Bipolar? You Need a Good One of These
Published: Tue, 04/12/11
Hi ,
How are you doing?
I hope you're doing good.
Today I'd like to talk to both survivors and supporters,
because it's a very important topic that applies to both
of you.
I'm also going to be talking about all different ages, too,
because whether you are diagnosed as a child or adolescent
or as an adult or older person, what I'm talking about will
still apply to you.
I'm talking about something that is crucial to good recovery
from bipolar disorder.
Just as importantly, it's crucial to keeping your sanity in the
day-to-day living with the disorder.
I know you probably think I'm being all secretive about this
topic and all, but I'm really not.
I'm just stressing its importance.
What I'm talking about is the importance of having a good
strong support system.
Like I said, it is crucial to good recovery.
It can literally make the difference between life and death
when you're dealing with bipolar disorder.
There have been some people with the disorder who have
killed themselves because they didn't have a support system,
because they didn't have anyone to turn to at that final moment,
and that is sad, but avoidable.
In my courses/systems, I talk about starting your support system
with your medical and mental health professionals - doctor,
psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, social worker, or whoever
else makes up your treatment team.
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 that can't be all that makes up your support system.
Especially if you are younger.
When a child is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their world
pretty much revolves around home and school, so their support
system will probably consist more of their family and friends.
It will be important to them to have friends in their support
system who do NOT have bipolar disorder, so they can feel
a sense of normalcy.
What's most important when you're dealing with a child is that
they feel as normal as possible, and that means fitting in with
their friends and feeling loved and accepted unconditionally by
their family.
If you are the parent of a child with bipolar disorder, this is
where you should spend your best efforts.
Feeling a sense of normalcy is especially important as you get
into the teen years.
At that point, they will be dealing with the normal adolescent
angst and crazy emotions along with their bipolar disorder, so
having friends without the disorder who still care for them and
accept them anyway will be very important to them, and should
be included in their support system.
At that age, they are also trying to deal with a sense of self, and
may struggle with their self-esteem, a common problem also
associated with bipolar disorder.
They may need to see a counselor, social worker, or therapist to
discuss some of these issues.
Another issue that may need to be dealt with is the family situation.
There are family therapists set up especially for this.
You have to understand that these are the years during which they
will be wanting their freedom and independence, and the bipolar
disorder may make that natural rebellion worse.
It may be difficult to deal with these issues, which is why I said
you might want to see a family counselor at this point in order to
continue being a good support for your child.
You can't expect to be their only (or even strongest) support at
that age.
To them, their friends will be more important than you are.
So you may have to allow them this freedom.
Think of it this way - at least they have a support system.
Supporters, let me talk to you for a minute.
You need to have your own support system.
You may not have even thought of that, but only thought of
your loved one needing a support system, but you need one,
too, or you will burn out.
You have your own set of needs, and you have to see to them.
If you don't take care of yourself, how can you take care of
your loved one?
There are support groups for supporters, too.
You also need people close to you to whom you can turn
when you need help.
Your loved one, of course, needs their own support system
separate from yours.
This needs to consist of more than just their medical and
mental health professionals or they won't turn to them for
help when they need someone.
It also can't only consist of you for the same reason (and
because they don't need to burn you out).
They should have their own set of friends.
These can come from their support group, so that some of
them also have bipolar disorder and understand the unique
challenges that accompany the disorder.
But they should also have other friends and supporters
as well.
Having a good strong support system will lead to stability for
your loved one and will help you as well.
What do you think?
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL HERE
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarsupporterblog/bipolar-you-need-a-good-one-of-these/comment-page-1/#comment-24704
Your Friend,
Dave
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