Bipolar? How Would You Answer This Question?
Published: Tue, 02/15/11
Hi ,
How are you?
I hope you're doing well.
So, let me ask you:
Now that things are back to
"normal," how are you doing?
I mean, how are you really
doing?
Too many people, when asked
that question, will simply answer,
"Fine," when that isn't the truth.
It could be because they are a
private person...
Or they don't want to be honest
for whatever reason...
Or they are afraid of the other
person's response...
Or they just tell people what
they think they want to hear...
Or they want to believe it
themselves...
Or they just don't want to go into
it...
Or they don't think it's anybody
else's business...
Or they are trying to believe it
themselves.
There are many reasons for an
inaccurate or incomplete answer
to the question, "How are you?"
Supporters have told me that it's
just easier to answer "Fine," instead
of telling the truth if things aren't
fine, because of one of the previously
stated answers.
Survivors as well.
If you ask your loved one how they
are really doing and they answer,
"Fine," yet you've noticed some
symptoms in them and know that
they are actually not fine, you may
have to press them for an honest
answer.
They could be in denial that anything
is really wrong, or be in denial of
symptomatic behavior.
I talk all about denial in my courses/
systems below:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
Your loved one, if they are still
thinking rationally, might not want
you to know that they're struggling
because they don't want to make a
big deal out of it.
If they have crossed over into
irrationality, say, into a manic
episode, they may actually believe
that they are "Fine."
Then it's up to you to tell if they
really are or not.
The key is to have good communication
with your loved one, paying attention
not only to what they say, but also to
what they don't say.
How are they behaving?
Is it their normal behavior?
Or is it bipolar behavior?
You know them better than anybody
else, and you should be able to tell
the difference.
Even if they try to hide something,
like the fact that they're depressed,
you might still be able to tell by
their mannerisms, or just the fact
that they are quieter than usual, or
sleeping more.
You need to be as familiar with the
signs and symptoms of bipolar
disorder as you are with your loved
one.
This way you can tell the difference
between when they are in an episode
and when they are not.
Be very vigilant, never letting down
your guard...
Or before you know it...
You've stopped watching for signs
and symptoms of a bipolar episode...
And your loved one could be in one,
which could have been avoided if
you had noticed their off-behavior
earlier.
I'm not saying to overprotect them
or to smother them...
I'm just saying to stay vigilant, or
you might miss something.
If you ask your loved one how they
are really doing, and they answer,
"Fine," yet you know they aren't,
try to get them to agree to see one
of their professionals so that they
don't have to go into the hospital
when the episode becomes worse.
Has this happened to you?
How did you handle it?
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL BELOW
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarsupporterblog/bipolar-how-would-you-answer-this-question/#comment-23102
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
===>> Great Resources For You <===
Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter
Want your own copy of these daily bipolar
emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3
Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
Don't forget to take a look through the
different programs I've put together... each
one is designed to help you with a different
area of bipolar disorder whether you have it or
you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com
View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE
Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE
Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can't learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com