Hi,<\/p>\n
You may or may not read a lot of those types of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Esquire, etc\u2026But you may see them in your doctor\u2019s or dentist\u2019s waiting rooms. And you can\u2019t help but see the headlines scream out at you about relationships\u2026And what makes a good relationship and what<\/p>\n
doesn\u2019t. And when they do, they inevitably talk in their articles about: COMMUNICATION.<\/p>\n
Because good, effective communication IS what makes a good relationship good. In fact, experts do say that when a relationship starts to go bad, the first thing you need to look at is the communication. Well, it\u2019s the same thing in a relationship where one of the people has bipolar disorder. You still need to have good communication. In fact, I would say that you need to have even better communication. Because there\u2019s a chance that, because of their bipolar disorder, your loved one can misinterpret what you say\u2026And that can cause problems. In fact, because of their tendency toward irritability, agitation, anger, and rage\u2026They can easily take what you say the wrong way\u2026And the next thing you know\u2026You are in an argument with them\u2026And you don\u2019t know what to do.<\/p>\n
There is a saying that goes: \u201cSay what you mean and mean what you say.\u201d Which is a good saying, but\u2026When you\u2019re dealing with a person who has bipolar disorder, you can try to do that and still end up fighting. Because what you think you\u2019re saying may not be what your loved one ends up hearing. They may misinterpret what you say. In other words\u2026They might mis-hear what you say. It might be colored by their disjointed thoughts if they\u2019re in a manic episode, for example. Or their irrationality may make them think something else than what you mean for them to hear. So you have to be very careful HOW you say things to your loved one, and not just WHAT you say.<\/p>\n
In fact\u2026You can use your body to help you in this. For example: If you lean your body in towards them when they\u2019re talking\u2026It shows them that you\u2019re listening to them. It shows them that what they\u2019re saying is important to you. If you touch them lightly, say on the arm or shoulder, while they\u2019re talking\u2026 It can give the impression that you\u2019re sympathetic to what they\u2019re saying. You need to be careful of this, however. Because some people, especially when they\u2019re in a manic episode (with a heightened sense of awareness)\u2026 Might not want to be touched. You can also nod your head in certain places as your loved one is talking. This will also show that you\u2019re listening and that you\u2019re interested. And it will encourage them to talk more.<\/p>\n
These are just some ways you can use your body to help you communicate more effectively with 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
You may or may not read a lot of those types of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Esquire, etc\u2026But you may see them in your doctor\u2019s or dentist\u2019s waiting rooms. And you can\u2019t help but see the headlines scream out at you about relationships\u2026And what makes a good relationship and what<\/p>\n
doesn\u2019t. And when they do, they inevitably talk in their articles about: COMMUNICATION.<\/p>\n
Because good, effective communication IS what makes a good relationship good.<\/p>\n