ROMANCE AND BIPOLAR (Part 2 of 2)
The reality of love and brain disorders is that spouses or mates must accept the brain disorder and not fear it or the stigmas. Here are some tips to help a mate or spouse of a person with a brain disorder:
1) Learn everything you possibly can about the brain disorder from the
individual and do your own research to determine what you can
handle;
2) Ask healthcare professionals even the silliest questions;
3) Respect the dignity and privacy of the person with the brain disorder;
4) Keep communication honest and open;
5) Be supportive and encouraging of the person with the brain disorder;
6) Understand there will be days when you must take charge and do it
lovingly;
7) Delegate house chores to every member of the family for the days
when the person with the brain disorder is faced with health
challenges;
8) Know how to cook light meals or keep a list of your favorite fast-food
or carry-out restaurants nearby. Smile;
9) Have close family and friends knowledgeable about the brain disorders
so that you have a strong support system as well;
10) Don’t be afraid to attend support meetings and advocate for yourself
and family;
11) Remember to do all the romantic things you did when dating to keep
the relationship lively;
12) Never verbally attack the person with the brain disorder about the
disorder;
13) Never physically attack the person with the brain disorder;
14) Be patient, compassionate, and do not feel guilty to have your own
social network of friends, hobbies, etc. and manage your own stress;
15) Stay connected with a church family!
Valentine’s Day should really be celebrated everyday! My best Valentine’s Gift was the decision to love myself despite a brain disorder. That means being responsible with my mental and physical healthcare as much as possible. Here are some tips if you have a brain disorder:
1) Seek and obtain mental healthcare;
2) Get involved with a support group such as NAMI;
3) Educate yourself about the brain disorder;
4) Take your medications as prescribed;
5) Don’t take advantage of people;
6) Keep communication open and honest;
7) Don’t skip medical appointments;
8) Allow your mate to have a life of his/her own;
9) Educate a few close family members or friends about your brain
disorder;
10) Respect the dignity and privacy of other members of the family;
11) Do not physically attack anybody;
12) Do not verbally attack people;
13) Have a personal exercise routine and/or hobby for “Me” time;
14) Keep the romantic fire burning, too, but watch the alcohol
consumption;)-.
What is the best Valentine’s Day gift for a person with a brain disorder?
LOVE (and diamonds, flowers, and chocolate candy helps…smile).
Visit NAMI at www.nami.org
Visit the American Association of Pastoral Counselors at www.aapc.org
1) Learn everything you possibly can about the brain disorder from the
individual and do your own research to determine what you can
handle;
2) Ask healthcare professionals even the silliest questions;
3) Respect the dignity and privacy of the person with the brain disorder;
4) Keep communication honest and open;
5) Be supportive and encouraging of the person with the brain disorder;
6) Understand there will be days when you must take charge and do it
lovingly;
7) Delegate house chores to every member of the family for the days
when the person with the brain disorder is faced with health
challenges;
8) Know how to cook light meals or keep a list of your favorite fast-food
or carry-out restaurants nearby. Smile;
9) Have close family and friends knowledgeable about the brain disorders
so that you have a strong support system as well;
10) Don’t be afraid to attend support meetings and advocate for yourself
and family;
11) Remember to do all the romantic things you did when dating to keep
the relationship lively;
12) Never verbally attack the person with the brain disorder about the
disorder;
13) Never physically attack the person with the brain disorder;
14) Be patient, compassionate, and do not feel guilty to have your own
social network of friends, hobbies, etc. and manage your own stress;
15) Stay connected with a church family!
Valentine’s Day should really be celebrated everyday! My best Valentine’s Gift was the decision to love myself despite a brain disorder. That means being responsible with my mental and physical healthcare as much as possible. Here are some tips if you have a brain disorder:
1) Seek and obtain mental healthcare;
2) Get involved with a support group such as NAMI;
3) Educate yourself about the brain disorder;
4) Take your medications as prescribed;
5) Don’t take advantage of people;
6) Keep communication open and honest;
7) Don’t skip medical appointments;
8) Allow your mate to have a life of his/her own;
9) Educate a few close family members or friends about your brain
disorder;
10) Respect the dignity and privacy of other members of the family;
11) Do not physically attack anybody;
12) Do not verbally attack people;
13) Have a personal exercise routine and/or hobby for “Me” time;
14) Keep the romantic fire burning, too, but watch the alcohol
consumption;)-.
What is the best Valentine’s Day gift for a person with a brain disorder?
LOVE (and diamonds, flowers, and chocolate candy helps…smile).
Visit NAMI at www.nami.org
Visit the American Association of Pastoral Counselors at www.aapc.org
