Bipolar: A Fighting Attitude

Hi,

You know I like to hike, right? It’s where I do some of my best thinking. And, usually, that’s about bipolar disorder, of course.

But I was hiking one day and thinking about the staggering numbers of people who have the
disorder, are supporting someone who does, or know of someone who has it. And the numbers are staggering.

Then I was thinking about the difference between people when it comes to bipolar disorder. I hear from a lot of people in response to my blog posts, courses/systems, website, etc. And it’s almost like they’re divided in half.

Half the people are really struggling with it, and the other half seem to have mastered it. Well, maybe mastered it is the wrong way to put it – but they control and manage the disorder instead of it controlling or managing them.

These are the people I like to hear from, because they have that “fighting attitude.” And that’s what you have to have when it comes to bipolar disorder – a FIGHTING ATTITUDE.

There are those people who take the diagnosis lying down, just like in a boxing match where
you throw in the towel and give up. They don’t believe that stability is a possibility for them.
Those people don’t do the right things, so they don’t get stable.

But have you ever known someone who no matter what happens to them, they fight back?
Like cancer survivors. I think it’s all in having a “fighting attitude.” They don’t take it laying down – they fight back! And many of them do win.

Even a doctor will tell you that your attitude towards your illness (whatever it is) can be crucial to your recovery. Well, that’s as true for bipolar disorder as it is for cancer.

You’ve got to come out of your corner fighting. That’s the way to control it. Of course, just like any fight, you have to be prepared. You have to have strategies. You have to have plans in place.
And you have to have these things in advance, just like an army does in a war.

Like, you need to sit down with your loved one and decide what to do in case they need to go in
the hospital.

Strategies would include:

• A better lifestyle
• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising
• Keeping a good sleep schedule
• Staying productive
• Attending a support group
• Having a strong support system
• Adhering to all treatment

Those who look at battling bipolar disorder as just that – a battle – and are willing to do what it takes to win, do find success. It is possible to recover from the disorder.

I know, because I’ve gotten so many success stories. But all success stories have one thing in common: They did whatever they had to do to gain stability, including those things I just listed.
They had a “fighting attitude.” That’s what your loved one will need to have, too, to gain stability with their bipolar disorder.

They need to do all the basic things you need to do to become stable…But it’s just as important for them to have that fighting attitude.

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/bipolarnews727/

Cannabis use has ‘significant link’ with onset of mania
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

People with mental disorder have higher risk of dying than those without
DO> These results make you think, don’t they?

Mother calls for fixes to state’s mental health system
DO> What do you think of this woman’s stand?

Bipolar risk boosted by accumulation of rare versions of genes
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Teen Who Brought Guns to School Deserves a Second Chance
DO> Do you think this boy deserves a second chance?

What Causes Bipolar Disorder? Aside From Genes, These Are The Things Most Likely To Increase …
DO> These are some important studies with some good information for you.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews727/

POST RESPONSES TO THE NEWS HERE
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarsupporterblog/current-bipolar-news-381/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

10 Rules for Bipolar Health

Hi,

Today I want to talk about the 10 Rules for Bipolar Health. I know, I hate rules too, but I think
this list is really important for your emotional health, whether you are the one with bipolar disorder or the supporter.

1. Take care of yourself.
If you are a survivor, you have to take care of yourself in order to manage your disorder. Get the right amount of sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise, are just a few examples. Same goes for you supporters. You can’t be any good to someone else if you aren’t good to yourself first.

2. Focus on the positive instead of the negative.
Survivors, if you stay negative, you will stay sick. Supporters, if you stay negative, you will be no good to your loved one, and you will be no good to yourself. You need to be a more positive person, in order to stay emotionally healthy. You need to take every
negative thought and turn it into a positive one.

3. Let go of the past.
Yes, I know this is easier said than done. Supporters, I know you’re probably saying to me, “But you don’t know what he/she has done to me!” But remember, I am a supporter, too! There’s plenty of hurt and other negative feelings I went through with my mother.
I just had to learn to let go of it, or I would still be suffering from those horrible memories, and still be lost in the past, instead of living a good present like I am. I had to make a decision to forgive my mother, as you need to make a decision to forgive your
loved one now. If you don’t, you will keep that resentment, and both of you will suffer.

4. Be respectful and responsible.
This is more for survivors. You need to own up to what you’ve done and said in your episodes, even if you don’t remember. Your loved one has remembered everything you’ve said and done, and is probably still feeling hurt and resentful about it, so you have to be respectful and responsible and do the right thing, and make up to them for it.

5. Have an attitude of gratitude.
Supporters, living in the world of bipolar disorder can get to you sometimes – you can get to feeling like it’s all that’s in your life. But it doesn’t have to be. Trade all the negatives of the disorder and what it has done to your loved one and your lives, and develop an
attitude of gratitude instead. Be grateful for every day that your loved one goes without an episode and make the most of those days. Be grateful for the smaller things as well.

6. Develop one or two friendships outside the one you have with your loved one.
This goes for both of you. Go to a support group meeting. Meet new people. Get out from the bipolar disorder that tends to overwhelm your life and isolate you. You need to have other relationships outside of just your own. You need to learn to talk about other things besides bipolar disorder.

7. Have some fun!
People who don’t have fun in their lives, especially people who have bipolar disorder, tend to become more depressed. This doesn’t have to be expensive, but just something that keeps your spirits high. I know a couple who have “Date Night” every Friday night, and sometimes all they do is go to the local mall and have a cheap dinner at the food court and watch the people! To them, this is fun. Other times, they just rent a movie, put covers on the floor, pop some popcorn, and snuggle together to watch the movie. And
both of them have bipolar disorder, by the way!

8. Remove yourself from hurtful or damaging (negative) situations.
For survivors, there are many situations that are negative, stressful, over-exciting/stimulating, and can trigger an episode for you. These are situations that you need to avoid. If you find yourself in one of these situations, you need to get out of
them right away.

9. Accept that life is all about choices.
Some choices are good, and some are bad. But they are YOUR choices. You need to learn to make good choices. The more good choices you make, the more emotionally healthy you will be, and the happier in the long run. If you make bad choices, there will
always be consequences to pay, and you don’t want that.

10. The future is up to YOU!
Have a plan for the future. Unfortunately, no one knows when your next episode will occur, although I have tried to teach you how to avoid episodes, how to watch for triggers, and how to manage your bipolar disorder. However, I have also told you
that you most likely will have another episode. That’s why I always tell you to have a safety plan in place for the next episode. You can make short term plans and long term plans for your future, and you should make plans just for yourselves that have nothing to do with bipolar disorder. Just make some kind of plans to have a healthy, happy, successful future – the future is up to YOU!

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/bipolarnews726/

Different mental disorders cause same brain-matter loss, study finds
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Many Mental Disorders Affect Same Brain Regions
DO> This study makes an important point.

Mood disorders associated with biorhythm
DO> This article brings up some interesting ideas.

Mom fighting to keep”dangerous” son out of home: ‘I don`t know what else to do. There are so …
DO> You will find this video moving.

Bob Jones: Inmate, ex-athlete battles mental illness
DO> Do you agree with this man’s insights?

Woman wins appeal over drug use
DO> Do you think this ruling was fair?

Service dog aides mental illness
DO> Do you think this could help your loved one?

Review finds ‘significant link’ between cannabis use and onset of mania symptoms
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Integrative Network Approach Used to Profile Drug Response in Bipolar Disorder
DO> Some important points made here, wouldn’t you say?

People with Mental Disorders Risk an Early Death
DO> This study brings up some important issues.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews726/

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

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/bipolarnews720/

Teen killed in police lobby suffered from ‘mental illness,’ says relative
DO> Do you think this was just a cry for help?

Atypical features common in bipolar disorder subtypes, associated with therapy
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Chronic pain common in affective disorders
DO> This study reports some interesting findings.

Santa Cruz murder trial explores defendant’s mental illness history
DO> Do you think this could have been prevented?

Study identifies biological mechanisms for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression
DO> This study makes an important point.

Probiotics may hold key to improving mental health
DO> You’ll find this video very interesting.

Pittsburgh researchers use light on animal brains to study mental disorders
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Whitewater stabbing suspect pleads not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect
DO> Do you think his bipolar disorder is just an excuse?

Different mental disorders cause same brain-matter loss, study finds
DO> This study reveals something very interesting.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews720/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Bipolar: Treatment Problems

Hi,

I’ve been thinking about something I want to talk to you about. Because you know how I get so many calls and emails about certain subjects, right? And a lot of times that’s where I get my
topics for these posts. So that’s where I got the topic for today’s post.

So many people have talked to me about messing something up with their treatment plan. Then they don’t know what to do, so many of them just keep messing up, like staying off their medications, which, I’ll tell you right now is NOT the right thing to do!

Or they stop seeing their therapist, and again, that is NOT the right thing to do, or they start skipping appointments with their other medical professionals, and again – NOT the right thing to do.

There are so many parts that make up a treatment plan, and I’m not going to go into ALL the different parts, because I have done this before. But I do want to talk about what happens when you do start to mess up some of the parts of your treatment plan, and what you should do.

It’s easy, like I just did above, to talk about what you shouldn’t do! So that part is easy. And in most cases, just do the opposite of that.

So for instance, what should you do if you’ve messed up with your medication? You need to start taking it again, but here’s the problem. You can’t just start where you were, because depending on how long you were off it, you may need to build back up to that.

So in that case, you need to go back to your psychiatrist and have him help you get back to where you were.

If you’ve messed up with your therapist, just make a new appointment, and start going back
regularly. If he/she accepts you back as a patient, then all is forgiven. If he/she rejects you, you will just have to start over with another therapist. And that’s ok, you can do that. Don’t let that get you down.

You can do it – you did it the first time! Just don’t let any more time lapse before finding
another therapist, because you really do need to be in therapy.

But now let’s say you’ve begun isolating again. Here’s where it gets tricky. People with bipolar disorder are very good at isolating. It’s one of the top indicators for having bipolar disorder and one of the top triggers for a bipolar episode.

Supporters who have loved ones with bipolar disorder watch for this trigger in their loved one.
But if the person with bipolar disorder has let this slip, has started isolating again, then they are in a dangerous place – they have obviously let part of their treatment plan get out of control.

Now they have two choices when confronted with this by their supporter: they can close down, shut out the world, get all depressed, climb into bed, pull the covers over their head, feel sorry for themselves, cry, and go into a depressive episode…

OR…they can accept that even though they let a PART of their treatment plan get out of control, that the WHOLE treatment plan is still working, and they can still fix it!

If they are lucky enough to have a supporter who is still sticking by them through this, then they can both work on the problem together.

First you identify what went wrong. Then you can fix it. It doesn’t have to be something all dramatic and such. It can be something as small as just not sleeping right. But once it’s identified, you can work on it.

And it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming that it drives your loved one to their bed – it only has
to be faced One Day at a Time. Just today. Only today.

Work on your treatment plan the best that you can only one day at a time. Just do the best that you can. That’s all anybody is expecting you to do. Nobody is expecting you to be perfect. And they are certainly not expecting you to be perfect overnight!

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave