Hi,<\/p>\n
Hope you’re doing ok.<\/p>\n
Today I want to concentrate on you, and on tricks to being a better supporter.<\/p>\n
You may be thinking you already know what I’m going to say, but then you might learn a new trick or two, also!<\/p>\n
If you haven’t already, read everything
\nyou can on bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
You may have done this when your loved one was first diagnosed, but there is always new information coming out on the subject.<\/p>\n
There are new books, information on the Internet, articles at the library, etc.<\/p>\n
Also, talk to other supporters, because they might have new information as well.<\/p>\n
Stay informed, always stay educated!<\/p>\n
One thing I teach in my courses\/systems is to NOT be an enabler.<\/p>\n
Don’t do things for your loved one that they can do for themselves.<\/p>\n
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
\nVisit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/report11<\/p>\n
SUPPORTING A CHILD\/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
\nVisit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarparenting.com<\/p>\n
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
\nVisit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.survivebipolar.net
\nAnother thing you need to do is make your loved one take responsibility for their own decisions, choices, actions, and the consequences of those actions.<\/p>\n
Remember, you are NOT an enabler.<\/p>\n
It may not be easy to live with the consequences of what your loved one does during an episode, and it may be hard at first to make them take responsibility for them, but you have to.<\/p>\n
You are not responsible for what they do, THEY are!<\/p>\n
They are an adult, and so are you.<\/p>\n
You have to take care of your own decisions, choices, actions, and the consequences of those actions, don’t you?<\/p>\n
Then so should your loved one.<\/p>\n
This is especially true when they go into an episode.<\/p>\n
There may be financial consequences.<\/p>\n
There may even be legal consequences.<\/p>\n
But if you rescue them every time, what would make them take responsibility?<\/p>\n
If you want to be a good supporter, don’t be an enabler!<\/p>\n
They should also be responsible for taking their own bipolar medication.<\/p>\n
You shouldn’t have to make them take it, or else they will become too dependent on you.<\/p>\n
Also, you should never let your guard down.<\/p>\n
If you do, your loved one might get lazy and slip back into their old habits, thinking that nobody is looking.<\/p>\n
Like not taking their medication, or not going to appointments.<\/p>\n
They might even begin to sleep too much (or too little), or to isolate.<\/p>\n
They could begin to stress, or be in stressful situations.<\/p>\n
These are all triggers to episodes, so you need to watch for them.<\/p>\n
Watch for mood changes as well.<\/p>\n
You also need to be on guard for all signs and symptoms of both manic and depressive bipolar episodes.<\/p>\n
Don’t ever let your guard down, thinking that your loved one has been stable so long that they will never have another episode, because they will!<\/p>\n
And, perhaps, the most important advice of all –<\/p>\n
Don’t forget to take care of yourself!<\/p>\n
You won’t be any good to your loved one if you’re not good to yourself first.<\/p>\n
Many a supporter has been known to suffer burn-out because they spent all their time and energy meeting their loved one’s needs but not their own.<\/p>\n
It is NOT selfish to take care of yourself!<\/p>\n
Think about it this way:<\/p>\n
What would your loved one with bipolar disorder do if something ever happened to you?<\/p>\n
It’s not just your loved one who has to get the right amount of sleep, exercise, and eat a healthy diet.<\/p>\n
You need to do the same thing.<\/p>\n
You also need to do some of the same things I tell people with bipolar disorder to do to maintain
\ntheir stability, like:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tMaintain balance
\n\u2022\tStay healthy
\n\u2022\tBe productive
\n\u2022\tHave a hobby
\n\u2022\tHave a social life
\n\u2022\tSpend time with family
\n\u2022\tHave a good relationship
\n\u2022\tEtc.
\nIn other words, take care of yourself, and make sure all your needs are met physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.<\/p>\n
I hope you’ve learned at least one thing you didn’t know before, so you can be a better supporter!<\/p>\n
Do you have any other suggestions or tricks to being a better supporter?<\/p>\n
Let me know, and I may use them!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Hope you’re doing ok.<\/p>\n
Today I want to concentrate on you, and on tricks to being a better supporter.<\/p>\n
You may be thinking you already know what I’m going to say, but then you might learn a new trick or two, also!<\/p>\n
If you haven’t already, read everything
\nyou can on bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
You may have done this when your loved one was first diagnosed,<\/p>\n