True change is difficult. Difficult enough that few people have the willpower to do it without a defined "event" happening that acts as a catalyst.
That being said, although difficult and few people who try succeed... it IS still possible, because people do it everyday. But it takes a true internal absolute decision to change.
I've only known one bipolar person. In which I kind of treated them like two people and as a consequence made myself two people when I was with them (if that makes sense).
When they would be full of energy and hyper and kind of spoke about all these crazy things they wanted to do... I would match their enthusiasm and energy equally and even try to exceed it. Suggesting even more over the top things we should do. Almost like a game that I was playing with that version of them. A "who can be more energetic and over the top".
When they were low energy and reserved and thoughtful and turned in on themselves, I would bring out "philosophical me" version. Kind of relaxed and melancholy. Focused on internal thoughts and how "yeah, I think that is totally crap as well" and the things that were just crappy aspects of life.
You know what I mean? It was not just "accepting them" or trying to "deal with them". I tried to share the experience with them.. BE there with them. But not in a condescending or mocking way. But like experiencing and sharing the moment right there with them.
Now I'm not necessarily recommending this as a method you should do. What I'm saying is that I made a decision in regards to them and just RAN WITH IT to see what would happen. And to be honest the results were surprising even to me.
Like I said, initially I made it like kind of a game that I was committed to just to see what would happen. And that "fun" aspect made it less draining on me as opposed to treating it like a chore. They were happier more often regardless of which condition they were in, and episodes became shorter lived. They felt less guilt afterwards because I was matching them and therefore sharing the responsibility. The "I feel crazy" worries were negated because I was "out-crazying her" a lot of the time. It made it different somehow, changed the conditions, altered the parameters, made it "about us" rather than always "about her" which seemed to help her.
I did take it to an extreme level admittedly. but it was a good ride for both of us. Anyway, this was my experience. It might not work for others, but it had some unexpected advantages for us.
