Hi,

Today I want to talk about bubble gum. Yep. You read it correctly – bubble gum! Before you think I’ve gone crazy… I know you’re asking yourself, what does bubble gum have to do with bipolar disorder?

Well, I’ll tell you: Remember that old song, “Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?” Well, whether you know the song or not, the idea is that after chewing bubble gum for awhile, it gets stale, doesn’t it? It loses its flavor, and it gets stale, and you have
to throw it out.

Now here comes the bipolar disorder part. Are you sure you want to hear this? Are you really sure? Ok, the truth is that after awhile, the things you’ve tried to help your loved one to stay
stable with their bipolar disorder just get old. They get stale, just like bubble gum.

What do you do with bubble gum when it gets stale? You do one of two things:

1. You throw it out.

2. You get a fresh piece.

So that’s my point. When what you’re doing with your loved one isn’t working any more, think about that bubble gum, and take a lesson from it. Either stop doing what you’re doing that isn’t
working any more, or try something “fresh” – something new!

If you only do one thing over and over again, and if it doesn’t work, (it gets “stale” like the
bubble gum), it’s certainly NOT going to help your loved one get any better. And it’s not going to help you, either. You have to try something new.

You can do it! Think of something you’ve not ever tried before. Think of new ideas. Talk to other supporters – maybe they’ve tried things that you haven’t. But whatever you do, it has to be something you haven’t tried before.

Like…How about surprising your loved one with a “reward” for “good behavior”? Cook them their favorite meal. Take them out to their favorite restaurant. Go out to the movies. Or rent their favorite video and stay in, popping some popcorn to go with it. Visit some friends or family. Go to a museum or art gallery. Go shopping and let them buy something they want.

Just something “fresh,” something new. I’m sure you can come up with some good ideas, can’t you?

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave