bipolar

[weer]

Hi

I'm Bipolar - How can I/other's help my family deal with it.
They don't

weer

[itssimplymenow]

Hello, i found that letting my family know how my emotions are often helps them to except and learn to adjust to them. This also gave me the opportunity to express what i was going through at the time and leveled out the playing field so that my family could understand.

[Crystlas]

Welcome aboard!  This is a wonderful support forum and all of us can help you gain perspective on this illness.  The first and most important thing is for you to use your meds correctly and eliminate all alcohol, illicit drugs, as well as, limit your caffiene intake.  These substances will throw your meds off and also disturb your brain's biochemistry.  Balance and stabilization is the key to success with being Bipolar.  Your family also needs to read about it and learn to know what to expect when you "swing".  I call it that because of going either up onto mania or plummiting into depression,, like a swing.  Anyhow, I will post so great links for you to share with your family, as well as, educate yourself on it.  Also, it is a very good idea to create a safety plan/contract for family to have in case of an emergency with the illness.  I made one for my family.  On it I have listings of my doctors, the mental hospital, the local emergency room and my therapist.  I also listed the police dept.'s number.  This away, if they have to activate it they can much easier so I can get help much quicker.  Ok, links are below!  Best of luck..

www.bipolarhelpcenter.com

www.moodswing.org

www.survivingbipolar.com

www.healthyplace.com

www.nami.org

[LetaB]

It's quite possible that one or more of your relatives also has this condition. After all, it's hereditary and didn't come to you from nowhere. I asked my mental health provider recently why it is that we'll admit to being depressed but we ACCUSE people of being bipolar? This is a CONDITION not a personality defect. Do your best to manage it but don't feel like you have to apologize.