Hi,
I’ve got to tell you about this woman I heard about – her story is so inspiring!
Her name is Paula, and she has fibromyalgia. Most of the time she is in constant pain throughout her whole body. But does she complain? No. Does she just lay in bed and let her supporter wait on her hand and foot? No. Does she just sit back and take money from the government? No.
Paula started her own home-based business over the Internet. She makes customized plaques for people. She loves what she does. She doesn’t make a fortune, but she makes people happy, and that makes her feel good. Having her own business instead of just sitting around makes her feel good about herself, too.
She has good days and bad days. But because she has such a positive attitude, even her bad days are not as bad as they could be.
The thing that I’ve learned from Paula is that, even though you might have limitations, you’re only as limited as you think you are!
In other words, you’re only as limited as you let yourself be. It’s your choice – Yes, you have limitations because of the bipolar disorder, but if you let them limit you, they will.
On the other hand, if you choose, you can rise above those limitations (don’t let them limit you), and you can accomplish great things in spite of them!
Just look at what Paula did, starting her own home business, not letting the fibromyalgia stop her.
In my courses/systems, I encourage people with bipolar disorder to do the same thing – to start their own home-based businesses:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
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Here’s another case to illustrate what I’m talking about:
You know Michele who works for me. She doesn’t just have bipolar disorder. What she says is “If the diagnosis has letters in it, I have it!”
She says that in a humorous way, but besides having bipolar disorder, she has schizophrenia, ADHD, BPD, OCPD, PTSD, and anxiety/panic disorder. Not only has she risen above all these disorders, but she is one of my best employees! She has not let her disorders limit her.
Now compare Michele to someone who, say, just has bipolar disorder. And I put the emphasis on “just.” Because despite all the things you complain about with you or your loved one’s bipolar disorder, don’t they seem small in comparison to a Michele or a Paula, who have not let their limitations limit them?
So instead of complaining about the bipolar disorder and all your problems, think about this – you should be grateful that all you’re dealing with is bipolar disorder.
Because instead you could be dealing with something worse, like Paula and her fibromyalgia (but who doesn’t complain) or Michele with all her disorders besides bipolar disorder (but who doesn’t complain either).
It’s your choice – you can complain (which gets you nowhere anyway) and let your limitations limit you, or you can stop complaining and rise above your limitations.
Remember – you’re only as limited as you think you are!
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses here.
Dear David: I am not a supporter for bi-polar. I have bi-polar and do not have any support except for my Psychiatrist or therapist. Therefor much of your information is of no interest to me. However this latest e-mail was very inspiring to me. My reply to you is that rather than dwell on our affiction we should be concentrated on using our mental capacities to advance all of our potential for developing new avenues to explore.
Thank you for that one. I was really inspired by it.
Evelyn Stuart
i do NOT have bipolar. my son has it. i have other health problems. i don’t let it get me down anymore. i read the book oprah talked about called the secret. i got positive about everything and i’m going fine. i recommend everyone to read that book. i am not a person that reads many books.
Thanks for the encouragement! Sadly my 20 year old daughter doesn’t even admit her disorder is reality let alone complain about it. She complains about quite a lot in her life but never in this vein. As long as she is in denial it’s very difficult to get anywhere with her situation.
We are talking about my daughter she is the one with the disorder she stopped taking her meds and boy its like a battlefield with her she is up and down like a yoyo we are trying to get things done and she puts things off it is driving her parents crazy, and she is 18 planning college what are parents to do
The point you fail to mention in this excellent email is – what about us bipolars who are on Disability and CAN’T work?? Now mind you, I TRY not to complain, but living paycheck to paycheck is not easy.
I had an idea for a home-based business I was going to start in February. I was all “hepped up” about it, and was going to start as soon as I could. Then, the IRS and VA Taxes came due, with penalties and interest. I was having trouble swallowing, and had two X-rays taken for it. My stomach started “complaining,” and I had a CAT scan for that. Then, my back and hip started to hurt more than before, and I had an MRI. Do you see what I’m getting at??
The “best laid plans of mice and men,” Dave, sometimes don’t always work out. Right now, I’m on a couple of very sedating meds – Requip and the Fentanyl patch – and don’t feel like “working” a new business.
But – I DO try not to complain. Like the old saying goes – give somebody a break – you don’t know what burden they’re carrying – and EVERYBODY has some kind of “cross to bear.”
david oliver
I APPLAUD SOME OF THE STORIES IVE JUST READ REGARDING BIPOLAR DISORDER I HAD ABREAKDOWN IN 19-90 I HAVE HARDLY BEEN OUT OF WORK AND IN 2003 MY WIFE SAW AN ADVERT IN OUR LOCAL PRESS WANTING VOLUNTEER WORKERS FOR WORK IN OUR LOCAL MENTAL HOSPITAL WHERE I SPENT 6 WEEKS OF MY LIFE DEALING WITH THIS ILLNESS THE WORK WAS MAINLY TALKING TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH DEPPRESSION AND OTHER HOSPITILIZED ILLNESSESS IT WAS IN MY OPINION FASCINATING STUFF I WAS TOLD THERE WOULED BE A JOB COMING UP WITHIN THE TRUST I APPLIED FOR IT AND GOT THE JOB AS NURSING ASSISTANT FOR WHICH I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED 3 YEARS THIER IS ABBSOULUTELY NO WAY I COULD HAVE GOT THRU LIFE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY WONDERFUL WIFE DIANE
Hi,
I have a significant other who I believe has bipolar and believe he was
diagnosed years ago for it, but as time went on, he went off medicine and
his folks died and his siblings didn’t want to be bothered, so he’s not on
medicine and his son and I put up with his mood swings. Weekends are
NOT GOOD. I feel nervous when he’s home because I don’t know what
will set him off. My family don’t like him because he’s been so rude to
my family, so they don’t come over when he’s here. He’s big, so is
intimidating to people. He has a nice side but the other side overpowers
it.
Cathy
You have to be very careful about suggesting to folk they should start their own businesses. Not everyone (most?) are of the right character, or ability, to set up and run a business. Of course, most entrepreneurs don’t get that! They come at it with a “Well, if I can do it, so can you!!!” This was the predominant approach during the 1980s in the UK, during the Thatcher Era – “Unemployed? Get on your bike and get a job!” So, when the famous Corby (I think it was) steel works closed, creating an unemployment rate of something like 40% in the town, the good ol’ Thatcherite folk shouted – “Stop whinging and start your own businesses!” Well, a good many of them did just that, plowing all their redundancy money into starting their own businesses… with minimal knowledge of how to set up a business, how to run it, and – the main thing – checking first if there was a market that needed their idea for a business! You know what? Nearly all of those new businesses in Corby failed inside 2 years. (Indeed, the usual rate across the UK is that 90% of new businesses fail within 2 years; but Corby was much worse.) Thousands of £ks of vital redundancy money blown … most of it going into the coffers of banks, who always grab the lion’s share of any business assets when one goes into legal liquidation.
Now, I am not saying starting your own business is a bad idea, but if you’re going to do it, you have to do your homework first! Think: What is it I want to do, and can I do it? Is there a market for this kind of business? What can my business offer THAT I CAN PROVE CUSTOMERS WANT AND DON’T GET to make my business successful in that market? How do I get finance to start it (will you need premises? equipment? legal services? stock? liquid fund, and that just for a start-up?), and can I draw up a realistic business plan that will convince a bank to lend me the money/give me sufficient overdraft facilities? Am I prepared to/can my family accept me working 12 hour days with no holidays, possibly putting up my house as collateral on the loan with the risk that I will lose it if the business fails, knowing that 9 in 10 businesses DO fail in the first 2 years? Etc, etc..
That can be a whole lot of stress because everything depends on you. You can’t hide behind the boss or business owner because you ARE the boss! If customers complain, it’s you who has to listen and try to put things right. If the tax man commeth, it’s you who has to deal with it, even if it you can (afford to?) hire an accountant, if customers fail to pay up it’s you who has to chase them for the $$$s, if you can’t afford to pay your bills because of a cash flow problem it’s you who must fend off the creditors who want to be paid (and NOW!), etc, etc.. David has several businesses – he says and I am sure it’s true, he couldn’t run them, all without good staff … but if things go pear-shaped, it’s David who ultimately carries the can. It’s David as a business owner who has to hire people (that’s the easy bit) and to fire them … that’s the VERY hard bit. And then their are the litigators – you cock up a job, or the customer thinks you have, and they threaten to sue you after many hostile phone calls and letters ….
But you’re Bipolar … do you really need this kind of stress?
BUT
Now, I am not meaning to be negative here. I am trying to communicate that setting up, running and maintaining a business is not done by waving a magic wand. I have often heard people glibly saying, “I think I’ll start my own business … ” It’s so easy to say, it’s easy to do and fail, it’s bl##dy difficult to do it successfully, and that’s for someone without a mood disorder!
BUT … it CAN be a lot less stressful for someone to be self-employed in a small way than be an employee who has responsibility and is accountable without authority, as so many are!
I feel lucky to have realized that M. is bipolar and not a sociopath; that he can’t help it when he is unable to moderate his reaction to stress; that his talk about committing suicide is as much due to chemical imperatives as it is from his own despair.
I feel lucky that he has something that can be treated; that he and I need not suffer this way forever!
Of course I’d like to feel lucky that he’s realized he needs TREATMENT, but one step at a time.
🙂
Dave your right about having the right mind set but your example of Paula who has fibro was not fair. It is great that she can do what she does but you of all people should understand not everyone is effected the same way. I feel you put people with fibro down. Do you know how much pain fibro causes? Do you know that some people with it have “seasons” and some have it everyday! When you studied bipolar you looked at every angle you could but I don’t think you have a clue about fibro or you could have made your point about Paula without putting down others with fibro. You might ask why I know anything about fibro. Well as a man having fibro for 10 years (90% are women) you learn as you go because like bipolar it is misunderstood as well.
Dear Dave,
thanks for the inspiring story and really at times when everything seems black and nowhere to go a story like this would lift you up. Just a question for some supporters like me is it but natural for us that at times we can not recognize anymore if our love one with BP is still not in his normal stable condition?
I am confuse now that some indications show that he has recovered like no more unstopple talking and driving on air but just the same he still has not regain his good sleeping habits and some ways that I always doubt. Or I myself is starting to be afflicted with BP Godforbid!!!hope not. Please tell me that I not going crazy and its just normal. Thanks and God bless us all.
I do want to buy the book but have trouble with bank at moment I have so told bipola and fibromyalga. How much does the book cost in English money thanks amanda
I read that you have people working for you. Is this a home based work? I would love more than anything to work from home so that on m not so good days I can still achieve?! If you can help in that a area I would be greatly interested! The stories I read were very inspiring! I hope to achieve a goal as big as the one’s I read of!
I would loive to know if you are aware of any home based computer jobs? I know I am smart but the interaction with people sometimes holds me back. Hope to hear a positive responce or directin to achieve this goal!
I too have fibromyalgia. My pain level stays at a 9 on the 0-10 pain level scale. When it reaches 13, 14, 15, I cry, rant, rave, swear, scream, holler, and complain. I also have osteoarthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome and COPD. I don’t lay in bed and have my husbanc take care of me either. I do all the grocery shopping. I do all the laundry. I do all the sweeping and mopping. I do all the yard work. I do all the vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathroom (I mop my floors on my hands and knees. I HATE mops), I take care of the dog, all 5 of my aquariums, and my parakeet. I pay for it by mid-afternoon every day but I keep plugging along. I’m at the point to where I need a power-scooter outside the home. I can’t walk 50 feet without needing to stop. I also have chronic depression, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, bi-polar disorder, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, manic depression, borderline personality disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder…I’m pretty well messed up physically and mentally. I would love to have a home-based business but everyone wants too much money to get started so I am on SSI and SSA. One day I will not be on government support. I’m going to college to become a minister. I’m 44 years old, female, and hate living this way. One day God will give me a better income.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 15 years ago and bi-polar2 with clinical depression and adrenal gland exhaustion last year. I also battle CFS and EBV. As I learned about much these have affected my ability to function, it actually helped me to not be so hard on myself fo rnot doing all that I used to do on the multi tasking level. My MD (who practises alternative health resources) has been a guide on learning how certain food, activites, etc. can be stressors and what to do as an alternative. Mild exercise such as yoga, swimming, walking, light gardening and even housework are a big help for keeping me going. There are single and combo supplements for combating fibro inflammation and pain, which are a daily part of my routine: Corvalen with malic acid and magnesium, Zeel, chlorophyll to keep the ph balanced preventing acidosis (which causes the muscle cramping), EPA 3, and a balanced liquid multi vitamin with amino acids. I rarely have to take aleve or the prescribed hydrocodone. Adding a low dose of melatonin, L-theanine (helps to calm anxiety and the nervous system as a whole), and trazadone at night have increased my sleep from an interrupted 3 to 5 hours to now an uninterrupted 6-7 hours sleep. I am also on a prescription at home, cranial electromagnetic therapy called Alpha-stim. This is a battery operated unit with small electrode ear clips and settings increased at your own level of comfort. It balances the chemical imbalance, which helps take the body out of the alert mode and giving mixed signals. It has especially helped with the depression and fibro pain. You can go to the http://www.alpha-stim.com to read more testimonies about it.
Through the support of my husband, friends and family and the Lord, I am now leading a functional life with more good days than bad. I ususally have about six hours of energy on a good day, which I am learning to be grateful for compared to being bedridden with pain and exhaustion like I used to be (up until this past March). I hope this info helps you as it has helped me.
Thank you so much for this story Dave! I recently started school online. I have been having so many mixed thoughts about weather or not I can really do this. I have bipolar disorder, ADHD, and panic attacks/anxiety. I am also a single parent to a 4 yr old little girl.
I am going to school for psychology. After reading this I realize that my “problems” are no excuse and I need to try my best and not let my problems limit me!
I just was wondering how a person who has bipolar disorder and cronic anxiety attacks can get others to understand? My family doesn’t understand what I go through each and ever day. They think they do because they know someone who is bipolar! How do I get them to understand that this is not something I want to have, nor do I want to hear all the bull every time I have a bad episode. I don’t even feel like I can cry when I’m down without being hollered at. I’ve been this way for 14 years now and it doesn’t get any easier. I’m working but the only time I feel anything good is when I go to work, and that is even starting to get bad. What can I do to make life easier for me? I’m tired of holding in my emotions because people just do not understand. Please help me with any suggestions you may come up with. Talking to them or trying to explain anything to them is hopeless. I can use all the help I can get right now. My life is a shambles and I need to get it back together but have no idea how right now. Oh and the subject of divorce you talked about, well that situation is something I’ve been thinking about too. My husband is a great deal of the reason I feel the way I’ve been feeling for a long time cause he doesn’t understand me either. WHAT DO I DO????????????????????????
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Bipolar Disorder? You’re Only as Limited as You Think You Are, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.