Hi, how are you today? I hope you have a good day.
You know, in everyone’s life there are milestones – those events that mark time or progress in something. For example, your first milestone was, as a toddler, learning to talk. Then walking was probably your next milestone. Then maybe your next milestone was just getting through adolescence (which is a job in itself).
A milestone in adolescence might have been getting your first girlfriend/boyfriend. Another milestone might be getting your first job. Then your first car. Then your first apartment. Then (maybe) your first credit card. These are all milestones to becoming an adult.
Then when you’re a young adult, a milestone might be getting engaged, and another one the wedding itself. Then come children. Many parents think just getting through the “terrible twos” is a milestone in itself.
You should also have milestones to cross at work, if you plan to get ahead. You might work as stock boy in a grocery store…Then your next milestone might be a clerk, then head clerk, etc.
Milestones are goals that we set for ourselves. You may set a long-term goal, and the milestones are the short-term goals you have to reach to get there. That goes for bipolar disorder as well as in life in general.
Your loved one’s first milestone was probably just accepting the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. For many people, this is a very hard task. But once they accept it, they can go on to other milestones.
For example, getting used to taking their medication (without complaining). Or finally finding that right combinations of medications could be a milestone. Finding the right professionals is another milestone your loved one will have to reach on their way to stability. Your loved one’s learning how to communicate their needs to you might be a milestone. Going to a bipolar support group could be another milestone. Then charting their progress on the way…There will be several more milestones before they reach stability.
Hopefully, the medication will make this easier. Sometimes getting over the side effect hurdle from their medication is a milestone. And especially having the right medical and mental health professionals. They will have milestones to cross in therapy alone. So they will have professional or business milestones.
They will have financial milestones to cross if they go on disability, because it’s hard to live on that limited income, and some spending habits will have to change.
And also personal milestones to cross along the way. Getting through a bad bipolar episode is a milestone. But once they cross their bipolar milestones, the result is stability. And that is the result you’re looking and waiting for.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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My first “psychiatric” milestone was in learning I had a “mental illness.” As I was too sick to take it all in, I accepted that I was suffering from “exhaustion” and needed a rest. The major “milestone” was when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder…this scared me to death, as it meant they had a name for what was wrong with me, as well as being a very SERIOUS mental illness. But once I was put on the “perfect” cocktail of meds, my moods straightened out, and I haven’t had a major episode in 33 years. Of course, I rely on the staff of the local Mental Health clinic, and there have been a few mini-episodes, that were treated on an outpatient basis. The diagnosis meant that I had a life-long illness, but with proper treatment, I could lead a fairly “normal” life. It’s important to take your meds; have cognitive therapy; and see your psychiatrist often. I just celebrated another milestone: my 62nd birthday, and have never felt better in my life!!
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I continue to pray for my country.