Hi, how are you today? I hope you’re doing fine.<\/p>\n
Sometimes people get the wrong idea of what being a supporter is. They think they have to do<\/p>\n
everything for their loved one with bipolar disorder. Even things that they can do for themselves. And that’s called enabling, which isn’t a positive thing for a supporter.<\/p>\n
I mean, I’m not saying not to help your loved one, you should, but just not to the extreme. Some supporters who go to the extreme treat their loved one like a child, and then wonder why their loved one resents them. You don’t want this to happen to you. You want to be the best supporter<\/p>\n
you can be.<\/p>\n
But you also cannot leave out one very important person in the process of supporting your loved one \u2013 YOU!<\/p>\n
Let me ask you: Are you taking care of yourself? Because if you don’t, you may get sick (physically and\/or emotionally), and then what kind of help would you be to your loved one?<\/p>\n
You MUST take care of yourself first, or you won’t be able to help your loved one (or anyone<\/p>\n
else, for that matter).<\/p>\n
I know that some people will disagree with me. They may think it is selfish to put themselves first. But, again, I would say to you that if you DON’T put yourself first, you won’t be an effective supporter, family member, friend, co-worker, etc.<\/p>\n
It is definitely not a matter of being selfish but, instead, a matter of “best practices.” Have you heard of “best practices?” It’s a business term that applies to those ways in which the company<\/p>\n
(and\/or its departments) can be most effective \u2013 by using “best practices.” You can be your most effective as well, if you use “best practices.”<\/p>\n
Every supporter is different, but best practices for you might include:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tGoing to your own therapist<\/p>\n
\u2022\tAttending your own support group<\/p>\n
\u2022\tKeeping in close contact with your friends and family<\/p>\n
\u2022\tHaving a social life<\/p>\n
\u2022\tDoing things outside the home separate from your loved one<\/p>\n
\u2022\tDoing things that you enjoy<\/p>\n
\u2022\tHaving hobbies<\/p>\n
\u2022\tBeing of service to others besides your loved one<\/p>\n
\u2022\tBeing active in church or a civic organization<\/p>\n
\u2022\tVolunteering for a worthy cause<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTaking care of yourself physically<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTaking care of yourself mentally<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTaking care of yourself emotionally<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTaking care of yourself spiritually<\/p>\n
\u2022\tKeeping a positive attitude<\/p>\n
\u2022\tImproving your self-esteem<\/p>\n
\u2022\tBettering yourself<\/p>\n
\u2022\tLearning more about bipolar disorder<\/p>\n
\u2022\tLearning something new<\/p>\n
\u2022\tetc.<\/p>\n
The better you take care of yourself, the better you can take care of your loved one with bipolar disorder. It’s not a matter of selfishness, it’s a matter of necessity.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi, how are you today? I hope you’re doing fine.<\/p>\n
Sometimes people get the wrong idea of what being a supporter is. They think they have to do<\/p>\n
everything for their loved one with bipolar disorder. Even things that they can do for themselves. And that’s called enabling, which isn’t a positive thing for a supporter.<\/p>\n
I mean, I’m not saying not to help your loved one, you should,<\/p>\n