Reassurance, repetition, and rebound

I apologize that the last post was more of someone else's work. I do enjoy reading and the story's ending was pretty spot on. Thought I would just start with how my story brought me to being bipolar. Yes, your life will bring you to being bipolar. Please do your research. Listen to the healthcare professionals around you. I would harp on seeing a counselor also though now in my life I do not see one regularly, just family and close friends help me through my situations. I grew up in your typical small hometown where everyone knows everyone and most folks were at the football field on Friday night and church on Sunday mornings. Growing up with my dad and his parents was the first indication that life was different for me and my younger brother, Bubba. Through circumstances beyond my mother's control, subject of one of books, she gave custody of us up to our dad. Our parents were young teenagers when both Bubba and I were born, we are 15 months in age apart. Twins the hard way as my mother always said. Or Irish Twins in some circles. My brother is my rock throughout this life we lead. He is the only person in this world that has been through just about everything I experienced as a child and young adult growing up in small town USA. My dad remarried when I was 9 and life seemed pretty normal. Dad and his new wife didn't make alot of money but we always had what we needed. And my grandparents were always there to help when asked or needed. Growing up my dad's family was very close, we actually still are. That has been one of my biggest blessings in life. To know not only my dad's siblings but my grandparents' siblings and cousins. We get together with extended family at least once a year. And close family every holiday, birthday, or special occasion. And then some more. We love to get together and eat. And if my family doesn't teach you anything, they just want you to know that you are loved and accepted. Bipolar disorder will make you feel unloved and unaccepted even with those who love you more than you can imagine. Your feelings are real, they matter. Even though these same people love you no matter what, you are convinced that they wish you would go away. Yes, I have felt this way. And it hurts me to even admit this even now. So if you are a family member of a bipolar patient know that this feeling is real to us. We know in our hearts that it isn't true but the mind set we have tells us the lie. Or is it a lie? Because I just got through saying it was a feeling. Our emotions can run away with us, as most of you have experienced with yourself or loved one. Reassurance is key to helping a person with mental illness. Repetition is very helpful. I don't enjoy repetition but I catch myself being repetitive in most conversations. And I'm just going to call this the 3 R's to being supportive. Thirdly is rebound. When you find yourself up against a seemingly difficult encounter just rebound the conversation back to the original topic or question. When mania is what you are dealing with and with feeling unloved and unaccepted your loved one feels this way; you need to be in control of the conversation. I understand you need answers but you won't get them if the manic person is in control. I haven't even touched the surface of my story but I would rather save that for a book. I just want to say I'm sharing my experiences to help others realize, understand, and then act on being proactive with their mental illness health. We live in a society where pill popping is as natural as walking down the street. No I don't enjoy being a pharmacist every night. But I know those who love me and put up with me on a daily basis could not live with me if I didn't swallow my medication every single night. Please know that I completely understand and been there, done that with medication making me feel like a zombie. I could sleep 18 hours a day and the 6 hours I was awake was in 2 hour increments. Yes the struggle is real, no pun intended. It hurts, a lot. Just realize this is temporary, talk to your psychiatrist about a better medication regime, and find a support system that loves you and accepts you no matter what state of mind you are in. You may have this disorder by yourself but you don't have to be alone.