Hi,
Do you like to read mysteries? Or when you were young, did you like the Hardy Boy or Nancy Drew mysteries? Or what about Agatha Christie? She writes mystery novels. There are even train rides that offer mystery dinners with the ride, thrilling customers with a who-done-it mystery along with their fare! For those who love a good mystery, it never grows old.
But some people don’t like mysteries… So when faced with the mystery of bipolar disorder, they are truly baffled, and very much frustrated. Part of the frustration with the mystery of bipolar
disorder comes from the lack of knowledge about the disorder. What helps with that is learning as much as you can about bipolar disorder.
But here you are, trying to deal with someone who may, at times, seem like a virtual stranger…
At least when beset by their bipolar disorder (which can, during a bipolar episode, turn them
into someone you don’t know and cause them to act in unpredictable ways). That can certainly seem like a mystery to you. And can be very, very frustrating. So what can you do about it?
Well, if you are one of those people who always flips to the end of a story to see how it turns out
before you’re even halfway through, take it from me, this is going to frustrate you further. Because I’m going to tell you that you need to have patience above all else. And you may not want to hear that. But you need to. You just have to wait to see how the mystery turns out in the case of your loved one’s bipolar disorder.
Even if I were to tell you how MOST people’s bipolar disorder turns out, I still could not say
how YOUR loved one’s bipolar disorder will turn out, since everyone is different. What I CAN say, however, is IF your loved one does certain things, they stand a better chance of a happy ending to their mystery story.
IF…
They take their medications every day and as prescribed by their psychiatrist… They go to their appointments regularly as scheduled… They adhere to a good treatment plan… They have a good, strong support system… They stick to a good sleep schedule (8-9 uninterrupted hours of sleep per night, going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning)…
They eat a healthy diet and stay away from fat, caffeine, and other things that are bad for them…
They exercise, even if all they do is walk around the block every day (or at least 3 times a week) – you could even do this with them, if it will help them do it regularly…
They do things to help themselves, like keep a mood diary or journal, which can help predict
patterns and/or log triggers which can lead to a bipolar episode and catch one before it turns into
a full-fledged episode… They keep busy, and are productive, which will keep them from getting depressed…
They stand a good chance of reaching stability with their bipolar disorder.
Everyone needs to do something worthwhile that makes them feel needed and appreciated.
A To-Do List is good for this, as accomplishing things can make them feel productive at the end
of the day. If your loved one can no longer work outside the home full-time, maybe they can at least do volunteer work. Or they can at least help around the house, or do projects.
Hobbies are good as well. Doing something they enjoy will help them to feel good, and help with the sometimes downward swing of their bipolar disorder.
All these things will not only take the mystery out of bipolar disorder, but can lead to stability
for your loved one.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
Please look into the possibility that people diagnosed with bipolar disorder may posses a very strong intuitive component. This makes them supersensitive to emotions and behaviors of others. This in turn can mimic or trigger behaviors in individual for self protection.
My Son David who has bipolar is better at keeping himself busy. He only has a part time job, but is trying to get something else. He does exercise, we also walk together sometimes.
After his recent episodes he had a little set back, but is trying to get back on track. We just take one day at a time.
What all you have suggested here no doubt one would like that a Patient with Bipolar /Mental patient should do it but this is all what they never and they can’t do it what is the remedy to this can you suggest how to make them do this
there’s a french saying “vinim” pale ou
Come and discover the mystery of Wear!!! whoo hoo
there should be a little mystery in every relationship that is starting to bloom – especially one entailing “unconditional love”
p.s. Dave, I love Talkative Men – it’s a healing for me and my the disorder I once had.
shhhh
Hey David I am not sure if I am Bipolar or not. I still take my bipolar medicine, but my new Doctor feels that I have a different diagnosis and has added 2 more medicines. But my husband has joined the Red Cross and is a Dispatcher for them and now I am doing the same thing for 6 hours a day. And even once I did it for 12 hours a day. I do not do it everyday, but I am doing it 6 6 hour shifts a week sometimes
Hi Dave,
My son has just got out of prison and has been diagnosed as bipoler. He seems to be on a high all the time but if you say something that he does not like he flares up and looses control. Right now he is off his meds and waiting for his meds to arrive at our house. Would this be bipolar?
Sue