Hi,<\/p>\n
Do you remember the Sixties? (That\u2019s the 1960\u2019s.) I mean, like the Hippies, and all the hoopla<\/p>\n
about \u201cbeing yourself,\u201d doing what you wanted to do, doing it \u201cif it feels good,\u201d and all that? Well, there was a real big emphasis back then on individuality. Now, I know this may be a controversial subject, but\u2026I think everyone has a right to their own individuality. I mean, I know it\u2019s important to fit in and all, I\u2019m not saying that. In fact, I\u2019m one of the greatest speakers against stigma against the mentally ill, like people with bipolar disorder and all, and how they should be able to fit into society and not be treated any differently than someone who doesn\u2019t have a mental illness.<\/p>\n
But what I\u2019m talking about is individuality, and how we need to respect each other\u2019s right to be an individual. See, we all have different roles that we take on, different roles that we play in life, according to our responsibilities. So you might be a husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter, brother or sister, nephew or niece, etc. And these are all different roles. In addition, you might also have a role as a student\u2026Or in whatever career you have chosen\u2026Or whatever talent you have (writer, artist, musician, actor, etc.). These are roles, too. And then you have your role as a supporter to a loved one with bipolar disorder. And that\u2019s a REAL important role that you have. Your loved one depends on you in that role. And you do have responsibilities in that role, too.<\/p>\n
You try to take care of your loved one the best that you can, don\u2019t you? You try to be the very best bipolar supporter that you can be. That\u2019s only natural. And that\u2019s a good thing, I\u2019m commending you for that, because I know it isn\u2019t easy, believe me! I\u2019ve been there, so I can relate! It\u2019s a difficult role to play at best. But you do it, because it IS a role that you\u2019ve taken on.<\/p>\n
As one of my friends says: \u201cIt is what it is.\u201d And most of the time you probably don\u2019t mind it\u2026<\/p>\n
But maybe some of the time you\u2019re like some of the supporters I\u2019ve heard from who feel like<\/p>\n
their individuality is getting swallowed up in their role as bipolar supporter. And this bothers them. Well, if you feel this way, too, you may be wondering what you can do about it. For one thing, you need to fight against it. As in, not letting the bipolar disorder win and you lose. And yes, it is like a battle or a war. And bipolar disorder is like your enemy (and NOT your loved one, as you may sometimes feel). You need to fight for control over the bipolar disorder. And, in this case, you need to fight to take your individuality back.<\/p>\n
So one of the best things you can do is to maintain an identity separate from your role as a supporter to your loved one. Make sure you do things outside the home that you enjoy, like going out to eat with family and friends, or even going shopping by yourself. As long as it is something that makes you feel good, and something that brings you self-esteem in your identity as an individual. Hobbies can be good for that, too. Again, as something that you enjoy and makes you feel good.<\/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 remember the Sixties? (That\u2019s the 1960\u2019s.) I mean, like the Hippies, and all the hoopla<\/p>\n
about \u201cbeing yourself,\u201d doing what you wanted to do, doing it \u201cif it feels good,\u201d and all that? Well, there was a real big emphasis back then on individuality. Now, I know this may be a controversial subject, but\u2026I think everyone has a right to their own individuality. I mean, I know it\u2019s important to fit in and all,<\/p>\n