Hi,<\/p>\n
Did you ever make some really great plans that you did a count down for? Like a cruise, or a vacation? You anticipated the day that you would leave, and counted down the days until that final day would come\u2026Just biding your time, so excited that you could hardly contain yourself!<\/p>\n
Some days you felt like you just couldn\u2019t wait, that the wait itself was killing you! You just didn\u2019t think you\u2019d have enough patience to wait until it was time to go.<\/p>\n
But finally you made the count down and that inevitable day came, and you went on that long-awaited trip or vacation. And, of course, it was worth the wait, wasn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like a child waiting for Christmas. They even have special calendars for that now, where you can cross off or color in each day as the countdown for another day closer to Christmas passes.
\nIt\u2019s supposed to help you contain your child\u2019s excitement for that great day. But how can it?
\nTheir excitement is just so great!<\/p>\n
But at least it helps to give them something visual to show them how many days are left in their count down. Too bad there isn\u2019t something like a count down to bipolar recovery for you and your loved one.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, you have to deal with the day-to-day\u2019s of living with the disorder and just do the best that you can sometimes. It\u2019s a shame that recovery is not more clear-cut for you, like that count down calendar to Christmas is for children.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, things just aren\u2019t that clear-cut when it comes to bipolar disorder. That\u2019s because everybody is different. And also because it\u2019s just the nature of the disorder that it can be so unpredictable.<\/p>\n
So even if your loved one\u2019s doctor did explain something of the disorder to you, they had to stick to things in a general way \u2013 they couldn\u2019t be too specific.<\/p>\n
Although there is more and more research being done every day into bipolar disorder, there are still mostly things that we know in the most general of ways. Again, because everyone is different.<\/p>\n
Like we know how medication is supposed to work. But still, different medications affect different people in different ways. And what works great for one person might not work great
\nfor your loved one.<\/p>\n
So it\u2019s really best for them to stick to the medication that their doctor or psychiatrist has prescribed for them, because he\/she knows them better as an individual. And also, because of the unpredictable nature of things, they need to be monitored with their medication as they go
\nalong, in case their medication, or its dosage, needs to be changed along the way.<\/p>\n
Keeping the same doctor or psychiatrist is important for this, as they will get to know your loved one (and you) better and treatment will be more consistent.<\/p>\n
Therapy is important for consistency too. And different therapists meet different needs. One person\u2019s therapist won\u2019t necessarily be the best therapist for your loved one, and vice versa.<\/p>\n
You need to find a therapist who is best suited for your loved one\u2019s needs, and stick to them.
\nThat way your loved one can build a relationship with them and learn to cope and deal with the issues that surround their bipolar disorder on a consistent basis.<\/p>\n
No, unfortunately, there is no count down to recovery, but treatment with medication and therapy will help to insure stability.<\/p>\n
Your loved one can also do things that will help to insure their own stability. Things like sticking to a good sleep schedule, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and being productive will help them to do that.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Did you ever make some really great plans that you did a count down for? Like a cruise, or a vacation? You anticipated the day that you would leave, and counted down the days until that final day would come\u2026Just biding your time, so excited that you could hardly contain yourself!<\/p>\n
Some days you felt like you just couldn\u2019t wait, that the wait itself was killing you! You just didn\u2019t think you\u2019d have enough patience to wait until it was time to go.<\/p>\n