Hi,<\/p>\n
How are things going for you today?<\/p>\n
I hope you\u2019re having a good day.<\/p>\n
I saw a post on my blog from Mona that I wanted to
\nshare with you because I think it\u2019s really important.<\/p>\n
She said:<\/p>\n
“I have a question, Dave, if that’s alright. BTW, I do
\nagree with you on the ‘baby steps’ concept. My
\nquestion is this: Can you tell me what kind of responses
\nmight come from a person with bipolar if they are trying
\nto repair a relationship (from a bad episode) and the person
\ndoes not want to have anything to do with them (because
\nof what happened)? Could that trigger a suicidal response?
\n(Or some sort of retaliation?) And if so, how can a
\nsupport person help their bipolar loved one get through
\nsuch harsh reality, or how can they help prevent such a
\nresponse?”
\n—————————————————————————-<\/p>\n
Well, first of all, like I always say, I’m not a doctor,
\ntherapist, or any other kind of medical or mental
\nhealth professional, so I can’t give that kind of advice.<\/p>\n
I can only give my opinion, based on my experience.<\/p>\n
But I will tell you, this is not the first email I’ve gotten
\nlike this.<\/p>\n
And Mona does bring up quite a few points.<\/p>\n
Many times, a person with bipolar disorder will do
\nthings during a bipolar episode (especially during
\na manic episode) that has consequences to it.<\/p>\n
And sometimes these consequences are bad ones, and
\nit’s hard for their supporter to handle them, or even
\nto forgive them for what they did during the episode.<\/p>\n
There may have been risky sexual behavior, or even
\nan affair.<\/p>\n
Sometimes it could even involve a pregnancy.<\/p>\n
There may have been excessive spending, or poor
\nbusiness decisions, that may have affected (or even
\ndrained) the family’s finances.<\/p>\n
Some people have even gone bankrupt because of the
\nperson\u2019s manic episode.<\/p>\n
There may have been other things that happened as well
\nthat hurt the relationship.<\/p>\n
The supporter may have some negative feelings, like
\nhurt, anger, resentment, etc.<\/p>\n
Then these things might cause some real damage to the
\nrelationship.<\/p>\n
Even though the one with bipolar disorder wants to repair
\nthe relationship after they come out of the episode, the
\nsupporter might be reluctant to accept these attempts.<\/p>\n
Communication breakdown is very common in these
\ninstances.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why communication is one of the things that I
\nstress in my courses\/systems, because that is really
\nimportant in the relationship.
\nSUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
\nVisit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/report11<\/p>\n
SUPPORTING A CHILD\/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
\nVisit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarparenting.com<\/p>\n
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
\nVisit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.survivebipolar.net
\nBut if the supporter is no longer even willing to
\ncommunicate with their loved one with bipolar,
\nthen it may cause their loved one to get worse,
\nand they (the loved one) might go into a depression.<\/p>\n
One of the symptoms of a depressive episode is
\nsuicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n
If this happens, it may not be your fault.<\/p>\n
After a manic episode, many people with bipolar
\ndisorder will “crash” into a bipolar depressive
\nepisode and have these kinds of thoughts anyway,
\nbecause their thinking is distorted.<\/p>\n
If this happens, they may have these suicidal
\nthoughts.<\/p>\n
It’s part of the depression, part of their bipolar
\ndisorder.<\/p>\n
You can’t prevent them going into the depression,
\nif it’s part of the crash from their manic episode to
\na depressive episode.<\/p>\n
The only thing you can do to help them at this point
\nis to notice the signs of suicide, and to try to get them
\nthe help that they need.<\/p>\n
At this point, if you want to help them, you will need
\nto put your own feelings of hurt, anger, resentment, and
\nunforgiveness aside.<\/p>\n
If they are starting to talk about suicide, you MUST
\ntake them seriously, whether they really intend to go
\nthrough with it or not.<\/p>\n
Try to talk to them about it. Or at least try to get them
\nto share their thoughts and feelings.<\/p>\n
This is where the communication I was talking about
\nearlier comes in.<\/p>\n
Try to convince them that they need help.<\/p>\n
If possible, try to get them to at least call the suicide
\nhotline at 1-800-SUICIDE.<\/p>\n
Try to get them to call their doctor, psychiatrist, and\/or
\ntherapist for help.<\/p>\n
The point is, as Mona pointed out, this is a harsh reality
\nthat must be dealt with if your loved one’s reaction is one
\nof threatening suicide.<\/p>\n
Please, take ALL threats of suicide seriously!<\/p>\n
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
\nVisit: http:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\/testimonials
\nWell, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n
===>> Great Resources For You <===<\/p>\n
Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter
\nWant your own copy of these daily bipolar
\nemails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\/register3<\/p>\n
Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
\nDon’t forget to take a look through the
\ndifferent programs I’ve put together… each
\none is designed to help you with a different
\narea of bipolar disorder whether you have it or
\nyou are supporting someone with it.
\nYou can see them all and get the details by visiting:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com<\/p>\n
View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE
\nCheck out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
\nthat I have sent in the past and lots of great
\ninformation for you:
\nhttp:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\/supporterblog\/<\/p>\n
Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE
\nCheck out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
\nmini seminars designed to teach you information
\nyou can’t learn anywhere else.
\nhttp:\/\/bipolarcentral.libsyn.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
How are things going for you today?<\/p>\n
I hope you\u2019re having a good day.<\/p>\n
I saw a post on my blog from Mona that I wanted to
\nshare with you because I think it\u2019s really important.<\/p>\n
She said:<\/p>\n
“I have a question, Dave, if that’s alright. BTW, I do
\nagree with you on the ‘baby steps’ concept. My
\nquestion is this: Can you tell me what kind of responses
\nmight come from a person with bipolar if they are trying
\nto repair a relationship (from a bad episode) and the person
\ndoes not want to have anything to do with them (because
\nof what happened)?<\/p>\n