Hi,
How are you?
I hope this is a good day for you.
Well, it’s flu season, and a lot of people are getting sick.
Plus, it’s that time of the year that places give out flu shots.
Needless to say, the reminder to stay healthy is all around us at this time.
When I have even one person who works for me get sick, it throws a monkey wrench into
the whole thing.
Then she falls behind in her work, because she was sick.
Not that I would blame anyone for getting sick, don’t think I would ever do that.
But the flu does happen, and you have to deal with it if you get sick.
But if you are feeling bad emotionally, that’s a different story.
In my courses/systems, I talk about how mood swings affect how you feel about yourself.
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But you have a big say-so in it too.
Maybe part of the fault of moodiness can be blamed on bipolar disorder, but not all of it.
Some of it has to do with your attitude.
Doesn’t it seem like positive people don’t get sick as often as negative people?
Well, I don’t know if there’s any truth to that, but I do know that your best bet to not feel bad
emotionally or with your bipolar disorder is to have a positive attitude.
You know you can’t change the fact that you or your loved one has bipolar disorder, but you don’t have to let it ruin your life.
You can still (and should still) do things that make you feel good.
What things do you enjoy?
Watching movies or DVDs?
Having family close to you?
Hobbies?
A job or volunteer work?
About that last thing, I have an important point to make.
This isn’t just me talking –
I’ve gotten tons of email from both supporters and survivors who say their life took on greater
meaning when they started doing volunteer work.
Everyone loves to be needed.
Volunteering also takes your mind off yourself and your problems, and puts it onto other people.
No time for feeling sorry for yourself when you’re needed to help others.
If you’re feeling bad, like a zombie (common bipolar complaint) –
If you’re tired all the time, it may be your diet, or something physical, so you should check with your doctor.
But if you feel like a zombie, (and as long as you’re getting enough good sleep), it could be medication related.
Again, check with your doctor – he may need to adjust the dosage of your medications.
If you are just feeling bored, well, I say that’s your own fault.
Because I know SO many people with bipolar disorder and their supporters who are VERY active!
That’s something you can control. You don’t HAVE to feel bad.
Find something to do, something productive, something that makes you feel better.
If you aren’t being honest with your supporter and your support system, you may be feeling bad –
You may feel as if no one understands you.
Again, that would be your fault, because you can’t expect other people to be mind-readers.
You need to communicate your needs, thoughts, and feelings to them so that they can be there for you and so they can help.
If you are feeling bad because of financial problems or other sources of stress…
Change the situation. Work it out, so that you are stress-free and solve your problems.
Don’t just stay still and expect your problems to go away on their own.
And there is no room for self-pity, especially when you’re helping others.
Do you agree or disagree?
What are your thoughts?
Post responses below
David,
I ordered your free course about 3 weeks ago and have still not received it. Could you please contact me and let me know when I will be receiving it?
Blessings,
Allison
I agree with you completely. Your attitude has everything to do with everything. Appreciating what you do have rather than what you don’t and focusing on that makes a lot of difference in our lives. I have bipolar illness. I used to say :I am bipolar. But I am not bipolar – I have bipolar illness or disorder however you want to put it. But it doesn’t have me. Oh, I have been at both ends of the spectrum, totally manic and suicidally depressed and tried to commit suicide many times when I was younger. It has been over 14 years since I last tried to commit suicide. I was given less than a 2% chance of surviving that last overdose and was in a coma for awhile and I was mad when I woke up and realized I wasn’t dead. But then it dawned on me that I must be here for a reason or I would have been dead! Shortly thereafter I found out my daughter was having a baby. She was only 15 years old. And so began my looking for a reason to live. I now have 3 grandchildren and the oldest is 13! What I would have missed out on had I died! I am happy despite my many health problems which include strokes, lupus, a bout with cancer, kidney failure several times, diabetes, and crippling pain from a degenerating spine and being handicapped now. But, I am still alive and can see my grandkids and share their lives. We are facing serious financial problems as my son-in-law is injured, laid off and has no health insurance. My daughter has endured cancer and kidney & liver failure and lupus, too. My son had major brain surgery and had half of his brain removed but he is still going. We have each other and that’s what’s important. Just take life a moment at a time. I wish I could send you the story of the mayonnaise jar and 2 beers as it is truly inspiring and makes you appreciate everything you have. Also the book “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch makes you look at what your real blessings are and not wallow in self-pity. And look at Charla Nash (Charlie) the woman attacked by a chimp in Feb 09 who ate her eyes, face and hands and has lived and gone on despite living in the hospital still (Nov 09) and she has not given up despite this horrendous injury. We can look all around us and find reasons to be happy because things could always be so much worse! If you are alive, you have a reason to be happy – consider the alternative – you could be dead and buried and alone. I prefer this!
I agree 100% with your comments. In fact I firmly believe that some of your advices can change bipolar lives completely. Even to go further than stability.
Regards
I am in the process of “downsizing” my life. As a person with bipolar (and other health issues), I find myself in a grave financial position. I had about a dozen overdrafts last month, so am watching my spending VERY carefully this month, so the fees don’t catch up with me.
I saw my Financial Advisor this afternoon, and she gave me some answers to questions I’ve been worrying about. The first thing she suggested was declaring bankruptcy. To be honest, I NEVER thought it would come to that, but if it will benefit me, I’m all for it. Then, we discussed selling my condo. It’s soooo cluttered and full of junk that it would be a major overhaul to get it ready for sale. BUT – I’m WILLING to do the work. We also discussed Assistant Living options, and that is what I have to investigate on my own. My FA gave me the name of a couple of places to check out, and I’ll do them this week.
As far as a “positive attitude,” I “think” I have one, despite my health and situations. I believe that if you have faith that you are here for a reason, and live each day grateful for THAT day, your life will improve, as well as your attitude.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
Dave I am trying to understand my twin sister Phyllis Nestle. She is the one bipolar and she is driving me and her family bananas. She is either not taking her medication correctly or she is not taking it at all. She is in a manic state right now and she is meaner than a rattlesnake to me and her 2 sons and their family. Her youngest son has 2 children and she is mad because they will not let her have those children by herself. Dave I have two of the hatefulest messages on my phone from her. She got angry at me because I told her that her and her son both needed to work on their tempters. She hit her son that is living with her and the cops talked her into going to the hospital but they let her go. She needs to be committed to a mental hospital for awhile to get some real help. She was back up at the house cussing and raising hell with her son again today and she is susposed to be down at her sugar-daddy’s. Please send me some info on what you feel we should do about her. Please do not publish this little note. We are desperate to find out what we should do and what we can do to get her committed. Please do not think I am bad for saying these things because I love my sister and I want to get some real help for her. Thanks so much Pat
Dave, you say it’s how you look at things,or think about things can change your mood. I agree, but when you want to do things and you run into all kinds of obstcales, and road blocks then what? i.e. I applyed for school, I got accepted into an advance doctorete program, I am on permante disabilty. in oder to go to school, and get the financeal aid I have to get off disabilty, get a part time job (as told to me from financeal aide) so I can get a loan. My monthly income is all I have and it pays my bills. You say be positive what for? It gets u nowhere. What do you do in this postion?