Bipolar Supporter? Learn How to Do This
Published: Wed, 01/27/10
Hi ,
How are you today?
I hope you're fine.
I was reading this article the
other day about relationships.
It was saying that, of course,
good, honest communication
is one of the most crucial parts
to a successful and healthy
relationship.
I already knew that, as I'm sure
you probably did as well.
Hopefully, your communication
with your loved one is good.
Because good, honest communication
with a loved one with bipolar disorder
is especially important.
They need to feel that they can be
honest and open about their thoughts
and feelings when they talk to you.
Many times, you are their "check
and balance,"
Here's what I mean by that.
They may have disturbing thoughts
that have them concerned.
If they feel they can share them
with you and you won't judge
them for those thoughts, or throw
them right into the hospital,
they will tell you what they're
thinking and get your opinion.
Sometimes, the thoughts of a
person with bipolar disorder
are not rational.
And that can be scary for a
person with the disorder.
As their supporter, you can
listen to what they share and
decide whether these thoughts
are rational or not.
When this happens, your loved
one is asking for an honest
opinion.
This is not the time to hold back
so that you don't hurt their feelings.
They may really be in trouble,
and asking you for help, as I
describe 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
If your loved one is having
troublesome thoughts, it would
help to have you as a sounding
board.
Especially if they're concerned
about their own thoughts.
They may not trust these
thoughts (or themselves),
and they need to know that
you will be impartial and
tell them if there's nothing
to worry about or if there
is.
You need to learn the difference
between just a "racing thought"
(or even just a normal thought
with nothing to do with bipolar
disorder) and thoughts that are
irrational and indicative of a bipolar
episode.
That way, if you agree with your
loved one that their thoughts are
disturbing, you can get them the
help they need before they go
into a full-fledged episode.
They may just need you to
encourage them to go to their
therapist and talk about these
thoughts.
Or they may need to be hospitalized,
especially if the thoughts are about
dying, hurting themselves (or
someone else), or even committing
suicide.
Usually, you should be able to
just encourage them that their
thoughts are just from the bipolar
disorder, and that's enough.
However, as I was saying, if
these thoughts are disturbing
even to you, or cause you concern
for your loved one (and their safety
or yours), you may need to take
action.
Encouragement may not be
enough.
You may even need to take your
loved one to the hospital.
Especially if these thoughts
go on for any length of time,
as that can indicate a pending
episode.
But it's up to you to discern
whether you need to take action
or not.
You need to learn the difference
between thoughts that are just
concerning, and thoughts that
are from a bipolar episode.
Try talking to your loved one
when they are between episodes
and can explain what it's like to
have these thoughts, and what
type of thoughts they have.
NOTE: If the thoughts are bad
enough that they even concern
you, it means you need to take
action.
Have you experienced this?
Does your loved one share their
thoughts with you?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
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different programs I've put together... each
one is designed to help you with a different
area of bipolar disorder whether you have it or
you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com
View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE
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information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
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