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| Fri, 04-07-2006 - 5:32pm |
though i myself do not suffer from bipolar disorder my best friend does,i have turned to message boards and books to learn how to be a better friend to her when she needs it most. i somethimes feel that i dont really understand whats going on with her and i think that it would help if i had other people to talk to about whats going on in our lives. its hard to find people to talk to about it, i find that people dont understand her and in turn dont understaand why i stand by her when she does things that they or i dont understand. lots of peole think that my life would be a lot less complicated if i cut her out of it but what they dont unerstand is that i could never do anything like that, it would be like losing a huge part of myself. we are less like friends and more like sisters and i just want to understand more about what she goes through. i know that there are things that she just cant talk to me about if for no other reason than i just wouldnt understand and i know that there are thing that i just dont say to her or ask during certian situations because of what will happen but i would like to have that insight.i want to thank all that take the time to read this and to respond to my questions in the future.i hope that we can be help to each other.

You are a beautiful person & a wonderful friend. I, too, am not bipolar, my husband is and I've heard all the same stuff you have .... sometimes it's my own thoughts.
My recommedations:
BOOKS:
I was able to check thess out from the library, the links are for you to read about.
1. An Unquiet Mind : A Memoir of Moods and Madness - by Kay Redfield Jamison
(Perspective by a sufferer & a John Hopkins therapist)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679763309/002-5964726-3707265?v=glance&n=283155
2. How You Can Survive When They Are Depressed - by Anne Sheffield
This one is good even if you don't feel like you're suffering 'Depression Fallout,' but it really helps describe depressive illnesses.
http://www.depressionfallout.com/
ADVACASY:
NAMI WALK 2006, I believe across the country they will all be in May. It helps raises money for this organization who is currently trying to make this illness more aware both in personal lives and in the employment world (as my H is having a terrible time by his employer).
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=namiwalks&lstid=429
EDUCATION:
Once again, NAMI. Family-to-Family, a 12 week course, taught nationwide & in Canada. All agenda's are the same & the instructors are trained in hopes that all classes are held in the same manner. I just finished my last Wed & I sort of feel lost knowing I will not be going back. I am volunteering to maintain their website so I feel like at least I'm going to continue to remain connected with this organization.
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Family-to-Family&lstid=605
SUPPORT:
NAMI (National Association for the Mentally Ill): Find the Local NAMI and they will most likely have at least one support group. It's amazing to be in a room full of people who don't just listen to you, but truly understand. The only way I can really describe it, is they love like you do. So many people can turn their heads, even from their own family mambers/children, and use tough love or enable their illness. But the people here are like you, they want to understand their loved one knowing they can ease their pain by doing so.
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Your_Local_NAMI&Template=/CustomSource/AffiliateFinder.cfm
DBSA (Depression, Bipolar Support Alliance): I have yet to attend a meeting with them. Some are for the sufferer only, family/friends only and some are for both.
http://www.dbsalliance.org/Info/findsupport.html
HOSPITAL: Call your local hospital and they should have other contacts/support groups for you to find locally.
WEBSITES:
Healthy Place
http://www.healthyplace.com/
NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Hope this helps,
Bonnie
"Only when we are sick of our sickness shall we cease to be sick."
~ Lao-Tzu, from The Tao Te Cheng
Hi and Welcome !!!
I think its awesome for you to be sticking by her side.
God could not be everywhere, so
Thank you SO much for being willing to support your friend--it will mean the world to her (especially when we so often get a hard time from our family & friends who aren't willing to even try to understand our disorder).
Read everything you can get your hands on--the NAMI and DBS Alliance websites you've already been given are great places to start.
Thank you Bonnie for your very kind words, i have started to read an unquiet mind i picked it up a fews weeks ago when i got what goes up... which is a great book to read for anyone who is trying to understand someone who is manic.which is what we are going through right now. I also want to thank you for the suggested websites i have found that everyone that i visit seems to offer me something new.
thanks a bunch