Hi, how’s it going? I hope you’re having a great day.<\/p>\n
Some supporters don’t feel that what they think matters at all. They don’t think that their opinion can make a difference. So mostly, they keep everything to themselves, and guess what happens?<\/p>\n
Their loved one goes into a full-blown episode.<\/p>\n
I know there’s a fine line between being supportive and enabling, but you need to learn where that line is. Sometimes what you think can be the most important part of the situation. For example, if your loved one is out of control and not making sense, you need to do something.<\/p>\n
You are the best judge of whether they are ok or not. Since you know them best, you can be a better judge of whether they are in an episode or not.<\/p>\n
You may think that just because you don’t have an M.D. after your name, that you aren’t the right person to judge how good or bad your loved one is doing. But that’s a false assumption. You are actually the best person, doctor or not. Your loved one’s doctor only sees them periodically, and even then only for a few minutes. You know your loved one more intimately and are a better judge than even the doctor is.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I’m NOT telling you to “play doctor” for your loved one, not at all. If you do notice signs and symptoms of a bipolar episode, you should report it to your loved one’s doctor anyway. The doctor can judge whether to hospitalize your loved one or not, and you may need their help to do so.<\/p>\n
BUT\u2026<\/p>\n
IF you can catch these signs and symptoms early enough (by being so familiar with your loved one’s bipolar disorder), you may be able to prevent their needing to be hospitalized.<\/p>\n
So, YES\u2026<\/p>\n
What you think is very important when it comes to your loved one’s behavior. Like I said earlier, you know them best, even better than their doctors, therapist, etc.<\/p>\n
Don’t ever think that your opinion is not valuable \u2013 it is so valuable that it can make the difference between your loved one experiencing no episode, a mini-episode, or a full-blown episode.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi, how’s it going? I hope you’re having a great day.<\/p>\n
Some supporters don’t feel that what they think matters at all. They don’t think that their opinion can make a difference. So mostly, they keep everything to themselves, and guess what happens?<\/p>\n
Their loved one goes into a full-blown episode.<\/p>\n
I know there’s a fine line between being supportive and enabling, but you need to learn where that line is.<\/p>\n