The “A” of all Words for Bipolar Disorder
Published: Sat, 04/17/10
Hi ,
How's it going?
Hope you are doing well.
The other day I was watching a team of
people work on a tough assignment.
They made a plan that sounded like it
would work.
But then, they didn't follow it!
I didn't understand it.
They ended up having a much harder time
doing their job then they would have if
they had followed the plan they had all
agreed on.
And their plan was a good one, and it took
them time to come up with it.
So why didn't they follow it?
It made me think about people with
bipolar disorder.
Most people with bipolar disorder who
are on their way to recovery have made
some sort of a plan.
But often times, they will stray away from
that plan.
Most of the time, the plan includes
communication with their support team.
But often times, this does not get played
out the way it should.
That's where accountability comes into
play.
That's right: accountability.
The "A" of all words for bipolar disorder.
It's an important word because it's an
important concept.
A person with bipolar disorder needs to
communicate with everyone in their
recovery team, including their psychiatrist
and therapist, their supporters and possibly
their family as well.
Whomever they have chosen to be in their
recovery team, it is important that they
talk to them about how they are feeling,
what they are doing, and any plans they
may have.
Talking to them about how they are feeling
is essential to help watch for relapses.
Talking to them about what they are doing
helps to make sure they aren't
overwhelming themselves.
Talking to them about any plans they may
have, especially when manic, will help
them to make sure that their plans are
sound and reasonable.
The important thing is to make sure that
there is open communication between
the person with bipolar disorder and their
support team.
This goes both ways, too.
The people in the recovery team need to
communicate with their loved one who
has bipolar.
They need to be talking to them about
what they are noticing in them.
That way the person can learn to recognize
their symptoms as they are happening, and
hopefully even to recognize their triggers.
They need to be talking to their loved one
about what to do in the case of an
emergency.
It is better to have that plan ahead of time,
after all, so that it can be followed later.
They need to be talking to their loved one
about how to prevent a relapse.
They also need to be talking to their loved
one about what to do should a relapse
happen.
However you look at it, both sides need
to communicate with the other side.
And both sides need to be accountable
to the other side, and to hold each other
accountable.
Communication is a good thing in most
situations, but it is essential when dealing
with bipolar disorder.
Without communication, the person with
bipolar disorder would be stuck trying
to recover on their own.
And, as supporters, we don't want them
to have to do that.
So make a point to communicate with
each other, and to keep each other
accountable.
How do you think you could communicate
better?
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL BELOW
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/the-%E2%80%9Ca%E2%80%9D-of-all-words-for-bipolar-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-18774
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
===>> Great Resources For You <===
Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter
Want your own copy of these daily bipolar
emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3
Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
Don't forget to take a look through the
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
Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE
Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can't learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com