Help! My Loved One is Driving Me Nuts!

Hey there, it's the bipolar chick again! Have you ever taken the time to think about people who provide for the sick? Do you ever think about who cares for them when their health fails? The role of a health care provider is a demanding job; but what about the providers who care, without pay? I have sixteen years in the medical and death care field (outside of my writing career) and wow, there were days where I wondered who in the heck would take care of me at the end of my shift.

Well fast forward to today and I am amazed and humbled by all my family has endured in caring after me. My days of manic episodes, speed skating with my attention deficit disorder has everyone chasing me like a thief in the night. Then there were the days where the entire home ran on cruise control while hiding until tons of covers. After my diagnosis, I felt a little better about having something to identify with as well as having closure for whatever in the hell was broke in my head. Once I picked up my mini-mart of medications, a severe onset of "woe is me", took center stage and I felt all alone in my journey to mental wellness, or stability- whichever one came first.

One day, my husband and children called a meeting to have a talk with good old mommy. The talk was about how my thoughts, actions, and attitudes were wearing them out. The focus was not to bash me, but more like educating me on what they deal with when helping good old mom from day to day. I hope some of these points can help you understand what it is your loved one experiences as they do their best to help you along your journey.

You are not the only one affected. Even though you may be the one prescribed the medicine, seeing multiple doctors and experiencing all the mood and medication changes; your family is right beside you.

Do the best to remain positive. Positive energy and thoughts yield positive results. The journey is not yours alone. The happier you are guarantees happier loved ones.

Take a family walk in the park. Attend more outings together. This activity creates a strong bind as well as promotes exercise.

Attend family and individual support groups. Sometimes, we have the perception that we can never be wrong, but when you hear it come from a stranger's mouth; only then will the truth reveal itself.

Do the best you can to do something extra for them when you are feeling good. Take the kids out to their favorite place, or arrange a special dinner for you and your significant other. A simple "I love you" goes a long way.

Create a family schedule to help you and your loved ones maintain order. If you see what needs to done, you will get it done.

I hope this guide right out of my life helps you help those who care for you. After all, it is a team effort.