I have been living with my partner who has Borderline Personality Disorder for the last six years. It has been a challenging experience for me but also an enlightening one. I want to share my story and provide some insights and tips for people who live with someone with mental illness.
Educate yourself - the first thing I did when my sister was diagnosed was to read and learn about the disorder. This helped me understand her symptoms and how to live with them. There are fantastic resources online, books, and support groups that can help.
Communication is key - open and honest communication is vital when living with someone with mental illness. You need to talk about their symptoms and how to handle them in case of a crisis. I have found that talking to my sister when she is calm and in a good mood has been helpful in avoiding emotional breakdowns.
Be supportive - people with mental illness require support both physically and emotionally. Medication, therapy, and regular checkups are necessary for people with bipolar disorder. Accompanying your loved one to these appointments and being there during their low moments can make a difference.
Take care of yourself - living with someone with mental illness can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. It is essential to take care of yourself and seek support if needed. Meeting with friends, going to therapy, and practicing self-care can prevent burnout.
Celebrate little victories - mental illness can be overwhelming and sometimes, it can be easy to focus only on the negative aspects. Celebrating small victories like going to therapy regularly, taking medication as prescribed, and being able to manage their symptoms can go a long way in improving the person's self-esteem and mental health.
Living with someone with mental illness can be a trying and rewarding experience. It is essential to educate yourself, communicate openly, be supportive, take care of yourself, and celebrate small victories. The most important thing you can do is to be there for your loved one, to support them, and to remind them that they are not alone in their journey.
Communication is key - open and honest communication is vital when living with someone with mental illness. You need to talk about their symptoms and how to handle them in case of a crisis. I have found that talking to my sister when she is calm and in a good mood has been helpful in avoiding emotional breakdowns.
Be supportive - people with mental illness require support both physically and emotionally. Medication, therapy, and regular checkups are necessary for people with bipolar disorder. Accompanying your loved one to these appointments and being there during their low moments can make a difference.
Take care of yourself - living with someone with mental illness can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. It is essential to take care of yourself and seek support if needed. Meeting with friends, going to therapy, and practicing self-care can prevent burnout.
Celebrate little victories - mental illness can be overwhelming and sometimes, it can be easy to focus only on the negative aspects. Celebrating small victories like going to therapy regularly, taking medication as prescribed, and being able to manage their symptoms can go a long way in improving the person's self-esteem and mental health.
Living with someone with mental illness can be a trying and rewarding experience. It is essential to educate yourself, communicate openly, be supportive, take care of yourself, and celebrate small victories. The most important thing you can do is to be there for your loved one, to support them, and to remind them that they are not alone in their journey.
Grief, as much as we might wish otherwise, is an emotion that doesn't conveniently pack its bags and take off after a set period. It settles in and becomes an enduring part of us, like a tattoo on the heart. Whether it’s been two months or two years, the longing for a lost friend, brother, or child can still catch us by surprise, sweeping over us like an unexpected breeze. It’s those small moments—the favorite song coming on the radio, the scent of their favorite meal cooking, or a shared joke echoing in our mind—that bring back a flood of memories and the realization of their absence.
In those moments of overwhelming emotion, Our family has found solace in a companion that’s been a true blessing: Young Living’s Peace & Calming essential oil. Over the last few days, especially as we marked the two-year anniversary of my sons best friends passing, this gentle blend became a comforting presence in our lives. Just a few drops diffused in the living room or added to a relaxing bath at night seemed to wrap us in a reassuring embrace.
While Peace & Calming doesn’t erase the loss or the longing—I wouldn't want it to, as those feelings are tied to someone truly loved—it has helped me find a semblance of tranquility amidst the stormy sea of emotions. Its soothing, sweet fragrance helps ease the tension each time that wave of grief washes over me, allowing me to take a deep breath and find a moment of peace.
If you're navigating the turbulent waters of grief, as many of us are, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself. Allow the memories to come and go freely, acknowledging the pain but also cherishing the love that remains. And, if you haven't already, consider inviting Peace & Calming into your self-care routine. It’s not a magic wand, but it helps illuminate a path towards finding peace in the quiet moments and acts as a supportive friend on the journey through grief. Remember, it’s okay to feel, and it’s okay to seek support, whether from a cherished aroma or a community of empathetic hearts who walk this path beside you.
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