Bipolar? What's the Difference?
Published: Mon, 10/19/09
Hi ,
How's it going?
I hope you're ok.
I have a friend who calls
himself a "recovering alcoholic."
One day I asked him what's
the difference between a "recovering"
alcoholic and a "regular" alcoholic?
He said, "I don't drink."
So what's the difference between
a high functioning person with
bipolar disorder and just a "regular"
person with bipolar disorder?
For one thing, if you were to look
at a high functioning person with
bipolar disorder, you'd never know
that they even have the disorder.
They are productive, stable, and
successful, and live a pretty normal
life.
So what else makes the difference?
Usually their attitudes.
A high functioning person has a
positive attitude...
While a low functioning person is
just the opposite - they have a
negative attitude.
Another difference is that one is
willing to do whatever it takes to
reach (and maintain) stability, while
the other one isn't.
Guess which one isn't.
Right.
A low functioning person is like
those people with bipolar disorder
who you hear complain all the
time, or blame all their problems
on the disorder.
A high functioning person will do
the things like I teach in my courses/systems:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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They will change their lifestyle
to suit their stability.
They will eat right, exercise, and
keep a good sleep schedule.
They will be productive.
They will take all their medications
willingly.
They will see their doctor, psychiatrist,
and therapist faithfully.
They will have a strong support
system.
They will avoid what they've learned
are triggers to a bipolar episode for
them.
They will keep their stress and anxiety
to a minimum.
They will watch for any signs and
symptoms of episodes, so they can
avoid them.
In other words, in one word, they are
STABLE.
And they worked hard to get that way.
While the low functioning person is
just the opposite.
They won't be medication compliant
(or will complain about having to
take it).
They won't have a strong support system.
They think they can handle this on their
own.
They won't go to see their doctor,
psychiatrist or therapist, because they
don't think they need them.
They will probably sleep too much and
even be lazy and unproductive.
They will go through several episodes.
In other words, they are NOT STABLE.
What's the difference?
Just what I said in one sentence before:
The high functioning person with bipolar
disorder will do whatever it takes to get
and stay stable.
Willingly and with a positive attitude,
they will do WHATEVER it takes.
Are you doing whatever it takes to
maintain your stability?
If not, you could lose it.
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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