Hi,<\/p>\n
Have you ever heard the expression, “If something doesn’t kill you, it just makes you stronger?”<\/p>\n
Well, applied to bipolar disorder\u2026If bipolar doesn’t kill you\u2026It just makes you stronger.<\/p>\n
Let’s look at that a little bit today. Do you believe, first of all, that bipolar disorder CAN make you stronger? Because too many supporters and survivors I’ve talked to just believe that it drains the life right out of you. Really. They have like this defeatist attitude. And I don’t blame them.<\/p>\n
Remember, I’ve been there. I can understand how they might feel that way.<\/p>\n
If you don’t fight back against it, bipolar disorder can overwhelm you and seem to sort of “beat you up” in this war against it, seeming like it’s winning. But only if you let it. It IS like a war when it comes to bipolar disorder. You just CAN’T let it win!! You HAVE to be strong!<\/p>\n
So how do you get strong? By overcoming the adversity that threatens to overtake you.<\/p>\n
As a supporter, there are many things you have to put up with from your loved one. The mood swings, the anger, the episodes, the sometimes bazaar behaviors, the consequences from their<\/p>\n
episodes, etc.\u2026 And it isn’t always easy. In fact, it is rarely easy to live with a person who has bipolar disorder. But you are a supporter because you care about your loved one.<\/p>\n
So you learn to put up with some things. Other things you learn to deal with. Like you learn to deal with their anger. Not to put up with it, but how to react to it \u2013 like not to fight back.<\/p>\n
Things like lowering your voice so they have to listen to you \u2013 things like stepping out of the room with an excuse to get something if you need a break. You know what I mean. There are things that you will tolerate and things that you will not tolerate when it comes to bipolar behavior \u2013 we have talked about this before.<\/p>\n
For example, violence is something that should never be tolerated. And that should be made clear \u2013 that it is one boundary that you will never allow to be crossed. Then stick to that boundary, with heavy consequences if they do cross it. The more you make boundaries and consequences and stick to them, the stronger you will get. They are empowering.<\/p>\n
Not that you are trying to become controlling over your loved one, I’m not saying that at all \u2013<\/p>\n
just that you need to have some empowerment. You need to get stronger, or their bipolar disorder will roll right over you.<\/p>\n
You need to stand up for yourself \u2013 let your feelings be known. You have a right to your feelings \u2013 they are neither right or wrong. They just are. And you should be able to share them with your loved one without repercussions. Sharing them with your loved one should help you feel stronger as well. The closer the two of you feel, the stronger your battle against their bipolar disorder, because you will be working as a team.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Have you ever heard the expression, “If something doesn’t kill you, it just makes you stronger?”<\/p>\n
Well, applied to bipolar disorder\u2026If bipolar doesn’t kill you\u2026It just makes you stronger.<\/p>\n
Let’s look at that a little bit today. Do you believe, first of all, that bipolar disorder CAN make you stronger? Because too many supporters and survivors I’ve talked to just believe that it drains the life right out of you.<\/p>\n