Friendships require cultivation and cooperation to thrive. But when one friend also has to cope with a mood disorder, things can be even more complicated. “Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness,” ancient Greek poet Euripides once said. What was true in ancient times still holds true today. Our most valuable,...
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While it can be rewarding and enriching, having a close friend with bipolar can also sometimes be frustrating, and confusing. Here are ways to be supportive—while taking care of yourself, too: #1 Educate yourself about bipolar Learn more about its array of symptoms and the different facets of its treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask...
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I have fought with everything I have to get my son the proper help––which is why it is so frustrating to be denied insurance benefits on the basis of stigma. When my son was younger I had to fight to get him diagnosed. I had to fight to find the right doctors and medications. I...
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Bipolar disorder doesn’t have to be a ‘negative’ in a relationship. It may instead offer profound and meaningful breakthroughs for both partners. There are numerous articles that point to partners who have bipolar disorder as having tendencies toward infidelity, or anger outbursts, but readers need to realize that not every person with bipolar disorder will...
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In times of stability, it can be difficult—and painful—to determine if there are real problems with your relationship or if bipolar symptoms are the culprit; find out more: Interpreting the symptoms Even after years of stability, a stressful event or a build-up of stress can cause an onset of symptoms. These may be too subtle...
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Having bipolar disorder is challenging when it comes to maintaining healthy relationships, but there is much we can do to encourage the acceptance of ourselves and one another. I have been in love many times throughout my life and have had a number of long-term relationships. The last one ended after we were together...
READ MOREHorses are so attuned to humans that they know when you’re not being honest with yourself; read more: Give honest feedback In a way horses force us to be honest with ourselves when we interact with them, because they know when we’re not. “In return, they offer us non-judgmental and honest feedback, and teach...
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Our relationship to animals has a profound effect on the biochemistry of our brains; here’s how: An oxytocin boost There are documented physiological changes in people who spend as little as 15 minutes with a dog or cat or participate in equine therapy—Their oxytocin levels increase. Dubbed the “love” or “hug” hormone, oxytocin creates a...
READ MOREThese birds are known for their affectionate and expressive nature; here’s how they show their love: He will cuddle with you Cockatoos are especially cuddly and will show their affection by snuggling up to your chest and resting their head on your shoulder. These birds are actually dubbed the “Velcro bird” because they won’t...
READ MOREYour cat can provide a wealth of emotional support and unconditional love. Did you know there are ways we can recognize what our felines are feeling? Here’s how: She’ll twitch the tip of her tail. You can tell a lot by how a cat holds her tail. When your cat approaches you, her tail held...
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We can learn a lot from how animals love each other and their human families: Animals love unconditionally It makes no difference if we have money, status, or even a stable roof over our head; whether we are kind to others or even yell at them during frustrating times—the animals we share our lives...
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We round up some of the best quotes about how animals affect our lives: “Money can buy you a fine dog, buy only love can make him wag his tail,” ~ Kinky Friedman “Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms,” ~ George Eliot “Pets are humanizing. They...
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There is a lot we can learn from our canine companions, including the importance of living in the present. #1 Truly exist in this moment These animals don’t ruminate about the past or think about their five-year goal plan. They put their attention to essential things of the moment, like eating, drinking, playing, sleeping and...
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Our animals don’t care about bipolar disorder, they just want to give us pure, unconditional love; read on: Pets provide motivation Besides being the reason for some to get out of the bed every morning, these creatures we share our lives with will et you off the sofa for a walk just by looking at...
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Even with all of the ups and downs that can challenge our relationships, our strengths—like our positive outlook, ability to keep moving forward, and tendency to live fully in the present—are benefits to others and something to be grateful for. This love is something to be grateful for. Bipolar disorder, like any health condition, can...
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Bipolar disorder can interrupt the life you had planned and leave you feeling hopeless, but hope is always there if you look for it. Trigger Warning: If matters of faith trigger you easily, then you will want to skip reading this or at least replaces the references to faith within this post with those things...
READ MOREOur marriage is stronger because we have endured my manic and depressive episodes. And I am sure there will be more times when I will need her and she will need me. Something about anniversaries makes us reminisce and think of happier times. This is the one year anniversary of my manic episode followed...
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Is it love when you’re swept by euphoria, a special connection, erotic stirrings, constant thoughts of another or are those signs of looming mania, with a reckless lack of judgment and over-the-top impulsive actions? Experts from the Human Sexuality Committee of the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry offer this mental checklist: #1 What is...
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When a mental illness suddenly appears in a partnership, it can shake the foundation of a marriage. While dealing with the erratic behavior of a spouse in mania or depression is difficult, through counseling, love and acceptance of the illness, partners can grow even stronger as a couple. Mood changes It’s stressful for a spouse...
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Dealing with romantic rejection when you have bipolar disorder means using coping tools like positive self-talk that will arrest the slide into depression. By Tracey Lloyd Dating sucks. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. But maybe I should amend my statement and say that finding someone to date sucks. There are...
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