Bipolar Supporter: How to Help Your Loved One
Published: Sat, 12/20/14
Hi ,
How's it going for you today?
I hope it's a good day for you.
Today I want to talk about
Ways to Help Your Loved One
Stay On Track
1. Don't Let Them Get Lazy
It's hard for your loved one when
they, perhaps, have lost their job
and are now on disability. Some
people lose their sense of direction
when they have nothing to wake up
for any more when they have no job
to go to. Don't let your loved one
get lazy just because they aren't working
any more. Encourage them to make
a To-Do List, or something else that
forces them to be productive in some
way every day - just something that
gets them out of bed with a day's goal
in mind.
2. Make Sure They Stick to Their
Treatment Plan
Sometimes loved ones may stick to
their treatment plans in the beginning,
when they know you're watching them,
but then they slack off when they think
you're not looking. Don't let that happen
to your loved one. Make sure they stick
to their treatment plan. This is so important.
Especially when it comes to their medication.
No, they're not a child, and you can't make
them take their medication by forcing it
down their throat. But you can encourage
them and reinforce the importance of taking
it. Be the same way with the rest of their
treatment plan - going to their appointments
with their psychiatrist, doctor, and therapist.
Eat a good diet, exercise, and sleep right,
etc.
3. Use a Buddy System
Try to keep them on track by finding a
"BP Buddy" for them - maybe someone
From their bipolar support group. Someone
who knows what they're going through, and
is perhaps sharing the same struggles. Maybe
they can do some things together, maybe
some things to keep them from getting bored -
maybe they share the same interests, or at
least could go out to eat or to the movies,
etc.
In my courses/systems below I share many tips/tricks
to helping your loved one stay on track:
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
I'll just share a couple more quick ones here:
1. Encourage Them to be Independent
Don't act like your loved one's babysitter.
Encourage them to be independent, and
Not to be dependent on you. You want
to be supportive, and you want them to
feel your support and to know that you're
there for them, but at the same time, you
don't want them to feel as if you're smothering
them. If you have grown children, remember
back to when your children were teenagers
and were trying to show that they were
"grown up." Your loved one is going through
the same thing. Stay close enough that if they
want your help, you can help them, but give
them enough room that they can do what they
can for themselves.
2. Be Their Cheerleader
When your loved one does make advances
in their growth, say, in therapy, be their
personal cheerleader! Make sure they know
that you are on their side, not only NOT
nagging them, but being positive and
encouraging, and cheering them on to do
good so that they don't get depressed.
Even small advances can be good ones.
Being a good supporter isn't an easy job. But it is
so important to your loved one that you encourage
them every step of the way.
3. Make Time For Yourself
You need to take care of yourself as well as
your loved one. You don't want to get burnt
out, do you? If you get sick or stressed out,
who would take care of your loved one? So
it is important to take care of yourself first.
You need to make sure you are balanced
physically, emotionally, mentally, financially,
and spiritually. You also need to have balance
in your work and home life. And between
taking care of your loved one and taking
care of yourself. It's important for you to keep
your stress levels down and to relax when you
need to, and to do things that are enjoyable for
you. You should practice hobbies that you enjoy
as well. These make you feel productive and help
your self-esteem.
4. Keep a Journal or Mood Chart
Record your feelings in a journal, diary, on the
computer, or on a mood chart. This will keep
you from "stuffing" them, and will help you to
express them in a healthy way. This is important,
as it will help you to stay emotionally healthy by
letting your emotions out. If this doesn't work for
you, you might want to get your own therapist.
These have just been some ways to help your
loved one stick to their system, but also some
suggestions that might help you as well.
PLEASE POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL BELOW
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarsupporterblog/bipolar-supporter-how-to-help-your-loved-one/#comment-1115457
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