Hi,

Do you ever wonder why you buy the things you do? Do you wonder why they advertise the way they do on TV? Do you hate those stupid jingles you hear on the radio? Well, they are all part of marketing campaigns designed to MAKE you buy certain things. I was reading a magazine the other day and they had an interview in it with a man called Martin Lindstrom who wrote a book called “Brainwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy.” It was a very interesting interview. Very revealing, I should say.

Here’s an example of what he’s talking about: Marketers are capitalizing big-time on the fact that mothers today are consumed with worry about germs and dirt. So any promise to “sanitize”

or packaging that suggests sterile contents speaks directly to this worry. Even the music they play in the stores is meant to cause you to buy, did you know that? According to Lindstrom, odds are that the music is a carefully orchestrated medley of songs that evoke instant nostalgia and take you back to a time when life was far simpler. You feel all warm and fuzzy, and then you’re sort of magically willing to open up your wallet. Fruit is a universally revered symbol of freshness and health, so many brands have gone “fruity,” even soaps and shampoo.

This interview aside, I’m sure you’ve noticed commercials about medication for bipolar disorder, haven’t you? If not for bipolar disorder specifically, at least for depression, I’m sure. They are rampant on the airwaves, as depression is a major problem in our society, and part of the problem with bipolar disorder, of course. The problem is that these commercials are put out by

pharmaceutical manufacturers who want you to take THEIR drug for your disorder. Now this can be dangerous. Because everyone with bipolar disorder is different. Not every drug or treatment works the same for everyone who has bipolar disorder.

What really makes me mad about these advertisers is that it seems like they treat you as if you have no intelligence at all! Or at least no will of your own or no ability to make any choices of your own! That’s why they’re trying to FORCE you to make the choices THEY want you to make! That’s why you have to be very careful. Whether it’s medication for you or your loved one, always check with your doctor. Make sure you do what he/she tells you to do. The main thing is, just because the advertisement makes the drug look very enticing, it still may not be the right medication for you. Only your doctor knows whether it is right for you or not. You need to trust your doctor to do what is best for you. If it is, then take the medication only as prescribed.

And always make sure to notify your doctor of any side effects as soon as they occur, as you

may be experiencing a reaction that you shouldn’t, and your doctor can’t help you unless you tell

them about it. Another good thing to keep in mind when it comes to medications is to use the same pharmacy, as this way they can watch for any adverse drug interactions between medications you are taking. Make sure to keep the prescription in the bottle it came in so there’s no confusion as to the directions on how to take it. If you do use a pill container, keep the prescription bottle handy for directions.

Another good suggestion is to always take your medication at the same time every day (especially if you take certain meds in the morning and others at night), as this will help you to remember to take them.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave