Hi, how’s it going? I hope you’re having a great day.

Do you know what Rainex is? It’s a solution that you put on your car window that literally makes rain “bead up” and roll right off your windshield. This stuff really works!

Speaking of “rolling off…”

I was thinking about this in relation to bipolar disorder. One thing you need to learn is to let things “roll off” your back without reacting. I know, it doesn’t seem fair, because your loved one

probably doesn’t do this.

But just like the beads of rain just “roll off” your car windshield when you use Rainex, you need to let some things “roll off” your back when you’re dealing with someone who has bipolar disorder.

Your loved one experiences mood swings sometimes, just by virtue of the fact that they have bipolar disorder. They can’t help some of their behavior because of this. But that doesn’t make it any easier for you to deal with or excuse.

Well, if you can’t change their behavior, what you CAN do is change your REACTION to their behavior.

For instance, like I was talking about – let things roll off your back. In other words, don’t take things personally. And don’t react to them in a negative way. Which is hard, I know, because sometimes your loved one can say some pretty harsh and hurtful things. My mom did that to me, too, when she was in her episodes.

Fighting back is definitely not the answer. Your loved one’s anger may be because of an irritable mood, not even because of something you’ve done. If that’s the case, you have no defense anyway. And fighting back with them will just make them angrier.

Many times they will absolutely believe they are right about something, even though you know they’re wrong. You still won’t get anywhere by fighting back with them. They believe they are right,no matter what you say. This is a common problem with bipolar disorder.

Then you get frustrated…Stressed…Angry…Resentful…Or a host of other negative emotions.

So what CAN you do about it? You need to learn to let things roll off your back. Remember the image of the Rainex and your windshield. Don’t take things personally. Remember that it is the bipolar disorder talking, and not your loved one. And don’t hold onto resentments – they will only affect you in a negative way.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave