Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar

Disease is not good in any form, and when it’s mental illness that we’re talking about, it gets worse because we have no way to know exactly what is going on and if things will ever get back to normal again. We have a plethora of names for the various mental afflictions that beset us because of chemical imbalances and failing neuron connections in our brain. What we earlier thought was senility because of the natural process of growing old has now been relabeled with the terms Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. And we know now that people are not mad; rather, they are affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or some other illness and so need to be helped and supported instead of despised and neglected. But unless we learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders and get help immediately for our loved ones, we are at risk of losing them and our relationship with them.

Bipolar disorder is hard enough to live with, but when your loved one does not understand why you behave the way you do and that you have no control over your actions and words, life becomes worse than a living hell. So if you live in close proximity to someone who suffers from this mental illness, here’s how you can cope, with yourself and the affected person:

· Understand the disease: Unless you know all there is to know about this disorder, you’re never going to be able to understand why those affected behave the way they do. Learn what you can from doctors, books and the Internet and talk to others who are in similar situations. This is the only way you can be prepared for the mood swings because you never know when they may come on.

· Ensure that your loved one has medical help: If your loved one is already seeing a psychiatrist, ensure that they take their medication regularly because that is the only way they’re going to be able to lead a normal life. If they haven’t seen a doctor and if you suspect they may be acting out of character or subject to erratic moods, get them to talk to a doctor or psychiatrist. Sometimes, the symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder may overlap, so ensure that you talk to qualified experts and also get a second opinion before you begin treatment.

· Be patient: This is probably the most important virtue you need to cultivate when living with someone who is not in the best of health. You need to have enormous patience when dealing with someone who is prone to mood swings, who appears to be lazy and lethargic and who is unpredictable at best. When you live with them long enough, you begin to get adept at reading their moods and knowing how they will react. So be patient and let time do its job and be the natural healer that it is.

This guest post is written by Angela Peterson, who writes on the topic of online psychology degrees . She can be reached at her email id: apeterson8098@gmail.com