Bipolar Supporter? The Importance of Interaction
Published: Sun, 03/28/10
Hi ,
How's your day going?
I hope it is a good one.
Have you ever heard those jokes -
the ones where two people walk into a bar?
Two therapists walk into a bar.
The first says, "Do you come here often?"
The second says, "Only on my crazy days."
These jokes are usually funny,
but there's something to be said of them, too.
There are always two people interacting with each other.
Interaction can be a healing time for anyone,
helping them regain perspective on the world
and on themselves.
It can be a time to make new friends
or to enjoy spending time with the ones
you already have.
It can even be a time
when a supporter gets to finally
be supported themselves.
Everybody needs it.
Unfortunately, not all supporters get the interaction
they need and deserve.
Sometimes we let ourselves
forget about our own needs
when we're too busy focusing
on the needs of our loved one.
Did you know it's very difficult to take care
of anyone else if you don't take care
of yourself first?
Interaction can help in many ways.
It can give you feedback on what you could be
doing better as a supporter.
Spending time with friends and family
can give you the strength
to go back to your loved one
with the patience and care you want to show them.
You can learn things from interaction
better than you can from being alone,
both things about yourself
and things about the world around you.
It can be a time to focus on yourself
and on how you can enjoy life.
It can be a time to grow in the
different aspects of yourself
and your life.
It can even be a healing time
when you feel hurt or alone.
Friends and family can help you know
you are loved and appreciated
and that you have a shoulder to cry on
when you need it.
Even basic interactions are helpful.
Ever stood in line at the grocery store
and the person ahead of you started
talking to you about the price of groceries?
Or maybe the weather?
This may be "small talk"
and may seem irrelevant,
but it can still be a good thing.
It gives you a chance to talk to someone
that you will probably never meet again
about things that you may or may not
be interested in.
It is a good time to practice
your interpersonal skills.
We all need practice at them,
even if it is just to keep up the skills
we already have.
Interaction is also important
with you and your loved one.
If all you ever talk about
is their illness, then it can be exhausting
for both of you.
If you make the effort to enjoy
time well spent with them,
it can help ease tensions
and give you both the skills you need
to deal with their illness.
Want to know a secret?
It may even be fun.
Interaction is good for your loved one, too.
When they get a chance
to interact with other people
they can get feedback on their behaviors
which can help them learn
to counteract their symptoms.
They may have heard from you
a hundred times or more
that they are being jittery
and not paying attention.
But when they hear it from someone else
they may realize that it is true.
There are times when you need
to be apart from your loved one.
Maybe you can interact
with your family and friends
so that you can refresh yourself
to deal with them better
when you get back to them.
There are also times
when it might be a good idea
to bring them with you,
so you can both enjoy some time
with each other and with other people.
These can both be good opportunities
to fulfill your needs as a person
and to get feedback
on your thoughts and actions.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like
if you were in one of those jokes?
A person with bipolar disorder
and their supporter walk into a bar.
What happens next?
Do they meet new people?
Do they enjoy a couple glasses of orange juice
and exchange punch lines?
Ultimately only they can decide.
Only you can decide
if your choose to interact with people
and meet your own needs.
There are many ways to do so.
What are the ways that you can
interact with people today?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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