New
Brunswick is a special place that will reward you with magnificent tides and
breathtaking coastline. Along the Bay of Fundy, the tides fall and rise every
six hours to heights of up to 14.2 metres high. Most noticeably marked by the ability to walk
along the ocean’s floor during low tide.
Discover caves, the water ripples in the sand, the formations of the sandstone along the
shores, the pools of water left behind, waiting for the tides return. The ever changing landscape.
Living with
someone who suffers from Bi-Polar Disorder is much like the tides. The mood's 'tides' recede and then
return with a rush of energy.
On good days, the
tide returns with its pearls and mermaid tears, on time and with a calm rejuvenating quality. Other times, the
tide’s return mirrors the crashing waves of a storm churning all in its
path. Often with destruction.
The calm
sometimes goes unnoticed, as does the person waiting for the return of their
loved ones who suffer. Society has
support groups for those with Bi-Polar, but not for those who love them. Those that cope, often daily, with the
changes that take place in those they love.
The effects of this affliction are felt most by those that
surround them. Those that try to comprehend,
and often can’t, the changes they are seeing.
Our Health System
has failed the families and friends of people with Bi-Polar as well as many
other mental health issues. Think about
it, someone has Cancer they receive immediate support, treatment and
coverage. If you mention mental health people shy away, often alienating both the person suffering the disorder as well as those around
them. It’s time that changed!
Bipolar disorder, also known
as manic depression, is a mental
illness characterized by periods of depression and periods of elevated mood. Mood
shifts may occur only a few times a year or as often as several times a
week. Although bipolar disorder is a
disruptive, long-term condition, you can keep your moods in check by following
a treatment plan. In most cases,
bipolar disorder can be controlled with medications and psychological
counseling (psychotherapy).
The elevated
mood is significant and is known as Mania or Hypomania, depending on its
severity, or whether symptoms of psychosis are present. During mania an
individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy or irritable. Individuals often make poorly thought out
decisions with little regard to the consequences. The need for sleep is usually
reduced during manic phases as well. Thereby affecting the sleeping patterns of those around them as any concept of time eludes them.
During periods of depression there may be crying, a
negative outlook on life, and poor eye contact with others. The risk of suicide among those with the
illness is high at greater than 6 percent over 20 years, while self-harm occurs
in 30-40 percent. Other mental health issues such as anxiety
disorder and substance use disorder are commonly associated.
The moon rises the tide changes, never to
return the same again. This is the life of loving someone with who is
Bi Polar. It can be a very lonely,
frightening, sometimes dangerous or unsettling situation to be in. Often I feel like a life preserver that is floating aimlessly on the ocean. Today, I miss the life that I had before this creature reared it's head so many years ago. I think I will always, at some point, experience days like this as the tears streak my face while the sun shines.
Please find someone
to talk to. You are not alone and you
are not imagining things. There is help for those of us that love them; both who they were and who they have become. I hold the good memories near and dear within my heart. May life's highway bring you to where you want and need to be my old friend.
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