Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you are doing well.

I wanted to tell you about something. It’s a book I read last night.

Last night I went to my book shelf and decided to read something new. I have a ton of books. I buy them all over the place. Sometimes in libraries I go to, they give away books or sell them.

I have about 10 book cases of books.

Well anyway, I grabbed a book at about 12:00pm called:

The Luck Factor by Dr. Richard Wiseman.

This is an EXCELLENT book. I HIGHLY recommend you get it. You can get it at Amazon, local book store or from the library (I checked online and a number of libraries I have access to have it.)

This book really should be required reading for everyone on the planet. I am not kidding.

What’s it about? It’s about why some are lucky and unlucky. The book actually teaches anyone how to be lucky. It sounds crazy but it’s true.

The information in the book is step by step. I have been doing a lot of what it’s said for many years and it’s why I get a lot done.

One of the concepts in the book is “Expect Good Fortune.”

The book talks about how lucky or successful people expect to be lucky and successful and that’s one major key.

Now you might think, “Dave, what the heck? That’s really dumb, if I was lucky I would expect good things to happen. What’s wrong with you today?”

Hold on. Let me explain.

The book talks about how before people were lucky, they expected to be lucky and this expectation caused a lot of luck to happen.

It’s an entire book and the guy really explains it well. Get it and read it for further explanation.

But here’s the key thing with bipolar disorder.

When I first started with my mom, I expected good fortune and I expected my mom would get better, become stable and it would all work out.

There was absolutely no question in my mind this would happen. Isn’t that odd that I would think this way after more than 35 years of it not being this way?

For some reason, I think I was too dumb to know how hard it was going to be. I looked at it as a project and I am good at projects.  I just thought, “Hey, this is another project and I will knock this project out like I knock all projects out.”

No matter what the situation was, I expected it would work out.

My mom was in massive d.ebt, and I expected that she would pay it all off. I expected that I would find or make a system to make that happen. People around me thought I was out of my mind.

I was thinking about this concept in the Luck Book and thinking about how I helped my mom. Then I was thinking about everyone I know who does well with bipolar disorder.

ALL these people expect good things about their bipolar disorder. They expect they will find and have good doctors. They expect they will be able to manage bipolar disorder. They expect they will find people who understand their bipolar disorder.

They basically expect it will all work out for the best. They do what the book says to do, which is expect good fortune.

Now, I know a TON of unsuccessful people with bipolar disorder. They do a ton wrong but the one thing that stands out the most is they do NOT expect good fortune. They actually expect bad fortune. They expect massive side effects from their medications. They expect doctors won’t want to help them. They expect no one will understand them. They expect life will always be very difficult.

In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.survivebipolar.net

Of all the success stories I found, and there’s a lot in these course, expecting good fortune was critical for people. Whether the person was a bipolar supporter or bipolar survivor.

I ask you, what are your expectations and what do you think of this concept? Agree or disagree?

Hey, I might be going hiking today. I am not sure. It might rain so I won’t go. But I have to get ready just in case it doesn’t rain. So I will catch you tomorrow, okay?

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME

Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Hi,

How’s it going?

I saw something interesting that I wanted to share with you.

A reader wrote to BP Magazine:

Though I’ve struggled with my emotions for many years (I’m 45), I was not diagnosed with bipolar disorder II until about 10 years ago. I’ve taken the required medications and gone to therapy, but neither of these is a substitute for what I want: acceptance and understanding of my condition from my family and friends..

I have chosen to reveal my diagnosis only to a trusted few. Knowing the very real stigma against mental illness that still exists, I have chosen not to ‘go public.’ I don’t feel I have the strength to overcome any rejection I might face. Yet at t times I am desperately lonely…How does one get the inner strength not to care?  –H.P., Kent, WA

——————————————–

Wow. That’s some serious stuff. It’s sad to think that in today’s advanced society that there’s still so much stigma associated with bipolar disorder.

But yet it’s still there, and that’s why in my courses/systems I talk about the stigma and how you have to decide whether you’re going to tell people whether you have bipolar disorder or not, like this woman was saying.

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.survivebipolar.net

But what a question, huh? How does one get the inner strength not to care?

I’ve had many, many people talk to me or write to me about the loneliness associated with bipolar disorder and the

desperation that comes from not telling people that they have the disorder.

They’ve also told me about the basic mistrust of society and even of their own family and friends that has resulted when they have told and were hurt and rejected, or even just treated differently.

Many times I’ve heard the cry, ‘I just want to be ME!’

But this question really bothers me – How does one get the inner strength not to care?’

It just sounds so sad. Like she wants to just give up but doesn’t have the strength to do it.

It’s hard for me to understand, because I’m always looking at the positive side of things, always encouraging you to continue fighting against the disorder and the stigma associated with it.  Maybe you can explain it to me, because I really don’t get it. What drives you to this kind of desperation?

Maybe if she took the risk and told the right people and was met with positive feedback, she wouldn’t feel this way. Then she could expand her support system, and wouldn’t feel so lonely. That’s the way I see it.

Of course, my opinion may be different than yours.

I’m not trying to simplify this thing, or try to say that her pain isn’t real, believe me. You can tell by her letter that she’s in a lot of pain.  And I know that the decision of to tell or not to tell isn’t made lightly – that’s why I have a whole section on it in my courses. I know what kind of a struggle it can be.

What I’m saying is that if you choose not to go public like this woman, you have to accept the consequences. Then you feel like you’re carrying around a secret you can’t tell anyone except a select few family members and maybe a friend or two. It’s a great chip on your shoulder. But it’s your own fault, because it’s your choice, and you have to live with it.  I’m not saying what this woman did was wrong. But she could always un-choose it rather than complain about it.

Still, there’s that question.

Like she’s really bothered by the fact that she probably cares too much about what other people think. Like she can’t tell them she has bipolar disorder because she’s scared of what they’d think, but then she’s bothered by the fact that she cares about that in the first place. And maybe she’s wondering if she did the right thing.

It’s still all about the stigma associated with bipolar disorder, and that’s still not good. I spend so much time, energy, and money trying to educate people about the disorder (which is my way of fighting the stigma), and sometimes I get discouraged, because I wonder – like when I read letters like this – if I’m even making a dent in the stigma.

But I also think maybe if more people opened up about it – if more supporters and their loved ones showed good examples of managing the disorder – that the stigma would decrease. But that would mean more people telling that they have it.

Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t know. What do you think?

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Hi,

How’s it going? I hope you are doing well.

I have one million things to do today so I have to go pretty quick.

Michele, who works for me, was asked to speak at a bipolar disorder support group about bipolar recovery, and was told that the group was mainly made up of “caregivers.”  She told them about our website and explained that we use the term “supporters” rather than “caregivers.”

Now, it may just seem like semantics, but there really is a difference in the two terms.

She explained the difference this way:

The most glaring thing was this – the woman told her that the typical meeting was 10-15 “caregivers” getting together and talking about medications and complaining about bipolar disorder and their loved ones , and that was pretty much it – that was all they did, month after month, the same thing.  Nothing positive, everything negative.

So this was her idea of a caregiver – someone who wasn’t very knowledgeable about bipolar disorder, who only “took  care of” the other person, and who complained about it all the time, the only information exchanged being about medications.

Whereas, we view a supporter as so much more than that.  For one thing, we view a supporter in a much more positive way.  In fact, I’ve written an entire course specifically for supporters of a loved one with bipolar disorder: SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net

When Michele told me what happened about the bipolar support group and we talked about it, she explained the difference to me in her view:

She said that she had had a very good friend who had end-stage breast cancer, and in the very end, her and a couple other girlfriends took shifts so that her friend would have found-the-clock care to make her last days the most comfort- able they could be.  They read to her, prayed with her, gave her ice chips, put cold cloths on her forehead, and  other acts like that.

These were the types of things she associated with being a “caregiver” – simple gestures of meeting another person’s basic needs, such as during an end-stage illness such as cancer. Basically, doing things for them that  they can no longer do for themselves.

This picture is so much different than what we consider a supporter.  For example, if a supporter did things for a loved one with bipolar disorder which that loved one was capable of doing for themselves, we would consider that “enabling,” rather than “supporting,” and enabling is something that supporters should not do, because it does not help your loved one.

Being a supporter means exactly that – that you support your loved one and help  them to manage their bipolar disorder. You don’t do it for them.  You encourage independence (where possible and realistic), while still being there for them when they do need you.  You remain understanding, loving, and compassionate; however, you do not allow yourself to be a doormat during their episodes.

Being a good supporter means setting boundaries for acceptable and unacceptable behavior and then enforcing those boundaries.

Being a supporter is being a partner in your loved one’s recovery.  It is definitely NOT being a “caregiver.”

Do you see the difference now between being a “caregiver” and being a “supporter”?

So which are you?

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Hi,

I’ve got to tell you about this woman I heard about – her story is so inspiring!

Her name is Paula, and she has fibromyalgia. Most of the time she is in constant pain throughout her whole body. But does she complain? No. Does she just lay in bed and let her supporter wait on her hand and foot? No. Does she just sit back and take money from the government? No.

Paula started her own home-based business over the Internet. She makes customized plaques for people. She loves what she does. She doesn’t make a fortune, but she makes people happy, and that makes her feel good. Having her own business instead of just sitting around makes her feel good about herself, too.

She has good days and bad days. But because she has such a positive attitude, even her bad days are not as bad as they could be.

The thing that I’ve learned from Paula is that, even though you might have limitations, you’re only as limited as you think you are!

In other words, you’re only as limited as you let yourself be. It’s your choice – Yes, you have limitations because of the bipolar disorder, but if you let them limit you, they will.

On the other hand, if you choose, you can rise above those limitations (don’t let them limit you), and you can accomplish great things in spite of them!

Just look at what Paula did, starting her own home business, not letting the fibromyalgia stop her.

In my courses/systems, I encourage people with bipolar disorder to do the same thing – to start their own home-based businesses:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.survivebipolar.net

Here’s another case to illustrate what I’m talking about:

You know Michele who works for me. She doesn’t just have bipolar disorder. What she says is “If the diagnosis has letters in it, I have it!”

She says that in a humorous way, but besides having bipolar disorder, she has schizophrenia, ADHD, BPD, OCPD, PTSD, and anxiety/panic disorder. Not only has she risen above all these disorders, but she is one of my best employees! She has not let her disorders limit her.

Now compare Michele to someone who, say, just has bipolar disorder. And I put the emphasis on “just.” Because despite all the things you complain about with you or your loved one’s bipolar disorder, don’t they seem small in comparison to a Michele or a Paula, who have not let their limitations limit them?

So instead of complaining about the bipolar disorder and all your problems, think about this – you should be grateful that all you’re dealing with is bipolar disorder.

Because instead you could be dealing with something worse, like Paula and her fibromyalgia (but who doesn’t complain) or Michele with all her disorders besides bipolar disorder (but who doesn’t complain either).

It’s your choice – you can complain (which gets you nowhere anyway) and let your limitations limit you, or you can stop complaining and rise above your limitations.

Remember – you’re only as limited as you think you are!

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Hi,

OK, here’s today’s lesson in logic:

A + B = C

You probably think I’m crazy, right? Yeah, well, a lot of people do, so I’m used to that.

But by the time you’re done with this email you’ll understand.

See, there’s a certain logic to life. Just like there’s a certain logic to the formula above (A + B = C).

In other words, you can’t get from A to C without going through B. And that’s a very important concept. Not just in logic, or in math, but in life. And in bipolar disorder.

I’ll tell you why.

Too many people think that if they just leave it alone, the bipolar disorder will go away all by itself. Wrong! (You can’t get to C without going through B)  Too many people with bipolar disorder think that if they try to do it without a supporter that they’ll be able to manage it all by them- selves. Wrong! (You can’t get to C without going through B)

You can’t expect the bipolar disorder to go away on its own any more than you can expect a bacterial infection to go away on its own without antibiotics (and especially that you have to take the WHOLE bottle even after you start feeling better). (You can’t get to C without going through B)

In my courses/systems, I talk about the fact that you are not alone, but I also talk about how you can’t do it alone – that one of the first things you do is develop a support system, because you need help if you’re going to manage your bipolar disorder:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

http://www.survivebipolar.net

The fact is (again), that you just can’t get from A to C without going through B. That’s just plain logic.

With bipolar disorder, there are certain things you have to do to manage the disorder (the B of the equation). If you do these things, you can manage the disorder. If you skip these things, (getting to C without going through B first), you will NOT be able to manage the disorder.

What are these things (the B’s)?

1. Medication Medication is absolutely critical to managing bipolar disorder. You need to have the right medication in the  night dosage.

2. Therapy You need to see a therapist to help you work out the issues that having bipolar disorder or being a supporter to a loved one with the disorder bring up.

3. Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is the one who prescribes the medication for bipolar disorder. If you are a supporter, your role here is to make sure your loved one takes their medication, and when they’re supposed to.

These are just some of the “B’s” of managing bipolar disorder. The main ones.

Do you understand now how the formula A + B = C makes sense as it relates to bipolar disorder?

You just can’t get from A to C without going through B. You just can’t expect the bipolar disorder to manage itself. You have to do the work necessary to help manage it.

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.