Hi,

I’ve been thinking about something, and wanted to share my thoughts with you. It’s about what happens when you try to accomplish too much too fast. Think about it.

When you try to accomplish too much too fast, you are just setting yourself up for failure, because you’ll never be able to do it. It also gets very discouraging for you.

Also, if you don’t know how long something should take, you can start to think it’s taking
too long. For example, after an episode. It could take up to a year to fully “fix” the after
effects of an episode.

Like the financial ruin – you can’t fix a bankruptcy in just two weeks! But some people think you can just do it overnight! We don’t rush the stroke victim or even the cancer victim, why do we rush the victim of bipolar disorder?

Thinking that they should be over an episode after just a week or two is just plain unrealistic
expectations. Would we have that same expectation if they were getting over a physical illness?
Then why are we expecting it from a bipolar episode?

There are certain things in life that take a certain amount of time to happen. It’s just the way it has to be. Think about things in nature. Like the butterfly – it starts off as a caterpillar…then it goes into a cocoon… and only after a certain period of time does it metamorphose into that beautiful butterfly! It just doesn’t happen overnight. And if you interrupt it at any point in the
chain of events, the whole thing would be ruined!

Some things just can’t be rushed. Other things just have to take place in a certain order. And still other things have to take place at a certain time. Wanting your loved one who has bipolar
disorder to get over their episode overnight is like wanting them to be that beautiful butterfly without going through the cocoon phase!

Some things are just worth waiting for. You just have to be more patient sometimes. I know it’s hard to be patient sometimes. It was hard for me with my mom, too. But I had to learn to be patient with her as she learned how to manage her bipolar disorder and get over her episode. It didn’t happen overnight. It took time.

Some supporters also expect their loved one to go right back to being themselves after an episode, and sometimes that just doesn’t happen either – that’s something else that might take some time.

Some family members make this mistake, too, at the very beginning: They think, good, now that they are diagnosed, they can just take a pill and they’ll be better. Then they get frustrated when it doesn’t happen right away. It takes time even in the beginning to get used to the diagnosis.

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/bipolarnews719/

Bipolar brain changes both state- and trait-dependent
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

OV Councilman Burns sentenced to probation
DO> Do you think this sentence was fair?

Psychiatric comorbidities predict bipolar disorder in ADHD children
DO> This study indicated some important results.

Multifaceted intervention helps bipolar disorder patients lose weight
DO> This study makes an interesting point.

Ferguson Shooting: St Louis prosecutor Robert McCulloch admits witnesses lied to Grand Jury
DO> You’ll find this story shocking.

Man arrested at home where bodies found has history of mental illness
DO> Are you surprised at this discovery?

Mental disorder cited as Spences Bridge man found not criminally responsible for shooting, other …
DO> You’ll find this man’s story interesting.

Co-occurrence of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients with bipolar
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Intriguing small molecule directs activity of key ‘clock proteins’
DO> This study reports surprising results.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews719/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Today I want to talk about Ways to Help Your Loved One Stay On Track:

1. Don’t Let Them Get Lazy

It’s hard for your loved one when they, perhaps, have lost their job and are now on disability. Some people lose their sense of direction when they have nothing to wake up
for any more when they have no job to go to. Don’t let your loved one get lazy just because they aren’t working any more. Encourage them to make a To-Do List, or something else that forces them to be productive in some way every day – just something that gets them out of bed with a day’s goal in mind.

2. Make Sure They Stick to Their Treatment Plan

Sometimes loved ones may stick to their treatment plans in the beginning, when they know you’re watching them, but then they slack off when they think you’re not looking. Don’t let that happen to your loved one. Make sure they stick to their treatment plan. This is so important. Especially when it comes to their medication. No, they’re not a child, and you can’t make them take their medication by forcing it down their throat. But you can encourage them and reinforce the importance of taking it. Be the same way with the rest of their treatment plan – going to their appointments with their psychiatrist, doctor, and therapist. Eat a good diet, exercise, and sleep right, etc.

3. Use a Buddy System

Try to keep them on track by finding a “BP Buddy” for them – maybe someone from their bipolar support group. Someone who knows what they’re going through, and is perhaps sharing the same struggles. Maybe they can do some things together, maybe
some things to keep them from getting bored – maybe they share the same interests, or at
least could go out to eat or to the movies, etc.

4. Encourage Them to be Independent

Don’t act like your loved one’s babysitter. Encourage them to be independent, and not to be dependent on you. You want to be supportive, and you want them to feel your support and to know that you’re there for them, but at the same time, you don’t want them to feel as if you’re smothering them. If you have grown children, remember back to when your children were teenagers and were trying to show that they were “grown up.” Your loved one is going through the same thing. Stay close enough that if they want your help, you can help them, but give them enough room that they can do what they can for themselves.

5. Be Their Cheerleader

When your loved one does make advances in their growth, say, in therapy, be their personal cheerleader! Make sure they know that you are on their side, not only NOT
nagging them, but being positive and encouraging, and cheering them on to do
good so that they don’t get depressed. Even small advances can be good ones.

Being a good supporter isn’t an easy job. But it is so important to your loved one that you encourage them every step of the way.

6. Make Time For Yourself

You need to take care of yourself as well as your loved one. You don’t want to get burnt
out, do you? If you get sick or stressed out, who would take care of your loved one? So
it is important to take care of yourself first. You need to make sure you are balanced
physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually. You also need to have balance in your work and home life. And between taking care of your loved one and taking care of yourself. It’s important for you to keep your stress levels down and to relax when you need to, and to do things that are enjoyable for you. You should practice hobbies that you enjoy as well. These make you feel productive and help your self-esteem.

7. Keep a Journal or Mood Chart

Record your feelings in a journal, diary, on the computer, or on a mood chart. This will keep you from “stuffing” them, and will help you to express them in a healthy way. This is important, as it will help you to stay emotionally healthy by letting your emotions out. If this doesn’t work for you, you might want to get your own therapist.

These have just been some ways to help your loved one stick to their system, but also some suggestions that might help you as well.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Today I want to talk to you about: AN 11 LETTER MAGIC BIPOLAR WORD!

Now, I know I’m always telling you there are no magic words when it comes to bipolar disorder, so before you get out the rocks and start throwing them at me, let me explain! You will want to hear about this word, believe me!

And you would never guess this 11 letter word, so I’ll just go ahead and tell you what it is:
CONSISTENCY. Bet you’d have never guessed that was the word, huh?

But this one word is magical in the sense that when it comes to bipolar disorder it carries a
lot of power with it. Just like the story of the tortoise and the hare, and the lesson that we all learned about “slow and steady wins the race,” we must then follow it with consistency.

Consistency in the thesaurus uses other synonyms for it, like: Symmetry, clearness, uniformity, agreement, connection, tenacity, and conformity. I think I would add another word to that list:
balance.

One of the definitions of consistency is persistence. So if you put all that together, you get
someone who is persistent in their goals…Who has a real connection and conformity to their treatment. You see where I’m going with this?

If you have bipolar disorder, you need to be consistent with your treatment to be successful
at managing your disorder. Actually, I’ll take it a step further, and talk to supporters – you have to be consistent as well, with your own “program,” your own regimen or routine, so that you can be successful as well.

Someone famous said, “If you believe it, you can achieve it.” But you cannot achieve it by sitting at home just thinking about it. You CAN achieve it by using CONSISTENCY and persistency, though!

Think about it. Everywhere you’ve gotten, you’ve gotten there by consistency. You graduated from school by consistently going through one grade at a time until you finally graduated.

Same if you went to college, consistently going through one course at a time until you finally got that degree.

If you are married (or in a committed relationship), you can only have a good, strong relationship
if you consistently work at it, like consistently communicating and things like that.

When you become a parent, the only way you can be a good parent is if you are consistent –
like with discipline and with listening to your child, or with going to school events, and
supporting your child consistently.

At work, you get promoted based on how consistently you perform your job and your duties.
If you consistently perform them well, you will advance in your career.

The same is true in friendships. If you prove to be a consistent, loyal friend, you will have many friends, because these are cherished characteristics in a friendship.

And if you have consistency in your life, you will stay balanced, and you will stay emotionally
healthy (or more emotionally healthy, if you have bipolar disorder).

The point is that having consistency is a good characteristic to have, as it will bring you many
good things.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

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/bipolarnews718/

Bipolar Disorder Discovery at the Nano Level
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Clinical Studies Show Fish Oil & Vitamin D May Alleviate Symptoms of Seasonal Depression and …
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Structure of neuron-connecting synaptic adhesion molecules discovered
DO> This study makes an important point.

Depressive episodes hard to treat in continuous cycling bipolar disorder
DO> This study shows some interesting results.

Quitting cannabis use during manic episodes improves outcomes
DO> This study reveals something very interesting.

Psychologist: Oliver was not aware of his actions during shootings
DO> Do you believe Oliver’s story?

Bipolar Patients at High Risk for Self-Harm Recurrence
DO> This study reports a surprising result.

Family: Sandoval Co. Jail’s failure to treat mentally-ill woman led to her suicide
DO> Do you think the Detention Center is responsible?

Wealth, power or lack thereof at heart of many mental disorders
DO> Good study, wouldn’t you say?

Abnormalities Found in Brains of Young Bipolar Patients Who Try Suicide
DO> You’ll find this an important study.

The Brains Of Bipolar Disorder Patients Look Different
DO> These results may surprise you.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews718/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

You know, I remember how I used to tell my goddaughter the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I told her about the little girl and how she had found the three bowls of porridge (I told her porridge was like oatmeal)…And how one was too hot…And how one was too cold…And how one was just right!

Then I told her about how the girl was tired, so she went to the beds. And how one was too hard…And how one was too soft…And how one was just right!

Well, my goddaughter, who was really smart, said: “Why didn’t she just go to the ones that were
just right in the first place?” She cracked me up! But I thought she actually made a good point,
and it made me think of bipolar disorder (doesn’t everything? lol).

Why do we complicate everything? Why not go to the “just right” in the first place, instead of going to the “too hard” or “too soft” first? Well, here’s how I related it to bipolar disorder: You can be too soft on your loved one. This is what I would call enabling. Enabling is when you “help” them to continue to do unacceptable behaviors.

Or you can do too much for them in your role as a supporter. This is called being codependent.
Like when you do things for them that they should be doing for themselves.

For example, as a supporter, you can oversee that they take their medications. You can just ask them, say, if they took their medications that day. But to stand over them every time they take their medications to make sure that they take them, or to give them their medications every time they’re supposed to take them, that would be crossing the line into codependence.

In other words, making things too “soft” for them. Doing something for them that they should be doing for themselves.

They should be becoming more independent, and not leaning on you for everything, while still appreciating you for the supporter that you are to them.

Then we’ve got the “too hard” type of supporter. The one who expects them to do everything by themselves with no help from them. That’s going to the other extreme.

As a supporter, there are some ways that you can help. Perhaps your loved one isn’t up to driving themselves to their doctor’s appointments yet.

By driving them to their appointments, you are not being too soft, because they are willing to go, but you are being a help to them, because they are unable to drive themselves yet.

What if being around crowds is a trigger to their bipolar disorder? If you insist that they accompany you to a large gathering (family, office, friends, etc.), even though they are nervous
and don’t want to go because it may be a trigger for them, you are being too harsh on them.

You want to fall into the “just right” category as a supporter. Not to go to either extreme. Be loving, kind, supportive, and understanding without being codependent or having unrealistic expectations of your loved one, either.

Where do you stand? Can you see yourself in the “too soft” or “too hard” pictures? Or are you “just right”? If you are at either extreme…You might want to consider making a few changes.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Have you ever seen a chameleon? I mean, like in the zoo or something? These things are amazing! They actually change color to adapt to their surroundings! Wouldn’t it be great if we could do that? Oh, I don’t mean change color. LOL I mean, adapt to our surroundings.

I think we could get along a whole lot better, don’t you? It just seems that a lot of times we fight against what’s happening around us. Instead of accepting it (adapting to it). If you could adapt to it instead of fighting it, you’d be more like a chameleon!

In the case of your loved one’s bipolar disorder, I think you’d be happier if you could do that.
Like, there are certain behaviors that come with their bipolar disorder.

For example: Say there are certain things they do when they go into a bipolar episode. Like, for instance, whenever they get manic, they talk a lot, and they lie. And this usually makes you really mad. But if you were to be like a chameleon, you could adapt to this instead of getting mad over it.

You could stop reacting to it. You could just accept it. In other words, you would just know that it’s a pattern. That every time your loved one goes into a manic episode, they’re going to lie.
That it’s just a given.

So you just don’t believe what they say when they’re in a manic episode. You don’t have to get mad. You just don’t believe what they say. In other words, you adapt. See? Do you see how it could save a whole lot of heartache on your part?

Here’s another example: Say that every time your loved one goes into a manic episode, they spend money excessively. You’ve noticed this is a pattern. It happens every time.

So instead of letting it continue, you adapt. You ensure that they don’t have access to more
money than you can afford to lose. You limit the amount of cash they have on hand at any given time.

You make sure they don’t have access to the checking and savings accounts. You make sure they don’t have any credit cards and that they don’t have access to yours. That way they can’t spend any money excessively during their manic episodes.

So…You have adapted. You have ensured that your finances are protected in case your loved one goes into a manic episode.

See how being a chameleon can help you? By adapting to things, you can change them.

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/bipolarnews717/

Bipolar Disorder Discovery at the Nano Level
DO> An important study, don’t you think?

Clinical Studies Show Fish Oil & Vitamin D May Alleviate Symptoms of Seasonal Depression and …
DO> These studies show surprising results.

When Synaptic Adhesion Malfunctions
DO> This study makes an important point.

Depressive episodes hard to treat in continuous cycling bipolar disorder
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

‘Women with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities treated worse than animals’
DO> What do you think about these conditions?

Wife who stabbed husband to death because she ‘caught him watching child pornography’ is ‘insane’,
DO> Do you think she was aware of what she was doing?

Depressive episodes hard to treat in continuous cycling bipolar disorder
DO> Good study, wouldn’t you say?

Quitting cannabis use during manic episodes improves outcomes
DO> This study reports interesting results.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews717/

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

Your Friend,

Dave