Bipolar Bad Days
Published: Sun, 03/15/15
Hi,
How are you doing today?
I hope you're doing well.
Everybody has good days and bad days.
You don’t have to have bipolar disorder to
have a bad day.
But when you're dealing with bipolar disorder,
the bad days can be really bad.
And it can seem like you have more bad days
than good days.
But that isn't true.
There are more good days than bad days, generally
speaking.
It's just that the bad days are so bad that they
overshadow the good days.
At least it seems that way, doesn’t it?
Sometimes it seems that all you do is go from
episode to episode, with barely a break in between.
But that really isn’t true.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental
Disorders (DSM-V) says that your loved one should
Only have about four major episodes in their whole
lives.
But I know that, for you, there are many more bad
bipolar days than just four.
Your loved one doesn’t have to be in a full-blown
episode for it to be a bad bipolar day.
They may just be a bit "off."
Or just be down, or a little sad.
Or in a bad mood.
Or agitated.
Or irritated.
Or edgy.
Or hyper.
They don't have to be in an episode to feel
those things.
But feeling those things can make it a bad day
for them (and for you).
So what can you do when you're faced with a bad
bipolar day?
Sometimes, on days like that, when a person with
bipolar disorder feels a bit down, they'll just try to
sleep it off.
Then there's nothing for you to do.
Or if they feel hyper, they might throw that hyperactivity
into doing something productive.
Then there's nothing for you to do, either.
However, if they are just sitting in those feelings,
they may turn to you for help.
One of the biggest things you can do is simply to listen.
They may just want to talk about the way they are
feeling, or whatever is on their mind.
Try to be non-judgmental.
Listen more than you speak.
Don't interrupt.
Use phrases like, "Go on," or "Tell me more."
Use your body language to indicate that you're
listening –
Nod your head, or lean into them, for example.
In my courses/systems, I talk about how important
communication is when you’re dealing with bipolar
disorder, and give other examples of verbal and non-
verbal communication techniques:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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http://www.survivebipolar.net
But what about when your loved one doesn't
seem to want your help?
What if they are confrontational?
What if they pick a fight with you, for example?
Well, if they pick a fight with you, first of all, do
NOT fight back!
This will only escalate their bipolar behavior, and do
nothing to help end the fight.
In fact, it will prolong the fight.
The best thing for you to do if your loved one
doesn't want your help is to leave them alone.
Let them try to work it out for themselves.
Watch them for signs and symptoms of an episode,
however, and if they get worse, get them professional
help.
Otherwise, just let them know that you are there if
they need you.
What do you think?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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