Hi, how are things going for you? I hope you’re doing well today.
You know, it’s not just the churches that promote being of service to others. It has been shown that people who are of service to others are more positive, outgoing, self-confident, and successful.
I think part of it, at least, could be that by servicing others, they are thinking about the other person and not themselves. In other words, it takes their mind off their own problems.
Everybody needs a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Everybody needs a purpose to
their life. Especially people with bipolar disorder.
If you or your loved one with the disorder are too idle, you will have too much time on your
hands, for one thing. And then you risk the part about concentrating on yourself and your own problems. Even worse, idleness can sometimes lead into a bipolar depressive episode. And you don’t want that to happen. So you need to keep busy. And what better way than of being service to others?
It could be as simple as helping with the coffee at your bipolar support group. It could be as complex as becoming a tutor or teaching music lessons, or volunteering at a charity or even
a business. Or it could be anything in between. It’s all up to you.
The point is to take your mind off the negative aspects of your life and train yourself to look at
the positive aspects of it – like helping others.
We especially think of this at this time of year, at the holidays. Not everyone is in a good position right now. Some families are really suffering under financial weight, loss of job, loss of home, etc. There may be something you can do to help, even if it’s just in a small way.
There are other ways to help as well. You can use your gifts and talents to be of use to others. For example, like I mentioned before about being a tutor. You may even be able to make
some money for yourself while you are being of service to someone else.
However you help others is up to you, and where your interests lie, because what you do best will be best for the people you’re trying to help. For instance, I know someone with bipolar disorder who loves to read. So she became a Literacy Volunteer and helped other adults learn how to read, who couldn’t before her help.
Being of service to others is so important to the stability and self-esteem of someone with bipolar
disorder. The more you help someone else, the better you will feel about yourself.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
I wanted to order your free seminar but did not want to put my credit card information on the computer. Is it possible to order and send a check for the postage and handling? thanks, Kay
david please write to the bipolar people and not the supporters all the time. i’m bipolar and i would like some information on being bipolar in you daily letters. it’s always to the supporters and not us with bipolar. thank you so much if you can do that. i look forward to reading about bipolar and not supporters.
This is very true and applies to all of us, with or without bipolar. In my experience it’s often much easier to help someone else than to help yourself. My bipolar loved one still doesn’t want to do anything much. He sleeps an awful lot, which tells me that he is still not in perfect health. However, any time a friend needs help, he is the first one to give it. Sometimes he gets taken advantage of, though. He is gradually getting better now without the drink.
Dear Dave and readers,
I recently began some PT work for a friend who has M.S. She has become unable to do her laundry: the lifting and bending, which is very difficult for her from her power chair. So I’m her In-Home Supportive Services caregiver, employed by her but PAID by the county. Imagine getting paid to do laundry!! It is truly my Higher Power’s provision for my life!!
Remember me? Recovering alcoholic, living w/Bipolar II Depression, ALSO on a one-day-at-a-time process. Thanks for letting me share.
i sent a comment last night and it’s still “awaiting moderation.” There aren’t many comments on last night’s topic, maybe there were more that didn’t get through. I think something is wrong with the system.
Hi Dave,
I have done a course in Reiflexology which is to do with your feet I have started to help my family and friends I would also like to start helping and working with the Elderly I was diagnosed on the 11th of September 2006 with Bipolar Disorder and was prescribed antidepressants and a mood stabilizer they removed me from the anti depressant saying that it would cause a manic episode with the mood stabilizer that I am currently on… now the Epilim is the current mood stabilizer that I am currently on and I am still having my bipolar moments meaning that I have the mixed bipolar manic and depression so what can I do I only see my psychiatrist on the 25th of next month and I have had to very bad episodes in two days…I need help please if someone who has bipolar feels that this illness is in control of them and that they are not in control of it please let me know cause I feel like I am losing my mind here I need all the help I can get thanks….
Marcelle Merckel