Hi,

Do you like to read? I do. I read, like, at least10 books a week. But, then, I’m a speedreader, so that’s how I read so many books. And about all different subjects, too. I find that it keeps me on my toes. And I like learning about all kinds of things, too. Not just about bipolar disorder all the time. Do you like to read fiction books? Are you one of those people who reads the book from beginning to end? Or are you one of those “cheaters” who skips to the end to see how it turns out and then goes back and reads the book through? AHA! Caught ya! lol

Unfortunately, you just can’t do that with bipolar disorder. You can’t jump to the end of the story to see how it turns out. You just have to take each day as it comes. Just like reading a book a page at a time…You have to take each day with bipolar disorder one day at a time. Because one day your loved one may be doing great, but the next day they could be in a bipolar episode. And you may not even see it coming. Kind of like those exciting twists and turns in the plot of a story, right? Only this is your story, and it’s not so exciting when it’s real life and you’ve got to deal with it. And you don’t like it when things happen that you didn’t expect. Lots of people don’t like surprises. Especially bad ones. That’s because they don’t like when they’re not in control.

We like to know that we’re in control of things. Unfortunately, when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder, many times you aren’t in control of things. There is a high unpredictability factor when it comes to bipolar disorder.

Still…That doesn’t mean that you can’t try to “write” some of the story anyway. In other words… You can try to be as prepared as you can be in some areas. For example: You can be aware of the signs and symptoms of bipolar episodes in general, and your loved one’s episodes in particular. Think back to past episodes. What were some signs that they were in a manic or

depressed episode in the very beginning of it? Did their appetite change? Did their sleeping habits change? Did their mood change? Did their behavior change (in what way)? Did they stop exercising? Did they stop doing activities that they normally would enjoy? Were they talking more than usual? Were they acting really hyper? Were they spending money excessively?

If you see these things happen again, these would be “hints” that your loved one is going into another episode, and you can get them help right away before they go into a full-blown episode.

Then you can control at least this chapter of the story.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave