Hi,

I’ve got to tell you about the funniest thing that happened. You know how we’re taught to follow directions from the time that we’re a child, right? But you also know that it’s typical for men not to follow directions. I mean, women complain about that all the time about men. Not me – I follow directions (I learned the hard way). But my friend? He’s a typical macho type man – no following directions for him. He went to put this toy together for his kid. I thought it looked really complicated and, like I said, I would’ve followed the directions (all 3 pages of them!).

So he’s putting together this toy, which had like a gazillion pieces to it. So I said, “Are you sure you don’t want to follow the directions?” And he said, “Dude. I know what I’m doing.” An hour later, sweating and swearing…I asked him, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” He just grunted at me. Another hour and a half…Still sweating but no longer swearing, my friend pronounced the project done. I looked at all the leftover pieces doubtfully, but didn’t dare say a word. You’ll never guess what happened (well, maybe you will). The minute his son touched the toy, the whole thing fell apart! LOL It was hilarious (at least to me)!

This time I couldn’t resist saying something, so I said, “Dude. Maybe you should have followed the directions.” It was funny to me, but it sure wasn’t funny to my friend. But he brought it on himself by not following the directions.

There are times when it is crucial that you follow the directions. With your loved one’s medications, for example. Sometimes they can be very confusing. The directions might say to take it four times a day, or every four hours. So you might wonder when to take it, or question if you have to take it at night. But you can (and should) ask the doctor or pharmacist to clarify the directions for you, because it’s imperative that your loved one take their medications right. You have to follow directions, or you may not have a positive outcome, like my friend.

Your loved one needs to do what their doctor and other professionals tell them to do. They’re looking out for their best interests, and they know from experience what works best for people who have bipolar disorder. That’s why they give them directions, and they need to follow them if they want to get better. There are pieces to stability, just like there were pieces to my friend’s project. And they need to follow the directions to get the pieces all put together right.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave