6 Ways to Help Your Loved One with Bipolar
Published: Tue, 03/08/11
Hi ,
How's it going for you today?
I hope you're doing fine.
Today I want to talk about
6 Ways to Help Your Loved One
Stay On Track
1. Don't Let Them Get Lazy
It's hard for your loved one when
they, perhaps, have lost their job and
are now on disability. Some people
lose their sense of direction when they
have nothing to wake up for any more
when they have no job to go to. Don't
let your loved one get lazy just because
they aren't working any more. Encourage
them to make a To-Do List, or something
else that forces them to be productive in
some way every day - just something that
gets them out of bed with a day's goal in
mind.
2. Make Sure They Stick to Their
Treatment Plan
Sometimes loved ones may stick to their
treatment plans in the beginning, when
they know you're watching them, but then
they slack off when they think you're not
looking. Don't let that happen to your loved
one. Make sure they stick to their treatment
plan. This is so important. Especially when
it comes to their medication. No, they're not
a child, and you can't make them take their
medication by forcing it down their throat.
But you can encourage them and reinforce
the importance of taking it. Be the same way
with the rest of their treatment plan - going
to their appointments with their psychiatrist,
doctor, and therapist. Eat a good diet, exercise,
and sleep right, etc.
3. Use a Buddy System
Try to keep them on track by finding a
"BP Buddy" for them - maybe someone
from their bipolar support group. Someone
who knows what they're going through, and
is perhaps sharing the same struggles. Maybe
they can do some things together, maybe some
things to keep them from getting bored -
maybe they share the same interests, or at
least could go out to eat or to the movies, etc.
In my courses/systems below, I share more ways
to help keep your loved one on track:
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
I'll share a few more here, though:
4. Encourage Them to be Independent
Don't act like your loved one's babysitter.
Encourage them to be independent, and not
dependent on you. You want to be supportive,
and you want them to feel your support and to
know that you're there for them, but at the same
time, you don't want them to feel as if you're
smothering them. If you have grown children,
remember back to when your children were
teenagers and were trying to show that they
were "grown up." Your loved one is going
through the same thing. Stay close enough
that if they want your help, you can help them,
but give them enough room that they can do
what they can for themselves.
5. Be Their Cheerleader
When your loved one does make advances
in their growth, say, in therapy, be their
personal cheerleader! Make sure they know
that you are on their side, not only NOT
nagging them, but being positive and
encouraging, and cheering them on to do
good so that they don't get depressed.
Even small advances can be good ones.
6. Be a Good Listener
Your loved one may not always be in the
mood to talk, but when they are, they are
going to want a good listener. It's not very
hard to be a good listener. The biggest rule
is to listen more than you talk! Most people
just don't get that. It's good to use non-verbal
communication as well - be sure to nod to show
that you are listening, for example. Do not
cross your arms or legs, as these can give
negative connotations. Hopefully, this will
encourage your loved one to talk to you more
often and share more.
Being a good supporter isn't an easy job. But it is
so important to your loved one that you encourage
them every step of the way.
Other things you can do are:
- Keep the environment as stress-free as possible.
- Be as kind, understanding, and supportive as
you can be.
- Be their best friend.
In this article I have shown you just 6 ways that you
can help your loved one stay on track. I'm sure
that you can come up with more if you try.
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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