Hi,

Have you ever heard of the expression: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” Did you ever think that it might apply to you? You might never have thought of yourself as tough before. In fact…You may have even thought of yourself as the opposite. But sometimes what we go through in life changes us. Situations we go through can make us stronger. They can MAKE us tougher when we weren’t before. Like coping with a loved one with bipolar disorder. You may never have known you were going to be a bipolar supporter (who could predict that). Much less that it would make you tough. But I bet it has, hasn’t it? You have to cope with things now that you never thought you would have to cope with before.

One of the first obstacles you had to overcome was denial. Denial is what you go through when you’re first told that your loved one has bipolar disorder. It’s like you don’t want to believe it at first. For some people, it takes a long time to get through this stage. For other people, it’s easier to accept. Maybe because they knew there was something wrong, and the diagnosis just put a name to it. That might be you. Still, there were hurdles to overcome. Challenges to overcome.

And at times it has been tough, hasn’t it? I know…Because I went through it. When I was helping my mom, there were times when I thought the challenges were too much for me. But then I thought of that saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

It’s funny how sayings that could be silly can keep you going at times. Sometimes everyone needs a bit of encouragement. It helps. It can be pretty lonely sometimes being a bipolar supporter. That’s why it’s so important to have a good, strong support system. And to be part of a support group. So that you have others to help you. And to support you. To keep you going when the times do get tough. And to remind you that you’re not alone in this fight. And to keep you from burning out, which happens all too often with supporters of a loved one with bipolar

disorder, unfortunately. So you need to watch that. Just remember that you ARE tough! And you CAN handle this!

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave