Bipolar? It's in the Small Things and Happy Thanksgiving
Published: Tue, 11/24/09
Hi ,
How are you today?
I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving if
you celebrate it. I am actually visiting
family in Texas today and have a limited
internet connection.
I kind of have to make this short.
Okay, so here we go...
Think about these things:
A dollar is made of 100
pennies.
A year is made up of 12
months.
A week is made up of 7 days.
A career is made up of doing
a good job over a period of
weeks/years.
A car is made up of all of its
parts.
A house is made up of several
rooms.
A family is made up of several
members.
A degree is made up of the courses
taken to get it.
I'm sure you can think of some
examples of your own.
But you get the idea, right?
Have you ever heard the expression:
"The whole is made up of the sum
of its parts"?
It's like stability with bipolar
disorder.
It's made up of the sum of the parts
that you go through to achieve it
(and maintain it).
In my courses/systems, I strongly
suggest having plans of what to
do in case things happen, like an
episode, losing insurance, etc.
Taking care of a small plan can
avoid having a bigger problem
later.
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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http://www.survivebipolar.net
In other words, success is in the
small things.
Or, I should say, in the case of
bipolar disorder, stability is made
up of the small things done
consistently over a period of time.
Here are some examples:
1. Taking medication
Your loved one needs to take
their medication each and every
day, and eventually their moods
should even out.
2. Seeing a therapist
Progress is only made in therapy
if you attend all your sessions.
(Although you also have to be a
willing participant in your own
therapy, that is important, too.)
3. Seeing a doctor
It's important to have those shorter
term general health exams than to
have to deal later with a big physical
problem.
4. Seeing a psychiatrist
Your psychiatrist is the one who
tracks and prescribes medications.
Your loved one needs to go to
each visit, so that the psychiatrist
can determine if their medication
is working or, if it isn't, trying
something else.
5. Being a part of a support group
A support group is made up of the
sum of its members. They help
each other deal with the issues
surrounding bipolar disorder.
6. Asking for help from your support
system
Your support system is made up of
a number of people. Each person
has something to offer you in the
way of help. Tell them what you
need. Don't be afraid to ask for
help.
7. Good sleep
A night's sleep is made up of the
hours in it. Your loved one must
have at least 8 hours of good,
uninterrupted sleep each night to
stay stable.
8. Exercise
Exercise is made up of all the
things you do in an exercise session -
whether it's using equipment, or
dumbbells, or just walking (made
up of steps).
9. A healthy diet
A diet is made up of each meal you
eat. If you take care of each day's
meals, and you are eating healthy
meals at that, you should stay in good
health.
10. Having a good life (in spite of
having bipolar disorder)
A good life consists of a lot of things.
Everybody's different, so I can't state
specifically what would make up a
good life for you. What I can state in
general is that if you do all the above
things, as well as other things that
make you feel good about yourself
and lead to stability, you will have a
good life.
It's all in the small things. Tend to what you
need to on a daily basis, and eventually the
reward will be stability with bipolar disorder.
What are some of your "small things"
that your life (stability) is made of?
Any suggestions that might help someone
else?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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