The reality of love and brain disorders is that spouses or mates must accept the brain disorder and not fear it or the stigmas. Here are some tips to help a mate or spouse of a person with a brain disorder:
1) Learn everything you possibly can about the brain disorder from the
individual and do your own research to determine what you can
handle;
2) Ask healthcare professionals even the silliest questions;
3) Respect the dignity and privacy of the person with the brain disorder;
4) Keep communication honest and open;
5) Be supportive and encouraging of the person with the brain disorder;
6) Understand there will be days when you must take charge and do it
lovingly;
7) Delegate house chores to every member of the family for the days
when the person with the brain disorder is faced with health
challenges;
8) Know how to cook light meals or keep a list of your favorite fast-food
or carry-out restaurants nearby. Smile;
9) Have close family and friends knowledgeable about the brain disorders
so that you have a strong support system as well;
10) Don’t be afraid to attend support meetings and advocate for yourself
and family;
11) Remember to do all the romantic things you did when dating to keep
the relationship lively;
12) Never verbally attack the person with the brain disorder about the
disorder;
13) Never physically attack the person with the brain disorder;
14) Be patient, compassionate, and do not feel guilty to have your own
social network of friends, hobbies, etc. and manage your own stress;
15) Stay connected with a church family!
Valentine’s Day should really be celebrated everyday! My best Valentine’s Gift was the decision to love myself despite a brain disorder. That means being responsible with my mental and physical healthcare as much as possible. Here are some tips if you have a brain disorder:
1) Seek and obtain mental healthcare;
2) Get involved with a support group such as NAMI;
3) Educate yourself about the brain disorder;
4) Take your medications as prescribed;
5) Don’t take advantage of people;
6) Keep communication open and honest;
7) Don’t skip medical appointments;
8) Allow your mate to have a life of his/her own;
9) Educate a few close family members or friends about your brain
disorder;
10) Respect the dignity and privacy of other members of the family;
11) Do not physically attack anybody;
12) Do not verbally attack people;
13) Have a personal exercise routine and/or hobby for “Me” time;
14) Keep the romantic fire burning, too, but watch the alcohol
consumption;)-.
What is the best Valentine’s Day gift for a person with a brain disorder?
LOVE (and diamonds, flowers, and chocolate candy helps…smile).
Visit NAMI at
www.nami.org Visit the American Association of Pastoral Counselors at
www.aapc.org
Posted By: agnes levine
Saturday, February 7th 2009 at 9:52PM
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