Bipolar Supporter - You Should Do This
Published: Sat, 03/10/12
Hi ,
How's it going for you today?
I hope it's a good day for you.
If a parent is a good parent, they will raise
their children to believe that they can do
anything that they set their minds to do...
That if they want to be a doctor, they can
do that...
That if they want to be a lawyer, they can
do that...
That if they want to help people, they can
do that...
And that if they want to work with their hands,
they can pick a profession (like auto mechanic)
where they can do that.
In other words, they see their child and that child's
Particular gifts and talents, and they try to steer
them in a direction that will use those gifts and
talents, while all the time telling them that they
can be anything and do anything that they want
to.
In psychology, that's called positive reinforcement.
Which is a good thing for a parent to do.
That's a good thing for a bipolar supporter to do
as well.
One of the things that I teach in my courses/
systems is that you should be supportive to your
loved one and not let their bipolar disorder hold
them back.
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 it shouldn't hold you back, either.
You should still be able to do anything
you want to do, too.
For example, if you still want to work a full-time
job, you should be able to do that without
worrying about what your loved one will do
without having you around.
If you do, that's called codependency.
If they get in trouble without you around,
maybe they're too dependent on you to keep
them out of trouble, and that isn't a healthy thing.
You should be able to trust them to be ok when
you're not around, at least as much as to be able
to work.
However, I know one woman who tried to work,
but her husband would call her 10 and 12 times
a day at work, until she was let go from that job
because they said they couldn't tolerate it.
Your loved one needs to have something to do
while you work so that they don't do things like
that.
They need to be productive in their own right so
that they aren't so dependent on you.
They need to have their own strong support
network, and their own social network as well,
some friends who they can hang out with and do
things with, or like at a day center.
They could even have their own job - either
part-time, or even a volunteer position, just
something that gets them out of the house - or
even a home business might work for them.
You should also be able to have your own friends
and family that you can see when you want.
It is healthy for you to have a social life outside
of your loved one so that their bipolar disorder
doesn't overwhelm you.
Go to lunch with a friend every once in a while -
it will do you good.
For your own mental and emotional well-being,
you should be able to go out and do things on
your own.
You shouldn't feel trapped by your loved one.
And you shouldn't feel guilty at leaving them
alone at home, or fear for what might happen.
They should be learning how to manage their own
disorder, and to be independent to some degree.
They shouldn't need you to such a degree that you
can't do what you want to do, or it isn't healthy.
If you feel as if your loved one and/or their bipolar
disorder is holding you back, then you need to talk
to them about it.
Or maybe even talk to their therapist about it, if you
feel that you need to.
You need to be able to do the things you need and
want to do.
You need to have some freedom from both your loved
one and their bipolar disorder.
Otherwise, if you're not careful, you may suffer from
supporter burnout.
What do you think?
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL BELOW
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarsupporterblog/bipolar-supporter-you-should-do-this/comment-page-1/#comment-36296
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
===>> Great Resources For You <===
Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter
Want your own copy of these daily bipolar
emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3
Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
Don't forget to take a look through the
different programs I've put together... each
one is designed to help you with a different
area of bipolar disorder whether you have it or
you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com
View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE
Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE
Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can't learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com