Bipolar: You Better Not Do This
Published: Fri, 07/22/11
Hi ,
How's it going for you today?
I hope it's a good day for you.
Whether you are the supporter or the
person with bipolar disorder,
YOU BETTER NOT DO THIS:
Never wish you were somewhere else.
Haven't you ever heard that old saying,
"Wherever you go, there you are?"
In other words, it doesn't help to try to
run from your problems, whether literally
or just in your head.
You can't wish your problems away.
You have to deal with them.
I know it's hard. I have to do it too.
(Try being me for a day! LOL)
But NEVER wish you were somewhere
else.
It is definitely non-productive.
It will not help you at all.
"Somewhere else" has its problems there,
too.
Because, "Wherever you go, there you are."
And so are your problems.
They're still in your head.
A supporter doesn't stop being a supporter
just because they're not home with their
loved one.
Running away doesn't help. And neither
does wishing you were somewhere else.
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
I teach how you have to face what's in front of
you - how you have to develop systems to help
you deal with those things.
I know it's hard dealing with a loved one with
bipolar disorder. And sometimes you'd rather
be somewhere else doing something else (anything
else).
But it doesn't help to think that way.
In fact, you better NOT think that way, because it
will only get you into trouble.
You have to face reality. You have to deal with
what's in front of you, good AND bad.
And there are ways to do that:
1. Remain positive
2. Be proactive
3. Maintain contact with friends
4. Maintain contact with family
5. Take care of yourself
6. Journal your thoughts and feelings
7. Exercise (it gets out your frustration)
8. See your own therapist
9. Take up a hobby
10. Go places without your loved one
These are just some suggestions. I'm sure you
can think of some of your own if you try.
Another thing is that you have to separate
yourself from your loved one.
You have your own identity outside your
loved one and outside their disorder. Make
sure you remember that!
Also, try to separate your loved one from
their disorder. I know that's hard sometimes,
especially because you have to live with them
every day, but you have to try to do it anyway.
Some people do this by looking through old
photo albums or scrapbooks and remembering
what their loved one was like before the disorder.
Other people keep in mind what their loved one
is like when they're not in an episode (and they're
grateful for that!).
But whatever, always keep in mind NOT to think
about being somewhere else - it will ruin your
trying to stay "in the moment."
"In the moment" is where you should be."
You may not be in the best "moment" of your
life, but at least you'll be dealing with reality.
This is a part of mindfulness, which comes from
dialectical behavioral therapy.
Mindfulness teaches you to stay in the present -
To focus on the reality of what is happening now
and not what you'd like to be happening.
What do you think about this?
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http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarsupporterblog/bipolar-you-better-not-do-this-2/comment-page-1/#comment-27536
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Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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