Hi,<\/p>\n
You know the most important part of any movie, right? It’s not the title. It’s not the director. It’s not the actors (even if they are the biggest stars in Hollywood). It’s the PLOT. Without a good plot (a good story), it doesn’t matter how good the director is, or even how good the actors (stars) are. The only way a movie is going to be good is if it has a good plot. Well, in a way we can compare our lives with a movie in that we are living out a sort of plot as well. But what if we want to change the end of our movie? Well\u2026<\/p>\n
The only way to change the end of a movie is to change the plot of that movie! That suggests that we have some control over our lives, doesn’t it? Many people with bipolar disorder and their supporters don’t believe that, unfortunately. But I have talked to many, many people who HAVE\u00a0changed the plots of their lives so that they WILL have a happy ending! These people have bipolar disorder, but have learned to manage their disorder. Even some of the most hopeless cases have been able to turn their lives around so that they have become bipolar success stories!<\/p>\n
For some, stability was just a dream \u2013 something that seemed unattainable. But with concentrated effort and a lot of hope, they finally reached it \u2013 they changed the end of their movie by changing the plot of their movie.<\/p>\n
How does this happen? Well, when your loved one is first diagnosed, they will be put on a treatment plan. That treatment plan should include medication and therapy. Those are just the basics, though \u2013 the foundation of their treatment plan. They also need to do some work themselves for them to get better. During their “movie,” both of you will have “parts” for you\u00a0to play. So will other people, as your loved one develops a good, strong support system.<\/p>\n
They cannot get better by themselves.<\/p>\n
Your part is the role of the supporter. You need to be patient and understanding. You need to be supportive, without enabling your loved one (doing things for them that allow them to continue\u00a0unacceptable behaviors). If you are living with your loved one, then you need to keep as stress-free an environment for them as possible. But you also need to remember to take care of yourself\u00a0first, because if you’re not healthy (physically, emotionally and spiritually), how can you take care of your loved one?<\/p>\n
Your loved one has a role in this “movie” as well.<\/p>\n
Their “role” consists of:<\/p>\n
\u2022 taking their medication<\/p>\n
\u2022 seeing a doctor, psychiatrist\u00a0and therapist<\/p>\n
\u2022 sticking to a good sleep\u00a0schedule<\/p>\n
\u2022 eating a healthy diet<\/p>\n
\u2022 exercising<\/p>\n
\u2022 being productive<\/p>\n
\u2022 working or volunteering<\/p>\n
\u2022 etc.<\/p>\n
Taken all together, it is a recipe for stability, which is the happy ending of the movie for anyone with bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
You know the most important part of any movie, right? It’s not the title. It’s not the director. It’s not the actors (even if they are the biggest stars in Hollywood). It’s the PLOT. Without a good plot (a good story), it doesn’t matter how good the director is, or even how good the actors (stars) are. The only way a movie is going to be good is if it has a good plot.<\/p>\n