Bipolar: This Indicates Growth
Published: Sat, 12/21/13
Hi,
How's it going for you today?
I hope it's a good day for you.
I was thinking about the seasons recently, and
how they affect the trees (I'm a big nature nut,
since I do so much hiking as a hobby and to
keep fit).
So I was thinking how a tree goes through its
own seasons, what with being so full of green
leaves in the Spring, becoming full of brightly
colored leaves in the Fall, and then losing those
leaves in the Winter.
But these things are important for its growth in
the long run.
So it made me think of bipolar disorder in that
these things signify change, and change is
important to your and your loved one's growth
as well.
Without change, things just stay the same forever,
and that's not good for anyone.
Without change, you just keep making the same
mistakes over and over again.
In my courses/systems below, I talk about how
change is an integral part of the therapy that your
loved one should undergo as part of their treatment
for their bipolar disorder:
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 in order to change, you must first see the need
to change. There can be no change without this.
The great philosopher Santayana said:
"Those who do not remember the past are
condemned to repeat it."
I don't think he meant it bad like dwelling on
the past, but as in looking at your past
mistakes so that you can learn from them.
And that involves change.
I think the next step after recognizing the need
for change is to have the willingness to change.
Because some people can even acknowledge that
some things need to be changed, but they're not
willing to make those necessary changes, so
nothing gets changed in their life, and they just
keep making the same mistakes over and over
again.
But if you have the willingness to change, then
you can do something positive.
Then you have to actually do something about
it, because change doesn't always just happen
by itself.
Of course, sometimes it does...like inevitable
things.
For example, you age all by yourself, it has
nothing to do with any effort on your part, it's
just a natural part of life.
But as far as it relates to fixing past mistakes
and not making them again...well, those
things you can help.
So those things you do have to decide willingly
to change, and to make an effort to do so.
So after you see the need to change, and you
are willing to change, then you decide to make
that change, and you do so.
But the thing is, and here's where it gets tricky...
You have to exercise a bit of patience when
it comes to making changes.
Because many changes take TIME to put into
place.
Most changes don't happen overnight.
Even if the initial change does happen overnight,
it doesn't become a permanent change without
taking time.
So you need to understand that you're going to
need to have patience when you're making
changes in your life.
Especially when it comes to coping and dealing
with your loved one and their bipolar disorder.
Say, for example that you want to make some
changes there.
For example, you're not happy with the way your
loved one acts during a bipolar episode, and how
they don't see that there are consequences for
what they do during that episode.
So far, everything you've tried hasn't done any
good to get them to take responsibility for their
actions.
They always seem to get away with things, usually
because you "rescue" them, and you don't like it.
So you need to make a change in your approach
to your loved one.
So you want them to start taking responsibility
for the consequences of what happens during
their bipolar episodes, and to change your own
behavior - in other words, you want to stop
rescuing them from those consequences.
You can say something like:
"When you're in a bipolar episode, I don't like
the things you do, but I always seem to rescue
you from the consequences of them. From now
on, you're going to have to pay your own
consequences for your own actions and behavior."
So you change your own behavior in hopes that
your loved one will change their behavior.
I'm not saying that this will work (sometimes
it will, and sometimes it won't)...
Because everyone with bipolar disorder is different
(in fact, everyone, whether they have the disorder
or not, is different)...
And you can't control anyone else, or control
what they do.
You only have control over yourself.
So all you can do is to change your own behavior.
And instead of getting angry about how your
loved one acts during a bipolar episode and the
consequences from it, you can simply stop
rescuing them.
Making changes indicates growth.
What do you think?
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL BELOW
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