Bipolar Supporter? What Does Your Loved One Need?
Published: Fri, 03/04/11
Hi ,
How are you today?
I hope you're fine.
How is your loved one
doing?
Are they getting all their
needs met?
Do you even know what those
needs are?
Because they may or may not
be telling you about them.
Especially if they have a tendency
to get quiet, withdrawn, or even
to isolate when they're not "feeling
right," or going into a bipolar
episode.
Unfortunately, it may take a little
bit of aggressiveness on your part
to get them to open up if they are
not.
You can use good communication
techniques to do that, like I teach
in my courses/systems:
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
But be careful, as you don't want
to "bug" them.
It is important, though, for them to
know that you are concerned
about them (their behavior).
Some people with bipolar disorder
isolate before they go into an episode.
If your loved one is doing this, try
to catch them before they completely
drift away from you, and you might
be able to catch the bipolar episode
before it really digs in to them.
It might start with a little depression.
And if you notice the depression
and can get them to talk about it,
they might not isolate and, again,
might not go into a full-blown
episode.
Although this takes some effort
on your part, it is worth it if it can
keep your loved one from going
into an episode.
You may not want to hear this,
but I will tell you anyway -
It's at least partly your responsibility
to keep your loved one from an
episode by meeting their needs.
What are their needs?
Do you know?
Have you talked to them about
it?
Some people with bipolar disorder
need to talk and share about how
they're feeling...
While others want to be left alone
about it, and will see it as interfering
if you try to get them to open up.
You need to find out which type of
person your loved one is, so you
can meet their needs.
They may just need a little encouragement
from you before they open up.
But the result will be worth your
efforts.
Because you will be helping your
loved one.
Ok, so maybe they need to talk.
Or maybe they need to be left
alone.
What else do they need?
Do they need prompting and
reminders to take their medications?
You can do that.
Especially if it will keep them from
going into an episode.
Do they need encouragement
from you to go to appointments
with their doctor, psychiatrist or
therapist?
I'm not saying to treat your loved
one like a baby, but just to help
them get their needs met.
If they don't want to talk about
things, maybe you can at least
encourage them to write in their
journal about it.
The most important thing that they
need from you is your support.
Try to get them to tell you how
to show it in the best way, in a
way that won't distance them from
you or make them mad or defensive.
This should, if done right, make
you feel even closer to them and
more of a help.
What does your loved one need?
Have you asked them?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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