Hi,

Remember the movie from way back called, “What About Bob?”

Well, I was just thinking about it the other day.

I was thinking about the plot — how this guy Bob, he’s just a regular guy (well, not regular,

really, he’s actually pretty neurotic) – he is so afraid of everything that he goes to this psychiatrist to help him.

The main theme is “Baby Steps.” (That’s the name of the psychiatrist’s book and the type of psychiatry he pushes.)

So I was thinking about it and thinking about you and how the two go together.

So this is how I see it: So much of the time I talk about the “heavy” issues associated with bipolar disorder and your loved one. And maybe some of these things are too hard for you (or your loved one) to deal with right now. Maybe your loved one has just been diagnosed, for example, or maybe they’re in denial, or maybe they are medication non-compliant, or maybe

they’re just hard for you to deal with, or whatever.

So some of the things I talk about are hard for you to apply to your situation. So today I want to talk about BABY STEPS. Celebrating small victories.

In the beginning, I talk to people about medication, setting up a strong support system, following a treatment plan, etc. But it is in the implementing of these things that the small victories come, in the beginning (for some people, even in the later stages, as well!). when they are first learning about the disorder and how to manage it.

For example, if you’re struggling with your loved one just to get them to take their medication,

and you finally “win the battle,” that is a small victory! (in the big scheme of things). Or if you’re just trying to get them to get out of bed because they’re so depressed, and they’ve been in bed for a week… and then one day you’re able to get them out of bed (finally) – that is a small victory!

Celebrate small victories!

What if your loved one doesn’t want to go to their doctor’s appointment, but you talk them

into it, or even go with them? That’s a small victory.

What if they don’t want to go see their family? But you convince them to let their family

come to see them? That’s a small victory. Celebrate it!

What if they refuse to go to their bipolar support group one night, but you talk them into it by agreeing to go with them? That’s a small victory. Celebrate small victories!

What if they go one month without an episode? That’s a small victory! What if they go 3 months without an episode? That’s an even bigger victory! So you go from baby step to baby step, and pretty soon you get to where you want your loved one to be.

And, along the way…That’s right! You…Celebrate small victories!

You and your loved one set realistic goals…And when your loved one meets those goals…Yes, you celebrate those victories!

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave