Bipolar? This Simple Gesture Can Mean Much
Published: Mon, 11/30/09
Hi ,
How's it going for you today?
I hope you're having a great
day.
You know, I get so many
emails and comments from
supporters complaining about
the way their loved one treats
them.
That's why this email was
such a surprise to me:
"Dave, I know that it's more
normal to complain about
your loved one's behavior
if they have bipolar disorder,
but I just wanted to give you
the other side of the story.
My husband has bipolar disorder.
But because he does this one
thing all the time (between
episodes), things aren't so bad
when he is in one, because
he's used to being a certain
way.
It's such a small thing, now that
I'm writing about it, but I think
if more couples practiced this,
things would be better for them.
What I'm talking about is
simply being polite to each
other.
I don't know how hard it would
be to start doing it from scratch,
because my husband and me have
been doing it naturally for so many
years, even before he was diagnosed
with bipolar disorder.
But that's it - we are polite to each
other.
It's easy once you've practiced it
as much as we have. It's things like
"Please" and "Thank you" and
"Would you mind..." you know,
things like that.
For me, it's a sign of respect, and
I'm polite to my husband in spite
of his bipolar disorder out of
respect for him.
For him, his politeness carries
him a long way when his emotions
tell him otherwise - like when his
bipolar is acting up and he gets
moody or irritable.
I know this is a really simple
suggestion for your readers, but
maybe they could try it. I know
that it works for us, and makes
a big difference in our relationship,
despite his bipolar disorder.
Anyway, maybe you could pass
on this suggestion.
--MaryBeth"
--------------------------------------------------
Wow, this was sure a different
email, don't you think?
That something as small as being
polite to each other could make
such a difference.
But MaryAnne has a point.
Being polite to each other is a
sign of respect, and everyone
likes to be respected.
In my courses/systems, one of
the things I talk about is stigma
against people with a mental
illness.
Some people lose respect for
a person who has 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
So if your loved one is being
affected by stigma, or not being
shown respect from other people,
it can make a big difference to
get it from you.
And what a simple way this
woman suggests, too!
Just be polite to each other.
Like you would be to a
stranger or any other person.
Your loved one deserves at
least that, as do you.
Common courtesy is what I'm
talking about.
You know, like the old Golden
Rule:
"Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you."
I know it can get kind of
frustrating at times dealing
with a person with bipolar
disorder...
But maybe you can try this
woman's suggestion of just
being polite to each other,
and see if it makes a
difference.
Let me know how it goes!
I love to hear success stories.
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL BELOW
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/?p=2393&cpage=1#comment-15899
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Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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