Hi,<\/p>\n
I have this guy who works for me, and I’d have nothing to complain about, EXCEPT\u2026Working with him is like trying to negotiate a battlefield. I feel like I’m always walking through a mine\u00a0field whenever I talk to him, because sometimes he just explodes in anger at me! And he isn’t consistent. So what made him mad last time is not necessarily what he’s mad at me for this time!<\/p>\n
It’s really a problem working with him, since he is so unpredictable in his mood swings and anger. I probably wouldn’t keep him on staff, except that he is a genius at what he does. So I’ve learned to take the good with the bad whenever I need some work from him.<\/p>\n
It’s the same way I look at bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a battlefield. There are mines everywhere you look, if that’s what you look for. But if you think of those mines as episodic behavior, there’s a chance you can get around them. Of course, it means monitoring your loved one’s behavior and moods, and having a plan of action in place to battle them.<\/p>\n
In any battle, you need to have ammunition. Your ammunition is knowledge. And, hopefully, a close relationship with your loved one’s doctor, psychiatrist and therapist, as well. That way, they’re on your side. So let’s look at those land mines. And compare them with your ammunition.<\/p>\n
Many people with bipolar disorder don’t want to take their medication, or put up a fuss about taking it, or some even just forget to take it. Many supporters have reported to me that they struggle with getting their loved one to take their meds.<\/p>\n
So what ammunition do you have? You have the doctor on your side \u2013 the one who prescribed your loved one’s medication and hopefully is following their progress on it. Don’t feel embarrassed if you have to ask for help from your loved one’s doctor or nurse to get your loved one to take their medication. You should have their therapist on your side as well, and maybe they can talk to your loved one and get through to them the importance of taking it.<\/p>\n
If your loved one is not sticking to their treatment, that can be a big problem. And a big area to fight, according to supporters that have talked to me. The problem is, you can’t force your loved one to WANT to adhere to their treatment. But you DO have to deal with the consequences of their episodic behavior, so you should have a say in the matter. That’s one thing you should try to get across to your loved one, in the least threatening way possible. Show them the statistics on bipolar disorder. Tell them you don’t want them to be a statistic (20% of people with bipolar disorder will kill themselves), so you want them to adhere to their treatment. Tell them in a loving way that you want them to get better.<\/p>\n
The more people you have behind you, the more ammunition you have to fight this bipolar disorder. Get your loved one’s family involved if you have to. If you go to church, get your pastor or minister or priest involved. Or your loved one’s friends. Just someone your loved one will listen to if they won’t listen to you.<\/p>\n
The good news is \u2013 Bipolar disorder is a battlefield upon which you can emerge the winner.<\/p>\n
NOTE: Always remember that it is the bipolar disorder that you’re fighting and NOT your loved one!<\/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
I have this guy who works for me, and I’d have nothing to complain about, EXCEPT\u2026Working with him is like trying to negotiate a battlefield. I feel like I’m always walking through a mine\u00a0field whenever I talk to him, because sometimes he just explodes in anger at me! And he isn’t consistent. So what made him mad last time is not necessarily what he’s mad at me for this time!<\/p>\n
It’s really a problem working with him,<\/p>\n