b"16 MARCH 24, 2023 The Great Eastern Mailadvice - ask EmmaGetting through it togetherEmma Woodcock is a Registered Counsellor working with adolescents and adults with a broad range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, self-esteem difficulties, amongst many others. With experience in several evidence-based therapy modalities, Emma utilises skills from CBT, ACT, DBT, motivational interviewing, polyvagal therapy and more. Emma offers a practical approach to therapy, helping clients develop a personal 'toolkit of strategies and skills, so that they feel empowered to deal with lifes challenges everyday.medication and therapyto feel better equipped intogether. Have a list ofthe expert in her life. LetYou can feel better. There is often recommended,your position. numbers you may need tome emphasis that againare many treatments that particular CognitiveLearn for yourself aboutcall on standby. because it really is thatcan help.Emma WoodcockBehaviour Therapy (CBT)bipolar disorder from aBe patient. With her.important. You do NOT Bipolar disorder is a Counsellor or Dialectical Behaviourrespectable, professionalAnd with yourself.Ihave to be the expert inreal illness, like diabetes. It Therapy (DBT). With strongsource. Consider talkingcannot emphasis thisher life! A support yes. Byrequires medical treatment.Q: Dear Emma, mysupports in place, there is noto a GP, mental healthone enough. You are bothall means. Hopefully one This is hard right now. I girlfriend is quitereason a person with Bipolarprofessional or readingon a journey here and itof many she will have, adont know the answers, but I emotional and has recentlycannot contribute to anda book or website by anwill take time to learn toimportant support at that,am here with you.been diagnosed withengaged with society.accredited professional.grow with it. Setbacks andbut not the expert. You dont have to be okay Bipolar. We are both inMany people with bipolarBy learning everything youchallenges are part of life.Reduce stress. Look forwith me.our late twenties and I amdisorder find themselvescan about the symptomsBe prepared for them.ways you can reduce herAvoid personalising the hoping to ask her to marryseeking project-orientedand treatment options,They are not the end of astress and yours. Whethersymptoms. During the me next year when wecareers, where they findthe better equipped you'lljourney just a hurdle inthat is independently orhighs and lows, words, travel. But this diagnosisstructured work with abe to help your lovedthe process. together, or even both.actions and moods can has thrown a spannerregular schedule moreone and keep things inEncourage her to getEnsure you both getbe erratic and unusual. in the works as she feelscompatible. Long orperspective. You feel moretreatment. The sooneradequate sleep. SleepHurtful things can be blindsided and constantlyirregular work hours canresourced. I recommendshe gets support foris hugely important tosaid. Hard as it may be, tells me I am not helpinginterrupt stability and jobreading The Bipolarliving with Bipolar, theyour mental wellbeing!remember these are her. I can never say or doperformance. Disorder Survival Guide:better her prognosis. AlsoConsider regular exercise,not a personal attack the right thing. What am INow on to you. To answerWhat You and Your Familyencourage yourself andtaking a hobby orbut symptoms of the doing wrong? How do I bestyour directly, I dont thinkNeed to Know by David J.your relationship. Look forsomething else entirely,mental health illness, not support her you are doing anythingMiklowitz. A great placemilestones, big and small,as reducing your stressimmaturity or selfishness. wrong. The fact you areto start while you wait forand mark them. Thatwill improve how youAbove all, be honest. With A: Hi there, and thanks forseeking ways to support her,the book to arrive wouldcould be writing themcope with lifes challenges.yourself and with her. If writing in. Your question istells me you are committedbe the Black Dog Institutesdown in a journal, plantingEstablishing and keepingits too much at times, that brave and empathetic, andto her and loving her.website. The direct linka new plant for eachdaily routine for you bothis okay. Take a break. Get just by asking I can tell youSupporting someone withis here:https://www. memory or milestone, orwill not only significantlysome sleep. Allow yourself really care for her. Let meBipolar can be difficult asblackdoginstitute.org. doing something that hasreduce stress for youto reset and come back. start by explaining whatyou both learn to navigateau/resources-support/ meaning and significanceboth but will also helpDont lose sight of your own Bipolar is as there can be athe highs and lows that comebipolar-disorder/ for you. Try not to loseto stabilise some of thehopes, dreams and goals. lot of incorrect stereotypesalong. It is important thatBe prepared. Learn whatsight of a meaningful lifesymptoms that come withKeep cultivating a life that and information out there.neither of you feel isolated,her therapists and supportin it all. Bipolar as there is safetyyou enjoy. Stay in contact Bipolar disorder is a moodas if you are doing thispeople come up with asBe empathetic. Peopleand comfort to be foundwith your friends and do the disorder characterised byalone. Family and friendsfar as her coping skills andwith Bipolar are oftenin the familiar. Set regularactivities you enjoy as well. episodes of depressive lowssupporting the both of youstrategies. Join in wherereluctant to talk abouttimes for getting up,Remember, you matter too.and euphoric or manic highs.will be essential. you can. Co-regulation andtheir struggles forhaving meals, and going toI hope this helps. As long There are two types ofConsider seeking supporthelping someone actionfear of judgement. Bybed, for example. as your hearts are turned Bipolar: Bipolar 1 wherewith a mental healththeir coping plan camedemonstrating care andWords matter. Betowards each other, you will episodes of mania last longerprofessional if you arereduce isolation. Havingunderstanding, you createmindful of the phrases andmanage the difficulties and and Bipolar 2, with shortergetting overwhelmed. Foran action plan for whena safe place where she iswords you use. Considerovercome lifes challenges episodes. There is no knownyou girlfriend, managingdestructive behavioursfree to truly feel accepted.saying statements thattogether. cause though researchbipolar is a lifelong processoccur can be beneficial.Accept her limits as wellcreate no-judgement, suggests a combination ofso supporting yourself isConsider negotiating oneas your own. You do notacceptance, andI wish you all the best, Emma.physical, environmental andessential to supporting her.together when your love ishave to push her to dopermission to be herself. social factors (such as stress)We dont want either of youwell. Set specific steps youmore, change her or evenThese could sound like: Got a question you want all may play a role (McIntyreburning out. will take such as removinglabel her. Nor do you have You're not to blame forEmma to answer? & Calabrese, 2019). Practically, I wouldcredit cards, car keys orto do that to yourself.bipolar disorder. You didn'tEmail Emma:Treatment can includesuggest the following for youattending the doctorsYou do not have to because it. It's not your fault. advice.gem@gmail.com* McIntyre, R. S., & Calabrese, J. R. (2019). Bipolar depression: the clinical characteristics and unmet needs of a complex disorder. Current medical research and opinion, 35(11), 1993-2005. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2019.1636017 Ask Emma is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, mental-health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. By submitting a question, you are agreeing to let The Great Eastern Mail use it and we may edit it for length and/or clarity. You can find Emma on Instagram @emmawoodcockcounsellor and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/emmawoodcockcounsellingSeek help to overcome lifes barriers THE GREAT EASTERNwith a professional, qualified,licensed counsellor BAIRNSDALEPAYNESVILLELAKES ENTRANCEMETUNGWhere Community MattersGreat opportunities are available EMMA to promote your business through WOODCOCK both our print and online mediaAdolescent, adult individual and in person sessions currently available.Newspaper|FacebookAlso available telehealth, walk and talk and NDIS sessions.(Groups coming soon) Ask about our ad and editorial feature packageOpening Hours: Monday-Thursday 9-5pm Contact Jason today on 0428 366 651FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION or email jason.cherry.gem@gmail.comTo Book call 0479 050 661"