Relationships Can Save You Or Destroy You
Relationships tie directly into your support network. Those in your support network either add or subtract from your overall degree of stability.
I may be overly dramatic in saying this, but the relationships in your life can either save you or destroy you. That is why it is imperative that whomever you allow into your circle, should be one who builds you up – not bring you down.
The 2 Variations of Relationships
Positive – individuals will add to your support network in a good way.
Negative – individuals will subtract from your support network in a bad way.
When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, my medical support team explained the importance of a strong support network in helping to manage my new diagnosis. My doctor explained the importance of relationships in my life.
People automatically assume family to be the main support of an individual. Years ago this may have been true, but much has changed over the years.
Sometimes family can adversely impact your mental health. This is true whether you have bipolar disorder or you do not.
Never give anyone a free pass to treat you however they want—even if they are family. Toxic relationships can be extremely destabilizing to your bipolar disorder.
Nothing is more important than your stability. Without it, you cannot function. Remember this when you choose who you allow into your circle.
You build your support network from the relationships in your life. For example, they can be:
- Friends
- Acquaintances
- Medical professionals
- Extended family
- Partners
- Kids (when they are older)
When you look at the overall picture of your life, determine if those who support you are positive or negative influences. You want to eliminate—or reduce as much as possible—the negative influences in your life. Focus on cultivating a healthy and harmonious support network with those who are positive influences.
Trigger
It is in your best interest to eliminate anybody who is a trigger in your life. A “trigger” is anybody or anything that accentuates, or magnifies, your bipolar symptoms.
You probably have met someone who triggers you. These individuals create drama in their lives and everyone’s lives around them. Often, there is pain that accompanies these individuals.
A word of warning: Please be careful if you decide to maintain a relationship with someone who destabilizes you! Is it worth your sanity and health?
Eliminating Relationships That Are Triggers
When I was younger, I thought it was important to have as many people in my support network as possible. It did not matter whether they were negative or positive influences. I never really thought about it. I did not make the connection, but many of the individuals in my life were negatively impacting my illness.
When I got a little older, I learned about triggers. By eliminating these people from my life, I started seeing a positive outcome. It was not an immediate reaction, but it happened over time. I know it is not always easy to do the healthy thing – however; worth it in the long run.
Eliminating the triggering relationships in my life have led to a decrease in my symptoms, along with the number of my episodes. I would rather have one person – or none – in my support network who is not triggering than a whole group who is triggering. Luckily for me, I did not have to cut off too many relationships in my life.
Last Thoughts
Since I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I have been advised to reduce or eliminate the relationships in my life that destabilize my illness. Like many pieces of advice, I heard it, but at first, I did not take any action. After finally following through with this advice, I saw a direct reduction in my symptoms, and my ability to function from day to day increased.
Now, I am passing on this advice to you. I hope that you will empower yourself and take action to improve your life today.
