She was thoroughly exhausted from the emotional roller coaster that she experienced on a daily basis. She found herself constantly asking herself, "Who will walk in the door this time? Will I feel loved or hated? Will I wind up feeling completely rejected?" An outsider might think that this poor woman might suffer from some sort of mental illness. Although she is continually made to feel like the "bad guy" in her marriage, she is not.
If she is not at fault, obviously, the culprit of relational discord must be her husband. Well, yes and no. The answer is not as simple as one might think. Sure, most of their issues stem from her husband's behavior. However, there is a separate guilty party that lurks incognito and is the primary influence of disunity between the two. The perpetrator's name-Biploar Disorder Type II.
Bipolar Disorder Type II commonly goes undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. The symptons of the people who possess Bipolar Disorder Type I are much more overt. With Type I, the behaviors accompanying the mental illness are truly self evident and flagrant. Long bouts of depression and mania often require hospitalization.
Bipolar Disorder Type II is very deceptive. This menacing foe forces its prey to develop coping mechanisms that are individually and relationally unhealthy. Common behaviors include manipulation (lying), irritability, the development of various addictions, self isolation, depression, sleeplessness, inability to maintain a steady job, needless spending/debt accumulation, and several other toxic habits. The unsuspecting host of this parasite sees the world through warped vision, but appears to be quite functional.
However, in relationships, the poisoned victim injects his venom into those around him. Typically, the person will experience a chemically induced emotional roller coaster that takes form in what is called cycling or rapid cycling. One minute, day, week, or maybe even month(s), the ill person will experience an unusal burst of energy (mania) that will seem envigorating, but commonly results in irritability, anxiety, a heavy dose of "head traffic" (racing thoughts), indulgence of various addictions, and other sporadic and impulsive behaviors.
Then, once the manic episode subsides, the old adage, "what goes up, must come down" applies. And, the landing is not soft, either. Depression embeds itself and causes mental, emotional, and, sometimes, physical paralysis. Despair becomes the theme of the day, and the afflicted wants to mask it. Status quo no longer applies. What seems to be a menial task becomes a monumental undertaking.
With Bipolar Disorder Type II, the virulent villain is indiscriminating, too. He will even dismantle those bystanders who in the near vicinity. Families, marriages, friends, and co-workers are all game-no holds barred. The result-divorce, scarred lives, loss of friends, unrelenting addictions, insurmountable debt, unemployment.
Reconciliation lies in treating the disease first. Imperatively, medication, therapy, diet, exercise, and safeguards must be instituted. Only then can healing begin to occur.
If these words strike a familiar chord in relation to you or a loved one, seek help immediately. Be forewarned, approaching a loved will not be easy. Familiar coping strategies will more than likely be employed. Enlighten yourself first. Then, go to the person. Set goals and boundaries. Stick to them. Be very open about the consequences of any violation of these parameters. Remember, several years were employed to mold behaviors. The healing process is a journey, and Bipolar Disorder Type II is an illness. Transform your strategy likened to a similar attitudinal approach to battle an illness like cancer. There is no quick-fix solution. Whatever the case, don't lose hope. Healing is totally attainable in time.
Link :
http://www.helium.com/items/118152-the-cover-relationship-killer-bipolar-disorder-type-ii
No comments:
Post a Comment