<\/p>\n
Hi,<\/p>\n
I have a friend who calls himself a “recovering alcoholic.” One day I asked him what’s the difference between being a “recovering” alcoholic and a “regular” alcoholic? And he said, “I don’t drink.” So let me ask you something: What’s the difference between being a high functioning person with bipolar disorder and being just a “regular” person with bipolar disorder?<\/p>\n
For one thing, if you were to look at a high functioning person with bipolar disorder, you’d probably never know that they even have the disorder. They are productive, stable, and successful, and live a pretty normal life. So what else makes the difference? Usually their attitudes. A high functioning person has a positive attitude\u2026While a low functioning person is just the opposite \u2013 they have a negative attitude. Another difference is that one is willing to do\u00a0whatever it takes to reach (and maintain) stability, while the other one isn’t. Guess which one isn’t. Right. A low functioning person is like those people with bipolar disorder who you hear complain all the time, or blame all their problems on the disorder.<\/p>\n
A high functioning person will change their lifestyle to suit their stability. They will eat right, exercise, and keep a good sleep schedule. They will be productive. They will take all their medications willingly (not just for their bipolar disorder, but for everything). They will see their doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist faithfully. They will have a strong support system. They will avoid what they’ve learned are triggers to a bipolar episode for them. They will keep their stress and anxiety to a minimum, avoiding those things and situations (and sometimes people) who raise their stress and anxiety levels. They will watch for any signs and symptoms of episodes, so they can avoid them. In other words, in one word, they are STABLE. And they worked hard to get that way. While the low functioning person is just the opposite. They won’t be medication compliant (or will complain about having to take it if they do take it at all). They won’t have a strong support system. They think they can handle this on their own. They won’t go to see their doctor, psychiatrist or therapist, because they don’t think they need them. They will probably sleep too much and even be lazy and unproductive. They will go through several episodes. In other words, they are NOT STABLE.<\/p>\n
What’s the difference? Just what I said in one sentence before: The high functioning person with bipolar disorder will do whatever it takes to get stable and to maintain that stability. Willingly and with a positive attitude, they will do WHATEVER it takes. Is your loved one doing whatever it takes to maintain their stability? If not, they could lose it.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
Hi,<\/p>\n
I have a friend who calls himself a “recovering alcoholic.” One day I asked him what’s the difference between being a “recovering” alcoholic and a “regular” alcoholic? And he said, “I don’t drink.” So let me ask you something: What’s the difference between being a high functioning person with bipolar disorder and being just a “regular” person with bipolar disorder?<\/p>\n
For one thing, if you were to look at a high functioning person with bipolar disorder,<\/p>\n