Hi,
How’s it going for you today?
I hope it’s going good.
I want to share an email I got with you:
“Dave, it’s so hard being a supporter
to someone who has bipolar disorder,
but you already know that. I’ve always
tried to look at things in a positive way,
to the point that I earned the nickname
the Eternal Optimist. Still, it’s so hard
to be an optimist when you’re facing all
the things that bipolar makes you face.
Sometimes my sister goes through times
where she is just like she used to be,
and we’re really happy during those times.
But when she goes into an episode, she’s
like a totally different person. She’s had
so many problems with her medications,
and she just can’t seem to stay stable for
very long.
She’s even gotten in trouble with the law,
and other things, because of her episodes,
and the rest of the family won’t even
have anything to do with her any more.
But as hard as it is, I just can’t desert her.
See, even though I know there’s no cure for her,
I do believe that she can get better. Sometimes
she shows signs of it, and those are the times I
hang onto. She has a hard time believing she’ll
ever get better, though, and sometimes I just don’t
know what to do to encourage her. Do you have
any advice? Linda”
———————————————————
The Eternal Optimist.
Linda sure sounds like one, doesn’t she?
Well, I believe we can all learn a lesson from her.
She’s right about there being no cure, unfortunately, and that’s true, but in my courses/systems, I teach you how to cope and deal with bipolar disorder in spite of it.
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
Bipolar disorder is a very cunning and baffling disorder.
Many people with the disorder do lose their family and friends because of it.
They have to deal with consequences of their episodes, like this woman’s sister, and that can be rough.
Sometimes the consequences are pretty bad.
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
There may have been times that you wanted to give up on your loved one, too, because sometimes it just gets so hard to deal with them.
That’s a normal feeling for a supporter.
But to Linda, and to you, my best advice is:
NEVER GIVE UP.
Yes, there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, but there is treatment for it.
And if your loved one adheres to their treatment, they have the best chance at stability.
And they WILL get better.
Like the sister, however, it may take time to find the right medications, so you may have to be patient during this process.
Just never give up.
Don’t give up hope for a cure.
Don’t give up hope for your loved one to get better.
And don’t give up on your loved one.
That’s probably the most important thing for a supporter to do.
And sometimes one of the hardest.
But if you had read as many success stories as I have, you would know that it IS possible to recover from bipolar disorder.
It’s not easy.
And it is a process.
And all processes take time.
But it will help your loved one so much if they know that you believe in them and that they will reach stability.
Wouldn’t you like to be like the Eternal Optimist?
Then NEVER GIVE UP.
Bipolar disorder CAN be defeated!