Hi,
You know…Sometimes I think that the words bipolar disorder are synonymous with the word frustration. Am I right? I mean, don’t you agree? You walk around frustrated half the time when you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, let’s just be honest about it. I know when I was trying to help my mom…In the beginning…It was like I felt like I couldn’t do anything right, like everything I did was wrong. I was SO frustrated! I just couldn’t figure this bipolar thing out!
And it didn’t help that there was just no clear instruction for me out there, either. That’s why I made it my mission to help others, so they wouldn’t have to go through what I went through.
But even with my help, there is still going to be frustration. It just happens when you’re trying to cope with bipolar disorder. There is just so much to deal with. Like…Everything could be going along fine, no problems in sight, but the next thing you know…Your loved one is in a bipolar episode. It just happens. It’s the nature of the beast. It’s just something you have to learn to deal
with. It doesn’t mean you have to like it, though. And it doesn’t mean you won’t get frustrated
by it, because you will.
So let’s go over some frustration do’s and don’ts. There are some things you can do about the frustration that comes with bipolar disorder. The first thing you have to do is acknowledge it.
You have to acknowledge that you feel frustrated, because just stuffing the feeling can lead to worse things. Like more stress. And stress can lead to heart attack and stroke. So you don’t want that. You can also talk to someone about the frustration you’re feeling. Maybe you can even talk to your loved one about it. Talk to your support group. Talk to a friend or family member. Talk to your priest, minister, or rabbi. Talk to a therapist. If you don’t have anyone to talk to about it, then write about it in a notebook or journal. But get the frustration out somehow. Don’t stuff it.
Another thing you can do when you’re frustrated is scream in the shower. Don’t laugh – this works! Or punch a pillow. As many times as it takes until you get rid of the frustration.
One thing you do NOT want to do when you’re frustrated is to take it out on those around you, especially your loved one. Because the next thing you know…You’re in a big fight. And you don’t want that. So try to get rid of your frustration in one of the more positive ways instead.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
My former fiancee once said if a person mysteriously “changed” as far their behavior or attitude was concerned, DONT ASK ANY QUESTIONS – START PRAISING THE HIGH HEAVENS FOR THE CHANGE!!!!!!! I STARTED LAUGHING OUT LOUD. I DIDN’T GET TO VISIT CHURCH YESTERDAY BUT I ENJOYED A NICE WALK THORUGH THE VILLAGE WITH A NICE GIRLFRIEND (123) AND WE HAD A GOOD TALK.
DEFINITELY DON’T FOLLOW BAD EXAMPLES BUT START EMULATING THE GOOD ONES. I knew a woman who was never bipolar but she allowed herself to believe she was because she was around those who were – that’s a bad example to follow.
my friend noticed a change in me and said continue asking Your Heavenly Father for More Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit is the Comforter! I definitely didn’t go to Church but I should have maybe I’ll go on a Tuesday.
Thank you!
Good advice but almost every time there is an episode I am driving. tHe last time both fists were flying and it left bruises since he is sixteen and bigger than me. he refuses to take his meda, hates me and now won’t come home. To make matters worse I live in east Tennessee where I can’t find help. Their idea of help has been locking him up for almost two years in juvenile prisons which has heightened matters. Now he has no feelings for anyone. I really need help.
Could it be that the frustration that we feel is that we are in touch with the fact that we are the powerless ones here? not able to change an able bodied whole person at all. After all we can’t “change” our loved one’s identity let alone behavior to suit ourself. The only person we can alter is our attitude to accomodate what we feel is not tolerable as far as another’s behavior or way of life might be.
And…I appreciate people like you, Dave who do take the time to make easy for people like me. I was fortunate enough to only attract one ill-natured Boss in my life and after that I made it a mission to not accept jobs, relationships or friendships that would resemble that one Boss – she was bipolar, schizo, and kept company with the afternoon demon (depression) a bit too much for me. In addition to that I took my friend Jean’s advice if you dont break the pattern of attraction to this type, you will come home depressed everyday and worst yet you may not even want to stay home because there may be a character with those same traits living in your very home!!!!
Bipolar is a serious disorder but at least I know where my limits are – MY HOME,FAMILY, HEALTH – i keep all agents far away from this. It was just a Boss but if I happen to court a man who just left a bipolar relationship, i will study his timing and look for patterns that will not be carried over into our relationship.
i all ways wonderd why when i get realy fustrated and start craying i would end up tacking a shower but it realy does work i jsut never thought of it as a coping mecinizum and tacking the fustration out on your loved one is not a good ideal but some times you have no choice because say you have a job and you know you cant tack it out at work because of lossing a job what options do you have other then hearting yor self witch allso is not a good ideal and because of the fustration geting more fustrated because of haveing to watch every thing you say and do for fear of geting in trouble because leting it build up is not an option because it just builds up