to assist individuals with BD to maintain or regain wellness.

Conclusions
The strategies adopted by individuals who are coping well with their BD show remarkable overlap with the targets of existing adjunctive psychosocial interventions for BD. The present findings serve to remind the clinician of significant individual differences in the personal meaning and concrete application of superficially similar strategies.