Hi,<\/p>\n
Do you like to read mysteries? Or when you were young, did you like the Hardy Boy or Nancy Drew mysteries? Or what about Agatha Christie? She writes mystery novels. There are even train rides that offer mystery dinners with the ride, thrilling customers with a who-done-it mystery along with their fare! For those who love a good mystery, it never grows old.<\/p>\n
But some people don\u2019t like mysteries\u2026 So when faced with the mystery of bipolar disorder, they are truly baffled, and very much frustrated. Part of the frustration with the mystery of bipolar<\/p>\n
disorder comes from the lack of knowledge about the disorder. What helps with that is learning as much as you can about bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
But here you are, trying to deal with someone who may, at times, seem like a virtual stranger\u2026<\/p>\n
At least when beset by their bipolar disorder (which can, during a bipolar episode, turn them<\/p>\n
into someone you don\u2019t know and cause them to act in unpredictable ways). That can certainly seem like a mystery to you. And can be very, very frustrating. So what can you do about it?<\/p>\n
Well, if you are one of those people who always flips to the end of a story to see how it turns out<\/p>\n
before you\u2019re even halfway through, take it from me, this is going to frustrate you further. Because I\u2019m going to tell you that you need to have patience above all else. And you may not want to hear that. But you need to. You just have to wait to see how the mystery turns out in the case of your loved one\u2019s bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
Even if I were to tell you how MOST people\u2019s bipolar disorder turns out, I still could not say<\/p>\n
how YOUR loved one\u2019s bipolar disorder will turn out, since everyone is different. What I CAN say, however, is IF your loved one does certain things, they stand a better chance of a happy ending to their mystery story.<\/p>\n
IF\u2026<\/p>\n
They take their medications every day and as prescribed by their psychiatrist\u2026 They go to their appointments regularly as scheduled\u2026 They adhere to a good treatment plan\u2026 They have a good, strong support system\u2026 They stick to a good sleep schedule (8-9 uninterrupted hours of sleep per night, going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning)\u2026<\/p>\n
They eat a healthy diet and stay away from fat, caffeine, and other things that are bad for them\u2026<\/p>\n
They exercise, even if all they do is walk around the block every day (or at least 3 times a week) \u2013 you could even do this with them, if it will help them do it regularly\u2026<\/p>\n
They do things to help themselves, like keep a mood diary or journal, which can help predict<\/p>\n
patterns and\/or log triggers which can lead to a bipolar episode and catch one before it turns into<\/p>\n
a full-fledged episode\u2026 They keep busy, and are productive, which will keep them from getting depressed…<\/p>\n
They stand a good chance of reaching stability with their bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
Everyone needs to do something worthwhile that makes them feel needed and appreciated.<\/p>\n
A To-Do List is good for this, as accomplishing things can make them feel productive at the end<\/p>\n
of the day. If your loved one can no longer work outside the home full-time, maybe they can at least do volunteer work. Or they can at least help around the house, or do projects.<\/p>\n
Hobbies are good as well. Doing something they enjoy will help them to feel good, and help with the sometimes downward swing of their bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
All these things will not only take the mystery out of bipolar disorder, but can lead to stability<\/p>\n
for your loved one.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Do you like to read mysteries? Or when you were young, did you like the Hardy Boy or Nancy Drew mysteries? Or what about Agatha Christie? She writes mystery novels. There are even train rides that offer mystery dinners with the ride, thrilling customers with a who-done-it mystery along with their fare! For those who love a good mystery, it never grows old.<\/p>\n
But some people don\u2019t like mysteries\u2026 So when faced with the mystery of bipolar disorder,<\/p>\n