Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews622/

Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression …
DO> First large study of its kind is interesting, don’t you think?

Bipolar Disorder Beyond Moodiness
DO> Do you agree with his opinion?

Vital Signs: Bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder?
DO> Do you know the differences between these disorders?

Are we over-diagnosing mental illness?
DO> What is your stand on this issue?

Limits Of Lithium
DO> You’ll be interested in this man’s story.

Heather Rose: How to Create the Right Bipolar Diet & Nutrition Plan in 4 Easy …
DO> You’ll want to know this about your loved one’s diet.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews631/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

 

Dave

Hi,

I have a friend who’s really into car racing. I think he’s a fanatic. But his girlfriend doesn’t understand the concept of a bunch of cars driving in circles going nowhere, until eventually they’ve driven enough and someone is declared the winner. That’s how she sees it. People driving around in circles. Actually, she said, “And they call that a sport?” LOL But it made me think of going in circles, and how that relates to bipolar disorder. Because you may be doing the same thing – Going around in circles with no destination (goal) to reach. Remember the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. Well, you may be doing that.

Think about it. Do you feel purpose in what you’re doing? Or do you feel like you’re in the same rut day after day? Do you, in fact, feel like you’re going in circles sometimes? Well, that’s what I’m talking about. If you don’t feel like you’re making progress, you might just be going in circles. Why? Because you’re doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same results.

If you or your loved one is going in circles, something needs to change. It could be your loved one’s medication. If you don’t feel it is adequately treating their bipolar disorder, talk to their doctor about it. They may need a medication change or change in dosage of their current medications. If you are going in circles…It could be your environment. If you are in a stressful environment, you need to change that. If when you get around certain people, you get nervous and anxious – Then you might want to consider a different set of friends. If you’re working, it could be your job. You may need to change a part of your job routine so that you don’t feel like you’re doing the same thing day after day. But if the job does entail doing the same thing day after day, having you going in circles, you may have to consider changing jobs. It could be your relationship. If you feel like things between you and your loved one just keep going in circles –

Then you have to change something. Perhaps your communication needs to be clearer.

If your loved one is going in circles…It could be idleness, laziness, or just plain non-productivity. That can lead to depression, and depression leads right back to non-productivity.

Talk about going in circles!

Even if it means that it makes you uncomfortable, if you feel like you’re just going in circles, you need to change. First, take a look at yourself to see what needs to be changed. Then look around at your environment to see what needs to be changed. Then look at your life and see what needs to be changed.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

Hi,

I think of myself as a patient man, but there are still times when I’m not patient. Yet I know the more patient I am, the easier things will be for me in the long run. Like waiting in lines at the grocery store or department store check-out. What good does it do me to be impatient, when there’s nothing I can do about the situation? Impatience just leads to (more) frustration. Or like if someone cuts me off in traffic. It makes me angry, but it still doesn’t change the situation. Where if I were more accepting (more patient), I would just think something like, “Well, that person is in more of a hurry than I am.”

Of course, we can’t always be this rational, though, can we? Still, developing patience is a good idea for all of us to practice. The more patient you are, the more you will be willing to accept things the way they are instead of how you would like them to be. This is a concept called mindfulness. Your loved one might be learning about it in their therapy sessions and may have talked to you about it.

Patience is more than a virtue when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder. It’s a necessity. If you’re caught in traffic, for example, instead of being impatient and getting all frustrated, you need to just accept what is happening, and use that time to relax or breathe.

Have you ever heard the expression: “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff.” Well, Richard Carlson, PhD wrote a book called that, and offers some useful advice here. He suggests having “Patience Practice Periods.” He says that you should start with a small amount of time and build up to a larger amount of time. He says that you start by telling yourself: “Okay, for the next five minutes I won’t allow myself to be bothered by anything. I’ll be patient.” Once you’ve mastered five minutes, you can go longer, until you really do actually become a more patient person.

Being patient allows you to keep your perspective, instead of that perspective being clouded over by frustration or even anger (at something you can’t change) or stress. For example: You might find yourself frustrated by your loved one’s lack of progress. First you try the “Practice Patience Period” that Carlson talked about. If that doesn’t work for a long enough period, think of it consciously this way: “My present challenge is not life or death. It just is.” You can’t change your loved one or their behavior anyway – only they can do that. And if you repeat the above enough times, you might actually find yourself accepting the situation much better, and having less stress over it. You can even teach it to your loved one, which will help them have less stress in their life, which will help their bipolar disorder.

Being more patient can be a conscious thing to do, if you practice what I’ve suggested. It will also lead to less stress and complications for you. Try “Practicing Patient Periods” for yourself and see how they work out for you. I think it’s a great way to become more patient with your loved one and their bipolar disorder. Think of some things you do that help you to be patient.

Try doing more of these things.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

 

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews630/

DBT Holds Promise For Patients With Bipolar Disorder
DO> Did you know this about DBT?

Bipolar Disorder in Women: Hormones, Pregnancy, and Medication
DO> Interesting how women are different, isn’t it?

Mesa woman with bipolar disorder missing
DO> Do you think they will find her?

Morning Checkup: Bipolar Disorder
DO> You’ll enjoy this interesting video.

Bipolar disorder hospitalization rates for children soar
DO> Do you believe it increased such a high percentage?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews630/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

 

Dave

Hi,

I think of myself as a patient man, but there are still times when I’m not patient. Yet I know the more patient I am, the easier things will be for me in the long run. Like waiting in lines at the grocery store or department store check-out. What good does it do me to be impatient, when there’s nothing I can do about the situation? Impatience just leads to (more) frustration. Or like if someone cuts me off in traffic. It makes me angry, but it still doesn’t change the situation. Where if I were more accepting (more patient), I would just think something like, “Well, that person is in more of a hurry than I am.”

Of course, we can’t always be this rational, though, can we? Still, developing patience is a good idea for all of us to practice. The more patient you are, the more you will be willing to accept things the way they are instead of how you would like them to be. This is a concept called mindfulness. Your loved one might be learning about it in their therapy sessions and may have talked to you about it.

Patience is more than a virtue when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder. It’s a necessity. If you’re caught in traffic, for example, instead of being impatient and getting all frustrated, you need to just accept what is happening, and use that time to relax or breathe.

Have you ever heard the expression: “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff.” Well, Richard Carlson, PhD wrote a book called that, and offers some useful advice here. He suggests having “Patience Practice Periods.” He says that you should start with a small amount of time and build up to a larger amount of time. He says that you start by telling yourself: “Okay, for the next five minutes I won’t allow myself to be bothered by anything. I’ll be patient.” Once you’ve mastered five minutes, you can go longer, until you really do actually become a more patient person.

Being patient allows you to keep your perspective, instead of that perspective being clouded over by frustration or even anger (at something you can’t change) or stress. For example: You might find yourself frustrated by your loved one’s lack of progress. First you try the “Practice Patience Period” that Carlson talked about. If that doesn’t work for a long enough period, think of it consciously this way: “My present challenge is not life or death. It just is.” You can’t change your loved one or their behavior anyway – only they can do that. And if you repeat the above enough times, you might actually find yourself accepting the situation much better, and having less stress over it. You can even teach it to your loved one, which will help them have less stress in their life, which will help their bipolar disorder.

Being more patient can be a conscious thing to do, if you practice what I’ve suggested. It will also lead to less stress and complications for you. Try “Practicing Patient Periods” for yourself and see how they work out for you. I think it’s a great way to become more patient with your loved one and their bipolar disorder. Think of some things you do that help you to be patient.

Try doing more of these things.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

Hi,

I got this email the other day, and I wanted to share it with you:

“I think I’m going crazy. Half of the time my wife is in a good mood but the other half of the time she’s yelling and angry at me and I dont know what I did to deserve it. Either that or she’s ignoring me and sulking like a baby. I’m so tired of trying to figure her out! But at the same time I love her and wouldn’t even think of leaving her. I just wish I could help her in some way. I hate to see her so depressed but I hate it when we fight, too, especially when I don’t know what its about. Im so confused because she doesn’t seem to act this way around anyone else but me. I just wish she’d be in a good mood all the time. Do you think I’m being selfish?”

———————————————————————————————————————

Well, first of all…I’m not a psychiatrist or therapist, or any other kind of doctor or mental health professional, like I always say, so I can’t begin to counsel this man professionally. All I can do is give my personal opinion. But it sure does seem like he’s struggling with his wife and her bipolar disorder, doesn’t it? Worse yet, it seems like she’s struggling with it herself. If she were more stable, she wouldn’t be showing these signs and symptoms, like the anger and other acting out behavior her husband described (moodiness, etc.).

First, let’s talk about the signs of bipolar mania. Many people think it’s about being excessively happy. But that’s not always the case. It can also mean increased irritability, anger, agitation,etc. In this case, I would say that fighting with her husband, especially when it seems to be for no good reason, is a good indication of that. However, she is also showing signs of depression as well. What he says about “ignoring me, and sulking like a baby,” could be just plain old depression. He even says, “I hate to see her so depressed.” So there may be other signs of depression that this man is not describing in his email to me as well.

He says, “I’m so tired of trying to figure her out!” As a supporter, you may be feeling the same way. It is hard to “figure out” bipolar disorder. Even your loved one, when asked what is wrong, may only be able to tell you, “Nothing’s wrong.” Or they may just say, “I’m fine.” When they’re obviously not fine. They may not be able to figure it out any better than you can sometimes! He says that she only acts this way around him. Well, that could be because sometimes people with bipolar disorder act like they’re wearing a mask around other people, afraid of what they’d think of them (the person with bipolar disorder) if they really knew how the person was thinking or feeling. But when they get home, they drop that mask, and they trust their supporter, so their true thoughts and feelings come out (sometimes in a negative way).

This man says, “I just wish she’d be in a good mood all the time.” I know that when I was living with my mom, and she was yelling at me all the time, I sure felt the same way. I wanted her to be “normal.” I thought every other mom was happy all the time. But my friend, no one is in a good mood all the time, whether they have bipolar disorder or not. Are YOU in a good mood all the time? Then how can you expect your loved one to be in a good mood ALL the time?

Finally, this man in the email asks, “Do you think I’m being selfish?” Well, I have my own opinions, but…What do YOU think? Do you think this man is being selfish?

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

 

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews628/

No longer silent: Man with bipolar disorder speaks up about his illness …
DO> You’ll enjoy this video about this man’s story.

What happens in the brain of those with bipolar disorder
DO> Did you know this about bipolar?

Researchers look to go beyond the pill for bipolar disorder treatment
DO> Don’t you find their efforts worthy?

Attachment to parents unaffected in offspring of bipolar disorder patients
DO> Interesting differences in children, you’ll find.

Families can help moods of youth at risk for bipolar disorder
DO> You can help your child at risk for bipolar, according to this study.

Adolescent Bipolar Disorder: If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now
DO> Listen to this woman, she has a point.

AKAP protein alterations implicated in bipolar disorder
DO> Do you think this study was worth it?

Letter: News of Jesse Jackson Jr.’s bipolar disorder raises many questions
DO> Do you agree with this woman’s comments?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews628/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting: http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

 

Dave

Hi,

One of the things I like doing best is to hike. I go on long hikes sometimes. I take food and water with me and plan on being out all day. This is my idea of a good time. (I know some of you out there would disagree with me, though! ) But I plan for it. I take what I take with me because I plan on being out all day. What would happen if I went on an all-day hike and hadn’t planned to bring water with me? Or food? My energy would lapse…I would be thirsty…I would be hungry…And I would certainly not have a good time. All because I didn’t have a plan.

When it comes to bipolar disorder, you have to have a plan. You can’t just go out on your “hike” and not plan for it. Like, if you know you’re not going to be home when it’s time for your loved one to take their medications, you need to plan to bring them with you. If you are going on a trip, you need to plan ahead and bring enough medication for the whole trip. I mean, what would happen if your loved one ran out of their medication and couldn’t get it where you’re going? What if they even went into an episode because of it? What if they ended up in the hospital? All because you didn’t plan ahead. And that wouldn’t be any fun, would it? It would totally ruin your vacation or trip or whatever. So, when it comes to bipolar disorder, you have to think ahead. You have to plan.

What if large crowds make your loved one anxious? And what if you want to go to a concert where you know there are going to be a lot of people? You better plan ahead. First of all, you need to know to expect that there will be a crowd. But then you make a plan. Like you might plan on arriving early to avoid the crowd. You might plan to stay a short time after the concert to avoid the crowds trying to get out (all at the same time). You can get a seat where there is a good view in front of you instead of a bunch of people which might make your loved one anxious. You may have to pay a little bit more money for that kind of seat, but that’s part of your planning ahead. This is something you want to do, but in order to do it, you have to plan ahead.

You also need to have plans in place for bipolar episodes. It’s the same thing. Your loved one has had them before, so you should know what to expect. That way you can make your plan ahead of time should you see one starting to form. Don’t be surprised – Plan for it, so you’ll know what to do. For example: If you see your loved one start to exhibit signs or symptoms of an oncoming episode, you can call their doctor right away and get them help, so you can avoid a full-blown episode.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

 

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews622/

Unity speaker shares story on bipolar disorder
DO> You’ll see her as a good example.

Texas mother of two denied health insurance due to bipolar disorder
DO> Do you agree with this decision?

Cognitive impairments in bipolar disorder ‘stable’
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Bipolar disorder documentary joins TV shows in realistic, sympathetic characters
DO> Do you agree with this opinion?

Passion Pit, Silver Linings Playbook: Bipolar Singer Says Movie Exploits …
DO> He’s very opinionated, don’t you think?

Bipolar disorder documentary Of Two Minds inspires reflection: Salem
DO> You’ll find this woman’s story interesting.

Bipolar disorder associated with increased hypertension risk
DO> Think this study will be helpful?

Bipolar Disorder affects 20M in America
DO> Good general information for you.

Autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia …
DO> Don’t you find this fascinating?

Bipolar disorder and substance misuse: pathological and therapeutic …
DO> Do you think this is important?

Bipolar disorder patients spend years looking for correct diagnosis
DO> Have you experienced this with bipolar?

How to address side effects of bipolar disorder medications
DO> This is a difficult topic, don’t you agree?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews622/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

 

Dave

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews622/

Unity speaker shares story on bipolar disorder
DO> You’ll see her as a good example.

Texas mother of two denied health insurance due to bipolar disorder
DO> Do you agree with this decision?

Cognitive impairments in bipolar disorder ‘stable’
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Bipolar disorder documentary joins TV shows in realistic, sympathetic characters
DO> Do you agree with this opinion?

Passion Pit, Silver Linings Playbook: Bipolar Singer Says Movie Exploits …
DO> He’s very opinionated, don’t you think?

Bipolar disorder documentary Of Two Minds inspires reflection: Salem
DO> You’ll find this woman’s story interesting.

Bipolar disorder associated with increased hypertension risk
DO> Think this study will be helpful?

Bipolar Disorder affects 20M in America
DO> Good general information for you.

Autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia …
DO> Don’t you find this fascinating?

Bipolar disorder and substance misuse: pathological and therapeutic …
DO> Do you think this is important?

Bipolar disorder patients spend years looking for correct diagnosis
DO> Have you experienced this with bipolar?

How to address side effects of bipolar disorder medications
DO> This is a difficult topic, don’t you agree?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews622/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

 

Dave