Hi,

How are you?

Here is today’s news.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews413

Harris Judges Vote For Felony Mental Health Court
DO>Hmm. What do you think of this?

Heart Risk Cited In Newer Antipsychotic Drugs
DO> Kind of scary don’t you think?

Kerry: I’ll Take Viewers Inside My Tortured Mind
DO> Wow this is very strange.

Physical Activity, Mood And Serious Mental Illness
DO> I have been saying this for years, right 🙂

SPH Doctoral Student Uses His Own Bipolar Disorder To Create Policy
DO> This is great, don’t you think?

Are You Bipolar? Unethical Drug Company Hopes So
DO> Hmm. This is terrible. Shame on these people. For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews413

POST RESPONSES TO THE NEWS HERE
==>Help with ALL aspects of bipolar disorder<<==

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects 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.

Hope you’re doing well today.

Hey, I wanted to ask you something.

It’s getting REALLY hard for me to get up 365 days a year super early and type up these bipolar daily emails. I have been doing it for a long time.

I wanted to send out probably 3 messages a week a few hours later. I would probably send them out at 10am or 11:00am instead of 7am or 8am. This is all in Eastern Time.

Would that be okay?

If not, let me know on my blog by posting a comment.

Also, I sent out a questionnaire asking for some suggestions for new articles that we will be posting on our main bipolar website. I only sent it out to a small group of people and I got a huge response. Thanks.

We’ll be working on the articles that many people suggested.

Okay, I want to ask you something.

I was in the mall the other day, and this couple was fighting.

I mean, they were really going at it, shouting at each other so loud that I thought everyone in the mall could hear them!

I just wanted to get away from them, because I hate confrontations.

But it was like everyone was kind of attracted to them like moths to a flame – you couldn’t help but stare, because they were making such a scene.

I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I just wanted to go on with my shopping, but like I said, everyone was kind of gathered around this couple, and I couldn’t get by.

The only thing I could hear clearly was, “I’m not responsible for you!”

And the other person said, “Yea, well, I’m not responsible for you, either!”

Then I guess everything just broke up, because I was able to get through the throng of people.

But I couldn’t help thinking about what this couple said.

“I’m not responsible for you!”

And, of course, you know how I relate everything to bipolar disorder.

So I was thinking about whether a supporter is responsible for their loved one, and what that would really mean.

In my courses/systems, I talk about how important the role of a supporter is:

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 is part of the role of being a supporter to actually be “responsible” for their loved
one?

I mean, as adults, are we really responsible one for another? Or just ourselves?

And I don’t mean that selfishly, don’t get me wrong.

I just think that each of us has to take responsibility or ourselves and our own actions.

Like, take a parent.

Are they actually responsible for their child’s actions?

Or are they just responsible for teaching them right from wrong and hope they do the right thing, make the right choices and good decisions?

The best parents can do is to be the best role model for their children and hope that their children will take good responsibility for themselves.

Well, as a supporter, that’s all you can do, too, I think.

You can be the best supporter in the world, but when it comes down to it, your loved one has to take responsibility for their own choices, decisions, actions, and behavior.

They even have to take responsibility for who they are. They can’t blame that on you, or even on the bipolar disorder. Really. I’ve been to some of the support groups where I volunteer and heard people with bipolar disorder say that they blame the disorder for the way they are.

They take no responsibility for their behavior or their actions – they blame it all on their disorder.

So should you take responsibility for your loved one?

Or should they take responsibility for themselves?

If they’re an adult, shouldn’t they be responsible for their own behavior and the consequences of that behavior? They should know the difference between right and wrong, so why should you take responsibility for them?

Let me ask you this:
Does your loved one take responsibility for you?

Or do they trust that you’re mature enough, intelligent enough, and competent enough to take responsibility for yourself?

And isn’t that what we all should do?

Agree or disagree?

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.

Did you know there are TWO “YOU’s”?

Yep.

There’s the inner you and the outer you.

You don’t have to have bipolar disorder to have this apply to you – you can be a supporter as well. It actually applies to all of us.

There’s the you that you show to the world.

That’s the person you want everyone to see, and it has to do sometimes with wanting to be perfect, with wanting to please other people.

It’s not always a good thing.

But there are some good sides to your outer you.

It’s also your good qualities –

If you are a good, kind person, and you try to help people, for instance.

If you volunteer at your bipolar supporter’s group, for another example.

If you go to church and you’re involved there, that’s a good sign of a good outer you.

But some people don’t have a good outer “you.”

They treat people mean, they only think of themselves, they don’t treat people like they should, etc.

But I bet those people don’t have good attitudes, either.

I bet those people are very negative people.

In my courses/systems, I talk about something very important to good mental health – having a positive attitude versus having a negative attitude, and how what you do on the outside reflects what’s happening inside you.

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
Having a positive attitude is so very important to keeping your inner you healthy.

Your inner you is where you keep your self-esteem, your hopes and dreams and wishes, and your REAL self.

It’s the part that you don’t necessarily show the rest of the world, because it’s also where you keep your fears.

But with a positive attitude, you can also overcome those fears.

With a positive attitude, it makes it so much easier to deal with the day to day issues that come with being a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder.

And that isn’t always easy. You want to show a good outer you, but sometimes your inner you does get frustrated, hurt, and angry.

And that’s ok, because those are very real (and very common) feelings.

But you can keep those feelings in check by having a positive attitude.

So you see what I mean by having two you’s?

And how a positive attitude can balance the two?

You do need that balance in your life in order to maintain good healthy mental health, bipolar disorder or not.

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 today?

You know I like to hike, right?

Well, I was hiking the other day, and I saw this tree.

I know, you’re probably thinking, so what? People see trees all the time, what’s so special about this one?

Well, there was something special about this one.

Let me tell you about it.

This tree was really tall, thick, and bent.

You could tell it was really old, but some of its limbs weren’t fully formed.

There were holes in this tree.

Its trunk was not very pretty.

You could tell this tree had been through some pretty tough times.

BUT…

Its roots were strong…

Its upper limbs were free…

Its leaves were full…

And its blossoms were beautiful!

Ok, ok, I know what you’re thinking…

You’re wondering what this tree has to do with bipolar disorder, right?

Well, I was looking at this tree and thinking about how it has so many parallels to life.

In my courses/systems, I talk about bipolar disorder and how to manage it, and how to deal with it on a daily basis. Some people have had to live with it a long time, and it hasn’t been easy.

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
Which brings me back to this tree.

I told you about how this tree was bent and not straight.

Life’s journey isn’t a straight road either, is it?

Especially a life that includes bipolar disorder.

I talked to one survivor who called it “a bump in the road I certainly never expected.”

I told you this tree had some limbs that weren’t fully formed.

So it had some flaws in it.

Don’t we all?

Especially people with bipolar disorder.

In fact, another thing I go over in my courses/ systems is the stigma still associated with people who have bipolar disorder.

Unfortunately, even family and friends are still ignorant about the disorder and may tend to stay away from you just because they’re scared or they don’t understand it.

One supporter told me, “We’ve lost all our friends and even some of our relatives. My husband’s own brother won’t come around any more, because he’s afraid he’ll “catch” bipolar disorder from my husband.”

Some people sacrifice the beauty because they only see the flaws.

Anyway, back to this tree…and its holes that I described.

We’ve all had holes in our lives, times when things went wrong. Gaps where we made mistakes, wrong choices, bad decisions.

It happens every time there’s a bipolar episode. It’s the one of the consequences of the disorder.

But can there be good despite the bad?

This tree was old, you could tell.

Yes, it had its flaws. But it was strong.

Its leaves were full, and its blossoms were beautiful.

Your loved one has bipolar disorder.

No one can argue that it isn’t easy. It’s hard. Sometimes it’s very hard.

But it DOES get better.

There CAN be good despite the bad.

It can bring you both closer together if you let it. If you both look at it as a common enemy that you have to fight, you can defeat it.

You can learn to have control over the disorder, instead of it having control over you.

You can do things to manage the disorder.

Like that tree, still standing strong after all these years and everything that must’ve come against it, you can learn to be strong and to stay strong, no matter what comes up against you, too.

Your loved one’s bipolar disorder may not get cured, but THEY can get better!

They can get STABLE!

That tree looked like it had had a rough start, but if you looked at the top of it, it sure looked like it came through ok – remember its full leaves and beautiful blossoms?

Your loved one can come through ok, too!

If they take their medication and stick to their treatment plan, there is no reason that they can’t live a  ormal,
productive, stable, happy life with 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 you’re doing well.

I have to get going because I have a lot of driving to do today.

Anyway, I got this email:

Hi David,

I just read your email and it reminded me of me years ago. I don’t get that way anymore. I have a great psychologist. I have a new pyschiatrist and I think he is a keeper. I really don’t like psychiatrists but I know if I have a good one I will be OK. I have had bipolar for 37 years. I know everything you say is true. I think it is greatthe work you and your staff do. I hope with you and yourstaff that no one else will have to spend 37 years never knowing what tomorrow will bring…”

Sincerely,
sandie
—————————————————————-

Sandie was writing in response to a horrible hate mail (email) I had received, and she said some other stuff, but I just wanted you to get the gist of her email here (I didn’t want it to seem like I was bragging or anything, I wanted to get to the point of my story here).

In the email I had gotten that she wrote about, the guy had gone on and on about what a terrible person I was and how I was ripping people off and how I was so rich off other people and I wasn’t helping anyone, etc. etc. I mean, none of that is true, of course — I’m only saying that so you can maybe understand more what Sandie is talking about.

But that’s the point of my whole email.

This guy who had written me, I believe, was writing all that stuff because he was off his medication. Only someone with bipolar disorder who is off his medication would write that kind of stuff.

See, like Sandie said…

“it reminded me of me years ago. I don’t get that way anymore. I have a great psychologist.”

Sandie is stable now, because she is following at least one part of the Bipolar Stability Equation – getting a (great) psychologist (or psychiatrist and/or therapist).

That’s one of the things I talk about 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

Without following the Bipolar Stability Equation, even the most stable person with bipolar disorder CAN go into a bipolar episode!

So what happened to this man in the other email CAN happen to your loved one, too!

Remember, the most important part of the equation is taking your medication. For that part there is no exception, no room for give or take. Taking medication for bipolar disorder is crucial to stability.

So, if you take medication out of the Bipolar Stability Equation, your loved one CAN go into an episode.

The next thing is therapy. You can choose the TYPE of therapy your loved one takes, but if they do not see a psychiatrist, psychologist (as Sandi said), therapist, or other kind of mental health professional, they CAN go into an episode.

Your loved one should also have a good support system. Of course, they have you, but there should be other people in their support system: family, friends, coworkers (if they still have a job), other volunteer workers (if they do volunteer work), other support group members, a priest or pastor, other people in their church  congregation (if they go to church), another caregiver, etc.

If not, your loved one CAN go into an episode.

They should also be taking care of themselves.

This is another part of the Bipolar Stability Equation. This includes things like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and sleeping right (8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night).

These are the most crucial parts of the Bipolar Stability Equation. If any of these things are NOT done, your loved one’s “house of cards” will topple, and they CAN go into a bipolar episode.

However, there are also other things that make up the Bipolar Stability Equation as well, and will help to maintain your loved one’s stability.

They should also have outside activities, and do things that are productive, things that make them feel good about themselves.

One of the things I recommend is a To-Do List. They should start slow, with only a few things on the list, otherwise they will feel overwhelmed. Then they can expand the list. Getting outside and doing things keeps them from being so isolated, which is one of the key triggers to a bipolar episode, so make sure that your loved one does some outside activities as well. Send them on some errands – this will help make them feel useful,
and get them out of the house.

Maybe you even have some suggestions of your own that you can share with other supporters of things that have worked for you?

If so, we’d love to hear them!

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 are you doing today?

Well I got a whole bunch of phone calls yesterday about the posts on the bipolar blog at:

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog

People were posting threats to one another and negative things about me.

Let me say a few things:

1. We do have moderators and look very closely at what is being posted.

2. If you post a threat, your post will not be approved.

3. If you post negative things about me, that’s okay. Except death threats. About 7 months ago, we banned the posting of all death threats. We had 4 very sick people posting that most crazy things and saying they  were going to kill me. Some even called me as well.

These individuals were extremely ill and totally out of their minds. If you have been on the list for a while you might remember a woman who posted a comment saying that I fly to California and broke into her house and stole money from her and she demanded I pay her back. I know two of the people did go to the hospital and now are doing okay. The other two, I have no idea.

Anyway, in my position, not only do I get threats, I get people saying that I have no idea what I am talking about and that I am part of a huge drug company conspiracy.

Some say that people with bipolar disorder are totally hopeless and that I am giving people false hope when I say they can be successful.

Then there is another group that says that since I advocate people take medication that I am part of giant conspiracy setup by drug companies to medicate everyone on the earth. The idea goes that I am a drug company or I am extension of one or I am controlled by one more more. Something like that. It’s honestly crazy. The people who work for me with bipolar disorder often ask how I put up with this kind of thing and why I allow people to post stuff saying that I am part of this giant conspiracy by unknown and unnamed drug companies.

The reason is because in America we have f.ree speech. So unless you are saying something that is going to hurt others, you can say it. There’s no question sometimes what people low it.

People SHOULD question all I say. They should think about it. They should use my daily emails and information as jumping off points.

If you disagree with me, say so. Write something intelligent. If you don’t think people should take medication with bipolar disorder, say why no and tell what they should do. Write stuff that makes sense. Not nonsense like I am trying to drive up the stock price of all drug companies. That’s called nonsense.

4. If you see posts that make no sense and are total nonsense. If you see things that sound so strange you laugh, you are seeing what happens generally to people who get off their medication and stop their treatment. These individuals can say and do anything. You see it from time to time on my blog.

If you have bipolar disorder and you are doing well, and you see these strange posts, this should motivate you to always follow your treatment plan.

If you are a bipolar supporter, it should motivate you to get your loved one into treatment.

Whether you have bipolar disorder or not, relationships are important to you. If you give love, you get love.

All of us want to feel as if we are important to someone else – whether that relationship is an intimate one with a spouse or boy/girlfriend, or parent or other family member.

To keep your relationships intact and growing, you must do certain things, and these are things I talk about in my courses/systems below, but I’ll outline some of the ideas in this email.

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
1. Work on your communication skills a. Learn how to listen actively
b. Learn how to problem solve together
c. Make positive (instead of negative) statements
d. Consider the other person’s position
e. Learn how to compromise

2. Set limits with your spouse/family
a. Learn about boundaries
b. Set limits and stick to them
c. Communicate what is acceptable/unacceptable behavior
d. Stay in control of set limits
e. Establish consequences for breaking of limits/boundaries

3. Stay in control of your disorder
a. Take your medication
b. Continue your treatment plan
c. Make sure you sleep well
d. Live a healthy lifestyle (diet/exercise)
e. Keep all regular appointments with your doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist
f. Keep your stress levels down
g. Watch for triggers
h. Contact your doctor/psychiatrist
if you feel anything is wrong

4. (If married) Insure intimacy is intact
a. Maintain physical intimacy
b. Maintain emotional intimacy (communication)
c. Get marriage counseling if necessary
d. Be spontaneous
e. Don’t let things get boring or complacent

5. Don’t forget the children
a. Tell them that you/your loved one has bipolar disorder
b. Explain it in terms they understand
c. Use age-appropriate language (excited instead of manic, sad instead of depressed)
d. Keep them involved in family activities
e. Don’t hide things from them

6. Don’t forget the family
a. Tell them that you/your loved one has bipolar disorder
b. Stay involved in family activities and gatherings
c. Keep in contact with relatives
d. Don’t hide from the family or be ashamed about your/your loved one’s disorder The point I’m trying to make is this:

You need to work on your relationships, whether you have bipolar disorder or not.

Your family is an important part of your life.

Keep them close to you.

Use the above points to keep your relationships intact.

Don’t hide your/your loved one’s bipolar disorder from them.

Educating your family about the disorder is an important thing to do as well.
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 great day!

I am actually in North Carolina which for those that don’t live in the US, it’s down towards the southern part of the country.

Anyway there are a ton of big strong looking trees here. I guess it gets really windy and the trees never fall down.

This woman said to me, “I want my son to be strong like these trees.”

She was saying how society seems to be getting more difficult and you need to be strong.

I was of course thinking about bipolar disorder : )

If you’re a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder, you need to…

Be like a tree – STAND STRONG!

A tree takes everything thrown at it:

· Wind
· Rain
· Sleet
· Hail
· Snow
· Storms
· Etc.
…and still it STANDS STRONG!

As a supporter, you get a lot thrown at you, too:

· Medication non-compliance
· Treatment non-compliance
· Difficult loved one
· Social stigma
· Family problems
· Bipolar episodes
· Consequences of those episodes
· Anxiety and stress
· Ingratitude
· Loneliness
· Isolation
· Fear
· (possible) Abuse
· Etc.

So you need to be like a tree, and…

STAND STRONG!

Not just for your loved one, but for yourself!

If you don’t take care of yourself first, how can you take care of anyone/anything else? Your job? Your loved one? Your children? Your family? Your responsibilities?

It is NOT selfish to put yourself first in this case. In fact, if you don’t you could actually become ill, and then where would you be?

You must be like a tree —

STAND STRONG!

Do whatever it takes to keep yourself STRONG –

…to fight off all those things I listed before, because they’re not necessarily going to go away.

A tree stands strong no matter what the elements.

A tree stands strong no matter what comes up against it.

A tree stands strong no mater what the circumstances surrounding it.

You need to be like that tree, and STAND STRONG!

Here are some suggestions from my courses/systems:

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

· Learn stress reduction techniques
· However you have to do it, find peace within yourself
· Stay calm no matter what the situation
· Improve your self-esteem
· Use positive affirmations
· Learn good time management skills
· Apply self-improvement
· Take up a new hobby
· Re-establish relationships
· Read books on bipolar disorder
· Read for pleasure
· Renew spirituality
· Have a social life
· Be productive
· Take a long bubble bath
· Spoil yourself
· Relax, relax, relax

In other words…

Do whatever it takes…

So that you can…

Be like a tree and…

BE STRONG!

Let me ask you a question before I take off because I really have to go.

Do you thin it’s better to be strong like a tree or not? Some people get mad and offended when I say this kind of stuff.

Let me know. See you tomorrow.

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.