{"id":2211,"date":"2009-10-05T08:35:45","date_gmt":"2009-10-05T12:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/?p=2211"},"modified":"2009-10-05T08:35:45","modified_gmt":"2009-10-05T12:35:45","slug":"bipolar-communicating-with-your-loved-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-communicating-with-your-loved-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipolar? Communicating with Your Loved One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi,<\/p>\n

I hope you’re doing ok today.<\/p>\n

We hear a lot about how important communication is.<\/p>\n

Especially in a relationship, bipolar or not.<\/p>\n

Many supporters of a loved one with bipolar disorder tell me that it’s very hard to communicate with their loved one.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the complaints I’ve heard from other supporters:<\/p>\n

1.\tMy loved one sleeps too much<\/p>\n

2.\tMy loved one isolates<\/p>\n

3.\tThey won’t talk about things,<\/p>\n

or will only talk about surface<\/p>\n

things<\/p>\n

4.\tThey watch TV all the time<\/p>\n

5.\tThey are “in their own little<\/p>\n

world”<\/p>\n

6.\tThey are rarely home (and<\/p>\n

then only to eat and sleep)<\/p>\n

7.\t They ignore me<\/p>\n

8.\tThey don’t listen to what<\/p>\n

I’m really saying<\/p>\n

9.\tThey are self-centered<\/p>\n

10.\tThey complain all the time<\/p>\n

Now, first of all, how can you communicate with someone who sleeps all the time?<\/p>\n

Consider that they may have a problem such as being over-medicated, in which case you should talk to their doctor.<\/p>\n

But also consider that they may be sleeping to avoid talking with you (or anyone else).<\/p>\n

Don’t take this personally, it could be part of their bipolar disorder \u2013 possibly even a sign that they are in a depressive<\/p>\n

episode.<\/p>\n

As far as your loved one isolating (and therefore not really “there” to even talk to), isolation is both a trigger to a bipolar episode and a symptom of one.<\/p>\n

So, again, don’t take it personally, but if you think they are in an episode, contact their doctor.<\/p>\n

Hypersomnia (sleeping too much) and isolation are just two of the symptoms of a bipolar episode that I go over in my courses\/systems:<\/p>\n

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?<\/p>\n

Visit:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/report11<\/a><\/p>\n

SUPPORTING A CHILD\/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?<\/p>\n

Visit:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.bipolarparenting.com<\/a><\/p>\n

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?<\/p>\n

Visit:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.survivebipolar.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Some supporters tell me that their loved one just sits around and watches TV all the time, seeming to shut them out.<\/p>\n

Well, some people with bipolar disorder will do this, if they’re trying to escape their disorder (shut the world out).<\/p>\n

The problem with that is not only that they won’t communicate with you, but also that they won’t get any better, because they need to be productive and do something other than just sit in front of the TV doing nothing.<\/p>\n

Some supporters complain that their loved one is rarely home, and even then only to eat and sleep. They feel slighted, and their feelings are hurt. But they don’t tell their loved one that they’re feeling this way, so the person has no reason to act any different.<\/p>\n

Even if they are home, they may ignore you, not listen to what you’re really saying, be self-centered, and complain all the time.<\/p>\n

None of these situations lends itself to good communication.<\/p>\n

Some supporters have even told me that even when their loved one does talk to them, that it’s only about surface things, and not their thoughts and feelings.<\/p>\n

If your loved one is talking to you but doing it in the form of complaining, or only surface things, they are not really communicating.<\/p>\n

They are just talking AT you, instead of WITH you (especially for those who say their loved one doesn’t listen to them).<\/p>\n

Your loved one may be so consumed by their bipolar disorder and the issues surrounding it that they give no consideration toward good communication with you.<\/p>\n

You need to sit down together when your loved one is NOT in an episode, and communicate your thoughts and feelings to them.<\/p>\n

As long as you do it in a supportive, loving way, instead of an angry or hostile way (such as: “You NEVER talk to me!” which will make them feel defensive), they should be able to hear what you’re saying.<\/p>\n

As long as you aren’t pushy, they may be willing to open up to you and trust you enough to tell you what their thoughts and feelings really are.<\/p>\n

Have you had problems communicating with your loved one?<\/p>\n

How did you solve the problem?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi,<\/p>\n

I hope you’re doing ok today.<\/p>\n

We hear a lot about how important communication is.<\/p>\n

Especially in a relationship, bipolar or not.<\/p>\n

Many supporters of a loved one with bipolar disorder tell me that it’s very hard to communicate with their loved one.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the complaints I’ve heard from other supporters:<\/p>\n

1.\tMy loved one sleeps too much<\/p>\n

2.<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBipolar? Communicating with Your Loved One - Bipolar Supporter Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-communicating-with-your-loved-one\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bipolar? Communicating with Your Loved One - Bipolar Supporter Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hi, I hope you’re doing ok today. We hear a lot about how important communication is. Especially in a relationship, bipolar or not. 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