Bipolar? Making a Career of It?
Published: Tue, 08/31/10
Hi ,
How's it going?
Hope you are doing well.
I had an interesting conversation with two
people yesterday.
They both had bipolar disorder, and had
both been in recovery for some time.
One of them was completely passionate
about going into the field of advocacy
and making a career out of it.
The other one felt - well - almost like they
were being guilt-tripped into it.
Not that anyone was trying to put pressure
on them to do anything, just that they felt
obligated to give back.
But they didn't really have the passion
behind them.
This had me worried.
I sat down and talked to her about whether
she should really be doing this or not.
If this wasn't what she really wanted, then
it wasn't going to make her happy.
She would burn out easier that way.
She would also just flat-out not be as much
use as someone who was more into it
would be.
Someone who was more into it would be
more capable of getting other people
excited about the cause, and of giving hope
to someone who had none before.
If she did this because she felt obligated,
then those factors would be missing.
It's even possible that she'd do more harm
than good.
I had to explain to her that not every
person who has bipolar disorder was made
to be an advocate.
Some are, of course.
But those people are usually very sure that
it's what they want to do.
She had been under the false assumption
that because this hand was dealt to her, that
she should help others who had been dealt
the same thing.
Well, maybe to some extent that's true.
Maybe it's true that if she meets someone
who has bipolar that could use some advice
she has learned that she should pass it on.
Maybe it's true that if she meets someone
who is having similar difficulties that she
ought to be nice to them and encourage
them.
But that's different from being an advocate.
Maybe you're considering becoming an
advocate.
You might be a supporter or someone with
the disorder.
If you really want to become an advocate
for your own reasons, than that is great.
All the better, in fact.
But if you feel like life, someone, or your
own feelings are pressuring you in that
direction, then it's probably not the right
direction to go.
If you're not sure, then there are things you
can do to make yourself more sure.
Like, for instance, volunteering for six
weeks at a non-profit support group.
If you don't like it, you've only obligated
yourself for one hour a week for six
weeks.
If you do like it, then you've just gotten
your foot in the door to do more work like
that.
We need all of the advocates we can get.
They come in many shapes and sizes, and
even many titles (ranging from psychiatrist
and psychologist to social worker all the
way to volunteer!)
But we don't need any advocates that are
in the wrong place doing something they
don't want to do.
It's a great life, if that's the one you want
to live, and I'm certainly not trying to
discourage anyone from taking it on.
I would just ask you to make sure of
yourself that this is what you really want to
do.
If it is, then welcome aboard.
If not, then I wish you all the happiness in
the world doing whatever you should
choose to do!
Any thoughts?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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