Bipolar Supporter? How to keep this from occurring
Published: Mon, 06/14/10
Hi ,
How's it going?
Hope you are doing well.
I was talking to a friend of mine today.
She was talking about this horrible fear
that she has.
She is extremely afraid of trains.
She is completely convinced that they are
as likely to derail as not.
She was telling me that a penny on the
tracks can derail a train.
Well, I don't think she's right about that
part.
Maybe back in older times with older
technology that might be true.
But now days, trains are made much more
sophisticated than that.
They aren't nearly as likely to derail as
my friend thinks they are.
Unfortunately, dealing with bipolar
disorder is a little different.
Someone with bipolar disorder is much
more likely to 'derail,' so to speak, than
a train is.
As their supporters, it is our job to do
everything in our power to keep that from
happening.
But how much can we really do?
I mean, honestly?
Well, the (honest) answer to that is:
A LOT.
We can help them make a treatment plan,
which is basically like the rails that a
train rides on to begin with.
Then we can help them to stick to that
treatment plan.
This is like making sure that they don't
derail.
Helping them stick to their treatment plan
is not always easy, but it is doable.
You can start by making sure that they
make it to their appointments for their
doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists.
Take away any excuses they have to not
go.
For example, if their excuse is that no one
will watch their children while they are at
the appointment, then make sure that they
have a babysitter that is reliable and
trustworthy.
The next step is making sure that they take
their medications as prescribed.
This isn't always easy.
Sometimes they really don't feel like it for
one reason or another.
But keep reminding them of their goal of
recovery, and of how much better their
life will be once they are stable.
Remind them of how much worse they do
when they are off the medications, and
help them to realize how much better they
will be if they stay on them.
Be prepared to remind them every time it
is time for them to take their medications,
and there may even be a struggle to get
them to want to every time.
This is especially true if they are depressed,
because they may not want to get out of
bed to take the medications.
Take away every excuse, once again.
Bring their medications to them, if you
need to, along with a glass of something
to drink with them.
The next step to keep them from 'derailing,'
so to speak, is to give them feedback on
how they are doing.
If they are talking too fast, or if they are
sleeping all day, or if they are spending
all their money on frivolous things, then
let them know.
It's possible that they didn't even realize
that they were doing it.
There are many other steps you can take
to keep them following their treatment
plan, and you can use them all as tools.
The real question is, are you prepared to
do whatever it takes to help them stick to
their treatment plan?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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