A casual friendship can suddenly evolve into a romantic relationship. It can be unexpected and overwhelming, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling. This is the reality for Mr. Chivalrous and Leonie.
Mr Chivalrous and Leonie as friends shared countless laughs and adventures, never suspecting that their bond would deepen into something more.
As a lady who appreciates good-looking men, Leonie was the first to get attracted to this dude. This attraction was attributed to his colossal muscles, smooth skin, tall stature, impressive accent, and handsomeness. Well, she only wanted a friendship with this handsome dude. But then, this man charmed her with his courtesy, generosity, and attentiveness.
His real name is Donald, but she prefers to call him “Mr. Chivalrous” because this guy possesses the right qualities to make an impression on any woman.
Mr. Chivalrous offers Leonie his jacket on a cold day. He serves her breakfast in bed and picks her up on their planned date. In addition, he would call her rather than text her and pay all her bills.
All of this sparks a deeper connection towards him and she feels strongly attached to him.
Anyone who observes the pair will see love on an enormous scale. You can describe it as incalculable love.
Their outing together always depicts two people completely engrossed in each other.
Their friends often joke that their love can send fire into the sky and ignite the heavens.
In this romantic love affair exists a man struggling with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder. Someone with bipolar disorder will likely switch between periods, often long periods, of mania and depression.
Mr. Chivalrous had struggled with bipolar for 5 years before meeting Leonie. He often says that living with bipolar is like swinging a pendulum. It is like a movement where one moves up and down. Sometimes this movement is slow other times it is very quick. Feeling “normal” doesn’t happen often, so if it comes, you should experience it joyfully while you can.
Whenever this man experiences a manic episode, he is very elated.
It is easy to notice that he has sleeping problems during this time. As a result, he suddenly becomes careless about how and what he spends his money on. He is sometimes more active.
He sometimes experiences grandiose thoughts. This is to say that he believes he can do anything, including being invincible.
You would likely meet him as a different person when he is in mania. Those are times when he loves his house curtains open. You would see his car in the driveway. His phone is on and the ringer blares.
At that point, he scrolls through his phonebook and looks up family and friends to call. If Leonie is at his house at the same time, he tells her how happy he is. During that period, he compliments her looks endlessly and is ready to offer the entire world to her. He talks about all his plans, hopes, and dreams.
During his manic phase, he expresses himself more and engages in more social activities. This is the time you will meet him more intelligently and engagingly on any topic. It is easier for him to share his knowledge of any subject he knows.
There is no denying that Leonie mostly enjoyed her relationship with him during his mania. This is because she experienced a sweeter and more enjoyable version of him. Sometimes, negative emotions come with manic states. You may find him angry, hostile, resentful, and hateful.
He may also struggle with impulse control. During the mania period, bipolar people tend to make very unwise decisions that will get them into trouble. Some spend huge amounts of money they never planned to and don’t even have. Others may be promiscuous. There is another group of people. These are those who drive erratically during mania. The majority of these acts have no justifiable reason.
When Mr. Chivalrous experiences a depressive episode, he usually has a lower mood than usual. He feels hopeless, with no motivation to do basic things such as get out of bed.
When he is depressed, it creates a lonely and confused atmosphere. He wakes up in the morning and can’t imagine getting out of bed because it takes up too much energy.
He wants to remain in bed all day because he feels nothing to wake up to. His mind is shut down and his body follows suit. Basic things such as taking a shower or getting dressed become exhausting.
If he finds luck on his side and manages to get out of bed anything that follows becomes an absolute chore.
During his depressive episodes, when his phone rings, he looks at it and presses ignore. He lacks the energy to talk to someone.
He knows he has one or two appointments on his schedule. He cancels them. He still doesn’t have the energy to be around people.
In the garage, one can even see that the curtains are closed and packed well. His cell phone is also turned off. All of this is because he wants to be virtually undetected at all costs. On days like these he completely avoids his family and friends.
There are days he spends days in bed only getting up to use the bathroom. He has no appetite so there is really no need to eat. He doesn’t have to see anybody so there’s no need to shower or change out of his pajamas. During those periods he can sleep for 12 hours and wake up completely exhausted. He may even extend his sleep for another 12 hours.
Those living with bipolar disorder must certainly take their medication to stabilize, just as Mr. Chivalrous does. Many struggling people have burned through every antidepressant, antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, etc.
Side effects can be more bothersome than the actual illness. His doctor sometimes frustrates Mr. Chivalrous. As if he chose to suffer constant hell. As if every month he wanted to try another med that could potentially leave him with long-lasting side effects. Right now he is on different meds and can’t tell which one does what to him. But at the same time, he knows they help him function so he must deal with it.
One truth about bipolar disorder is that those who struggle with it have different cycles they experience. You may come across those that cycle moods every few minutes to ones that cycle every few months or longer. Bipolar puts you in a situation that feels out of control. People close to you may see you as unpredictable and unstable.
It is heartbreaking for any woman to watch someone she cares for struggle with bipolar disorder or any other mental illness. It can make things worse when he is judged and stigmatized by society as a result. Even the ones who love him sometimes let him down.
If you don’t understand the illness, you can’t relate to the person, making it difficult to justify his actions.
Some people are even too outspoken to call you crazy.
If calling people crazy earned them a dollar, God knows Mr. Chivalrous would’ve become super rich. This is because he has been called that several times.
People who struggle with bipolar disorder have to learn to maintain. They have to live extra carefully. Social drinking poses dangers. They need to be extra cautious when around certain people. Not getting enough sleep can be helped by certain medications that induce sleep.
Living with bipolar sucks. It leaves you questioning your sanity at times. Whenever one makes a decision, one is forced to second-guess it. It causes people to suffer severe losses. If you think that those living with bipolar disorder are weak people, you are wrong because the illness is not for the faint-hearted. Such an illness can break you or make you a fighter.
One positive thing is that Mr. Chivalrous has never considered suicide, even though some do try to end their lives if their episode is severe.
BELOW ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS ONE LIVING BIPOLAR CAN EXPLORE TO LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE
USE OF MEDICATION: There are medications that can help you manage mood swings and other symptoms. Such medications include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder may need to explore different medications before knowing which works best. Without their doctor’s directions and guidance, they should never stop taking medication.
PSYCHOTHERAPY METHOD: With therapy, people struggling with bipolar acknowledge their illness, and must see it for what it is and the cause. Engaging in therapy can help these people accept their disorder. This will enable them to recognize the warning signs of a manic or depressive episode. They will also develop coping skills for handling stress and sticking to a medication schedule. It can also improve communication and relationships among families.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MANAGE YOUR SYMPTOMS?
There are some healthy lifestyles and habits, together with professional treatment, that can help manage bipolar disorder symptoms:
TAKE RELAXATION VERY SERIOUSLY. People struggling with bipolar disorder need to be intentional about relaxation and take it more seriously. They should engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and guided imagery. These are proven methods for reducing stress. Engaging in daily relaxation practices can improve your mood and keep mental illness at bay.
PLACE YOURSELF ON A HEALTHY DIET. Certain foods we eat have very significant roles in our system especially when it comes to our mental well-being. Someone who desires an optimal mood should try to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and whole grains. Limiting your fat and sugar intake will benefit your overall well-being. To avoid low blood sugar, space your meals out throughout the day. Be informed that diets high in carbohydrates should not be consumed because they can cause mood crashes. You can also avoid mood-damaging foods like chocolate, caffeine, and processed foods.
Research has indicated that Omega 3 fatty acids can decrease mood swings in bipolar disorder. This is the reason why people with bipolar disorder should increase their omega-3 intake by eating more cold-water fish such as salmon, halibut, sardines, soybeans, flaxseeds, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts. Omega-3 is also available as a nutritional supplement.
Bipolar disorder patients should avoid alcohol and drugs. Research studies show that drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines can lead to mania, while alcohol and tranquilizers can trigger depression. Even moderate social drinking can disrupt emotional balance.
When you introduce or ingest substances into your body system, they can interfere with your sleep and may cause dangerous interactions with your medications. Some people who have indulged in self-medication or tried to numb their symptoms with drugs and alcohol create more problems for themselves.
BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN YOUR TREATMENT. What this simply means is that, if you are struggling with bipolar disorder, you have to learn as much as you can about the disorder. You must become knowledgeable about the illness as you consciously study it.
Read up on the symptoms, so that when you notice them, you can recognize them in yourself. Research all the treatment options available. It is only when you have gathered enough information about the illness that you can comfortably deal with the symptoms. You can also make the right choices for yourself.
