Hi, how are you today? I hope you’re fine. How is your loved one doing? Are they getting all their needs met? Do you even know what those needs are? Because they may or may not be telling you about them.<\/p>\n
Especially if they have a tendency to get quiet, withdrawn, or even to isolate when they’re not feeling right,” or going into a bipolar episode. Unfortunately, it may take a little bit of aggressiveness on your part to get them to open up if they are not. But be careful, as you don’t want to “bug” them. It is important, though, for them to know that you are concerned about them (their behavior).<\/p>\n
Some people with bipolar disorder isolate before they go into an episode. If your loved one is doing this, try to catch them before they completely drift away from you, and you might be able to catch the bipolar episode before it really digs in to them.<\/p>\n
It might start with a little depression. And if you notice the depression and can get them to talk about it, they might not isolate and, again, might not go into a full-blown episode.<\/p>\n
Although this takes some effort on your part, it is worth it if it can keep your loved one from going into an episode.<\/p>\n
You may not want to hear this, but I will tell you anyway \u2013 It’s at least partly your responsibility<\/p>\n
to keep your loved one from an episode by meeting their needs. What are their needs? Do you know? Have you talked to them about it?<\/p>\n
Some people with bipolar disorder need to talk and share about how they’re feeling\u2026 While others want to be left alone about it, and will see it as interfering if you try to get them to open up. You need to find out which type of person your loved one is, so you can meet their needs.<\/p>\n
They may just need a little encouragement from you before they open up. But the result will be worth your efforts. Because you will be helping your loved one.<\/p>\n
Ok, so maybe they need to talk. Or maybe they need to be left alone. What else do they need?<\/p>\n
Do they need prompting and reminders to take their medications? You can do that. Especially if it will keep them from going into an episode.<\/p>\n
Do they need encouragement from you to go to appointments with their doctor, psychiatrist or<\/p>\n
therapist? I’m not saying to treat your loved one like a baby, but just to help them get their needs met.<\/p>\n
If they don’t want to talk about things, maybe you can at least encourage them to write in their journal about it.<\/p>\n
The most important thing that they need from you is your support. Try to get them to tell you how to show it in the best way, in a way that won’t distance them from you or make them mad or defensive.<\/p>\n
This should, if done right, make you feel even closer to them and more of a help.<\/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 fine. How is your loved one doing? Are they getting all their needs met? Do you even know what those needs are? Because they may or may not be telling you about them.<\/p>\n
Especially if they have a tendency to get quiet, withdrawn, or even to isolate when they’re not feeling right,” or going into a bipolar episode. Unfortunately, it may take a little bit of aggressiveness on your part to get them to open up if they are not.<\/p>\n