Hi,
You know, we go along sometimes, and we take things for granted. Like we take for granted that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. We just do, right? Why? Because it rose today.
And we expect that our loved one is going to be stable today, right? Why? Because they were stable yesterday. We just take that for granted. Some things we just take for granted.
Well, some things we can just take for granted. But what about the other things? What about when you can’t take it for granted that your loved one is going to be stable today just because they were stable yesterday? What if something triggers them today and they go into a bipolar episode? That can still happen no matter how long they have been stable.
But you can take things for granted TOO much, and then get into trouble. The point is, you need to expect the unexpected. You need to try to plan for every eventuality when it comes to bipolar disorder.
That way you’re not taken by surprise, and the next thing you know…Your loved one is in a bipolar episode and you totally did NOT expect that!
Like what happened to this couple that I know. They were planning this long distance move. They had planned everything out to the letter, and even to the last penny.
They had saved all their money for the move. They had given notice to their landlady…They had gotten a new apartment in the new state they were moving to…Paid the deposits and already gotten everything turned on like the electricity and water and everything…
Forwarded their mail…Transferred their bank accounts…Had everything packed in boxes and crates and were living out of a small suitcase and eating fast food…Told everyone they were moving…Said their goodbyes…And were all ready to go in 5 days.
Then the unexpected happened. The husband had a major car accident and ended up in the hospital.
They thought they had planned for everything, but they hadn’t planned on that. They had not planned on the unexpected to happen, and they were totally unprepared for it.
They decided to go ahead with the move anyway, even though he had to stay behind for a month in a rehab hospital before he could join her in the new city. It was rough going, but she was able to hold onto her bipolar stability and not go into a bipolar episode, because she kept taking her bipolar medication, and kept her stress levels to a minimum, in spite of a major move (it helped that she had family for support where she was moving to).
The point is, you need to be able to expect the unexpected. When it comes to bipolar disorder, you need to plan and plan…And then plan some more.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave