Once again, you have saved my life. I'm a Sr Citizen and the only person that I thought I could trust, is toxic. I've held on for years, making excuses for her while thinking, I was just lucky to have a friend. I put up with more than I ever should have. When my family found out I was in trouble before I was diagnosed a few years ago, only one "resentfully" helped me out. He took me in. But from the start, his wife and he teamed up against me. They said horrible things to me and they broke my heart. I'd never heard such retched language nor have I ever been treated so poorly. About every 3 to 5 days they would drop me off to the hospital to be left in the psycho ward. I finally left them, never to return again. My only family had abandoned me, cursed me and ran me off. I couldn't stop crying, I was so broken. I was so depressed living in my car in the dead of winter, parking a different place every night and being terrified, that I voluntarily committed myself rather than freeze to death. They in turn, sent me to State Hospital for 3 months with no diagnosis. I lost my home and every possession I owned was either stolen or given to Goodwill and my only family abandoned me and cursed me. There was no one in the entire world who loved me. To make a long story short, through meds, counseling and pain subsiding, I started all over after I was released. I kicked everyone out of my life that were toxic and walked away. For years, the only people I talked to, were paid for their time. No attachments, save this one friend, who I had known for years. I never totally trusted her. Now she is kicking me out of her life and I am relieved. I'm on my way to 70. Both my caregiver and counselor have retired recently and I'm alone. A few months ago, by choice I decided, not getting treatment for my leukemia, diabetes, hashimoto's thyroidectomy, anti immune disease or RA. I'm not going to fight anymore and I'm letting nature take its course. I'm ok with God and I'm ready to go anytime. The only reason I stay here is that I have a dog and 2 cats who are my constant companions and I adore them. All I'm saying is I am happier than I ever expected. It gets lonely at times being a shut in, but my furklings keep me company. Robert, you have no idea how much you have helped me. I survived the unsurvivable because of your wisdom and my ability to survive. God bless you and thank you. Don't give up reaching out. You will never know how many lives you have saved or allowed themselves happiness, in accepting that we were made a little bit awesome. Continue to be kind in all things! ~DK
I have recently started watching these vids of yours and I am wondering... do you have any idea how helpful you are??? And how lovely you come across?! Very affective tools... so wonderful that you share. You are so brave and kind and are a great example of a man.
Jokes OK, your comment seriously blew my mind. That is probably one of the kindest, most beautifully worded comment I have received on this channel so far. I can’t thank you enough for what you just said. It makes me feel so good to be able to help other people, and to be appreciated for what I’m trying to do with this project. A very warm welcome to my channel and I hope you will continue to stop by and watch many more videos in the future :-)
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 right before Christmas. This has been a very hard pill for me to swallow. I have agonized over telling my family, as I know they will use it against me, to their advantage, as I set healthy boundaries and distance myself from them. This has been this most helpful and hopeful advice I’ve received since my diagnosis. Thank you so much for taking the time to help those of us that are learning to navigate this diagnosis without family support.
But not all family’s are like that. What if there’s one person that understands? This would be one more person in the world to help yet another person understand! My daughter is bipolar so we deal with this as well. I have found the more they are exposed others with bipolar and learn more their attitudes have changed. Don’t don’t let this define who you are!
Your videos help me so much. THANK YOU. I had to remove myself from Facebook because of the toxic confrontational conversations. The News (specially in Politics) are also another element that triggers many "emotions" that have too much power over me and messes me up.
Junior Jimenez You are so very welcome and I’m glad you found my channel! Ironically, I have the exact same trigger when it comes to politics! My family also. The news can be so addicting in such a negative way. I couldn’t believe how much it was actually affecting my peace of mind. Especially around the time of the election. Social media was flooded with so many divided angry people. I just thought your comment was great because of how much I can relate to that. Hope you have a peaceful weekend, and again, welcome to my channel! -Robert
I am a Bipolar I Mixed I am now 66 and I was first hospitalized psychiatrically at age 15 I have just recently started watching your videos and those of Dr Tracy Marks as well Both of them have been very helpful You are quite correct People who are not. Bipolar have entirely no idea what we go through Keep posting these great videos and keep fighting the good fight!
We have all encountered toxic people in our lives I believe that as Bipolars we are often needy and vulnerable to sociopaths We have to always remember that they exist and we must learn first of all how to spot them and above all how to then avoid them
I'm married to a bipolar spouse and I WISH I had this videos 12 years ago when we first started our journey. AMAZING content, and I really appreciate you putting yourself out there to help both bipolar AND non-bipolar people to understand and better deal with this illness.
my husband too, but fortunately he went through a lot of mental health classes while being a police officer. he nailed me as bipolar long before I got help. But he was right! We have been married 28 years next June 26th. A long time caring for a bipolar spouse. He's just awesome, I give a very heartfelt shout out to Hubby's and Wifey's that love us unconditionally and with patience of steel! We bipolars can sure test one's commitment, without even trying! Bravo to your other half, we appreciate them all! 🖤🤍🖤
Family members are causing the main problems right now that is making things worse for me They know my triggers and feed on it, have even laughed about it
Sorry,first time responding to a comment. I hate when those close to us push the buttons they know are there , play their games and watch the reactions then knowingly blame me for beinfeel they can blame me for starting it.😥😥
I needed to hear this after the week I’ve had at work. Dealing with toxic coworkers who like to see people get upset.. it’s hard to deal with, especially since we are a small group at my job. I definitely have a lot of mental noise that I try to dismiss. Thank you for making these videos. It makes me feel less alone and more understood.
Doug Johnson You are so very welcome Doug! Comments like yours are what keeps me motivated to continue doing what I do. Thank you for the kind words and a very warm welcome to my channel :-)
Dear Robert, you truly have the heart and soul of a saviour. You are so precious to us, I don't know if you can even imagine how precious you are to us. I know this life-changing (for us) work is difficult, I'm guessing, unbearably so at times, for you & I would like to say a huge thank you for your courage and your caring. I really wish your voice had been in my world decades ago during that primitive time in terms of mental health awareness. Your voice, in this and in all your vlogs, is the best armour against destructive (voluntarily or not) people in our environnent I have ever encountered. Your voice is the only one I have ever heard, understood, trusted, & fully, with all confidence, integrated into my life. You are opening my eyes to things I suffered so long without understanding and giving me the tools, hope, confidence and strength to be able to believe in myself again ⚘️
Hey there ! Rob is available on patreon. You can message him, text or even have a call with him there. He is offering free support phone calls for all patrons right now. I think you may benefit from that. Take gentle care. Sometimes we all need someone to talk to: www.crisistextline.org/ teenlineonline.org/talk-now/ Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member (H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds On Patreon, you can message Rob directly, get a phone/video call, watch videos that are more personal in nature, and access a great community. www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
This was such a helpful video because I am by nature, a person that wears my heart on my sleeve. I'm told by others to get tough and I should keep it to myself, etc. When I ask someone how they are feeling, I expect to hear the truth because that's what they will get from me. I just love these videos and they comfort me as well as help. I watch them all and thank you so much for your time and effort. I sure do appreciate it.
Michelle Angers thank you so much for the wonderful comment and don’t ever stop being honest about the way you feel. The world would be a much better place if people were more honest about their feelings. A very warm welcome to my channel :-)
I have a son that tries to overpower me shows me no respect and treat me like a dog and I’m tired of it and this video is helping me on deciding what to do thank you very much Robert
Thanks for the tips. I have a hard time telling if im the toxic one or the other person. I try really hard to be a positive person. My therapist says I am too hard on myself and readily blame myself when it's someone elses fault, so I guess I need to recognize toxicity and avoid it.
wow I am gaining A LOT from watching your videos. I can't believe it took me all this time to find your channel! I am in the middle of breaking up with a narcissist this is just what I needed. I have bipolar 1. GREAT CHANNEL! GREAT GREAT! YOU ARE AWEESEOME
Second time I've watched this and your comment about being compassionate and gentle with ourselves really hit home. It's easy to "kick myself when I'm down" but that's not helpful. And it's not something I would do to a person I disliked. But I tend to not be understanding with myself. Yes, I took this note and it's in my journal now! :) Thank you!
I had a narcissistic bully at a Job years ago. He would come into the office that was shared by 3 other people and would try to piss me off. Every day! I used to try to defend myself but as we all know a narcissist never backs down. One day as he came in and started in on me. I said I don’t have time for your childish behavior anymore. He kept flapping his jaw and I raised my arm like the school crossing guard does with her little stop sign. I held it like that till he stoped and walked away saying don’t disrespect me like that! I said nothing. It took him 2 days to come in and start an argument again. I never turned around in my chair to acknowledge him and just put my arm up in the stop position again. He then moved on to someone else to pick on 🤓
Dealing with a toxic person in the workplace at the moment (ironically I work in a mental health support service), and her actions are causing me a lot of stress and affecting my emotional balance. I will be trying some of your strategies to see if it improves how I deal with her.
Sean Kennedy I have had many coworkers over the years that have become literal triggers for my symptoms. It’s really hard when you don’t have a choice and have to be around that person either for work or a living situation. I really hope the relationship changes for the better soon! We already have enough stress in our lives ;)
@@PolarWarriors Not BP but was bullied at work. What I did was quietly take out my phone and hit record. They would flip out but I never said a word. They would go around calling me paranoid or some such but the soon would slink off. Word got out. ( sorry I am repeating myself but I just wanted you to know what worked for me) . I later found out the bullies were afraid I would take the " evidence to HR or a lawyer.
I have just found your videos and begun watching them within the last week. I'm almost 49 and was diagnosed bipolar 2 along with some other bipolar underlying stuff. My entire life, from when I was a child, doctors diagnosed me a depressed or very anxious person. Was on meds since I was 20 (antidepressants) which I now know were making me worse this whole time. I'm in the process of trying to accept this, and move with it. But I'm angry to have had such a wasted life. Your videos, those that I have seen, have been very informative, so if I do anything right now, #1 thing is to learn more about this. What a complicated thing to have to deal with. Thank you for sharing SO much of yourself to help others like me, who didn't think there was anywhere to turn. You might, but probably don't understand what your videos are doing. I'm guessing saving many lives. I was suicidal when I found this. Right now I'm ok. I think that says something. Blessings x
I watch your channel religiously You help me so much thank you so much I can’t thank you enough I was hospitalized over a person who really took over my mind it really took so much time to realize they almost ended my life how sad is that that I let I almost let some control someone take over someone take over my mind and my life again thank your for your amazing videos
Relationships are like trees, you have the leaves - in your life for a season, the branches- in your life for a reason and the roots - in your life for a life season.
Hi Robert, thank you so much for your amazing channel. I am not bipolar myself but I am pretty sure that my boyfriend is and your videos confirm my suspicion. He has not had it diagnosed by a professional though. This video about toxic people has made me think about our fights. He gets VERY toxic then. Also with his family. As much as I understand that toxic people are triggering bipolar people, I would love to see a video about how to react when a bipolar person gets toxic and about aggression and bipolar disorder in general.
Martina Wichmann A very warm welcome to my channel and thank you for the kind words! I completely understand how complicated, frustrating, and hurtful it can be to date someone who has bipolar. Especially if they haven’t been diagnosed or have a good sense of self-awareness with their emotional state. It is definitely a journey and I respect you so much for trying to help your boyfriend and searching for answers. I wish more people were so supportive, so thank you. One of the most important things to understand is the difference between symptoms of an illness, or someone just saying hurtful things. Sometimes you just lose the person that you love for a minute while the Bipolar is stronger than they are. It might take time for them to come around where you can reach them again. Timing can be everything when it comes to approaching or talking to someone about treatment. There is a book I would like to recommend to you that absolutely changed my life. It is called “ loving someone with bipolar disorder” by Julie Fast. You can grab a cheap used copy on eBay if you’d like. That Book will give you some incredible tools for a successful relationship and help you to know exactly what to look for… Bipolar disorder has specific patterns and once you figure out what those are, you won’t believe how much things will fall into place :-) I hope you will continue to stop by and learn more with me. Hope you have a peaceful new year and thank you for helping someone who struggles with Bipolar.
Thank you for this video. It made me reflect & realize that I made the right decision to be "brutally honest" to end an 8 yrs relationship but I did it "compassinately in the best way that I can." It's my way to "protect myself & have some kind of self-respect that "it's just time to cut the cord" because it's no longer healthy for me. I've reached my limit. It's time for me to focus on self love & to find balance as Bipolar II is a part of me. May we all find our balance, fellow Polar Warriors! ☯️
“Your lies are bullets, your mouth’s a gun. No war in anger, was ever won. Put out the fire, before igniting”, (that’s a Selena Gomez quote) those words kept coming to mind while watching your video. Selena has Bipolar Disorder, and likes dealing with life using love and sensitivity, as well. I think the sheer amount of people (Bipolar or not) who recommend being unafraid to be gentle speaks volumes as to what the most successful tactic has proved to be time and time again, kindness🖤. It’s nice to recognise the strong emotions we tend to have as those with bipolar disorder can be revamped into a strength.
I watched my first few video's of you today. What can I say? WOW. I have been down for weeks and in the way you share I finally feel that someone hears me !!! WOW. You help me lift my veil a little and that is a HUGE thing for me !!! Thank you beautiful heartfelt dear man !!!
Thank you very much, I was locked up with a toxic person for the entire quarentine. I would not made it without your advices. (Sorry for the bad english)
Hi there, so glad that you've been helped so much by Rob's videos! That's wonderful :) If you'd like to contact Rob directly and have access to exclusive content as well as a wonderful support community, please considering joining Rob on Patreon. I'll include the link below so you can check it out. Take good care! :) -Rachel (Polar Warriors Team Member) www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
Thank you so much for these videos.i have just recently came across your channel and I cannot tell you how much they are helping me to understand what my family member is going through.I feel more equipped to offer the help and compassion that she deserves....You have such a lovely kind and caring person to put so much energy into helping others.Thankyou so much..Take care of yourself too..you are a blessing 😊
Where was this information a decade ago when I suffered to learn about me? I’ve learned a lot about myself and my disorder on my own, but you’re three steps ahead of me and I’m grateful for your channel because it makes dealing with life easier. Thank you so much!
Hello Rob! You are amazing. I love your compassion and empathy. You said something very important and essential to me. As I have met my husband's tough energy so far, I reacted with anger, a sense of rejection and sometimes crying. It ended up in conflict. Showing compassion is a better way. I can't end living together with him now. We have teenage children and there are also good and bright sides to this relationship. Thank you so much for sharing your advice and experiences. It's really worth hearing about bipolar from a man. Because men usually don't talk about it publicly because they're afraid of their image. Good luck to you! Greetings from Poland Agatha
Hi Agatha, Rob offers one on one support on Patreon if you are interested. He also posts more personal information about his day to day struggles like his recent hospital stay. Take gentle care! 🙏 Sometimes we all need someone to talk to: www.crisistextline.org/ teenlineonline.org/talk-now/ Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member (H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
Thanks Robert for this vid that I can truly relate to. I have an aunt that I believe to have undiagnosed NPD and had to cut her completely off and am better for it. For years she was “kind” but really just manipulating talking bad about you after being so nice. She even still try’s to get to me by sending out her “Flying Monkeys” on occasion but when I have to deal with them she is revealed letting them know what she’s all about. Great vid and No Toxic People allowed!!
You are truly a blessing. Thanks for educating so many including me. I have accepted my diagnosis and on good meds. Very happy with life! Planning to educate my family and friends on Bipolar 1.
My brother is the most toxic person who used to be in my life. We both have a mental condition which makes dealing with each other more difficult. We haven't talked in three years and we will be brought together in a few weeks. I am already ruminating on what horrible thing he is going to say or do to me. I like the thought of telling my thoughts to stop. I am already going to implement that today. Thank you very much for your videos.
Thank you Robert, your videos are incredibly helpful. Sadly I have the same problem with my sister. As you said in this video it it’s a really hard situation also for the mother.... Keep fighting polar warriors!!!🙌❤️
hopefully red I have had to create my own bipolar family outside of members in my immediate family. It’s really hard when people close to us don’t understand, or worse yet aren’t willing to try. Thank you for all the comments on my channel!
Rob I can't believe how much toxic people where in my life even when these bullies are not around they still are creating havoc in my life.I have made a declaration that I will never speak go around them Ever .I just can't take it Anymore.This crap Has got 2 Stop.
That's great Erik, we need to protect ourselves mentally and emotionally just like we protect our physical safety. Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member Rob: I really need your help to keep a good thing going here... PLEASE consider supporting Polar Warriors work on Patreon. Even just $1 a month makes a huge difference. Thank you so much
I really like your information about bipolarity. You have a very honest way to give insikght and information to recognise signs. I have search a lot to find common signs and how the bipolary affects in interpersonal siituations. I learn a lot and i am very grateful for your help. Best regards Monika
Without the reaction the action stops. Amen. This video is extremely valuable❤ The third though can be dangerous because they are sadists, they cannot empathize with you and they love to see you struggle and in pain. I am sorry that your brother is like that. I send you lots of love ❤✨ Especially showing vulnerabilities to ourselves, knowing what they are, so others cannot make us feel weak for expressing them, because our energy will be strong. Amazing video 🌞
Not BP but was bullied at work. What I did was quietly take out my phone and hit record. They would flip out but I never said a word. They would go around calling me paranoid or some such but the soon would slink off. Word got out.
I totally appreciate the video, because I was struggling with the same situation. I will take this approach, mainly because I need to heal and move ahead in getting better for myself and my wife.
This video is so timely for me, thanks for these tools, Love you Rob. I'm an emotional guy, i care a lot for the forgotten and down trodden, i pray for them and their discomforts etc.
Oh man…what a great topic! Boundaries come into play here too. Jumping in too fast in relationships and then finding out you really don’t want to be friends with this person.
A silly thing I taught myself was to react by thinking of myself as a duck, ducks don't get wet, I am not going to allow (their / your) opinion to rule my life, it took a lot of practice but in the end it started to work for me, toxic imput began to have less effect on my life. Please keep on making your excellent videos, and shared some on my FB timeline
Nipun Augustin Thank you so much my friend! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch so many of the videos and comment. I hope you are having a really good peaceful weekend so far!
So glad you came over to my channel and checked out some videos Mike! The support is very motivating to me! Hope you create a great weekend and I'll have another video out tomorrow =)
@@PolarWarriors Thank you so much for answering! Your videos are awesome. You are awesome! I'm so grateful to you and all of this amazing helping videos that its difficult to put it in words.. Thank you so much! Lots of love 🙏🤗🤗🤗💙💖💙
A simple expression of gratitude cannot convey how life changing your videos are. Thank you for making these videos & educating the public about mental illness. I look forward to reading your books one day!!!
Thanks again for the video helps you provide comfort and support to both the people with BP and their loved ones...I would like to add to this video that also it never hurts to examine our own "feelings" and not be lead by them, sometimes we all can be overly sensitive and project feelings outward that really aren't that accurate....My husband and I are learning to ask questions to each other and ourselves about what we are feeling and why we are feeling it.....Often we come to an understanding we are just in a "sensitive mood and not accurately in tune-or- (out of tune) for the time being....Stay growing, onward and upward!!!
Hi!, my name is Ernesto, from Uruguay, a small country located in south america. I'm 28, and i was diagnosed a few months from now. Everything is new for me. Thank you for all the information and support!
Ernesto Rafael Adam Borche I am so glad you found my channel and you are very welcome here my friend! I will have lots more videos, so stop back by anytime to learn more with me :-)
Your heartfelt message truly warms my heart! I'm grateful to be able to share my experiences and support others. Thank you for being a part of this community! -Rob www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
My mum is a depressive person, with severe depression which she is struggling with at the moment. The atmosphere at how is so very toxic and heavy at the moment. I suffer from schizoaffective disorder but I'm not a depressive person. I love my mum to bits and she's been through a lot lately. I've also been through a lot lately too. I'm trying to be strong for us both but I'm starting to feel the cracks appearing in my armour. I've asked her to please keep fighting because I can feel my bipolar flaring up. I've tried to help her with things that I've learnt since I had my breakdown but she doesn't want to do anything I advise. I'm really struggling, I'm hurting. The only one that makes me laugh and feel more positive is my Dog Charlie, he's been a true God send. I need some advice as I can feel myself slipping back down.
ZeroGHome24 ZeroGHome24 i’m so sorry you are going through those struggles right now, and thank you so much for sharing your experience with me... my mom is my absolute best friend, and it wasn’t always like that. We went through many years of not talking because of both of us not being able to find the stability to maintain a healthy relationship. I know it’s really hard when it is someone like a parent or sibling, compared to just a friend dealing with mental illness. It hits home a lot harder and isn’t as easy to get away from. Everyone grows at different rates when it comes to mental illness. My dad was never diagnosed and would never even consider it. He spent his entire life suffering as a result. The only thing we could do is just to show our support and unconditional love as best as we could. It’s really exhausting when someone isn’t willing to work with you or change, especially when it is affecting the relationship. Sometimes you just have to take a step back, even though it’s really hard to do that, and just focus on taking care of yourself for a while - letting the other person find their own path until you are able to be there again in the capacity that they need. Setting boundaries is so important when it comes to family or spouses who are bipolar. Timing is also everything… When she is feeling stable and more open to talking about the situation, that is when I would sit down and try to come up with a plan. Maybe ask her the top five things that she needs the most when she is crashing, and the top five things that make it worse. Try to come up with some kind of agreement between the two of you when you are communicating with each other and things get difficult. Maybe let her know that sometimes you just need to focus on your own self-care and it doesn’t mean that you don’t care the world about her... it just means that you are taking responsibility for your own health which is crucial. It’s impossible to help other people if you can’t take care of your own needs first. I had a service dog for many years that was my soulmate friend. I have a couple of cats now, and it’s not the same as a dog, so I totally understand the benefit of your furry friend. I hope my comment helps some, and thank you for getting out there and educating yourself on bipolar disorder. Most people don’t do that, so you are ahead of the game! -Robert
I am only commenting on this video because it's the one I am currently watching. I stumbled upon your page a week ago when I realized I wanted to be better. The 12 tips for family and friends has been sent to my husband and mother who both have already benefited from it in less than a week. I just also wanted to say thank you... thank you for taking your time away from your life to make these and help us. I felt so alone, and this may be silly, but its like you're someone I know/trust because you have been able to articulate my emotions in a way I simply could not. Thank you for being you and sharing with us.
Thank you for the guidance that many counselors and therapists never have touched on with me personally......maybe do a video that law enforcement can see to push them to understand us when they come across us during critical times....
Carrie Allmon i’m so glad it’s helping and that you are searching for answers to try and feel better. Stop back by my channel anytime and let me know if the advice worked! 😊
Your channel (vids, comments, your thoughtful and SUPER helpful responses) is an *amazing* wealth of information, Polar Warriors! Thank you for creating this community. I will continue to check back regularly, and participate in the conversation of what is working. Thanks so much!!!
I was drawn into your video today when I saw that it was about how to deal with toxic people in your life. It made me look at a situation just two days ago when I had to draw away from the toxic person still in my life after 47yrs of married life. What I did was right and was a way of protecting myself and not let him manipulate me to do something I didn't want to do. Over the years I realized that I would make matters worse when I started reacting to his hurtful ways. It was better this time but still needs a lot of work. I've had some relief by establishing boundaries and just forbidden him to drag me in the mud. According to him I need fixing. It's degrading and he doesn't get away with it from our older daughter. She is so strong in not allowing him walk all over her. It's so hard and I need more help. I'm tired. I'm old - 73 - and I need to keep him at a distance and he does not understand why I still don't trust him. At his point it is not going to get any better with him. There are reasons I need to stay but they are dwindling.
Hi, Rob offers one on one support on Patreon if you are interested. He also posts more personal information about his day to day struggles like his recent hospital stay. For the month of July he is offering free phone calls to patrons. Another Patreon exclusive is Rob hosting and moderating weekly support groups on discord! Take gentle care! 🙏 Sometimes we all need someone to talk to: www.crisistextline.org/ teenlineonline.org/talk-now/ Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member (H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
Hey man i really do appreciate this ive lived 28 years of my life only recently went and found out i was bipolar my prents thought it was adhd and bunch of other stuff your channel has helped understand what is going on in my head ad how to use instead of letting it use me
Im so incredible happy to have found this channel, i can always get here to get some good advise of everything and actually help me get through the day
Your hard work and dedication to bipolar warriors is incredible! I love watching your videos just for fun, it is truly amazing how much you can learn in an hour!
Just found ur channel... this is the best ive found, over the period of at least 15 yrs.. got diagnosed bout 16 yrs or so.. ur videos r so on point, thank u... they describe me so perfectly.. it is hard... I wish I cld do this BUT so far I havent been able to do this. I know their toxic but cant voice it to them... BUT I will think bout tryin..
THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad! I am working hard on some more really great videos... Lots more to come, so keep coming back. If you have any suggestions at all, I'm always open =) Create a create a great weekend for yourself!
Thank you for all the advice you have given. You have enlightened me to what my ex-husband had to deal with when he experienced his manic and depressive states. I hope he goes back on his medications for Bipolar and gets counseling to help him.
I started watching one video now into number 6# ... shared with family and friends!! Keep up the awesome work you truly are a breath of fresh air I needed! Please don’t stop being honest it’s of great help. So many of us are afraid to tell people what we really think! Thanks for honesty and being a wonderful example for us all!
Once again, you have saved my life. I'm a Sr Citizen and the only person that I thought I could trust, is toxic. I've held on for years, making excuses for her while thinking, I was just lucky to have a friend. I put up with more than I ever should have.
When my family found out I was in trouble before I was diagnosed a few years ago, only one "resentfully" helped me out. He took me in. But from the start, his wife and he teamed up against me. They said horrible things to me and they broke my heart. I'd never heard such retched language nor have I ever been treated so poorly.
About every 3 to 5 days they would drop me off to the hospital to be left in the psycho ward. I finally left them, never to return again. My only family had abandoned me, cursed me and ran me off. I couldn't stop crying, I was so broken. I was so depressed living in my car in the dead of winter, parking a different place every night and being terrified, that I voluntarily committed myself rather than freeze to death. They in turn, sent me to State Hospital for 3 months with no diagnosis.
I lost my home and every possession I owned was either stolen or given to Goodwill and my only family abandoned me and cursed me. There was no one in the entire world who loved me.
To make a long story short, through meds, counseling and pain subsiding, I started all over after I was released.
I kicked everyone out of my life that were toxic and walked away.
For years, the only people I talked to, were paid for their time. No attachments, save this one friend, who I had known for years. I never totally trusted her.
Now she is kicking me out of her life and I am relieved.
I'm on my way to 70. Both my caregiver and counselor have retired recently and I'm alone. A few months ago, by choice I decided, not getting treatment for my leukemia, diabetes, hashimoto's thyroidectomy, anti immune disease or RA. I'm not going to fight anymore and I'm letting nature take its course. I'm ok with God and I'm ready to go anytime. The only reason I stay here is that I have a dog and 2 cats who are my constant companions and I adore them.
All I'm saying is I am happier than I ever expected. It gets lonely at times being a shut in, but my furklings keep me company. Robert, you have no idea how much you have helped me.
I survived the unsurvivable because of your wisdom and my ability to survive. God bless you and thank you.
Don't give up reaching out. You will never know how many lives you have saved or allowed themselves happiness, in accepting that we were made a little bit awesome. Continue to be kind in all things! ~DK
I have recently started watching these vids of yours and I am wondering... do you have any idea how helpful you are??? And how lovely you come across?! Very affective tools... so wonderful that you share. You are so brave and kind and are a great example of a man.
Jokes OK, your comment seriously blew my mind. That is probably one of the kindest, most beautifully worded comment I have received on this channel so far. I can’t thank you enough for what you just said. It makes me feel so good to be able to help other people, and to be appreciated for what I’m trying to do with this project. A very warm welcome to my channel and I hope you will continue to stop by and watch many more videos in the future :-)
10000000 percent that is what I am saying , your helping me understand a lot man .
I practice the STOP you're not welcome here method. It does empower you.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 right before Christmas. This has been a very hard pill for me to swallow. I have agonized over telling my family, as I know they will use it against me, to their advantage, as I set healthy boundaries and distance myself from them. This has been this most helpful and hopeful advice I’ve received since my diagnosis. Thank you so much for taking the time to help those of us that are learning to navigate this diagnosis without family support.
I know that feeling, as soon as i was clinically diagnosed, they started making remarks. 😒
But not all family’s are like that. What if there’s one person that understands? This would be one more person in the world to help yet another person understand!
My daughter is bipolar so we deal with this as well. I have found the more they are exposed others with bipolar and learn more their attitudes have changed. Don’t don’t let this define who you are!
I was diagnosed with type 2 bipolar when I was like 5 or 6. Locked in a mental institution for like a month.
Your videos help me so much. THANK YOU. I had to remove myself from Facebook because of the toxic confrontational conversations. The News (specially in Politics) are also another element that triggers many "emotions" that have too much power over me and messes me up.
Junior Jimenez You are so very welcome and I’m glad you found my channel! Ironically, I have the exact same trigger when it comes to politics! My family also. The news can be so addicting in such a negative way. I couldn’t believe how much it was actually affecting my peace of mind. Especially around the time of the election. Social media was flooded with so many divided angry people. I just thought your comment was great because of how much I can relate to that. Hope you have a peaceful weekend, and again, welcome to my channel!
-Robert
Left "Fakebook" for the same reason.
Vulnerability is not a weakness but it has been very exhausting.
I am a Bipolar I Mixed I am now 66 and I was first hospitalized psychiatrically at age 15
I have just recently started watching your videos and those of Dr Tracy Marks as well
Both of them have been very helpful
You are quite correct
People who are not. Bipolar have entirely no idea what we go through
Keep posting these great videos and keep fighting the good fight!
We have all encountered toxic people in our lives
I believe that as Bipolars we are often needy and vulnerable to sociopaths
We have to always remember that they exist and we must learn first of all how to spot them and above all how to then avoid them
I'm married to a bipolar spouse and I WISH I had this videos 12 years ago when we first started our journey. AMAZING content, and I really appreciate you putting yourself out there to help both bipolar AND non-bipolar people to understand and better deal with this illness.
I'm there with you, 14 years and counting - it's a daily struggle
my husband too, but fortunately he went through a lot of mental health classes while being a police officer. he nailed me as bipolar long before I got help. But he was right! We have been married 28 years next June 26th. A long time caring for a bipolar spouse. He's just awesome, I give a very heartfelt shout out to Hubby's and Wifey's that love us unconditionally and with patience of steel! We bipolars can sure test one's commitment, without even trying! Bravo to your other half, we appreciate them all! 🖤🤍🖤
Family members are causing the main problems right now that is making things worse for me
They know my triggers and feed on it, have even laughed about it
I'm
Sorry,first time responding to a comment. I hate when those close to us push the buttons they know are there , play their games and watch the reactions then knowingly blame me for beinfeel they can blame me for starting it.😥😥
Man I love your way of expressing what we bipolar survivors go through
I needed to hear this after the week I’ve had at work. Dealing with toxic coworkers who like to see people get upset.. it’s hard to deal with, especially since we are a small group at my job. I definitely have a lot of mental noise that I try to dismiss. Thank you for making these videos. It makes me feel less alone and more understood.
Your videos are an important part of the therapy I need. Thank you for helping me feel that I'm not alone in this.
Doug Johnson You are so very welcome Doug! Comments like yours are what keeps me motivated to continue doing what I do. Thank you for the kind words and a very warm welcome to my channel :-)
Dear Robert, you truly have the heart and soul of a saviour.
You are so precious to us, I don't know if you can even imagine how precious you are to us.
I know this life-changing (for us) work is difficult, I'm guessing, unbearably so at times, for you & I would like to say a huge thank you for your courage and your caring.
I really wish your voice had been in my world decades ago during that primitive time in terms of mental health awareness.
Your voice, in this and in all your vlogs, is the best armour against destructive (voluntarily or not) people in our environnent I have ever encountered. Your voice is the only one I have ever heard, understood, trusted, & fully, with all confidence, integrated into my life. You are opening my eyes to things I suffered so long without understanding and giving me the tools, hope, confidence and strength to be able to believe in myself again ⚘️
Hey there ! Rob is available on patreon. You can message him, text or even have a call with him there. He is offering free support phone calls for all patrons right now. I think you may benefit from that. Take gentle care.
Sometimes we all need someone to talk to:
www.crisistextline.org/
teenlineonline.org/talk-now/
Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member
(H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds
On Patreon, you can message Rob directly, get a phone/video call, watch videos that are more personal in nature, and access a great community.
www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
This was such a helpful video because I am by nature, a person that wears my heart on my sleeve. I'm told by others to get tough and I should keep it to myself, etc. When I ask someone how they are feeling, I expect to hear the truth because that's what they will get from me. I just love these videos and they comfort me as well as help. I watch them all and thank you so much for your time and effort. I sure do appreciate it.
Michelle Angers thank you so much for the wonderful comment and don’t ever stop being honest about the way you feel. The world would be a much better place if people were more honest about their feelings. A very warm welcome to my channel :-)
I have a son that tries to overpower me shows me no respect and treat me like a dog and I’m tired of it and this video is helping me on deciding what to do thank you very much Robert
Love him and support him pls don’t put him out in this cold world..do all you can for him you don’t know what the future hold
Thanks for the tips. I have a hard time telling if im the toxic one or the other person. I try really hard to be a positive person. My therapist says I am too hard on myself and readily blame myself when it's someone elses fault, so I guess I need to recognize toxicity and avoid it.
Thank you! I also wonder if it's me being the toxic one in reality, even though I feel like they are. Or maybe they bring out the worst in me...
wow I am gaining A LOT from watching your videos. I can't believe it took me all this time to find your channel! I am in the middle of breaking up with a narcissist this is just what I needed. I have bipolar 1. GREAT CHANNEL! GREAT GREAT! YOU ARE AWEESEOME
Second time I've watched this and your comment about being compassionate and gentle with ourselves really hit home. It's easy to "kick myself when I'm down" but that's not helpful. And it's not something I would do to a person I disliked. But I tend to not be understanding with myself. Yes, I took this note and it's in my journal now! :) Thank you!
I get this a lot currently, and NO I do Not! have paranoia I just experience a few adult bullies. Thank you so much!
I had a narcissistic bully at a Job years ago. He would come into the office that was shared by 3 other people and would try to piss me off. Every day! I used to try to defend myself but as we all know a narcissist never backs down. One day as he came in and started in on me. I said I don’t have time for your childish behavior anymore. He kept flapping his jaw and I raised my arm like the school crossing guard does with her little stop sign. I held it like that till he stoped and walked away saying don’t disrespect me like that! I said nothing. It took him 2 days to come in and start an argument again. I never turned around in my chair to acknowledge him and just put my arm up in the stop position again. He then moved on to someone else to pick on 🤓
Dealing with a toxic person in the workplace at the moment (ironically I work in a mental health support service), and her actions are causing me a lot of stress and affecting my emotional balance. I will be trying some of your strategies to see if it improves how I deal with her.
Sean Kennedy I have had many coworkers over the years that have become literal triggers for my symptoms. It’s really hard when you don’t have a choice and have to be around that person either for work or a living situation. I really hope the relationship changes for the better soon! We already have enough stress in our lives ;)
@@PolarWarriors Not BP but was bullied at work. What I did was quietly take out my phone and hit record. They would flip out but I never said a word. They would go around calling me paranoid or some such but the soon would slink off. Word got out. ( sorry I am repeating myself but I just wanted you to know what worked for me) . I later found out the bullies were afraid I would take the " evidence to HR or a lawyer.
I have just found your videos and begun watching them within the last week. I'm almost 49 and was diagnosed bipolar 2 along with some other bipolar underlying stuff. My entire life, from when I was a child, doctors diagnosed me a depressed or very anxious person. Was on meds since I was 20 (antidepressants) which I now know were making me worse this whole time. I'm in the process of trying to accept this, and move with it. But I'm angry to have had such a wasted life. Your videos, those that I have seen, have been very informative, so if I do anything right now, #1 thing is to learn more about this. What a complicated thing to have to deal with. Thank you for sharing SO much of yourself to help others like me, who didn't think there was anywhere to turn. You might, but probably don't understand what your videos are doing. I'm guessing saving many lives. I was suicidal when I found this. Right now I'm ok. I think that says something. Blessings x
Thank you so much for these tools. Sometimes I am left so guilty that depression and negative thoughts hurts my head. I will try them.
I literally do not know what my son and I would do without you.. thank you!❤️❤️❤️
You are very inspirational
Very wise words. I've been labeled as grumpy and weird by colleagues. It makes my condition even worse.
I watch your channel religiously You help me so much thank you so much I can’t thank you enough I was hospitalized over a person who really took over my mind it really took so much time to realize they almost ended my life how sad is that that I let I almost let some control someone take over someone take over my mind and my life again thank your for your amazing videos
s.t.o.p.
step back, step away, stop engaging
take a breath, break, tapping,
observe fully, observe your response to triggers,
practice, protect, patience
I discovered you not long ago. Tonight you were a life saver. Thank you. Please never stop making videos. Much love.
Relationships are like trees, you have the leaves - in your life for a season, the branches- in your life for a reason and the roots - in your life for a life season.
Hi Robert,
thank you so much for your amazing channel. I am not bipolar myself but I am pretty sure that my boyfriend is and your videos confirm my suspicion. He has not had it diagnosed by a professional though. This video about toxic people has made me think about our fights. He gets VERY toxic then. Also with his family. As much as I understand that toxic people are triggering bipolar people, I would love to see a video about how to react when a bipolar person gets toxic and about aggression and bipolar disorder in general.
Martina Wichmann A very warm welcome to my channel and thank you for the kind words! I completely understand how complicated, frustrating, and hurtful it can be to date someone who has bipolar. Especially if they haven’t been diagnosed or have a good sense of self-awareness with their emotional state. It is definitely a journey and I respect you so much for trying to help your boyfriend and searching for answers. I wish more people were so supportive, so thank you. One of the most important things to understand is the difference between symptoms of an illness, or someone just saying hurtful things. Sometimes you just lose the person that you love for a minute while the Bipolar is stronger than they are. It might take time for them to come around where you can reach them again. Timing can be everything when it comes to approaching or talking to someone about treatment. There is a book I would like to recommend to you that absolutely changed my life. It is called “ loving someone with bipolar disorder” by Julie Fast. You can grab a cheap used copy on eBay if you’d like. That Book will give you some incredible tools for a successful relationship and help you to know exactly what to look for… Bipolar disorder has specific patterns and once you figure out what those are, you won’t believe how much things will fall into place :-)
I hope you will continue to stop by and learn more with me. Hope you have a peaceful new year and thank you for helping someone who struggles with Bipolar.
Thank you for this video. It made me reflect & realize that I made the right decision to be "brutally honest" to end an 8 yrs relationship but I did it "compassinately in the best way that I can." It's my way to "protect myself & have some kind of self-respect that "it's just time to cut the cord" because it's no longer healthy for me. I've reached my limit. It's time for me to focus on self love & to find balance as Bipolar II is a part of me.
May we all find our balance, fellow Polar Warriors! ☯️
This video has helped me how to recognize toxic people, how to talk to them and distance myself from them if necessary.
“Your lies are bullets, your mouth’s a gun. No war in anger, was ever won. Put out the fire, before igniting”, (that’s a Selena Gomez quote) those words kept coming to mind while watching your video. Selena has Bipolar Disorder, and likes dealing with life using love and sensitivity, as well. I think the sheer amount of people (Bipolar or not) who recommend being unafraid to be gentle speaks volumes as to what the most successful tactic has proved to be time and time again, kindness🖤. It’s nice to recognise the strong emotions we tend to have as those with bipolar disorder can be revamped into a strength.
I watched my first few video's of you today. What can I say? WOW. I have been down for weeks and in the way you share I finally feel that someone hears me !!! WOW. You help me lift my veil a little and that is a HUGE thing for me !!! Thank you beautiful heartfelt dear man !!!
Thank you, thank you so very much for helping out please continue to help with your videos your are true blessing ❤️👌🏽🤗
Thank you very much, I was locked up with a toxic person for the entire quarentine. I would not made it without your advices. (Sorry for the bad english)
Thank you I am now a polar warrior
David Ryan A very warm welcome to the polar warrior club David!
Thank You. I love your channel
Odinka Wisanindhi i’m so glad! Thank you so much for the kind words and welcome to the channel :-)
Fascinating approach, many thanks, you saved my life. A born teacher!
Hi there, so glad that you've been helped so much by Rob's videos! That's wonderful :) If you'd like to contact Rob directly and have access to exclusive content as well as a wonderful support community, please considering joining Rob on Patreon. I'll include the link below so you can check it out. Take good care! :)
-Rachel (Polar Warriors Team Member)
www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
Thank you God bless you I'm learning a lot of very good things from your videos
Thank you so much for these videos.i have just recently came across your channel and I cannot tell you how much they are helping me to understand what my family member is going through.I feel more equipped to offer the help and compassion that she deserves....You have such a lovely kind and caring person to put so much energy into helping others.Thankyou so much..Take care of yourself too..you are a blessing 😊
You give me a lot of hope,and your videos are very helpful
Where was this information a decade ago when I suffered to learn about me? I’ve learned a lot about myself and my disorder on my own, but you’re three steps ahead of me and I’m grateful for your channel because it makes dealing with life easier. Thank you so much!
Hello Rob!
You are amazing. I love your compassion and empathy. You said something very important and essential to me. As I have met my husband's tough energy so far, I reacted with anger, a sense of rejection and sometimes crying. It ended up in conflict. Showing compassion is a better way. I can't end living together with him now. We have teenage children and there are also good and bright sides to this relationship. Thank you so much for sharing your advice and experiences.
It's really worth hearing about bipolar from a man. Because men usually don't talk about it publicly because they're afraid of their image. Good luck to you!
Greetings from Poland
Agatha
Hi Agatha, Rob offers one on one support on Patreon if you are interested. He also posts more personal information about his day to day struggles like his recent hospital stay. Take gentle care! 🙏
Sometimes we all need someone to talk to:
www.crisistextline.org/
teenlineonline.org/talk-now/
Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member
(H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds
www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
I'm happy I found this channel. You're helping people change their lives, blessing
Action K thank you so much for the kind words and support!
I love the no bullshit approach and advice. You are an excellent communicator! Do you meditate?
Wonderful! It is so refreshing to get tips and techniques from someone who suffers the same disorder! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Robert for this vid that I can truly relate to. I have an aunt that I believe to have undiagnosed NPD and had to cut her completely off and am better for it. For years she was “kind” but really just manipulating talking bad about you after being so nice. She even still try’s to get to me by sending out her “Flying Monkeys” on occasion but when I have to deal with them she is revealed letting them know what she’s all about. Great vid and No Toxic People allowed!!
You're awesome! I'm going to a family party & this really helps!
You are truly a blessing. Thanks for educating so many including me. I have accepted my diagnosis and on good meds. Very happy with life! Planning to educate my family and friends on Bipolar 1.
My brother is the most toxic person who used to be in my life. We both have a mental condition which makes dealing with each other more difficult. We haven't talked in three years and we will be brought together in a few weeks. I am already ruminating on what horrible thing he is going to say or do to me. I like the thought of telling my thoughts to stop. I am already going to implement that today. Thank you very much for your videos.
Thank you so much.
Thank you Robert, your videos are incredibly helpful. Sadly I have the same problem with my sister. As you said in this video it it’s a really hard situation also for the mother.... Keep fighting polar warriors!!!🙌❤️
It's rough when you feel shunned by certain members of your family. I have given up trying to get anywhere with my dad.
hopefully red I have had to create my own bipolar family outside of members in my immediate family. It’s really hard when people close to us don’t understand, or worse yet aren’t willing to try. Thank you for all the comments on my channel!
Love this channel. Together with BipolarOrWakingUp and the work of Stanislav Grof it helps to understand what happens to me in a psychotic state.
Rob I can't believe how much toxic people where in my life even when these bullies are not around they still are creating havoc in my life.I have made a declaration that I will never speak go around them Ever .I just can't take it Anymore.This crap Has got 2 Stop.
That's great Erik, we need to protect ourselves mentally and emotionally just like we protect our physical safety.
Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member
Rob:
I really need your help to keep a good thing going here... PLEASE consider supporting Polar Warriors work on Patreon. Even just $1 a month makes a huge difference. Thank you so much
I really like your information about bipolarity. You have a very honest way to give insikght and information to recognise signs. I have search a lot to find common signs and how the bipolary affects in interpersonal siituations. I learn a lot and i am very grateful for your help. Best regards Monika
I try to watch this video before I see my family. It helps!
Comments from the future! Your still helping 5 yrs later..
you are my savior,i love everything you are doing and helping me
Without the reaction the action stops. Amen. This video is extremely valuable❤ The third though can be dangerous because they are sadists, they cannot empathize with you and they love to see you struggle and in pain. I am sorry that your brother is like that. I send you lots of love ❤✨ Especially showing vulnerabilities to ourselves, knowing what they are, so others cannot make us feel weak for expressing them, because our energy will be strong. Amazing video 🌞
we share the same good heart soo nice too this! good in this world we are all humans and need to help each other
Awe - thanks so much. I couldn't agree more =)
-Rob
Not BP but was bullied at work. What I did was quietly take out my phone and hit record. They would flip out but I never said a word. They would go around calling me paranoid or some such but the soon would slink off. Word got out.
I totally appreciate the video, because I was struggling with the same situation. I will take this approach, mainly because I need to heal and move ahead in getting better for myself and my wife.
This video is so timely for me, thanks for these tools, Love you Rob. I'm an emotional guy, i care a lot for the forgotten and down trodden, i pray for them and their discomforts etc.
Oh man…what a great topic! Boundaries come into play here too. Jumping in too fast in relationships and then finding out you really don’t want to be friends with this person.
Thanks Rob you wouldn't believe then again you probably would you are appreciated
A silly thing I taught myself was to react by thinking of myself as a duck, ducks don't get wet, I am not going to allow (their / your) opinion to rule my life, it took a lot of practice but in the end it started to work for me, toxic imput began to have less effect on my life. Please keep on making your excellent videos, and shared some on my FB timeline
Subscribed. The video is as amazing as you are. Very powerful. Thank you. Lots of love #Leostylo
Nipun Augustin Thank you so much my friend! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch so many of the videos and comment. I hope you are having a really good peaceful weekend so far!
Thank you for this channel. It really helps me alot. I watch the videos over and over. You are an amazing warrior.
Thank you for your honesty.
You can’t imagine how much it relaxes me to listen to your videos. I fell there’s still hope.
That means a lot to me. I’m so glad that you have found them to be that helpful!
Another helpful video, thanks.
Good advice brother!
So glad you came over to my channel and checked out some videos Mike! The support is very motivating to me! Hope you create a great weekend and I'll have another video out tomorrow =)
Thank you. You can't imagine how much you're helping me. Thank you. Wish you love in all aspects of your life!
Thank you for the kind words🙏😊
@@PolarWarriors Thank you so much for answering! Your videos are awesome. You are awesome! I'm so grateful to you and all of this amazing helping videos that its difficult to put it in words.. Thank you so much! Lots of love 🙏🤗🤗🤗💙💖💙
A simple expression of gratitude cannot convey how life changing your videos are. Thank you for making these videos & educating the public about mental illness. I look forward to reading your books one day!!!
Thanks again for the video helps you provide comfort and support to both the people with BP and their loved ones...I would like to add to this video that also it never hurts to examine our own "feelings" and not be lead by them, sometimes we all can be overly sensitive and project feelings outward that really aren't that accurate....My husband and I are learning to ask questions to each other and ourselves about what we are feeling and why we are feeling it.....Often we come to an understanding we are just in a "sensitive mood and not accurately in tune-or- (out of tune) for the time being....Stay growing, onward and upward!!!
This totally helped me. Thank you
Hi!, my name is Ernesto, from Uruguay, a small country located in south america. I'm 28, and i was diagnosed a few months from now. Everything is new for me. Thank you for all the information and support!
Ernesto Rafael Adam Borche I am so glad you found my channel and you are very welcome here my friend! I will have lots more videos, so stop back by anytime to learn more with me :-)
You are an angel and a mentor for anyone experiencing Bipolar ,for parents, friends or family members . Thankyou frim the bittim of my heart ♥
Your heartfelt message truly warms my heart! I'm grateful to be able to share my experiences and support others. Thank you for being a part of this community!
-Rob
www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
Just wow! Thank you!
Your channel has helped me a lot. I have gone through so much suffering for 7/8 years. Now I am a polar warrior. Thanks a lot. It really helps.
Vulnerability: I'm at my strongest when I allow myself to be vulnerable. Only then am I truly aligned within with the most Holy part of Us.
My mum is a depressive person, with severe depression which she is struggling with at the moment. The atmosphere at how is so very toxic and heavy at the moment. I suffer from schizoaffective disorder but I'm not a depressive person. I love my mum to bits and she's been through a lot lately. I've also been through a lot lately too. I'm trying to be strong for us both but I'm starting to feel the cracks appearing in my armour. I've asked her to please keep fighting because I can feel my bipolar flaring up. I've tried to help her with things that I've learnt since I had my breakdown but she doesn't want to do anything I advise. I'm really struggling, I'm hurting. The only one that makes me laugh and feel more positive is my Dog Charlie, he's been a true God send. I need some advice as I can feel myself slipping back down.
ZeroGHome24 ZeroGHome24 i’m so sorry you are going through those struggles right now, and thank you so much for sharing your experience with me... my mom is my absolute best friend, and it wasn’t always like that. We went through many years of not talking because of both of us not being able to find the stability to maintain a healthy relationship. I know it’s really hard when it is someone like a parent or sibling, compared to just a friend dealing with mental illness. It hits home a lot harder and isn’t as easy to get away from. Everyone grows at different rates when it comes to mental illness. My dad was never diagnosed and would never even consider it. He spent his entire life suffering as a result. The only thing we could do is just to show our support and unconditional love as best as we could. It’s really exhausting when someone isn’t willing to work with you or change, especially when it is affecting the relationship. Sometimes you just have to take a step back, even though it’s really hard to do that, and just focus on taking care of yourself for a while - letting the other person find their own path until you are able to be there again in the capacity that they need. Setting boundaries is so important when it comes to family or spouses who are bipolar. Timing is also everything… When she is feeling stable and more open to talking about the situation, that is when I would sit down and try to come up with a plan. Maybe ask her the top five things that she needs the most when she is crashing, and the top five things that make it worse. Try to come up with some kind of agreement between the two of you when you are communicating with each other and things get difficult. Maybe let her know that sometimes you just need to focus on your own self-care and it doesn’t mean that you don’t care the world about her... it just means that you are taking responsibility for your own health which is crucial. It’s impossible to help other people if you can’t take care of your own needs first. I had a service dog for many years that was my soulmate friend. I have a couple of cats now, and it’s not the same as a dog, so I totally understand the benefit of your furry friend. I hope my comment helps some, and thank you for getting out there and educating yourself on bipolar disorder. Most people don’t do that, so you are ahead of the game!
-Robert
I am only commenting on this video because it's the one I am currently watching. I stumbled upon your page a week ago when I realized I wanted to be better. The 12 tips for family and friends has been sent to my husband and mother who both have already benefited from it in less than a week. I just also wanted to say thank you... thank you for taking your time away from your life to make these and help us. I felt so alone, and this may be silly, but its like you're someone I know/trust because you have been able to articulate my emotions in a way I simply could not. Thank you for being you and sharing with us.
Emily Allen You are most welcome! I’m so glad the channel is helping you and your family 😊😊🤗☀️
THANK YOU ROB.I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS.I CAN TOTALLY RELATE.THANKS.
You are so welcome
Thank you for the guidance that many counselors and therapists never have touched on with me personally......maybe do a video that law enforcement can see to push them to understand us when they come across us during critical times....
Thank you so much for these videos, you are doing a HUGE service!!! I'm going to try out these different methods tomorrow!
Carrie Allmon i’m so glad it’s helping and that you are searching for answers to try and feel better. Stop back by my channel anytime and let me know if the advice worked! 😊
Your channel (vids, comments, your thoughtful and SUPER helpful responses) is an *amazing* wealth of information, Polar Warriors! Thank you for creating this community. I will continue to check back regularly, and participate in the conversation of what is working. Thanks so much!!!
I can relate to every thing you are saying ! Thank you for all of the information .
I was drawn into your video today when I saw that it was about how to deal with toxic people in your life. It made me look at a situation just two days ago when I had to draw away from the toxic person still in my life after 47yrs of married life. What I did was right and was a way of protecting myself and not let him manipulate me to do something I didn't want to do. Over the years I realized that I would make matters worse when I started reacting to his hurtful ways. It was better this time but still needs a lot of work. I've had some relief by establishing boundaries and just forbidden him to drag me in the mud. According to him I need fixing. It's degrading and he doesn't get away with it from our older daughter. She is so strong in not allowing him walk all over her. It's so hard and I need more help. I'm tired. I'm old - 73 - and I need to keep him at a distance and he does not understand why I still don't trust him. At his point it is not going to get any better with him. There are reasons I need to stay but they are dwindling.
Hi, Rob offers one on one support on Patreon if you are interested. He also posts more personal information about his day to day struggles like his recent hospital stay. For the month of July he is offering free phone calls to patrons. Another Patreon exclusive is Rob hosting and moderating weekly support groups on discord! Take gentle care! 🙏
Sometimes we all need someone to talk to:
www.crisistextline.org/
teenlineonline.org/talk-now/
Dianna Polar Warriors Team Member
(H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds
www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
Hey man i really do appreciate this ive lived 28 years of my life only recently went and found out i was bipolar my prents thought it was adhd and bunch of other stuff your channel has helped understand what is going on in my head ad how to use instead of letting it use me
Im so incredible happy to have found this channel, i can always get here to get some good advise of everything and actually help me get through the day
Your hard work and dedication to bipolar warriors is incredible! I love watching your videos just for fun, it is truly amazing how much you can learn in an hour!
Just found ur channel... this is the best ive found, over the period of at least 15 yrs.. got diagnosed bout 16 yrs or so.. ur videos r so on point, thank u... they describe me so perfectly.. it is hard... I wish I cld do this BUT so far I havent been able to do this. I know their toxic but cant voice it to them... BUT I will think bout tryin..
Welcome aboard!
great video brother. really helped me
THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad! I am working hard on some more really great videos... Lots more to come, so keep coming back. If you have any suggestions at all, I'm always open =)
Create a create a great weekend for yourself!
Thank you for all the advice you have given. You have enlightened me to what my ex-husband had to deal with when he experienced his manic and depressive states. I hope he goes back on his medications for Bipolar and gets counseling to help him.
Appreciate your kind words! It’s tough dealing with these issues, but I’m rooting for your ex to get back on track.
-Rob
www.patreon.com/PolarWarriors
so grateful for your words!
You are so welcome
20 thumbs up if I could! I'm going to watch it a few more times to be sure all of the content "sticks". Thanks again!
Patricia Denison i’m so glad it helped! Thank you so much for the awesome comment :-)
I started watching one video now into number 6# ... shared with family and friends!! Keep up the awesome work you truly are a breath of fresh air I needed! Please don’t stop being honest it’s of great help. So many of us are afraid to tell people what we really think! Thanks for honesty and being a wonderful example for us all!