Hi,

Hope things are going well with you.

Here’s a true story:

Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed in the late teens and early 20’s, so it wasn’t a big surprise to Jessica’s mom when 22-year-old Jessica was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Even Jessica herself admitted to the doctor that she knew she had it!

The doctor prescribed medication for Jessica to take to help her with her bipolar disorder.

Then Jessica’s mom got the shock of her life –

Jessica refused the medication!

The doctor explained to Jessica what her future would be like if she didn’t take the medication, but Jessica still refused the prescription.

Her mom urged her to take the medication, and Jessica turned on her saying:

“This is who I am. If I take these drugs, I’m going to lose my personality! I’m just NOT going to do it!”

The doctor said, “Then that’s your choice.” (It wasn’t his fault she wouldn’t take it – he couldn’t force her to, since she was over 21)

Jessica’s mom said, “We’ll discuss this later.”

And Jessica said, “Why? It won’t do any good. I’m not changing my mind. I don’t need any medication. I’m fine just the way I am.”

—————————————————————

I’ve heard so many stories like this.

So many supporters, just like Jessica’s mom, have written or asked me what should they do?

And the only answer I can give is:

You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.

I wish there was a better answer.

I wish I could give more encouraging news, I really do.

But even the experts will tell you that.

I go over this in my courses/systems and how you can deal with an uncooperative loved one:

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 true story:

Bill was diagnosed with bipolar disorder too.

And Bill’s doctor told him that he needed medication to control his disorder.

But Bill was a prideful man, and he believed that he could control it by himself –

He didn’t need medication or doctors or anyone else.

Bill ended up losing his job, his marriage, his children, his house, his car, and all his belongings.

Bill lost everything because of his bipolar disorder.

It took losing everything for Bill to finally get help.

——————————————————————

Both of these true stories illustrate that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.

But don’t lose hope!

It took losing everything, but Bill DID finally got the help he needed.

And Jessica?

She went into a manic episode so severe that she had to be hospitalized (after she was arrested).

She realized that the consequences of unmedicated bipolar disorder weren’t worth the “loss of her personality.”

Jessica, like Bill, got the help she needed, and is still stable today. The sad truth is, you really can’t force your loved one to get help if they refuse it.

But if they don’t get medication, they WILL get worse. There WILL be consequences to pay for their actions.

Then maybe those consequences will be enough to force them to get the help they need.
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,

Hope things are going well today.

I usually try to keep things uplifting in my messages, but I always want to be truthful, too, and not skirt the issue on serious topics.

So today I want to talk mainly to people who have bipolar disorder, and talk about the depressive side of the disorder and some things you can do about it.

There’s an ad on TV running some places right now that says, “Who does depression hurt? Everyone. Where does depression hurt? Everywhere.”

It’s true that most people experience some type of depression, (usually short-lived and situational) at some point in their lives.

It may go from just a few hours to a few days to even a few weeks. This is normal, and is very different from the type of depression that someone with bipolar disorder goes through.

Sometimes a bipolar depressive episode can last up to a few months, and can be so deep that it makes it hard for the person to function.

Let’s talk first about the “Where does depression hurt? Everywhere.” part of the ad.

There is some truth to that.

Some of the symptoms of a bipolar depressive episode can be physical symptoms.

The biggest physical symptom is fatigue.

This makes you want to sleep most of the time.

Body aches, headaches, and stomach aches are some of the other physical symptoms of depression in someone with bipolar disorder.

But for now let’s just talk about fatigue.

In my courses/systems below, I list all the signs/symptoms of bipolar disorder that may cause physical  symptoms:

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
Fatigue may be caused by one of the other symptoms of a bipolar depressive episode:

Loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities.

In other words, you just don’t want to get out of bed anymore.

Nothing interests you.

There’s nothing you want to do, no one you want to see, nowhere you want to go.

So why get up?

Now we’re getting to the “Who does depression hurt? Everyone.” part of the ad.

Because when your supporter sees you, day after day, lying in bed with the covers over your head, not  wanting to get out and face the world, it hurts them.

Your depression hurts your supporter very much.

It hurts them because if you hurt, your supporter hurts as well.

You may only be thinking of yourself and how much pain you’re in, but think about your supporter for just a moment.

Try to put yourself in their shoes.

Think of how helpless they feel when they see you depressed.

They hurt because they want to help you but they don’t know how.

They hurt because they have to watch you suffer.

They hurt because they know you don’t have to be this way.

They hurt because they know that this is the bipolar disorder and not the real you.

They hurt because they know that you both have a common enemy (bipolar disorder), and yet they don’t know how to destroy it to save you from this depression.

Did you hear what I said about, “They hurt because they want to help you but they don’t know how?”

That’s your responsibility.

Remember when I said at the beginning of this email that I would talk about the depressive side of the disorder and some things you can do about it?

Well, here’s some things you can do about it:

· Try to cut down on the amount of hours that you sleep.

· Get out of bed more, even if it only means going  into another room, like the living room or the kitchen.

· Spend more time with your supporter, instead of making them spend time with you (in your bedroom).

· Try to improve your attitude. Even though you’re depressed, you can do positive things such as pray, read uplifting books, watch inspirational books or TV shows, etc.

· Interact with other people. Even if you’re not up to company, you can at least talk to them on the phone or over the internet (there are even bipolar chat rooms and forums).

· Write your thoughts and feelings down in a journal.

· Keep a daily mood chart.

· Talk to your loved one. Not only to share your own thoughts and feelings, but really listen to theirs as well.

· Use your creativity. Don’t let your depression stop you from doing creative things like: work in a garden, do scrapbooking, organize photos, plan for future holidays, etc.

· Keep in touch with family and friends. They are worried about you as much as your supporter is. Write letters and emails if you have to, but try to keep them positive as much as you are able. If you can’t, ask others about their lives and what is happening with them.

· Do as much for yourself as you can, so you don’t burn out your supporter.

· Take care of your own daily needs: get out of bed, get dressed, groom yourself, etc., whether you leave the house or not.

· Even though you may suffer from loss of hunger, make your own meals anyway (this will help with your  fatigue as well). Make meals for your supporter as a gesture of appreciation.

· Make an effort to leave the house occasionally on small errands, or just ride along with your supporter.

At first, these things will seem very difficult to you. Some of them you may not even be able to do. But the more you do them, the easier they will be. And the sooner your depression will lift.

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,

I hope you’re having a good day.

I’m really not so far. I dropped my blender on the floor and it was glass. It shattered everywhere. While I was picking up the glass, I sliced open my finger and it started bleeding everywhere as well.

I can barely type. It’s going to take me forever to type this. But I will get it done.

Okay I was looking back at my blog responses and saw there was this one question that many people had that I wanted to address. It’s kind of an old question but better that I answer it late then never : )

I was reading a blog post that said the following:

Dave, why do you put these letters up as your daily e-mail? What is your purpose in writing the e-mails? I thought it was to give bits of information about bipolar disorder, with thoughts for bipolar supporters.

What have you taught us today? Many, many times you have written e-mails telling us about what people have said or done that make you mad. What does that teach us? Can’t you have the self-confidence to manage those things on your own? It really feels like you’re seeking praise and gratitude and reassurance from the people on your mailing list – and, boy, do you get it! With only a few exceptions, people fell all over
themselves to thank you and encourage you and praise you; many even felt so bad for you and told you not to be upset, etc., said they’d pray for you…

===============================

This was in reference to a daily email I sent out that had a response to a person that basically said really bad things to me.

This person asked why do I do this — Is it to seek praise? (Nope, but I would say hearing nice things once in a while in this field I certainty don’t reject:)) As a side note, I challenge anyone to do what I have done. I really do. Start something like this. Take no salary. Do it for YEARS. Hire those with the disorders that are on your list. Create all the systems. Build a team, etc.

Anyway back to my point. I do it to show people what people who are NOT on medication can and probably will do. These types of emails which I will certainly post every now and then TEACH LESSONS.

If you don’t think so, ask yourself this question:

If up to 20% of the people who have bipolar disorder and are not on medication commit suicide, why is that?

Probably because they didn’t even know what there were capable of doing when not following the right treatment plan.

So, yes, I post emails like this. And yes, I talk about your loved one sticking to their treatment plan so they will not be like one of these statistics.

I’ve also been accused in emails like this of “pushing” and “soft-selling” my courses/systems to you through these emails.

Well, I usually am not in the business of defending myself, but I’ll tell you why I do it (obviously it’s not to get rich, because I’m certainly NOT rich!). It’s so people can LEARN.

So people don’t write emails like the one this guy wrote me.

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
I want people to be informed about bipolar disorder.

I want their loved ones to be informed about bipolar disorder.

I am in the business to help people with bipolar disorder.

And part of that is to post negative emails so people can see what happens when people with bipolar disorder go off their medication and don’t follow a good treatment plan, which is what I advocate and what I teach in my courses/systems.

So even when I get negative emails, even when they cut me down, or say terrible, horrible things about me and/or my work (which they do, unfortunately), sometimes I do post them so you can see what can happen to your loved one – so you can see how very, very important it is, as a supporter, for you to help your loved one to stay on their medication and follow their treatment plan.

You don’t want them to become one of these people, do you?

I’m sorry I had to send you this email. Normally it’s not my philosophy to defend myself against negative emails.

But I wanted you to know so I could TEACH you something.

So I could WARN you.

I hope you understand now.

Don’t worry, I do get many more positive emails than negative ones. It took me like 1.5 hours to type this. Okay, I am heading to the gym now. Catch you later on.

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.

Here is today’s news.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews407

Over-medicating for Mood Disorders
DO> What do you think of this?

Hundreds Mourn Web Suicide Student
DO> This is REALLY sad, don’t you think?

Study: Mental Illnesses Predict RepeatOffenders
DO> Hmm. This is interesting.

IU Team Maps Likely Bipolar Genes
DO> This is an amazing breakthrough

Holiday Help Offered For Families WithMental Illness
DO> This great.

About Half of College-Aged Had PsychiatricDisorders
DO> I have been saying this forever and a day.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews407

==>Help with ALL aspects of bipolar disorder<<==

Check out all my resources, programs and information for allaspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp

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 your day going?

I was reading this book the other day called “The Strangest Secret.”

I highly recommend that you buy this book.

Even though I am going to tell you what the strangest secret is, I still recommend that you get the book for yourself.

According to this author, the strangest secret is “we become what we think about.”

This phrase means that an individual’s daily thoughts have a strong impact on their actions, which has a strong impact on their lives.

For example, say your teacher in school always told you that you were stupid.

You would go through life believing that you were stupid.

Because “we become what we think about.”

So if your loved one thinks all the time that they’ll never get better, well, then they’ll never get better, because “we become what we think about.”

In my courses/systems, I talk about the power of positive thinking. I know it’s not a new concept, but when applied to bipolar disorder, it can mean the difference between getting better and not getting better.

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
There was this study that was done, where one group had mental illnesses, while the other group didn’t.

They didn’t tell the staff working with them what was going on.

What they did tell the staff was that the group with mental illnesses was sane, while the group that didn’t have any mental illnesses HAD mental illnesses!

So guess what happened?

The staff treated the group without mental illnesses as if they DID have mental illnesses, and the group that actually did have mental illnesses as if they DIDN’T have them!

Now comes the interesting part.

At the end of the study, the group that didn’t have mental illnesses to begin with, BELIEVED they were mentally ill, because they’d been treated as if they were.

And the ones who really had mental illnesses BELIEVED that they didn’t have any mental illnesses because they’d been treated as if they didn’t.

So I think what this author said is true: “We become what we think about.”

If you think you’re really smart, you become really smart.

If you think you’re really creative, you become really creative.

If you think you’re beautiful, you become beautiful.

If you think you can beat bipolar disorder, you CAN beat bipolar disorder.

On the other hand…

If you think you’re never going to be as good as anyone else, you won’t be.

If you think you’re stupid, you will be stupid.

If you think you’ll never get better, you won’t.

Remember:
“We become what we think about.”

So it’s really, really important that we saturate our minds with positive thoughts, images and goals so that we can become those things.

You/your loved one NEEDS to believe that you can get better from bipolar disorder so that you CAN!

You NEED to be positive about it, so “You believe what you think about.”

It’s the old, “Look at yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, ‘You’re a beautiful person” technique, only applied to bipolar disorder.

It’s worked for people without bipolar disorder, so why can’t it work for you?

Try this technique, and let me know your thoughts.

I’d love to know what you think.

Or if you’ve already used it, share your ideas with everyone and how you’ve done it, and how well it’s worked for you.

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,

Hope your day is going well.

Hey, I have to take off really quick today because I am determined to get a whole lot of things done.

I actually have to head to the gym and then go to the library to do some research.

It’s freezing where I am today so  have to unfreeze my car which isn’t a lot of fun.

Okay, do you know what a martyr is? Well, back in the old days, a martyr was someone who gave up their life for a cause.

They actually died. Or were killed, usually.

A martyr would represent a whole bunch of other people.

They cared more about these other people than they cared about themselves.

They cared too much about what other people thought of them.

They cared too much about the cause than they cared themselves or even about their own families.

I don’t want you to be a bipolar martyr.

I don’t want you to be any of those things I just mentioned.

You don’t have to be.

You just have to be yourself.

No one put that big S on your chest but YOU.

You’re the one playing Super-Supporter.

You’re the one who’s trying to save the world.

You’re the one who’s caring too much what other people think about you.

But you don’t have to.

All you have to do is be yourself.

In my courses/systems below, I talk about all the things it takes to be a good supporter, and one of the biggest things is taking care of yourself:

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
No one expects as much from you as you expect from yourself, I bet.

And I also bet that you would never expect as much from anyone else as you expect from yourself.

All your loved one expects from you is for you to love them.

Anything more is, as they say, “ice cream.”

So stop trying to be a bipolar martyr.

No one expects you to.

You need to take care of yourself, and the rest will fall into place.

If you don’t take care of yourself, how are you going to take care of your loved one?

So just relax, and be yourself!

What do you think/ Have any experience being a bipolar martyr? Has it worked?

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,

Hope you’re having a good day.

I haven’t been lately.

We have so many people sick in the organization it’s hard to believe. All the sickness is NON mental health related. For example stomach flu.

I’ve had to do a whole lot of extra work these days.

Anyway, I can handle it.

So, there’s lots of talk these days of bailing out companies.

People want to bail out others who are facing foreclosure, banks, investment firms and now automakers.

Here’s the deal. I don’t think bailouts work.

Why?

Well, because I am in mental health.

A bailout is like being codependent or Like enabling someone.

The best thing is to figure out how the person got to where they are.

With my mom, I spent a whole lot of money over 7 years bailing her out of all her bipolar problems.

It never worked, she just needed more and more and more money.

I finally stopped, and she was forced to take responsibility for herself.

Today she is out of d.ebt and pays her own bills.

In my courses/systems, I talk about codependency and enabling, and about how these are negative things when it comes to supporting 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
Many people who are supporters keep on bailing their loved ones out over and over again.

Nobody ever stops to focus on the real problem–why the people need a bailout in the first place.

It’s just like today.

Why do automakers need a bailout?

Because they had poor business strategy, overpaid workers and management, and laziness at the top. (I could list a whole bunch of things, but those are the highlights.)

Anyway, bailing them out today will only serve to make them feel that they can keep on doing what they are doing and get another bailout in the future.

It’s just like mental health. If you keep bailing out your loved one, what incentive is there for them to do the
right thing?

It’s important for them to learn to take responsibility for their actions.

Especially after a bipolar episode.

They need to accept the consequences of what they did during the episode.

If you rescue them again, if you bail them out yet another time…

You’re being codependent or enabling them, which is the wrong thing to do.

Just like the automakers, you need to stop bailing out your loved one.

I have a ton of friends I have bailed out in a wide variety of ways over the years.

I have given the money. I have done friend’s homework. I have figured out solutions to their problems. I have gone to the end of the earth for them.

Did my “bailout” help them? No, because it was only a matter of in some cases a few days or weeks or months that they had another problem they needed to be bailed out from.

Now I am not saying to avoid helping people. Obviously since I volunteer and run this organization I believe in helping people. But what I am saying, is fixing a person entire problems or throwing money at their situation doesn’t work. It really doesn’t. Especially with bipolar disorder.

What are your experiences with this?

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,

We had a big problem with something. I sent out a link about some material concerning Christianity, Spirituality and Michele Soloway Sexton’s The Bipolar Spiritual Journey series.

We had a technical error so there was no way to completely access it.

A whole bunch of people wrote us and the problem is now fixed.

If you had trouble and want to gain access visit:

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/spiritualjourneyspecialoffer/

Okay I have to run. Have a great day!

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.