Bipolar Supporter – Are You Taking Care of Yourself?
Published: Mon, 12/14/09
Hi ,
How are you today?
I hope you're doing fine.
Sometimes people get the wrong
idea of what being a supporter is.
They think they have to do
everything for their loved one
with bipolar disorder.
Even things that they can do
for themselves.
And that's called enabling, which
isn't a positive thing for a
supporter.
I mean, I'm not saying not to help
your loved one, you should, but
just not to the extreme.
Some supporters who go to the
extreme treat their loved one
like a child, and then wonder
why their loved one resents
them.
You don't want this to happen
to you.
You want to be the best supporter
you can be.
But, like I say in my courses/
systems, you also cannot leave
out one very important person
in the process of supporting your
loved one - YOU!
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
Let me ask you:
Are you taking care of yourself?
Because if you don't, you may
get sick (physically and/or
emotionally), and then what kind
of help would you be to your
loved one?
You MUST take care of yourself
first, or you won't be able to
help your loved one (or anyone
else, for that matter).
I know that some people will
disagree with me.
They may think it is selfish to
put themselves first.
But, again, I would say to you
that if you DON'T put yourself
first, you won't be an effective
supporter, family member,
friend, co-worker, etc.
It is definitely not a matter of
being selfish but, instead, a
matter of "best practices."
Have you heard of "best
practices?"
It's a business term that applies
to those ways in which the company
(and/or its departments) can be most
effective - by using "best practices."
You can be your most effective
as well, if you use "best practices."
Every supporter is different, but
best practices for you might
include:
- Going to your own therapist
- Attending your own support
group
- Keeping in close contact with
your friends and family
- Having a social life
- Doing things outside the home
separate from your loved one
- Doing things that you enjoy
- Having hobbies
- Being of service to others
besides your loved one
- Being active in church or a
civic organization
- Volunteering for a worthy cause
- Taking care of yourself physically
- Taking care of yourself mentally
- Taking care of yourself emotionally
- Taking care of yourself spiritually
- Keeping a positive attitude
- Improving your self-esteem
- Bettering yourself
- Learning more about bipolar disorder
- Learning something new
- etc.
The better you take care of yourself,
the better you can take care of
your loved one with bipolar disorder.
It's not a matter of selfishness,
it's a matter of necessity.
Are you taking care of yourself?
What types of things are you
doing?
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http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/bipolar-supporter-%E2%80%93-are-you-taking-care-of-yourself/comment-page-1/#comment-16464
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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