Hi,<\/p>\n
There was an old folk song popular in the 60\u2019s called \u201cThe Times They Are A-Changing\u201d. It\u2019s not a new concept. It\u2019s one that\u2019s explored in therapy all the time. It\u2019s probably something which your loved one is probably having to cope with in their therapy sessions for their bipolar disorder, in fact. Because that\u2019s one thing you definitely have to do if you have bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
CHANGE.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s one of the most common themes in philosophy\u2026If it\u2019s so commonly talked about in therapy sessions\u2026If it\u2019s been around for so long\u2026If it was even sung about in the 60\u2019s\u2026Then why is it still so difficult for people to deal with? Because change is hard! Have you ever tried to change a habit? Even a little one? Even trying to change a little habit is hard. I have a friend who just tried to change her dinner time from 4:30 to 5:00. So simple, isn\u2019t it? Just a half hour difference! But it is turning out to be so hard for her! Every day at 4:30, her body expects to eat.<\/p>\n
Her stomach starts rumbling. She wants to eat. So it\u2019s hard for her to wait that extra half hour. So in her case\u2026Just changing the habit of having dinner from 4:30 to 5:00 made a difference. It was hard for her. Now imagine how hard making a really big change would be for her!<\/p>\n
In your case\u2026You were asked to make a really big change when you were asked to accept the diagnosis of bipolar disorder for your loved one. Now, that\u2019s a big change. Then you had to make some other big changes because of it. Like\u2026You became your loved one\u2019s supporter. And that was a change from just being their friend, or spouse, or sibling, or parent, or whatever. Then you had to try not to stress them. Which was another change\u2026Because before you didn\u2019t have to watch yourself or what you did so carefully. But now you don\u2019t want to do anything that might<\/p>\n
trigger their bipolar disorder, do you? So you had to make that change.<\/p>\n
And, being a supporter to a loved one with bipolar disorder\u2026You may have had to make a change in friendships, or even family relations. Because of the stigma involved in having a loved<\/p>\n
one with a mental illness. Not everyone accepts it. And they might not accept your role as a supporter to a loved one with bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
So there are several changes you have had to make. And change is hard. But change also brings with it GROWTH. And you have grown because of it.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
There was an old folk song popular in the 60\u2019s called \u201cThe Times They Are A-Changing\u201d. It\u2019s not a new concept. It\u2019s one that\u2019s explored in therapy all the time. It\u2019s probably something which your loved one is probably having to cope with in their therapy sessions for their bipolar disorder, in fact. Because that\u2019s one thing you definitely have to do if you have bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
CHANGE.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s one of the most common themes in philosophy\u2026If it\u2019s so commonly talked about in therapy sessions\u2026If it\u2019s been around for so long\u2026If it was even sung about in the 60\u2019s\u2026Then why is it still so difficult for people to deal with?<\/p>\n