Dealing with Bipolar? This Can Make You Stronger
Published: Tue, 11/17/09
Hi ,
I hope you're doing well today.
There's a saying that goes, "Anything
that doesn't kill you just makes you
stronger."
Now, here's the thing about bipolar
disorder that I tell people all the time:
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease
with no cure (yet), but it is not a death
sentence.
Some people feel like it is.
I feel sorry for these people, because
they just "roll over and play dead."
Then they don't learn about the disorder
or how to manage it. It manages them
instead.
They think having bipolar disorder is
the worst thing that could have ever
happened to them.
I get quite a few negative responses like
that.
But here's one that encouraged me:
"Dave,
I never asked for my husband to have
bipolar disorder. Of course, he didn't
ask for it, either. It wasn't his fault.
Nevertheless, there it is, right smack
dab in the middle of our lives, with no
escape. But you know, I'm actually
grateful. It could have been worse, it
could have been cancer or something.
At least bipolar disorder won't kill him,
and I still have my husband.
I think it's how you look at it. We choose
to look at it like the glass is half full, and
try to find the positive things about it.
Like, he is much more aware of his health
because of his bipolar disorder. We make
sure he eats a healthy diet, exercises, and
keeps a good sleep schedule.
We go to a support group, so he can be with
others struggling with the same things that
he is (and so can I). We are close with our
families, so they are part of his support system
too.
And we both monitor his moods, are careful
of his triggers, and watch for signs and
symptoms of an episode. And of course, he
sees a psychiatrist and a therapist who can tell,
too. We've been able to avoid much more
serious episodes this way.
I can't really say we're used to his bipolar
disorder, because how can you ever really get
used to it? But we have learned to accept that
this is something he has and will have for the
rest of his life, and it's something we battle
together.
I think my husband's bipolar disorder has
actually made him stronger. With his medication,
he is very stable, and is very productive. He
helps me around the house, and he also does
volunteer work, which makes him feel good
about himself. We also believe that the disorder
itself makes him more creative, so that really
helps with us solving problems and other stuff.
I'm not saying that we like the fact that he
has bipolar disorder, but it has united us, and
I do believe it has made us both stronger,
fighting this battle together. Anyway, thanks
for listening. Barbara."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Wow. What a testimonial about the
positive side of bipolar disorder.
Bet you didn't think there was one, huh?
I usually hear the opposite, people talking
about how difficult it is, but that's why I
wanted to share this with you.
Bipolar disorder can make you stronger,
just like Barbara was saying in her
comments.
It's all in how you look at it - you can
look at it as something that ruins your life
and makes you miserable, or you can do
like she said - accept it.
How you or your loved one looks at the
disorder has a lot to do with whether they
will get stable, like I point out in my courses/
systems:
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
When you accept something, it doesn't
necessarily mean that you just lay
down and take it.
Especially when it comes to something
like bipolar disorder.
But acceptance is necessary when it comes
to the disorder and the fight for stability.
Here's the thing though -
Just because you accept it doesn't mean
you have to like it.
I'm not saying that. Obviously, nobody
is going to like having the disorder.
But if you accept it like Barbara and her
husband do, you can do things to battle it.
I think they have the right attitude, don't you?
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http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/?p=2325&cpage=1#comment-15077
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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