Bipolar Supporter? Lesson from the Weatherman
Published: Fri, 03/11/11
Hi ,
How are you today?
I hope you're having a great
day.
Generally speaking, I believe my
weatherman.
Usually he's right.
But not today.
We had a snowstorm predicted,
and it's sunny and warm instead.
How much more wrong could
he get?
So, even though in general, I can
count on the weather, in reality
it can be very different.
I can't predict the weather, any
more than I could predict my
mom's mood swings.
At least at first.
Then I learned something.
And it's like the weatherman.
He determines what the weather
will be based on patterns.
Wind patterns, storm patterns,
etc.
That's how he can predict what
should happen with the weather.
So what I learned was to watch
my mom for patterns.
Specifically, I watched for changes
in her behavior.
And the length of time it went on.
For example, if she started spending
more time in bed than usual, I
would note that as a changing
pattern.
Because one of her signs of an
oncoming episode is sleeping
more.
In my courses/systems, I talk about
these patterns, these signs of
possible oncoming episodes:
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Her sleeping more in and of itself
wasn't really anything wrong, but
if it continued, and if it was
accompanied by other patterns,
I became concerned that she was
going to go into a bipolar episode.
Like if she also started spending
more money.
You know your loved one better
than anybody.
Hopefully, you are close enough to
them to notice patterns, or changes
in their behavior.
It's a little harder to do that if they
are not living with you, but you
still need to watch for them.
You've also been with them through
episodes, before, so you should be
familiar with their episodic
behavior.
Stay vigilant, no matter how long
it's been since they've had an
episode.
Don't take it for granted.
Continue to watch for signs, or
patterns, such as:
Sleeping too much or too little.
Changes in eating habits.
Lack of productivity.
Agitation and irritation (even
short-tempered or angry).
Increase in speech, and jumping
from topic to topic.
A new happiness, above their
usual good mood.
A deepening sadness, or
depression that goes on for
longer than a couple days.
Loss of interest in what they
usually are interested in.
Skipping medication, and/or
skipping appointments with
their doctor, psychiatrist, and/
or therapist.
Decrease in communication with
you (they might be hiding how they
are really feeling).
These are all examples of changes
in behavior patterns that can indicate
an oncoming episode.
You know your loved one's triggers
as well, and you can watch that they
avoid them or, if they happen to be
tripped by one (like lack of sleep
triggers a manic episode).
Just like the weatherman, you can
predict your loved one's moods and
behavioral changes by watching for
patterns.
What patterns have you noticed
in your loved one?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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