Bipolar: This is the Difference

 

Hi,

I have a friend who calls himself a “recovering alcoholic.” One day I asked him what’s the difference between being a “recovering” alcoholic and a “regular” alcoholic? And he said, “I don’t drink.” So let me ask you something: What’s the difference between being a high functioning person with bipolar disorder and being just a “regular” person with bipolar disorder?

For one thing, if you were to look at a high functioning person with bipolar disorder, you’d probably never know that they even have the disorder. They are productive, stable, and successful, and live a pretty normal life. So what else makes the difference? Usually their attitudes. A high functioning person has a positive attitude…While a low functioning person is just the opposite – they have a negative attitude. Another difference is that one is willing to do whatever it takes to reach (and maintain) stability, while the other one isn’t. Guess which one isn’t. Right. A low functioning person is like those people with bipolar disorder who you hear complain all the time, or blame all their problems on the disorder.

A high functioning person will change their lifestyle to suit their stability. They will eat right, exercise, and keep a good sleep schedule. They will be productive. They will take all their medications willingly (not just for their bipolar disorder, but for everything). They will see their doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist faithfully. They will have a strong support system. They will avoid what they’ve learned are triggers to a bipolar episode for them. They will keep their stress and anxiety to a minimum, avoiding those things and situations (and sometimes people) who raise their stress and anxiety levels. They will watch for any signs and symptoms of episodes, so they can avoid them. In other words, in one word, they are STABLE. And they worked hard to get that way. While the low functioning person is just the opposite. They won’t be medication compliant (or will complain about having to take it if they do take it at all). They won’t have a strong support system. They think they can handle this on their own. They won’t go to see their doctor, psychiatrist or therapist, because they don’t think they need them. They will probably sleep too much and even be lazy and unproductive. They will go through several episodes. In other words, they are NOT STABLE.

What’s the difference? Just what I said in one sentence before: The high functioning person with bipolar disorder will do whatever it takes to get stable and to maintain that stability. Willingly and with a positive attitude, they will do WHATEVER it takes. Is your loved one doing whatever it takes to maintain their stability? If not, they could lose it.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

  1. how do you get them to be stable. we are doinjg the majority things on the list. we vivit the doctor we are taken medication, and he is still sleeping and talking and laughing to hisself, i am talking about my 22 year old son. He was heade3d for college, but obivously not anymore. help!!

  2. Hi Friend,

    I dont have inspiring news today – It’s about a woman who took all of her cousin’s medication (cousin is a recovering alocholic) She doesn’t drink but as a result of taking his medication now she’s in therapy.

    She only went by his exterior appearance which looked pretty good but as a result she started inheriting all his problems. here’s a person who started out “with nothing at all” that is, no problems; as a result of the “bad eye” she copied everything he did even assuming “his gender” how pathetic is that! and now she’s a Royal mess! Many have noticed the difference – it is for the worst! I never believed that Envy was a Demon till I saw the difference it made in her life! She’s on a slow path to detoxing her complete life – even reaching an exact extreme path where she’s not emulating anyone by means of celebrations, dressings or eating patterns and she’s on Hope Road now.

    Better late than never!!!!

  3. Great topic again, Dave! Thanks. She was before that not stable person, but now she has learned how and why she need my support and take her meds, etc.. etc.. so, we go that positive direction day by day.. and learning with in it. and her (my wife) attidude has changed so much. Now she DOES want to take meds. and I am happy and prowd to her now. and I also tell that to her. To me, that is also important that she does know that she has done something good. well, on that her avoid stressful situations has a bit more to learn.. but we will go that direction to gether now. and thanks good topic, again.

  4. HI David,
    I so appreciate reading your column, as my 23 year old son has recently been diagnosed bipolar. I have soooooo many questions, and one of them you asked today. Am I doing enough to support him through this? I feel like I am doing nothing…. he doesn’t want to take support, help, etc. or wants to think he doesn’t need it. He is stablized with meds. and not treating us poorly….just so detached and non-involved. Guess I have vented enough. Thank you for listening. Sue

  5. Oh yeah, please use my time and emotional energy on your obsessive, exaggerated, angry story of self pity. Let’s really make big out of little, and loop this drama back to all the past dramas and future catastrophes and see who can feel the most victimized. And let’s hate other people for not seeing our point of view or for not fixing our lives for us. And let’s be totally offended for any slight or eye roll and every disrespectful action. Let’s just wallow in misery over crap!

    Epiphany: Oh, that’s just a habit of entertainment that I play with myself ~ linda

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