Hi,

Today I’d like to talk to both survivors and supporters, because it’s a very important topic that applies to both of you.

I’m also going to be talking about all different ages, too, because whether you are diagnosed as a child or adolescent or as an adult or older person, what I’m talking about will still apply to you.

I’m talking about something that is crucial to good recovery from bipolar disorder. Just as importantly, it’s crucial to keeping your sanity in the day-to-day living with the disorder.

I know you probably think I’m being all secretive about this topic and all, but I’m really not. I’m just stressing its importance.

What I’m talking about is the importance of having a good strong support system. Like I said, it is crucial to good recovery. It can literally make the difference between life and death when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder.

There have been some people with the disorder who have killed themselves because they didn’t have a support system, because they didn’t have anyone to turn to at that final moment, and that is sad, but avoidable.

You can start your support system with your medical and mental health professionals – doctor,

psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, social worker, or whoever else makes up your treatment team.

But that can’t be all that makes up your support system.

Especially if you are younger. When a child is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their world

pretty much revolves around home and school, so their support system will probably consist more of their family and friends. It will be important to them to have friends in their support

system who do NOT have bipolar disorder, so they can feel a sense of normalcy.

What’s most important when you’re dealing with a child is that they feel as normal as possible, and that means fitting in with their friends and feeling loved and accepted unconditionally by

their family. If you are the parent of a child with bipolar disorder, this is where you should spend your best efforts.

Feeling a sense of normalcy is especially important as you get into the teen years. At that point, they will be dealing with the normal adolescent angst and crazy emotions along with their bipolar disorder, so having friends without the disorder who still care for them and accept them anyway will be very important to them, and should be included in their support system.

At that age, they are also trying to deal with a sense of self, and may struggle with their self-esteem, a common problem also associated with bipolar disorder. They may need to see a counselor, social worker, or therapist to discuss some of these issues.

Another issue that may need to be dealt with is the family situation. There are family therapists set up especially for this. You have to understand that these are the years during which they

will be wanting their freedom and independence, and the bipolar disorder may make that natural rebellion worse. It may be difficult to deal with these issues, which is why I said you might want to see a family counselor at this point in order to continue being a good support for your child.

You can’t expect to be their only (or even strongest) support at that age. To them, their friends will be more important than you are. So you may have to allow them this freedom. Think of it this way – at least they have a support system.

Supporters, let me talk to you for a minute. You need to have your own support system. You may not have even thought of that, but only thought of your loved one needing a support system, but you need one, too, or you will burn out. You have your own set of needs, and you have to see to them. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of your loved one?

There are support groups for supporters, too. You also need people close to you to whom you can turn when you need help.

Your loved one, of course, needs their own support system separate from yours. This needs to consist of more than just their medical and mental health professionals or they won’t turn to them for help when they need someone. It also can’t only consist of you for the same reason (and

because they don’t need to burn you out). They should have their own set of friends.

These can come from their support group, so that some of them also have bipolar disorder and understand the unique challenges that accompany the disorder. But they should also have other friends and supporters as well. Having a good strong support system will lead to stability for

your loved one and will help you as well.

Your Friend,

Dave