Current Bipolar News

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews692/

Depression does not impact on cognition in early bipolar disorder
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Higher discharge rate for BPD in children and adolescents in the US compared to UK
DO> This study reveals something very interesting.

Checkup for Friday May 23
DO> Interesting theory, don’t you think?

Mental illness shortens life more than smoking: Study
DO> Some shocking information in this study.

Settlement effort to begin in 2010 schools lawsuit
DO> Does this surprise you or not?

SIRT investigates after mentally ill man injured
DO> You’ll be surprised at what happened to this man.

Monday blues, weekend highs for bipolar patients
DO> You’ll find this study very interesting.

Bipolar remission influenced by anxiety and OCD
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews692/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Bipolar: Don’t Be Ashamed

Hi,

Have you ever wondered WHY you do the things you do? Well…Psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors make whole careers based on that very question. They delve into your motives. They delve into your emotions. They delve into your feelings. They delve into your past. They delve into your reasons. And when it comes to your loved one…They even delve into the triggers behind their bipolar episodes.

But they believe there’s always a reason for everything we do. Most believe it is based on our past, usually having to do with our feelings. Lots of times, on feelings we stuff. Meaning, negative feelings. Like with bipolar disorder…There can be a lot of negative feelings associated
with bipolar disorder. Like how you feel about your loved one, and how you feel about the disorder itself.

It’s normal to have negative feelings if you’re a supporter to a loved one with bipolar disorder.
But it’s not good to stuff these feelings. Because if you do, they can come out in harmful ways.
For example: If you feel resentment toward your loved one, and you stuff that feeling, you may find that one day something seemingly simple may set you off and all of a sudden you may rage at them out of nowhere. And that may surprise you. But the root of it would be your feeling of resentment that you’re stuffing.

Well…One of the most common feelings that supporters of a loved one with bipolar disorder feels is shame. Don’t worry if you feel ashamed, because like I said, it’s common for supporters to feel this feeling. The biggest thing associated with shame is that they feel ashamed of their loved one with bipolar disorder. Most likely, they are ashamed of the way they act because of their disorder.

Maybe they’ve acted out in public, and it embarrassed you? And that may have caused you to feel ashamed of them. Or they did something during one of their bipolar episodes that made you feel ashamed of them? Well…Even though it may be common, you may be thinking that it’s still a very hard feeling to be trying to cope and deal with right now.

One thing you can do is to separate your loved one from their bipolar disorder. Remember that it is NOT your loved one who is purposely doing these things to make you ashamed – it is the disorder that is causing them to do these things. This way maybe you won’t be so ashamed of them, or at least won’t resent them so much as you will the disorder that is causing them to act this way.

It should help to remember that they’re not doing these things on purpose, anyway. Try to keep that in mind. The other thing about shame is this: Many supporters are ashamed of their feelings.
Don’t be! Someone once said that “Feelings are not right or wrong, they just ARE.” You simply feel what you feel, even if sometimes those feelings are negative. But it will help you to get those feelings out, whether you talk to someone about them (your loved one or someone else you trust such as a friend or a counselor or therapist) or write them in a journal.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Bipolar: Could This Be For You?

Hi,

Have you ever known a workaholic? Or even been one yourself? It’s one thing to work hard. That is commendable. But to work so hard that it gets you stressed out is not a good thing. Here’s another question for you: How many people do you know who love their work? Probably no one, right? (or very few people).

As children, we are encouraged to follow our dreams (even though some of them are not realistic, like becoming the president). We are told to use the gifts and talents we have to think of a career that we want to work in. But too many people actually hate their jobs. If you are one of them, don’t let this keep going on.

I know the economy is tight. That’s why so many people are holding onto their jobs, even if they hate them. Or are even working a second job. Or a third one! But eventually, it will eat away at you.

I know one woman who hated her job so much that she had an anxiety attack on the way to work every day. That’s no way to live. And definitely no way to take care of yourself.

Maybe you could consider starting a home business as an alternative to working outside the home. Or consider working only part-time, if you can afford it. But remember back to the beginning of this post. You should be working in a field that supports your gifts and talents. A job that you enjoy. One that makes you feel good about yourself. One that you look forward to going to. Unfortunately, too many people don’t do that. They just take whatever they can get.

I know one man who is a certified car mechanic, but can’t find a job in his field. So he started a home business just fixing cars in his driveway for now. And he does very well for himself, and is
basically stress-free, because he is his own boss. Also, he can set his own hours. He also determines how much money he is going to make. So he is doing what he is trained to do, what he loves to do, the way he wants to do it.

Some people are stuck at dead-end jobs – they can’t go any further up the ladder. Then what do you do? There are so few jobs out there at this point, because the economy is still so bad. So many people are even being let go from their jobs. And the competition for the jobs that are out there is fierce.

But not if you start your own business, like the car mechanic I was telling you about. He is very happy doing what he’s doing. Maybe you should consider starting your own home business? Many people with bipolar disorder do it because of the flexibility of it and because it works around their disorder. And because the business can still work even if they get sick.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Current Bipolar News

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews691/

Reduction in volume in hippocampus region of brain seen in psychotic disorders
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Physical care of psychiatric patients to receive major boost
DO> Don’t you think this will be a big help?

Man charged in police chase suffers from bipolar disorder
DO> Do you think this man should be hospitalized?

People With Psychotic Disorders Have Unique Reductions In Brain Size
DO> This study is one of the largest and most advanced studies of its kind.

Old drug holds new hope for bipolar patients in world-first Geelong trial
DO> This trial could help your loved one.

Court rules woman can be banned from ranting on Facebook
DO> Do you think this is right?

Bipolar at-risk criteria identify ‘relevant clinical minority’
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Depression does not impact on cognition in early bipolar disorder
DO> This study revealed some interesting results.

Penn Vet researchers link inflammation and mania
DO> These results make you think, don’t they?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews691/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Bipolar: You Shouldn’t Be Like This Girl

Hi,

I had a disturbing conversation the other day, and I wanted to tell you about it. I was at a support group meeting (you know I volunteer at a lot of them in different places), and a girl came up to me after the meeting and we started talking.

She said that she’s afraid to make any plans or do anything or go anywhere. I asked her why she felt that way. She said that it was because she was afraid of having an episode. I told her that most people with bipolar disorder only have only one or two episodes a year.

She said, “Yes, but I never know when that episode is going to happen.” I tried to tell her that hiding out, not doing anything or making any plans wasn’t going to help her or her disorder. She seemed to get defensive, and I didn’t want her to get mad at me, but I still thought she should know more.

I said, “You need to learn more about bipolar disorder. It might help you.” I guess she got mad at me anyway, because she just walked away. But I didn’t think I did anything wrong. I think she didn’t know enough about bipolar disorder to understand that staying home hiding from the rest
of the world can actually HURT you and can make your disorder worse! To say nothing about how frustrating it can be to your supporter and your relationship with them.

I tell people that you just can’t live in fear of when the next episode is going to strike. If you are managing your bipolar disorder correctly, then you should have no fear.

I really didn’t mean to offend this girl, but maybe she just didn’t understand what I was trying to say, or maybe I just said it the wrong way. If so, I’m sorry. But I really don’t want people with bipolar disorder to be misinformed. That’s one of the biggest reasons why I started BipolarCentral.com and started this blog. I want people to have the best information possible.

Hiding out at home, not doing things outside the home, not going anywhere, not doing anything enjoyable, and living with the fear of when the next episode is going to strike is like living in a bipolar prison. It’s like waiting to die! And bipolar disorder is NOT a life sentence!

So many people are living quite normal lives even though they have bipolar disorder. That’s what I really wanted to tell this girl. Figure it this way: Say your loved one didn’t have bipolar disorder. But you know that flu season comes around every year, right? So you probably do the smart thing and get your yearly flu shot, like most people.

But do you live the rest of the year in fear of getting the flu? Does it keep you hiding inside, afraid to go outside? Does it keep you from having a normal social life? Does it keep you from seeing friends and family? Does it keep you from doing the things you enjoy? Does it keep you from making plans? Does it keep you bound up in fear? That’s the main question.

No one ever said that your loved one won’t have another episode. They most likely will, in fact.
But if they’re doing the things they need to do to manage the disorder, there’s no reason that you should not expect them to live a normal, healthy, successful, productive life despite the fact that they have bipolar disorder. Many, many people do. They don’t live in fear of the disorder, and they don’t let it control their lives.

They don’t hide from the disorder, but they don’t let it make them hide from the rest of the world, either. If they did, they would isolate at home, and isolation is a trigger to depression, and depression to a bipolar depressive episode. And you don’t want that, do you?

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Bipolar: Worst Enemy of Depression

Hi,

You know, one of the worst parts of dealing with bipolar disorder is going through the depressive end of the mood swing. It’s especially hard on the supporter, because you feel so helpless to do anything about it but to watch your loved one suffer. You can’t just tell them a joke and make them laugh and it’s all over. It’s just not as simple as that. Or watch a funny movie with them – even if it did bring them out of it, it would only be temporary.

If your loved one had the flu, you could give them medicine to help them feel better. But there is no “cure” for their depression. You can encourage them to do things, but they are fighting a real enemy. And their worst enemy is boredom.

Boredom causes more bipolar depressions than anything else (notwithstanding the chemical imbalance that causes the mood swing).

To-Do Lists are very helpful with keeping the enemy of boredom at bay. Some people are good at making To-Do Lists and keeping up with them. Larger projects can be broken down into smaller tasks. Everyday tasks can be big accomplishments for someone when they’re depressed.

What’s important is to keep busy, because boredom is the enemy of bipolar depression. Sitting in front of the television can deepen a bipolar depression. Even your trying to make conversation with them can make them more depressed.

One woman who was used to gardening as a way to feel productive (which helped her manage her bipolar disorder) found herself getting depressed during the colder months of the year, until she found some indoor plants that she could take care of year-round. This helped her with her
depression.

Another woman who struggled with bipolar depression had been an English teacher before
her disorder forced her to go on disability. Because she had been used to being so busy before,
boredom quickly set in, and she struggled with depression greatly. She began tutoring out of her home, which filled up her time, and her depression lifted.

A man who had formerly run a successful auto shop before his diagnosis of bipolar disorder was overcome by bipolar depression simply out of boredom. There just wasn’t enough for him to do around the house, and he felt useless. Then one of his friends asked him to work on his car in his garage. One friend led to two, and now he is no longer bored nor depressed.

Another man became the head of his bipolar support group and not only plans the monthly meetings, but also plans outings for both those with the disorder and their supporters and families. In his downtime, he spends his time researching the Internet for new information on bipolar disorder he can share with the group. No longer bored, his depression has decreased.

Another woman became a literacy volunteer. Yet another woman began volunteering as a school
nurse at her child’s elementary school. And one woman, who struggled with bipolar depression
for years, works for me now. She has become a contributing writer to this website and, although she has had depressed days here and there, she has not had to be hospitalized for a bipolar episode in seven years.

Boredom is the worst enemy of bipolar depression. But if you think of your talents, you can think of ways to use them so you don’t have to be bored, so you don’t have to be depressed.
Read back over some of these examples. These people aren’t depressed any more. They are helping themselves, their supporters, their families, their communities, and other people.

Boredom doesn’t have to be your enemy if you don’t let it. Think along creative lines, about things that you are good at.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Current Bipolar News

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews690/

Biomarker predicts bipolarity in depressed patients
DO> Important study, don’t you agree?

Life events link to mania bolstered
DO> Interesting study, don’t you think?

The Lancet: Antipsychotic medication associated with reduced rate of violent crime
DO> This study reveals some interesting results.

Gellatly Arraigned For Murdering Wife, Who Told Cops He Battled Bipolar Disorder
DO> Do you think he truly cannot remember?

Defense ready to present its case in Schenecker murder trial
DO> Do you think she is insane?

Mobile app uses voice analysis to detect mood changes in bipolar patients
DO> This app can produce exciting results.

Cook County judge removed from bench
DO> Do you agree with this decision?

Bipolar Patients in Integrated Systems May Need More-Intensive Care
DO> Good study, wouldn’t you say?

Age and onset age may influence bipolar treatment response
DO> This study revealed a surprising result about older patients.

Lawyer: Florham Park ‘under siege’ in police attack
DO> What do you think about his state of mind?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews690/

POST RESPONSES TO THE NEWS HERE

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Bipolar: Don’t Let Them Play Doctor

Hi,

I got a very disturbing email the other day. This man was telling me about what’s going on with him, and I have to tell you, he is not doing very well with his bipolar disorder at all. First of all, he was describing his symptoms, which was good. That, at least, shows an awareness that he knows his symptoms.

He was saying what his diagnosis is Bipolar II, which is also good, because your loved one should know what their diagnosis is, too. And he was saying that he had done some research on his diagnosis. And that’s good, but it can also be dangerous. And I’ll tell you why. And it’s because of exactly what this man went on to say in his email.

He was describing how he was feeling, how his moods were shifting, and how each time his moods would shift, he would up this medication, or change that medication somehow. In fact…
He was playing doctor with his own bipolar disorder!

I’m telling you, that is the absolutely WRONG thing to do when you have bipolar disorder! It’s no wonder this man just kept getting worse and worse! He did… his moods kept fluctuating, and his symptoms kept worsening. And he was asking me what I thought he should do.

I’ll tell you what I thought he should do. First of all, I definitely thought he should stop playing
doctor for himself, as, like I said, that can be very dangerous for him. The very first thing he should do is to TELL HIS DOCTOR what is going on with him! It is up to his doctor to make changes in his medication if they are necessary.

But here’s the point: Your loved one’s doctor cannot make any changes unless he knows what’s going on with them in the first place. And he can’t know what’s going on with them unless they TELL him! Their doctor is NOT a mind reader! They have to tell him what’s going on with them, or he’s not going to know, and he can’t help them.

He depends on them to be a part of their own treatment, and to keep him apprised of any changes in their mood and their bipolar disorder between appointments. Otherwise he won’t know, and he can’t help them. They are the only link he has. But they have to tell him.

Like this man – He is suffering with these changes in mood and these active symptoms of his bipolar disorder, wanting things to change, wanting things to be better, but without telling his doctor. He’s just making changes in his medication by himself. And that’s why he’s not getting any better.

Your loved one needs to TRUST their doctor to do what’s best for them.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

Bipolar: Don’t Stop Talking

Hi,

Some friends of mine just had a new baby. It’s amazing how quickly and how tremendously
their lives have drastically changed! They’re really struggling with trying to figure this new parent thing out. Like what to do when the baby cries (it seems to cry for so many reasons).

Maybe you’ve had children, and you remember when they were babies (or you have a baby now)…And you remember how they would cry. and you’d have to try to figure out what they
were crying about. Did they need their diaper changed? Did they need to be fed? Did they need to be held? Did they need their pacifier? Did they need something else?

The point is, the only way that a baby has to communicate is through crying. But we learn, as an adult, that we have to communicate through words if we’re going to get our point across. In other words, you can’t expect your loved one to know what you’re thinking or feeling if you just shut down and stop communicating.

Communication is one of the most important things there is in a relationship. Especially when you’re trying to deal with bipolar disorder. So why do supporters stop talking to their loved ones with bipolar disorder? Well, usually it has to do with fear. Fear that they will make their loved one worse. Fear that it will start a fight. Fear that they won’t be understood. Fear that they will push their loved one away from them. Fear that they are making a “mountain out of a molehill.”
Fear that their thoughts and feelings aren’t really valid. Or any one of a number of reasons.

They may even be going from past experience. Some bipolar supporters have tried to talk to their
loved ones in the past and it hasn’t worked out, so they stopped talking to them. Maybe this is you. Maybe you tried sharing your thoughts or feelings with your loved one at some point and it didn’t work out exactly like you wanted it to, so you’ve stopped talking to your loved one, too.

Maybe it’s out of fear. It could be for one of the reasons I listed. Or it could be for another reason. But whatever the reason, if you’ve stopped talking to your loved one, then communications have broken down, and that’s NOT good. For you, or for them, for your relationship, or for their bipolar disorder. Maybe you just need to take a risk.

Try taking something simple. And start with that. Like making a suggestion. For example…
Maybe you can offer an opinion on what the two of you can do together this weekend or something. It’s a start! Then work up from there. Eventually, you can rebuild the walls of your
communication and be able to share your thoughts and feelings with your loved one again.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Bipolar: Ebb and Flow Like the Tides

Hi,

Sometimes, trying to cope with a loved one with bipolar disorder can make you feel alone. You might feel like there are others who know what you’re going through when you’re at your support group (if you attend one), but what about all the time in between meetings? You can feel pretty alone.

If you do, just know that that’s a common feeling for bipolar supporters to have. And that you are NOT alone! I want to share with you some information that will support that and that might make you feel better. First of all, did you know that mental illnesses are very common? Well, they are. In fact, they are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, an estimated 23% of American adults (those ages 18 and older) – about 44 million people – and about 20% of American children suffer from a mental disorder during a given year.

And about 5 million Americans adults, and more than 5 million children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental disorder (one that significantly interferes with functioning). Major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are among the top 10 leading causes of disability in the United States.

Mental illness does not discriminate. It can affect people of any age, income or education level, or cultural background. And as far as bipolar disorder specifically…Approximately 4.4 percent of U.S. adults may have some form of bipolar disorder during some point in their lifetime, including about 2.4 percent with a “sub-threshold” condition.

Since the population of the United States right now is over 315 billion people, that means that MILLIONS of people have bipolar disorder! So you are definitely NOT alone. And you are NOT the only one going through what you’re going through, no matter what it feels like.

Though I do know how you feel. I went through it when I was trying to help my mom. I thought I was the only one going through what I was going through, too. I thought it just couldn’t be that bad for anyone else in the world. And I wouldn’t wish what I was going through on my worst enemy! It was just unbearable at times.

I look back at it now and wonder sometimes how I got through it all. Because I remember feeling back then that I wouldn’t. I felt so alone. But the fact is that I DID get through it. And you will, too. I know that right now things look pretty tough. And you may feel discouraged. But things do get better.

Actually…What happens with bipolar disorder is that things ebb and flow like the tides. Sometimes they’re pretty bad, like now. But other times…Things can be pretty good. That’s usually what happens between bipolar episodes. What they call the “normal” periods. Those are the times to look forward to. Those are the times your loved one will make the most progress. Those are the times that make it all worth it.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave