Hi,

You know I do a lot of reading about bipolar disorder, right? I read everything I can get my hands on, all the time. Because in order to keep you well-informed, I have to stay well-informed.

And also because I am still a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder myself. And there is always new stuff coming out all the time. Well, I read something in a brochure from the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) called “Making the Journey to Recovery,” and I thought it was really interesting. So I wanted to share it with you.

This excerpt from the brochure said:

“All of us are unique. What works for one person may not work for another. But one thing is true for everyone: The more you know about your illness and treatment choices, the more ready you’ll be to make the decisions that are right for you. You can control your illness and your life. With the help of friends, family, health professionals, and support groups, you can recover.”

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I really liked what that brochure said, because too many times the information you read is negative. It can even discourage you. But this was very encouraging, I thought. I’m always talking about recovery from bipolar disorder, that it is possible, and how to get there. I try to give people hope, and direction. That’s what I think this brochure did, too.

It raised some good points. It’s especially important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another. Because you may hear things like at a support group meeting, that you might want to take home with you, and that wouldn’t be the right thing to do. For example…Just because some person says that this one medication is great and did wonders for their loved one, doesn’t mean that it would work for your loved one. Like the brochure says, everyone is unique.

You also can’t compare yourself to another supporter, because each of you are different as well.

Don’t try to be like someone else. Just keep doing what works for your loved one and you.

I also like what the brochure said about the thing that is the same for everyone. That the more you know about your illness and treatment choices, the more ready you’ll be to make the decisions that are right for you. Notice it says, “…right for YOU.” Because, remember again that everyone is different.

And you know I’m always stressing education. That’s because I don’t think you could ever know everything about bipolar disorder. There is new information coming out all the time. And there are decisions you and your loved one both have to make in controlling and managing their bipolar disorder. The more informed you are, like the brochure said, the better off you will be to make those decisions.

The best part of the brochure to me, though, is that it tells you that you CAN control your illness and your life. Because that’s one of the main things I’m always saying about bipolar disorder –

that it can be controlled. And that it doesn’t have to take over your life. And, like the brochure ends: “…you can recover.” I really like that part, because it reinforces what I tell you as well:

That recovery from bipolar disorder IS possible!

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave