Hi, how’s it going for you today? I hope you’re having a good day.
I was reading about this new research study they’re going to do about bipolar disorder, and something struck a bad chord in me and I wanted your opinion on it.
It says that most people with bipolar disorder concentrate on everything else but symptom
control. Do you agree with that?
I don’t have bipolar disorder, my mom does, but I see her really trying hard to control her symptoms so that she doesn’t go into an episode. To my way of thinking, that’s the way everyone with the disorder would be. I mean, who wouldn’t want to control their symptoms?
But this research study, in my opinion, is starting off on the wrong foot. They’re assuming that everyone struggles with the disorder all the time, just because they’ve been diagnosed with it.
My view, and my hope for you, as all others with bipolar and their supporters, is that recovery IS possible. Bipolar disorder is just a diagnosis, NOT a death sentence, after all. Yes, it can be difficult, I’m not saying that isn’t true. And yes, it does take some work to get and maintain stability. But once you have stability, I think it is just more of a matter of “Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” (stability).
I know many people, survivors of bipolar disorder, who are living happy and successful lives now. I hope you are one of them. But even if you aren’t, you shouldn’t let negative studies influence you.
Everyone who has bipolar disorder is different (just like everyone who doesn’t have the disorder), and it’s not fair to classify them all together like this study is doing. Why don’t they do a study on bipolar success stories, like I’ve done?
For every person you show me that seems to be a failure, I can show you 10 people from my testimonials list (of over 10,000 people) who has found stability with their disorder. In almost all cases of successful bipolar survivors, I have found that they have a positive attitude – They are optimistic about life, themselves, and their recovery. These are the people you should be modeling. People who stick to their treatment plan, take their medications religiously, go to see their doctors and therapist, take care of themselves, and are productive with their life (whether in a traditional job setting, or home business, or volunteering).
I’m talking about the real success stories, not the negative stories that you hear about in the news.
I believe it is possible, because I helped my mom to be successful with her bipolar disorder. But also because of all the research I’ve done on people with the disorder, and all the people (survivors and supporters) who have written to me or called me to tell me about their success.
It’s all about your state of mind. If you believe you will never get better from your bipolar disorder, then chances are, you won’t, because you won’t be trying to manage your symptoms to be stable. On the other hand, if you believe that you can be successful IN SPITE OF your bipolar disorder, then you WILL!
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave