Hi,<\/p>\n
Did you ever notice that, given the same circumstances, two people can turn out totally differently? Like\u2026Well, you\u2019ve heard of cases where two people both raised in the ghetto of a city\u2026Where one will turn to drugs and gangs\u2026The other will rise above it and become a doctor? I wonder what makes the difference? Some people say it\u2019s strength of character. I\u2019m not sure. I do know that will has something to do with it, though. Meaning how much you WANT it. In other words, how bad you want something can determine whether you get it, at least to some degree. Like with bipolar disorder. I mean, you can want stability as bad as you want it, but without medication, it\u2019s just not going to happen. But with medication\u2026I think if you want it bad enough\u2026Stability CAN happen for you.<\/p>\n
So\u2026two people faced with the same circumstances can have two different outcomes. I see this in the bipolar support groups I attend (I attend several). There are those people who are getting better, but then there are those people who don\u2019t seem to be getting better at all. So what\u2019s the difference? Both people can be on medication. Both people can even be in therapy. I think it\u2019s that the person who isn\u2019t getting better isn\u2019t trying as hard as the person who is getting better.<\/p>\n
There are things like medication and therapy that come as part of your loved one\u2019s treatment regimen. That\u2019s a given. Then there are things that you do for them as a bipolar supporter.<\/p>\n
Like, for example: You try to provide a stress-free home environment for them (assuming they live with you). And\u2026You try to be a good listener for them to be able to share their thoughts and feelings with you. You keep the lines of communication open for them so that things don\u2019t build up. That\u2019s something you do for them.<\/p>\n
But then there are things they need to do for themselves that go toward their own stability with their bipolar disorder. Things that you can\u2019t do for them. Like\u2026They need to be productive and busy. They need to have a reason to get out of bed each morning, or else they run the risk of getting depressed, which can easily lead to a bipolar depressive episode if they\u2019re not careful. This can mean working at a job if they\u2019re able\u2026Even if it\u2019s only part-time. Or doing volunteer work\u2026Or even just doing things around the house. But they need to stay busy. They need to have a source of self-esteem.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Did you ever notice that, given the same circumstances, two people can turn out totally differently? Like\u2026Well, you\u2019ve heard of cases where two people both raised in the ghetto of a city\u2026Where one will turn to drugs and gangs\u2026The other will rise above it and become a doctor? I wonder what makes the difference? Some people say it\u2019s strength of character. I\u2019m not sure. I do know that will has something to do with it,<\/p>\n