Hi, how’s it going? Hope you are doing well.

I was talking to a friend of mine today. She was talking about this horrible fear that she has. She is extremely afraid of trains. She is completely convinced that they are as likely to derail as not. She was telling me that a penny on the tracks can derail a train.

Well, I don’t think she’s right about that part. Maybe back in older times with older technology that might be true. But now days, trains are made much more sophisticated than that. They aren’t nearly as likely to derail as my friend thinks they are.

Unfortunately, dealing with bipolar disorder is a little different. Someone with bipolar disorder is much more likely to ‘derail,’ so to speak, than a train is. As their supporters, it is our job to do everything in our power to keep that from happening.

But how much can we really do? I mean, honestly? Well, the (honest) answer to that is: A LOT.

We can help them make a treatment plan, which is basically like the rails that a train rides on to begin with. Then we can help them to stick to that treatment plan. This is like making sure that they don’t derail.

Helping them stick to their treatment plan is not always easy, but it is doable. You can start by making sure that they make it to their appointments for their doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists. Take away any excuses they have to not go. For example, if their excuse is that no one will watch their children while they are at the appointment, then make sure that they have a babysitter that is reliable and trustworthy.

The next step is making sure that they take their medications as prescribed. This isn’t always easy. Sometimes they really don’t feel like it for one reason or another. But keep reminding them of their goal of recovery, and of how much better their life will be once they are stable.

Remind them of how much worse they do when they are off the medications, and help them to realize how much better they will be if they stay on them. Be prepared to remind them every time it is time for them to take their medications, and there may even be a struggle to get them to want to every time.

This is especially true if they are depressed, because they may not want to get out of bed to take the medications. Take away every excuse, once again. Bring their medications to them, if you need to, along with a glass of something to drink with them.

The next step to keep them from ‘derailing,’ so to speak, is to give them feedback on how they are doing. If they are talking too fast, or if they are sleeping all day, or if they are spending all their money on frivolous things, then let them know. It’s possible that they didn’t even realize that they were doing it.

There are many other steps you can take to keep them following their treatment plan, and you can use them all as tools. The real question is, are you prepared to do whatever it takes to help them stick to their treatment plan?

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave