World Bipolar Day: What is one thing others could do differently to support someone with bipolar?
March 30 is known as World Bipolar Day and is celebrated in memory of Vincent Van Gogh. Bipolar is challenging yet it is not talked about as much as depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health struggles. This is also the key factor that a large group isn't aware of it and the stigmas associated with it. So this day is an opportunity for us to raise awareness and make others understand what is bipolar and how to increase support for someone struggling with it.
So, what is one thing others could do differently in order to make someone with bipolar feel supported and comforted?
Share with us below!
@ASilentObserver
Attempt to understand what they are going through before reacting, and know that they are sorry for how they are inadvertently making everyone feel but it sometimes isn't possible to control it
@ASilentObserver
@ASilentObserver
Some ideas on what one could do to counteract bipolar stigma:
- Read positive literature on it
- Talk to a someone who has healed all their baggage on it (No, this doesn't unfortunately automatically include all "professionals")
- Write a blog about it
- Share about it in their sermon or prayers
- Write a song or poem about it
- Create a Bipolar support group
- Promote great books about bipolar on social media
- Wear clothes that start a healthy conversation about bipolar disorder and other personality diseases
- Speak up when someone is promoting personality disorder shame
- Challenge your own negative thoughts around personality disorders
- Continue to work on your negative biases and health
- Realize any disorder or disease is just a stage in healing if one is working on themselves
- Seek to continually practice tools and skills that hone your compassion
Resources:
In The Rooms - recovery focused app and website with over 250 meetings per week
YouTube - talks and meditations by Tara Brach on her channel
Www.thework.com - a tool for investigating our negative beliefs
CBT and DBT (cognitive and dialectical behavioural therapy) - skills to recognize thought patterns and self awareness
Books by Kay Redfield Jamison
Cookies and coffee
Resilient
♥️
Selfless
♥️
Daring
♥️
@ASilentObserver
one thing that others can do to support people who are suffering from bipolar disorders is to ask them to be honest about how they are feeling emotionally at the moment. this will help you to better understand where they are coming from and also to show more empathy for their situation.
Bipolar is such a tough disorder to deal with ,often victims feel isolated especialy in manic episodes so,spending much time with victims actually helps..sharing with them what you opt to do when they are low or hyper and it literally draws them closer cause no one likes being stuck in their heads especially when it only worsens situation
Just try to be in our shoes, try to understand that not everyone thinks/is the same. I understand that it's hard to do that for some people, but it's necessary.
Like for any person: meet the person where he/she is emotionally. Validate. No judgement.
