'Fighting Forms' Franz Marc
Depending on your situation some of these options may be relevant to you:
- Find a constructive release for your anger (e.g. go for a walk, play sport, paint, write in a journal, or talk things through with someone you trust).
- If you are feeling burnt out and resentful, devote more time to your own needs and increase the limits on the support you provide.
- Bipolar moods are not always predictable and you (and the person with the illness) may become frustrated or disappointed as plans can be disrupted if the person becomes ill. Some people find that making short term plans or arrangements (not too far in the future) increases the chance that these plans will be carried out.
- Consider if your frustration or anger might be connected to factors the person cannot control (e.g. how long medicines take to work).
- If you are angry about something the person has done, wait until you have calmed down to discuss the person’s behavior with them. If possible, delay discussing your angry feelings until the person is well and more able to deal with these issues (see using good communication skills for more about ways to express your grievances).
- Setting limits to try to prevent negative consequences of risky behavior form occurring again in the future might help to relieve current anger (see dealing with risky or inappropriate manic or hypomanic behaviour).
