Bipolar Disorder and Complaints About ME!

Hi,

How’s it going?

Hey, sorry this is a little late. I was actually working on some other stuff and had to get it done.

Anyway, I was checking out some comments posted about me on another forum and there were actually complaints about me there!

They said that I give out bad information. That my information only talks about medications.

This isn’t true, of course, but it is true that I talk about how medications are the key to success.

Still, some people want to believe that you don’t need them, so that’s probably why this person made that complaint about me.

So what? Let them complain. I’m not going to stop teaching in my courses about the importance of medication for people with bipolar disorder just because some people don’t agree with it:

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?

Visit:

http://www.survivebipolar.net

I also got attacked AGAIN this week (must be a full moon or something!) by an email that said:

“You are so biased toward drug companies it’s sad. You need to open your mind. Drug companies make billions of medications and you are helping them.”

So here’s 2 different people, and both are complaining about my “pushing medications.” The first is more right on, because you know me, and I DEFINITELY DO NOT push the drug companies.

In fact, in other emails, I speak out AGAINST the drug companies! (but that’s an email in itself, I won’t go into that right now).

The thing is yeah, I DO talk a lot, not just in my courses, but also to people on the phone and in emails about the importance of medication. Why shouldn’t I? I’ve seen and heard of too many, WAY too many, people with the disorder KILL themselves because they went off their medication!

So I try to keep it from happening as much as I can. And I talk about it a lot. I know I do. And I hope that people will listen. At least some of them. So maybe I can help save lives. What’s wrong with that?

I’m not trying to sound defensive here or anything, but it really made me mad at these complaints about me!

I mean, wouldn’t it bother you if you thought you were doing a good thing and all you got was criticism for it?

I talk about medication all the time because sometimes, as dramatic as it may seem, sometimes it really is a matter of life and death when you’re talking about bipolar disorder.

And I don’t think I should have to apologize for that, do you?

So I just didn’t even answer these complaints about me.

First of all, because I absolutely am NOT involved with the drug companies one single bit. Don’t you think if I was, that I would bea whole lot richer than I am? (Instead of the fact that I haven’t even drawn a paycheck in 3 yearssince I started bipolarcenntral.com?)

Secondly, because I think the drug companies in general hurt more than help people with bipolar disorder because in many cases people don’t have insurance and can’t afford their medication. I know someone who just ONE of their medications is over $650 per month!! And that causes people to go off their medications or not to take their medications. So you know I’m absolutely against that! So why would I support that? Why would I be on the side of the drug companies, when I am so concerned about people taking their medications?

All of this makes me very mad!

I’m just trying to help people, and all I do is get criticized for it?

Sometimes I get so discouraged that I just want to give up. I don’t even know sometimes if what I’m doing is even helping. Sorry if this sounds so bad, but really, these 2 emails just really got to me.

Oh well, tomorrow’s another day. and hopefully I won’t get any more complaints.

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.

  1. Hi David 🙂 (Is that an appropriate greeting for people with BP ? LOL )

    Re: complaints/criticisms.

    In the Anger Management/Self Esteem/Confidence Building courses I teach (I believe that the best way to learn a subject is to teach it), I always teach people to respond to negative criticism with a word I’ve learnt from teenagers – “whatever” ! Let them complain ! There’s over 6 billion people in this world and you sure as hell aren’t going to please all of them !

    Keep up the good work 🙂

    I find your mails informative, useful, easily readable and constructive. If anyone else finds anything to the contrary – well, that’s their perceptions and opinions, and their entitled to them.

  2. There are always going to be peope who complain. Put things in perspective. You have two complaints out of the very large number of people who read your e-mails. I think if you are receiving that small a number of complaints you should feel very successful.

  3. NO David, don’t be discouraged, you are RIGHT about the extreme importance of taking medications when you have bipolar disorder, or any other mental disorder for that matter.

    You are RIGHT, it could be life or death. One cannot go off one’s medication for any reason, just because you’re feeling better, too many side effects, too expensive, whatever reasons….speak to your doctor and get them changed or adjusted but trust me…you NEED THEM!!!!

    I am speaking directly from experience, not conjecture.

  4. Those who are complaining and critizing you should just opt out, back away and not read your information. If they disagree with so much of what you do – why do they continue to read?? I think that if they continue to read your information – they obviously find something of value to them. They are simply looking for attention – that is really sad! David – stop feeding into their immature, attention-getting attitudes! They got exactly what they were looking for – they got to you and had an entire email written about them! There are plenty of other people who appreciate what you do – don’t waste anymore time or energy on the whiners!

  5. I just read your e-mail. I don’t know anything about you yet. But it does sound that your being a tad defensive. Anyway I am diagnosed with mixed bipolar. I have been trying meds for years, been on over 20 different ones and I don’t know how many combinations. Nothing has worked for any extended length of time for me, and sometimes the side effects are so bad it really does make it worse. I have a boy friend who is extremely un-supportive, he thinks this is all an exuse for me to use. I’m trying to find information for him to understand better and help him to be more supportive but I am not working, and I am fighting for diability and I have no money. So if you have any free information for me that I could print and have him read that would really be help ful. Thank you Fran

  6. I read your news letter all the time, and although sometimes it upsets me, it’s ussually because its true. Let people complain, as a person sufferring from Bipolar and compulsive disorder, complaining about others is pritty par for the course. You help me alot , I only wiish I could afford your course. Keep on keepin on, you are helping more people than you realize.
    Your Friend Fred

  7. I don’t know if you are a faithful person, you are always attacked when you are doing good things. Keep the faith. I know I really appreciate all the information. My husband is bipolar and will not take meds, will not go to the doctor. His episodes are not that bad and are few between, however…without harping on him I am working on getting him to see a doctor. We have insurance but not sure if it will cover this kind of thing. I am looking into that now. I have shared your emails with a co-worker who believes her oldest son has this disorder (?). She thinks you are wonderful. So smile when you read or hear the criticism and remember that it is because you are making a difference in peoples lives and the devil doesn’ t like that very much.

    Thank you!!!!

  8. I do not understand why people are complaining about your information on bipolar meds. These meds are a major key into living their life productivly. My question is…how do you deal with a person that goes off their meds becaue they think they are fine? Whenever my dad goes off his meds…a crazy cycle begins and im getting physically sick by letting him suck me into his cycle. Im 37, i dont live with him, he lives alone…and won’t leave me alone! Meds keep him sane……but he goes off when he feels like it. GO MEDS!!!

  9. Dear Dave: you seem to be a verysensitive man. A little crititizim bothers you. After all two people out of thousands who read your e-mails don;t amount to anthing. You have to expect some critizim because eveyone cannot agree, The people who disagree are people who are trying to rationlize not taking medication. You need to have enough confidence in yourself to not take adverse reactions so seriously. If you do not believe in yourself who will.
    Evelyn

  10. Dear Dave,
    It is 1.30am in Melbourne Australia. But i just wanted to let you know that i have got a lot from your courses for a Bipolar supporter i just read your e mails about pushing drugs i have a partner who is 35 years of age that has been working with me now with the help of your couses.I can finally see a light of the end of the tunnel for us this includes getting married. When we first met he knew that there was something wrong but did not know what or hoe to explain his episodes, we now understand more and actually work together to beat his illness so to all the people who are negative, give this a go, it has changed our lives THANKS again i hope this email has cheered you up Yours Sincerly Julie

  11. Medication is a key element in surviving and living with Bipolar Disorder. To ignore this subject entirely would be a disservice to your readers. I have never seen any article in which you promoted any particular brand or even made any medication suggestions. As you know, all medications do not work the same for everyone and it takes time to get the formula just right for each individual. I beleive that the feedback you are receiving is from patients and supporters that are still in the denial stage and have not come to the conclusion that it is easier to work with the disorder rather than fight it. The medication is just one tool that can be accompanied by others to help the patient lead a relatively normal and productive life. Your suggestions and thoughts are helpful and relevant and to omit the importance of any one treatment would be irresponsible. Ignore the negative feedback and continue to provide unbiased information to the public.

  12. sorry to hear dave about the complaints you got regarding medication, i know its important to take medication,for bipolar illness, or any mental illness for t hat matter……………..i think you are great.

  13. David,

    Please do not listen to those negative people. You are doing a great work and helping countless numbers of people. Keep up the good work.

  14. David

    ignore the people who dont believe in medication I have the exact same problem regards ADHD people in Ireland dont believe in this medication either. they believe that we parents are drugging our children. so let them

    I and you know different Only for the medication prescribed for ADHD my son would not be where he is today. It was the making of him and it helped him succeed to where he is today. so my advice is let them complain they have nothing better to do

  15. Hey David Oliver,
    You shouldnt feel bad over what a couple readers said they are probably bipolar and stopped taking their meds too. your letters are very interesting and have at least made me see that lots of people have this and I am not alone. All I know is that if these people would take medicine and stop all the other crap they do it could go away but drugs and booze dont mix with anti psy. meds. They say self medicating ok but when they get the legal medicine they go on and off all the time . So please continue your work and know that there are people like me who really thank you and are glad that they found this site have a blessed day cathy

  16. Ahhh…just ignore it. Anyone who successfully manages BD knows that medication is necessary.

  17. Dear Dave: Hold firm to your beliefs about the meds and continue to ignore the negativity about medication. I am bipolar and take three different meds and they help me tremendously and I thank God for my medication!!!! Keep up the good work!

  18. Hi David: You have nothing to apologize for as most people cannot control their Bi-po without proper meds, although I was informed that one person uses meditation to control their Bi-po and didn’t suffer the ups and downs of having Bi-polar Disorder. These are the ones who are typically in denial and to take meds would mean they have a problem that needs treatment. Been down that road more than once and so have a lot of your other readers. So if is it all the ones who complain want to do is complain about you and your info why don’t they just unsubscribe to your emails and then they will have nothing to complain about, or is this the reason they are still receiving your emails? Because it is easier to complain about something you all ready have than to have to look for something to complain about!!! Ok all you complainers, let me have it now!!! I have had a lifetime of dealing with complainers so go ahead and let me have it, I can take and then I will file it away!

  19. David,

    There are to many nagative people in this world. I think that you are a wonderful teacher. I have been in this kind of mood of being sad and depressed, So I read your artical and I am just sad. Because I am missing someone very much. So I just keep a positive attitude, of my whole situation.

    But this where I am learning from please keep up the wonderful job, let them complain. They have nothing else better to do…

  20. Dear David,
    I just read your email in regards to the medications.. I just find it appauling to see that in 2008 people are this ignorant! Never mind the fact that the US drug and food only approves drugs that have been research and tested etc.. At least meds are an option! Could you imagine having a sick heart and not taking meds?? Or being a diabetic and not taking Insulin??
    All I can say is I am blessed to be in Canada where health care and meds are free and people have a say to what works for them.. Its unfortunate that so many people have so little education about how benifical medications are…
    Keep up the great work and keep educating, at some point people should get it!

  21. Dave, I think you do a really great job! So, dont let the few complaints you get worry you:)) People do have issues with drug companies, but that shouldnt be your problem. Actually, before I got diagnosed I worked in a pharmacy. People are sooooooo unaware of how expensive it is to make drugs. There’s the years of research, the trial and error, paying the scientists,etc. I could go on. That is why medications are so expensive. Drug companies cant make or sell them for free, or we wouldnt have them to take!!! After the patent of a drug, usually 7 years, runs out a generic can be made. And the generic is the EXACT same thing as a Brand name. many people do not believe that. A generic is the EXACT SAME CHEMICAL made at a lower cost. Companies that make generics buy the drugs from the original maker.
    I had to post this so maybe just one person would understand how drug companies work. And maybe people would stop attacking you.
    Take care and have a great day!!

  22. David,
    I just started receiving your newsletters a little over a week ago. My 17 1/2 yr old son has just recently (2 wk ) been diagnosed with bipolar 1, PTSD (we lost his brother 3 yr ago he was 25) we haven’t dealt with it, just kind of pretended it didn’t happen more or less. and ADD. He went into a drug rehab facility (court ordered) for 6 mo. came home in April doing really good so far.We have since learned this is very common with bipolar & PTSD. Getting back to my point, we had heard of bipolar naturally but we never hadf really checked into it to understand what the disease really involved. He goes for his first med appt. tom morn, I know he needs meds to deal with this scary illness. I am so glad we now know what has been happening to my once easy going ,lovable, good kid. I knew it was something because the manic part terriified me. He has never even raised his voice to me until a yr ago. Total change in personality during the episode. My husband & I have felt so lost , guilty & alone in this volatile enviroment. Finally it is all coming together, making sense, Now we understand why the changes.I’m sure you can imagine the relief we feel being able to put a name to the problem and be able to say yes, now we can deal with it So u just keep talking all u want about the meds, some of us are gaining much needed insight to all of this. So to heck with complainers. U r taking the best approach u can IGNORE!!! Some people just like to hear their own voice,or in this case see their words in print. Please don’t stop helping those of us who need your great info. & advice. So I say GOOD FOR U! and PHOOEY ON THEM, they need to keep their neg. opinion to themselves. My gramma always said ” If You can’t find something nice to say to or about someone, You should just keep your trap Shut!!! Can I get an AMEN For that? Good luck to you in all you do. and most importantly I want to say THANK YOU for caring about others suffering from this life changing monster of a disease!
    Kathyrn T.

  23. I know it must be very difficult to do something good and then be criticized for it, but what you are doing is wonderful so don’t stop. There are always people with complaints. I have people tell me all the time that I don’t need medication. You can imagine this isn’t very helpful in my condition. Right now my meds are a big issue for me – I simply can’t afford them, even with my insurance. I have gone off of my meds twice, both times because I could not afford to buy my meds that month. The withdrawal symptoms are simply horrid, and it is usually quite clear to those around me when I don’t have them. Even with this, I now understand that meds are critical. Keep doing what you are doing. There are more people who appreciate it than you probably even know.

  24. Dear Dave,

    I look forward to your emails and information every day. I am working on Dialectical Behavior. I will be taking some classes in August and am excited about the course. It teaches a lot of things you probably already know, at least from your emails it seems that you do. One area is Distress Tolerance. You are probably familiar with this because I see on the internet that you also address Borderline Personality Disorder. The information that you share is priceless. If you have a course on Borderline Personality Disorder would you please share that information also.

    You are doing a great job have a giving and kind heart!

    Thank You for sharing your Mom and yourself with the many people you help every day!

    Sandie

  25. thanks for the email. and there are two ways of looking at the drug companies! there are some that really care about the public and there are others that are there to line their pockets. it is really ashame that society today has gone to such great lengths to hurt some of the public with the cost of their medication and the others get a free ride. i know alot of seniors and it is really sad that the cost is so much and yes i think we are all guilty of not taking our meds, due to the rising cost. take care and look forward to the next email.

  26. Maybe the people who have verbally attacked you regarding meds were annoyed because either they themselves were on the wrong kind of meds, hadn’t been stabilized yet, were getting too many side effects and felt ill, or they had gone off them without consulting a doctor, and now wanted to complain about having to take them in the first place.
    Remember, anger is a BIG issue for bipolar people. (including ME) So with this type of blog, you are bound to get some complaints, whether the are legitimate or not. IGNORE them and move on with the excellent work that you are doing!!! WE appreciate you.

  27. Wow…you are upset This is the very first email I have received from you. I just signed up yesterday.
    Sounds like you have lots of support from other people though….I look forward to reading your emails.
    I have a granddaughter who is 10yrs. old and has been diagnosed with bipolar for about 3 years now…her medication costs…one of them is over $800.00…no kidding. And she takes several different things. I thank God they have good insurance and prescription plan…I am praying the future will bring better meds. or other means of helping her and others like her.

  28. I just wanted to let you know that I recieve your emails from bipolar central and even though I have only been recieving it a short while. It has helped me out alot. I have a 17 year old daughter who was diagnosed this year. Your daily emails give me alot of answers to things I thought I was the only one going through and alot of insight into bipolar disorder. Keep up the good work and don’t let the other sights that have complaints get you down, you are doing great work. Thanks for all your information.

  29. Good Morning David,
    I just want to tell you how much I look forward to your
    e-mails each morning, I hurry down to check my computer
    to see if there is an e-mail from you, I have learned so much
    from you and I just thank God for someone like you that will
    take the time out of your life to help other people like me
    and so many others, you are a very special person, just keep
    up the excellant work that you are doing and don’t even worry
    about some people that complain, there will always be people
    like that but we just keep going on and doing the best that we
    know how with God’s help. God Bless you and have a great
    and wonderful day. Sincerely, Darlene

  30. Dear David,

    Your mom railed at you, even as you were bringing her back to life! So what’s new about taking flak from the very people you’re helping?

    Those of us who are (mostly) normal know that you are a wonderful, supporting resource–perhaps the best out there right now for us and our loved ones. And you freely give away a lot of what you have worked so hard to learn.

    You should be revered right up there with Mother Theresa, if you ask me.
    Even YOU need loving support and a pat on the back once in a while. Why don’t more people write to tell you that you’ve helped them?

  31. Dear David , Do not listen to the negative people that criticize your work . Two out of thousands is not a good ratio . They are just venting probably because they are off their meds and to them I say shame on you . They need to remember the golden rule to do unto others as you would have them do unto you . Like my dear Grandma use to tell me “if you have nothing nice to say , keep your mouth shut and say nothing at all” .
    I have learned alot from your emails about being a bipolar supporter . When there are days I want to throw in the towel I read one and it seems to speak right to me . Just keep up the good work and remember you are helping more than you are hurting .
    I have never read where you endorse any one medicine or drug company or anything of that nature . You just generally tell people that taking the meds and working with a good doctor are keys to living with the bipolar . I can not speak for others but from what I have read many people agree with me . So fight the good fight and let the haters go on hating because you are doing a good service here and helping alot of people .
    Thank you for helping me in my battle as a supporter of a daughter with bipolar .
    Your Loyal reader , Dee

  32. Hi Dave,
    Had to laugh when I read your email this morning!

    I’m sure the majority of people who read your mails daily know you are not affiliated with drug companies and know why you stress the importance of medication vs bipolar. Medication keeps bipolar “in check”. ‘

    You said you will not apologize, yet you pretty much did by going into explanations. You said you don’t need to defend what you believe to be true, yet you did.

    Dave, you are doing a good thing for thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of people who didn’t know what to do or where to turn or how to cope with the bipolar animal. You are teaching so many how to tame and control it.

    There will always be those who “play” devils advocate, don’t buy into it.

    Have a good day and God Bless you always!

  33. You cannot please all the people all of the time, what ever you do somebody somewhere will disagree with you. I find your e’mails very informative and helpful, so thankyou for that. I have bipolar and have had so since a child, so yes you are helping me to come to terms with it.
    Keep up the good work.

  34. Keep fighting the good fight!! You know, what someone else thinks of me is none of my business. I work in the addictions field and we have a lot of clients who are bipolar, your information is helping me to understand them. Thanks for all your hard work.

  35. David:

    How right you are. However, I want to give you something else to think about. My dear husband of five years has always had what was called bi-polar disorder most of his life. Early seizures untreated by choice by his physician father left him with depression. He struggled through two universities with the help of dedicated teachers and has been in a very lucrative field of employment for a third of a century. He would experience ups and downs, take medication by the handfuls and had a sleeping disorder from hell that was organic as well. Recently, he experienced memory loss, confusion, disorganization, loss of energy and strength, etc. A real meltdown. We had a good doctor who was working with him but fate or the Good Lord brought the younger doctor from the practice into our lives. His Asian background and his medical training as a D.O. and his familial experience with hypothyroidism and endocrine disorders were exactly what was needed. You see, my husband’s need of treatment was in the area of hypothyroidism, which brings on depression and mood swings. His lack of energy and strength was from this as well as his adrenals. Simple treatment of Armour Thyroid ( a natural thyroid derivative from pigs-who are closely akin to our physical makeup) and simple treatment with support hydrocortisone along with dietary treatments of half teaspoon of sea salt with iodine plus a good high protein drink with strong vitamin B supplementation has brought such a change. He still has a few days when a Welbutrin and an extra Tegretol or Librium may be needed–but it is not like before.The Armour Thyroid is utilized by the body more totally than the synthetic thyroid supplements (I know because I have been hypothyroid for 14 years and recently switched myself and I feel great) I guess what I am saying is this. The mind-Body connection does exist and sometimes a problem from an entirely different area causes the problems. All avenues of exploration for a CAUSE should be done before hypermedication for these issues occurs. It is easy it seems nowdays to do a blanket diagnosis if someone shows the least bit of anger or being down. But as an old special education teacher and administrator, I have always tried to find the cause before developing a plan of action for remediation. Head trauma, endocrine disorders such as my husband’s and mine, leftovers from seizure activity, stressful situations that may have caused “exhaustion”, etc. should all be looked at closely . Thanks for trying to help others. There will always be critics and proponents. “Whatever” is a good way to handle it.

  36. David,
    Your Site and your Information has HELPED ME Greatly DO NOT Listen to those people who are talking BAD about you and saying those LIES. I KNOW for a FACT that one must take medications for Bipolar Disorder in order to Function in Society. The E mails you send me are a HELP LINK for me. Please Continue to HELP Others in the WAY that you are and DO not LET people tell you any differently. I have tried LOTS of Different Meds for Bipolar and have found that there is only 1 that works for me now and that is the one that I take DAILY. I was off of it for about 4 years and I almost regreted it but I am back on it now and Doing Great but I have my bad days too. Thank you for A GREAT ARTICLE and WEBSITE.

  37. My husband was diagnosed with bipolar last December after a pill swallowing episode. My daugher always used to call him Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde for years. The relief of the diagnosis is as you describe. They said he is “at the edge” of the circle and prescribed a combo of lamictal and abilify. We were so lucky – dose, etc. hit it almost dead on from the beginning. We are both in our late 50’s, otherwise good physical health with no other drugs – but those are miracles. And, he’ll be the first to tell you. We’ve had a couple instances where he didn’t think he needed them, etc., and guess what – he realized he did! Anyway, keep up the good work. Caroline

  38. Dave
    If everyone thought alike, it would be a boring world. So what if the criticize you for what you do. As long as people are being helped let them think what they want. Freedom of speech is one of the reason we live in this country. If they have nothing better to do with there dull lives then pick on some one that is helping people out of the goodness of his heart then let them talk. My dad used to tell me if they are criticizing you they are leaving someone else alone. Also what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Don’t let them get you down. You know what you are doing why you are doing it and who you are. It’s mind over matter, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter!!!!!!!

  39. Hi David,

    I’m a bipolar supporter and have been reading your newsletter for quite some time now. I’m not sure this is the correct forum but, to be honest with you I really hate to post a blog. You see, I’m a quiet suffer and try to channel my pain into the support my EX-fiance needs. Notice I said EX. A while back, after coming home from her initial hospitalization she just up and left. Didn’t pack anything. She just walked out of my life. Normally I would have just closed the door and moved on with my life. But, you see I took a position in another city just to help her get away from the drugs and alcohol that was beginning to consume her life. She was losing all creditability at work so with my blessing she resigned. We figured she would just find employment once we got to our new home, so I financed her training. She found a job shortly afterwards. Unfortunately her new job plunged her deeper into the alcohol and drug scene. I finally convinced her to see a Psychiatrist. He promptly began a regime of medication and therapy. Unfortunately he was more into the medication (some at $695.00/month) and was really never there when we needed him. (in fact on one visit I attended with her he actually spent part our visit on the phone while she was talking!) Needless to say her behavior was becoming more erratic, with massive and rapid swings between the emotional spectrum. One night I found blood stained tissues in the bathroom. When I asked her about them she became very agitated and ran out the door with her prescribed medication saying that nothing matters anymore she’s dead anyway. When I called his private number (the number we were given for emergencies), he would not answer so I called someone that was covering for him. Anyway she was admitted to the hospital that night. When she got out (14 days later) everything was great for 2 weeks and then my life was shattered. She left but stayed in touch and I continued to pay her bills and supplement any cash flow problems she may have had. Lately, we have begun to lose touch, but she won’t change her mailing address. So now I get reminders (in the form of bills) from hospitals, lawyers and collection agencies looking for her. And in the meantime, I’m paying off the credit card balances that she ran up before she left. Unfortunately, I still love her with all my heart and would give up my life if it meant the return of her health.
    Anyway, without your newsletter I would have given up on her and myself long ago. I believe that no one can be right 100% of the time and you can never please everyone but you are doing a great service for me and I really appreciate it. Thank you

    Tom

    ——————————————————————————–

  40. Hi Dave 🙂
    Wow what a great response you got ~ just as I expected you would. I am one of your faithful readers, who in fact, after ten years of faithful med taking, ended up not responding to them and was called med resistant. I do take meds for anxiety and for sleep, but that is it. You are so right when you say that for every person, it is different. My doc and I treat symptoms as they come up.
    Please try not to be so tender about people complaining Dave. Maybe they are going through some hard times with bipolar themselves. You pour your heart and soul into what you do…and if you were my son, I would be turning flips! I am very proud of you, and what you do.
    Have a great day Dave! Sincerely, Roz

  41. Hi Dave,
    You can never please everyone. Just keep helping those who want your help and later for the haters! 🙂 People will always complain even when some is dead and gone they talk about what didn’t look right and what the deceased should have worne. Keep up the good work. Even some herbs aren’t good for your health conditions. I focus on the words of wisdom and encouragement you provide in your emails. I need it. It’s stressfull when you feel your handeling a loved one with Bipolar by yourself. Thanks and have a Happy Day!

  42. Hi Dave, I received your email and saw the messages that were posted that upset you. First, let me say I’m a 33 year old woman that is a professional, mother and wife. I have been battling my mental disorders since around the age of eleven. I went on meds,they helped. I was good until I had my first child at 20,then the post partum almost killed me; I definately did not want to live anymore even though I had a great husband and a beautiful baby. My son is now 14, and I have been through so many doctors, medications, books, therapy; you name it; I’ve tried it. I tried to not rely on medications, and then I realized my husband and son will lose me if I don’t take the meds. Yes, it took a while to find the right ones; to find out what I exactly had, and most off all deal with I have a disease that is going to effect the rest of my life. I don’t know if people know this but you have a 60% chance of becoming bipolar after severe post partum. God is in my life which has helped a lot and I read many book and do things to help my body and mind as much as possible. But no matter what even if I just cut down a little on my meds, I feel I can’t take another day and I become very hard to deal with and then feel I want to take my life. Well, I want to be here for my son and so I realized I will probably take medication for the rest of my life;not that I want too and yes there are side effects, but the side effects are not even a percentage of the bad feelings I feel without my meds. UNLESS YOU’VE BEEN THERE, DON’T JUDGE! EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, AND GUESS WHAT MY ANXIETY LED TO SEVERE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AT 30. THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD OF TREATED MY CONDITIONS BETTER; NOW I HAVE MORE SERIOUS THINGS TO DEAL WITH AND TAKE MORE MEDICATION. SO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND ALWAYS HAVE GOD BY YOUR SIDE. Thanks for letting me tell my story, Jennifer

  43. I’m sure that you know that people who have a Bi-Polar disorder are some times suspicious and critical. I am one of those and I have had several episodes but, I keep changing meds. because I would fall apart without them. Even my own medical doctor does not seem to understand Bi-Polar. It’s a good thing that I have a support group of other doctors who believes in meds. for it. It does get very frustaing when the meds. stop working after a while. I was told that your body gets sensitive to the medicine and quits working but, it’s not worth it to quit taking any meds. for it. I wish that the people who are having trouble with the expense of their meds. would ask about programs to help with the costs. Wal-Mart and Kroger are two of the stores that are offering $4.00 for each prescription. Please, check into it. I know from experience not to suddenly quit your antidepressents.

  44. Dave,you have given alot of your time,your knowledge and yourself to write the articles and newsletters..If you get a complaint or two,it`s common..There will always be someone who doesn`t agree with your beliefs or your writings..So what?! As far as I am concerned,I appreciate your efforts very much so and I ignore the negative responses..Thank you for a job well done!
    Blessings,SuzyQ

  45. Dave,
    This is the second time I have been moved to write you a letter of encouragement. Everything you say is great. My son has a diagnosis of
    schizophrenia, bipolar and schizoaffective illnesses. He lives with my husband and me (my husband is almost 82 and I am 78) and we have been dealing with his illnesses for 30 years. We are very familiar with the many problems involved in caring for a loved one who is so ill — but we are still eager to hear all of the information you give us because you give us new ideas about how to cope (and still not “cave in” from the stress it involves). I have learned a lot of valuable information from you – and you have helped me to be kinder to him and expect less from him than I what I have in the past. As to the medication — it is absolutely A MUST for people who have mental illnesses. Our son learned that the hard way (after many many trips to the hospital and even jail when he had failed to take his meds. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

  46. Dear Dave,
    I can attest to the fact that people who are bi-polar need medication. I have two children who are bi-polar. My daughter is finally on medication and doing well. My son who has refused to stay on his meds just spent 3 days on the psych ward at our local hospital. He was not only suicidal he was also homicidal. Thankfully my other daughter and son-in-law were able to talk him into going to the hospital. I just found out that he is in jail now for a drug charge.
    Your emails are a godsend. As a mother of a grown bi-polar child who won’t stay on meds, I can’t tell you haw many nights I’ve lain awake wondering if I’d get a knock on my door asking me to come identify his body. No matter what these people say about you don’t stop what you are doing. People who are bi=polar NEED medication, end of story. Ignore the naysayers, you are doing a wonderful thing and helping lots of people. Thank you and God bless you.

  47. hi david.. good work through this education on bi polarism. I went nuts trying to learn about this mental illness to no avail. I went to counseling to learn how to live with my mate. hes biploar and gripes about having to take meds. well this is what i observe :taking meds brings a world of sanity its hard to deal with . its too calm . most like the highs even if it drives other family members crazy. the choices of doing wrong overspending being nasty cant tell nights from days seems to excite them more. I gave up being the caring mom and ive spoken my piece that as adults their choice not to take meds has concequences when wrong is done. im not the mother they think i should be im a pere. their mate.

  48. David,

    I don’t know if you answer individual emails, but I have been reading your comments for several months. For the past fifteen months, my husband and I have been struggling with our thirty-year-old son, who was once diagnosed as mildly bipolarbut now is addicted to prescription pain medication.

    We are trying to get him into treatment. So far, he has walked away from two different treatment centers. Thins are horrible at our house. I have been calling the Crisis Center and we have started attending AL-Anon meetings. I have even called 911 a couple of times.

    No one seems to offer a way to get our son into treatment without having him arrested. He is really not a criminal at this yet. We give him money because he wrecks the house unless he can buy his drugs. He has sold everything of value in the house. He has not worked in over a year and has moved in with us. He broke up with his girlfriend a few months ago.

    My husband and I are senior citizens and would like to retire, but we can’t because of the expenses we have. We are unable to go on vacation or make needed repairs to our house. Our older son and his wife have two
    preschool daughters. He has banned his brother from his home. He and his family are living with my mother, which means she can no longer visit with my younger son. This has had a negative effect on the whole situation because she has remained on good terms with our younger son and is able to talk frankly with him. The still call each other often.

    If you or your readers have any recommendations, my family would greatly appreciate it. I know you have quite a few publication for sale, but could you point out one or two especially helpful ones that we could buy from you? Our financial situation is very bad right now, so we are limited in our ability to purchase anything.

    Thanks.

    ——————————————————————————–

  49. Hey Dave,

    The ones who complain are the ones who do not know and use the knowledge that is sent by you. They are the ones who give up easily. So you let them complain Dave, the ones who appreciate you are your loyal listeners.

  50. You know, Dave. Your emails are like a lifeline to me sometimes. You address issues that I hardly thought of and when I do, it’s like – Yeah! That’s true. And it helps to identify them.
    Sometimes ‘support’ is like commiserating. To me – that’s not helpful. Complaining together is a downer. But IDing issues and problems DOES help. When they happen you see it right away. As opposed to thinking ‘why are we so BAD’.
    I don’t agree about drugs much, because my daughter had a horrific reaction to a drug that made her stutter!!! We were horrified and it didn’t help. We are successfully using a nutritional remedy, and it’s been years helpful for our family.
    But Dave – you are like a lifeline to me. I’m a supporter and I think I’ve got issues of my own too. The pdoc said I have attention deficit disorder and a ‘touch’ of bipolar. Labels help me sorta because they explain (to me) why I do some of the things I do.
    My daughter who lives at home has bipolar and exhaustion or allergy problems.
    Don’t be discouraged from what you are doing! When your email says, “Hi Chris” – it’s like an email from an old and trusted friend.
    Please do keep up your work. It’s a lifeline and life saver.

  51. Hi David
    Just a quick question-Can bipolar be triggered by divorce where one parent alienates the child against the other?

    Thanks for a thought provoking series

  52. dont worry ur self about it, you cant please every one all of the time. plus i dont think ud really let these 2 people stop you from helping people now, not after uv bin doing it for so long. thanks for the info!

  53. As a mother of a 26 year old son who has experienced 6 years of extreme bipolar swings, both on and off medication and self medication through illegal drugs, and the despair of being in and out of hospitals, we as a family, especially including my son, have finally accepted that proper medication monitored by a psychiatrist is an absolute necessity to keep this condition in a manageable form and create hopefulness for a productive life for not only him but all of his loved ones. I just received your Bipolar Supporter Guide and am overwhelmed with relief that I finally have a reference to help support my son in one complete guide. Bless you for your work and dedication – you’re helping millions!

  54. Help!!! My boyfriend is BP. I caught him in a lie yesterday. He is or was dealing with some issues with his ex-wife. She divorced him. I love him very much. He has been AZ for the last 2 months. He is now talking about coming back to CO getting his things and leaving. He had been talking about me going to AZ with him. I am ready to let go of my life here in CO to be with him. But when I confronted him about the lie he got defensive. I told him to come home get his things and leave. I don’t want this because I do love him very much. He says that he needs to figure out who he is. How can I keep this breakup from happening? I need help badly!!!

  55. You are right so what if you talk about it all the time.I think you are doing a very good job?Keep up the good work and if these people do not like it who cares everybody is entitled to there own opion.I say keep going

  56. Hello Dave
    I’m here in Summerville S.C. and I have bipolar and I think that the people who say bad things about you, don’t understand what it really feels like to be in a postion about lack of inforamtion and help on bipolar disorders. I’ve gained a lot of info on meds and view points on Doctors, plus my husband and I are truely greatful for the information we gain from your news letters and tact on how to handle the disorder it self. I’ve been looking for information about my disorder for a long time and was always at a stand still even with my doctor, but you’re news letters and free information you provide had been useful and helpful in so many ways. So I thank you Dave for what you are doing and how I know and believe that what you are doing and providing is a blessing to so many. Don’t listen to the few people who want to bring you down for the good cause you are so freely giving.

    Thank you Alisa Hair

  57. Hello David,

    I agree with all the other’s here, you are not able to please all of the people all of the time, only some of the people some of the time, those who are pointing the finger are the one’s who are in denial and by doing this it takes the attention away from them to be placed elsewhere. You are doing a wonderful job and I myself am not bi-polar but feel very strongly that my boyfriend is/or has border line personality issues. If not for your site and information, I would not have been able to educate myself in order for me to understand and deal with his issues when they appear. He has not and will not get diagnosed and is not on any meds for this which makes it all the more difficult for me to deal with. Sensativity derives from many issues both past and present, take all the negativity you get with a pinch of salt and know that there are so many more of us out here who have only the greatest respect for all that you do and have done. Keep up the tremendous job that you are doing and may God bless your every step of everyday.

  58. David… Don’t let the detractors stop you or slow you down. Where would we be if we all turned our backs on each others problems in hopes they would just ‘go-a-way?’ I look at some of the adverse e Mails and can’t help but wonder if these people are even reading yours and ‘seeing’ what you are trying to tell them. Love the help you make available to one and all… you offer, it’s up to us to partake. As always, Billy Gray

  59. I think is easier for people to critcize than it is to pay a compliment to someone. I know first hand how important medicine is. I live with a guy who has bipolar and is a nighmare when he doesn’t take his medicine correctly. He doesn’t even have to go off of his medicine to be a nightmare. Your daily e-mails have helped me be patient and understanding to a point. I for one am glad that you are out there helping people understand the illness because I knew nothing about it. I agree that the cost of medicine is outrageous. It does take a lot of money even with insurance to afford the medicine. Keep on keeping on. You are doing a good job and I appreciate it.

    Have a good day, Sue

  60. Please dont stop doing what your doing. Dont stop talking…dont stop teaching…dont stop emailing. I am bipolar and have found your emails both comforting and helpful. I am still trying to learn how to “deal with life” and have found your information to be exactly what I need to hear, when i need to hear it. It has also helped my family and friends understand me so they to can learn how to support me, rather than ‘trigger’ me. So, for me personally….just dont stop…..and thank you David. Thank you so very much. Your friend, Joanna :o)

  61. David, you have been a source of inspiration to me and countless other people. I enjoy reading everything you send to me….When you go off your med’s, anxiety sets in and you lash out at the people who try to help you, I know, I have been there. Yes, the med’s are very expensive, however my doctor is so good to me, she gives me samples everytime I see her, which is now, thank God, once every six months! You keep up your good works for those of us who care, you are important to us, you help us, guide us and I for one am very grateful! thank you!….joyce k.

  62. Dear Dave,

    First, I’ve been receiving your emails for a long time and look forward to them daily. They are indeed very encouraging and I wish my friends who do not have computers but have mental illnesses such as bipolar and borderline personality could get them. Incidentally, someone was asking earllier if you had a course on borderline personality. I know that you have a course for supporters of someone with borderline personality disorder. It is at borderlinecentral.com and is probably very good judging by what I’ve read on the site.
    Regarding meds, I have multiple mental illness diagnoses and some physical health problems so the medication issues are complicated and it seems like things have to be changed frequently, new meds or new combinations tried. But I learned the hard way that even if the consequences aren’t immediate, going completely off meds when you’re bipolar is a disaster waiting to happen. One of my friends went off his meds and started taking St. John’s Wurt. Now, I know that is said to help mild to moderate depression sometimes. But even the manufacturers of it don’t say it will help or cure bipolar. For awhile, my friend was doing ok. But then he took off for parts unknown and later committed suicide. Sometimes I hate meds. I’m diabetic too and sometimes I hate the blood glucose testing, meds etc. But, even though the psych meds often have side effects that make me feel bad I know I probably wouldn’t be alive without them and certainly I would not be able to function even in the rather limited way that I do. If the complainers would have looked at your FAQ on your bipolar web site where one of the questions is asking what medicine your mom is on, they would know that you don’t advocate any one medicine because all people react in their own unique ways to meds.
    I have found your emails and mini courses to be encouraging and oh yes, don’t stop the podcasts! It’s good to hear a voice to put to the person. If anybody wants to know if you’re for real, let them go to bipolar central and listen to some of your informative podcasts, which are getting better and better as you get more comfortable with the technology. Are you going to come out with a course for those who have borderline personality disorder? Lots of people have that diagnosis and don’t really know that much about it. Maybe a manual similar to that which you have for bipolar survivors would be useful. Just a thought.
    Laura

  63. Hi David,

    I signed up to your website because I queried if my partner had B.P.D. It turned out he didn’t, but I kept reading your mails anyway.
    I am a mother of a son (in the UK) with Aspergers syndrome, not related to bi-polar I know, some similar dynamics. I enjoy reading your emails, I find them interesting and informative, and I like the way you draw every – day life paradoxis. People who live with bi polar, aspergers, or anything that makes them not neuro- typical, have a tough job fitting in. We all know that it is in fact the job of the rest of us to ‘fit in’ around them, but in reality this is not the case. Life then becomes a series of battles, exhausting, frustrating battles, which try us and ware us down. People need someone to be angry at sometimes, sometimes the truth is hard to swallow. If you are that person that people can vent their anger on when they need to, then you are still doing a very good job, because maybe it has saved someone closer to them from receiving that anger? Not fair on you maybe – I hope you have a good support system around you.
    You are obviously helping a vast number of people, me? I just learn from you and enjoy your mails.
    I can see you do what you do with a good heart and no ulterior motives, and I reckon deep down others can too.
    Look after yourself,
    Belinda

  64. Dear Dave,
    I read your courses and am really happy that there is someone like you out there. My point is if there wasn’t someone like you out there no-one would really know where to turn or have any starting point in starting to deal with their bi-polar diasease. What I really wanted to say was about all these people who are complaining against you and making comments , just tell them to stop reading all the information that you are giving out they don’t like it that’s fine no-one has a gun to their head telling them to subscribe to your e-mails,or courses, if they don’t like what you are saying fine, stop subscribing and go somewhere else to find all this information otherwise shut the hell up no-one wants their opinion!! I know that in a perfect world this would happen but… people have some sort of need to always complain about other people even though it’s not wanted. Keep up the good work!!

  65. Don’t EVER stop what you are doing and be assured you are helping a lot of people. I am trying the best I can to be a “long distance” supporter and your emails each day have helped me a lot.

  66. life is short. ignore those that do not fullt understand the disease.. have a happy day by choice

  67. Hang in there David. Your information is spot on and don’t let anything discourage you. You are appreciated very much for what you do each and every day. May God Bless You.

  68. hey david sounds like u had a bp moment. exspressing ur self the way u did is normal for us. i think u did good putting ur feelings down. that releaves alot of pressure and keeps us from loseing our minds completely. dont fret just keep writing and just to let u know that you’ve helped me alot, thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

  69. ok…I know that a lot people feel that medication is bad but do they know what can happen if there love one goes off the med’s because I can tell you from experinece that they can do more harm to themselves and others. My son had been with the illness for about 8 yrs which he has been on all different medications and out of hospitals for a long time that we finally found a good combination that he is now trying to find some peace with himself and just enjoying life!!!! so I tell you this Don’t worry about others comments or Email..Just take the good and keep going on with your mission….I am one that read everything you have to write about bipolar Disorder.

  70. hang in there Dave!! You provide a wonderful resource for a very disheartened group of people. Your understanding of bipolar disorder is amazing and has opened up my eyes to many things. i read your newsletters daily and the current bipolar news every Friday. i would hate if i lost you as a resource for my disorder. thank you for the time you devote to this and for caring so much about so many people.

  71. You’ve been helping me out for years, your emails very informative you show a huge amount of understanding, when sometimes I thought I was going insane myself! your emails kept me grounded & focused, you’ll always get the critics….their a sad bunch!! thanks heaps..sandy australia

  72. I know that before I started taking meds for Bipolar I was worthless to my family and could not get through the day with a crying spell or two. Every one thought I was crazy. When I started the Limictal my hole world changed. It was like the sun came out for the first time in 10 years. I thank God that there are meds avilable. My only problem is that my DR. cant find a anti-depresant I con take that dont send me into a bad spell. Do you have any clue of what i can take?

  73. Like so many before me have told you , there will always be critics and negative feed back on about anythihg and every thing. I’ve only been enrolled with your course for a couple of wks. now , but already I have a more positive outlook and a better understanding of what’s wrong with me.I’ve been through sooooooo many Dr.’s and more than my fair share of meds,yet nothing has ever helped me. After 10 yrs. of having my life and dreams robbed from me, I finally got a proper diagnosis.Bipolar with psychotic tendacies, but still no proper treatment for it. Why? Because of my condition I am unable to work any longer, I can’t even leave my house usually.Therefore I applied for disability and of course was denied because what I have is not a real illness.I could go on forever about this , but I just wanted to thank you and tell you what a blessing you and all your research has been to so many. Please don’t be discouraged. GOD has blessed you with a great gift– continue on with your mission. Thank you so much.

  74. I’ve learned the hard way the importance of taking medication.. Ive helped two other people get on them and its changed their lives. Keep up the good work dave

  75. Hey David,

    I believe that u r doing r good thing there trying to help people who really in nid of ur help….If u know and believe in urself dat ure doing the right thing, forget about what other thinks of u!!…I believe that in life, it is part of human life dat when ure trying to do good, there will always some people out there who will be against you!!
    So, be brave, keep up the good work and never be discouraged by some people’s comments.
    Thank u 4 all ur emails!!! GOD BLESS!!.

  76. Hey David, So what’s 2 e-mails with complaints out of all the other thousands of bipolar sufferers that appreciate what you’re doing and how it’s helping them. I, for one appreciate it very much…. I have not been officially diagnosed with bipolar but am being treated for major depression which even with that, I know I could not function without my meds, I’ve already been down that road and suffered tremendously so I know how important the meds are. My daughter has been diagnosed with bipolar here recently and the meds have really helped her. If not for the meds, how do these 2 individuals think that these patients are going to get any better??!!!!!! I feel like one day, they will see things differently!!!! Thanx for all you’re doing and keep it up, Please because there’s a lot more people who do appreciate what you’re doing!!!!!!!!

  77. hi david,this is bev listen dont let what some people say cause you to give up cause you are helping people to understand and i can say this cause you have helped me by your storys on your living with bipolar in your family and reading the things that happen when these episodes happen it has told me what to look for in signs of the person and it is easier to see things and i know more of what to expect and what i should do so please dont give up cause im sure there are alot more people that appreciate your help than the ones that just want to complain i deal with people like that everyday and i have decided its they arent happy unless they are complaining so you look at it like you are helping them to be happy so you keep it up cause you make more people happy than you know huh?. have a great night.

  78. Hang in there Dave, you are doing wonderful work. I found your site in early March, shortly after my wife of 26 months moved out – she never told me before or during our marriage that she was bipolar, and her family chose not to share that information with me until the week she left. She dealt with a lot of other physicial health problems and three major surgeries during our brief marriage, and I believe the medicines she was getting during that time masked her mental health issues. When her behavior started getting more and more bizarre, and I finally started questioning what was really going on, she left. Of course there’s far more to the story than that, but the information you provided has helped me understand that the things she did (and I learned too late, has done repeatedly in her past) were caused by bipolar. Unfortunately, she continues to be in complete denial that she is bipolar, and is not on any medication.

  79. Hey Dave…accusing you of favoring the drug companies? I’ve never seen you promote any certain medication or advertise for any company. I don’t at all understand the complaints you are getting…makes no sense to me.

    Kind of funny…A friend told me that I go into the psychiatrists’ offices, acting like I know more than they do. They said that I am not ‘successful’ with psychiatrists because of MY attitude. I just laughed at that. Why would I go into a doctor’s office, waste my time and money if I thought I already knew more than they did?

    Do we hire a mechanic to fix our car if we already know how and have the means to fix it ourselves? Of course not!!!

    I think people make stupid, uniformed statements…because they are so used to blaming others. They say dumb things, just off the top of their heads. They don’t care how they come across or if they hurt anyone.

    People like that just upset me. I confronted the person today and asked her why she said what she did…bet i don’t get a response that makes any sense.

    I think people like that just need to look at their own lives before judging others.

  80. Dear David,
    When my daughter was diagnosed with Bi-Polar 2, I was completely stunned and had no idea where to start to look for support. You web site has hepled a great deal, and I am forever grateful.

  81. I can’t see anything wrong with what your saying about bi-polar i wish it went like my new med’s for back & neck pain bulging disks, i hurt my neck bad & hurt may bad too old injury plus bulging disks in lower spine to, i had electric charge after stroke it was not done by a doctor, static electric & this pill Gabapentin too ok i all most a new lease on life no pain at all, and in sound mind no after effects of stroke! hope the doctor work on bi polar like they did the spine meds Gregg

  82. Dear Dave:

    I don’t even know if this one will get through to the blog, but I want to tell you how I think, since you asked.

    Dave, what is your objective in sending out your daily e-mails? I thought it was to give short, informational, daily messages on some aspect of bipolar disorder. You have done that MOST of the time, and the large majority of blog posts that you get are from people who are grateful to be getting the information, and who are grateful to you for giving it to them.

    What message about bipolar disorder was today’s e-mail about? There were some statements about the importance of medication in the treatment of bipolar. But mostly, today, you ranted on about a couple of bloggers who said negative things about you and said over and over how MAD you were about it. I could feel your anger! Then you asked what we thought.

    Of course, the vast majority of people came out in overwhelming praise of you, telling you just to ignore the people who were being critical, that you can’t please everybody, that you might want to suggest that people who are angry about your e-mails are welcome to unsubscribe.

    Is this site a place to find information about bipolar disorder and to learn of other peoples’ experiences, or is it a forum for you to vent your anger and indignation when people “accuse” you of something or don’t like you?
    On every blog I’ve ever read, people have said bizarre things, and other people know they’re bizarre. Why do you let these things upset you so much? This sort of thing has happened before, and it detracts from the goal I think you set up for yourself: to deliver information and insights about bipolar disorder. Today, I feel, there was no lesson. I’m sure you’ll be happy to see that people support you and care about you and are grateful to you, but is it more important to you to be popular, or is it more important to share information about bipolar disorder??

    In no way am I suggesting that you stop sending these e-mails. You have indeed given very valuable information to me and to my supporter. But when I see an e-mail like today’s, I have to wonder if you’re a little insecure. You are an intelligent person with an honest desire to help people. Why don’t you keep it focused on your goal? You will always get some negative (or even whacky) comments, no matter what you say – it goes with the territory. There’s no need to get so angry. You should know deep inside yourself that what you’re doing is valuable and important. If you’re being falsely accused of something, so what? I have to say that I think that venting your personal emotions in an e-mail means that, for that day, we don’t get much “teaching” from you.

    I hope I haven’t made you mad, too; but I felt I really had to speak my mind. Like the others, I have learned a tremendous amount of stuff about bipolar disorder from your e-mails, and I admire you and think that you’re a nice guy. I believe you care. It’s just that I don’t feel that today’s e-mail (and previous ones like it) are very helpful….

    I AM…. Your friend,
    Sue

  83. Hi David
    I have just started getting information from you.
    I have lived with bi-polar disorder for 41 years. I have 3 children in their teens I am divorced bankrupt and have alienated all of my extended family and friends. I was only diagnosed 2 years ago, which was a great relief for me as everything I had done in my life that had lead me to where I was 2 years ago now makes sense I AM NOT A BAD PERSON.
    I have tried a few different medications. The first ones had awful side effects and made me not want to take medication at all. I have finaly found a medical proffesional who has managed to get my medications to a level where i feel like i can take control of my life again. I am and always will be grateful to him for listening to me and helping me to get the right medication so I could feel like I was functioning at a level that allowed me rebuild relationships and to stop doubting myself. I think it is extremely important that people with bi-polar get the right medication and stay on it. I believe it has saved my life.
    So dave I commend you on your efforts to make people understand that we can regain the quality of our lives by getting the right medication and staying on it. Working with a medical proffesional who is interested in helping you to find the right combinations so you can feel like you are part of the world again. Thanks and keep up the good work x
    Brigitte, New Zealand

  84. Hey Dave,
    I feel that the people who are attacking you obviously do not have Bipolar Disorder themselves and they don’t have family members with it either. If they had any experience dealing with it at all, they would know right off hand that medication is VERY important for people with this disorder. My husband is the one with Bipolar Disorder and without his Lithium, he is very suicidal. In fact, we have found that Lithium has been an absolute wonder drug, it is the only thing that keeps him from going through with his suicidal thoughts when he is in one of his episodes.

    Dave-don’t even sweat it, what you do is awesome and helps me get through the day. You always have great information and encouraging words to say. Please don’t stop doing what you do, alot of people need you. Thanks so much for this blog and your informative emails!
    Lianna

  85. Dear Lisa,
    I am responding to your blog asking Dave if he knows of any anti-depressants that he could suggest for you. I would like to suggest ABILIFY. My husband has found that this along with Lithium are the only meds that keep him from being suicidal. His doctor has tried him on several anti-depressants only to leave him suicidal after making him extremely manic for a few days. I am not saying that they will work for you, I am just saying maybe you could try the Abilify out.

  86. you are a great help to me you understand us with bi polar few people do i have just been reading your articles for about 2 weeks please know how grateful i am to have found you if i wasnt on meds i would not still be here please know you are one of my life lines i thank you from the bottom of my heart. vickie

  87. Dear David, I think you are doing a fantastic job. I have learnt so much from your site it is simply amazing. Sad thing is the truth always hurts and people look for excuses just to lash out at others. Please carry on the good work.

  88. Medication David is very important and thanks for being there for us and understanding our feelings and you standing strong against being criticized. Not many or should I say hardly any have the knowledge or know what we go through except you.
    Our medication is very important to us to survive this system of things we live in. If we didn’t eventually we’d loose our mind. I know ones that are not on medication and they choose to convert to booze to slow there thinking down, which is making their Bipolar worse. Where the medication when right for you is controlling our emotions in a stable way.

  89. Hello, David! I am your new fan/client/reader. I am 38 years old with 3 kids. I underwent annulment and the doctors (went to see 3-4 doctors even before my ex-huband filed the annulment case because of depression) just told me that I was undergoing depression but no one told me what kind of depression it is. After the decision came out, depression erupted to its highest level that I could not imagine such thing could happen. It was only last year that I asked if I am suffering from bi polar and the answer is yes. Worse, my family (parents and siblings) are never supportive of me. According to them, depression is a state of mind. Gosh! I am going thru all this on my own. My hubby now is supportive and my 2 older sons. Through the years I have been taking 7 meds a day and even if I take the medicines regularly, attacks are sure to come. I am happy that there are people like you who are selfless to help others who feel helpless, like me.

  90. Hi Dave
    I have been receiving your emails since Jan last year and i can’t even begin to tell you how much you have helped me (the supporter) and my husband since this time. My husband had been wrongly diagnosed for YEARS & with your help & courses I finally got him the RIGHT doctors/therapists/medications etc and we have had the best year in our 10 year marriage so far. We still have some minor issues to address with PTSD but my husband is for the first time in his life stable and beginning to enjoy life! Please don’t be discouraged by a couple of people’s comments because you do a WONDERFUL thing for people all around the world! We are fortunate that in Australia the government subsidises alot of the cost of medications, which certainly eases the financial pressures a little with the costs of managing bipolar disorder. You are absolutely doing the right thing informing people of the importance of medication. I know that my husband would probably not be here with me & our 2 children today had I not found your website! Keep up the good work Dave!!

  91. dear dave keep up the good work. i am supporting my 13 yr. old grandson . he was dignosed with bipolar and put on resperdal, adderal & lexapro at about 7, we tried counsling . bu after he went on meds he was a joy to tlk to and for the fist time sounded likea normal 7 year old, before that time he would either throw himself on the floor, kick.scream amd curse, break things, throw things for hours nd cry or he would walk around like bull in a hina shop very agressive, sneakng snacks [ whle boxs of oookies cakes nd candy. chips or icecream. he would lay in bed nd rock bak and forth nd keep repeating nonsence words until he fell asleep. i hd 2 other grnd hildrn and he drove evryone out of house who came to help becaue heculd scream for 2 to 3 hourswhenever he was disciplined. we had tobe careful of self talk, if i was driving nd sat did i just miss my sreet he would start screaming and kicking and we couldn’t calm him down. if i took him to churh even for children he would be ok for about 15 o 30 minutes and thn he would meltdoun, well dave meds do work but now many years and 2 states later we arehaving some real problems, johns hopkins changed his diagnosis to mood dis order nonspecific as not to lable him so youg. he would stillhave a coulplesevere eptsodes a year and require in patient and hi weight balooned from the repridal so they cut his resperdal an dded abilify,stopped that and added topamax’ well shephrd pratt releasdhim on 3clonidine,and 2 – 1 mg resperdal nd a recommendain go to school tht has an onsight pschiatrist. then we moved to alabama now 3 clonodine i enirly too strong and is onlyneeded during crisis, but the move is stressful and the doctor [i think he sees him about 5 times] changes hi digosis to a behavior disorder and eventually adds depakote, wel, tis makes him relly violent [ he was 11 when we moved] the dr. says give it to him atbedtimewell that dint work. zachary got expelled,so i tookthem to florida took zak off his depakote and tried to give him a fresh start i enrolled him in regular school but ,well hes now ina ospital school, on resprdol, clonidine and strterra. he is doing well in scool. 9 weeks on level1. they areplanning to send him to regular sohool ontained class. now dave,he has no socialkills. they ell me if he canmaintain in school[5hrs., 3 teachers, 8 students, private ntrance nd n esort ] that this is dicipline issue ndmeds isnot the answr. i say that theresperolis keeping down the violence and parnoia like a banaid but in ordr for him to reach his potentil and for the restof usto see the child i saw and communicated with 6 yrs ago. they are going to have to addorchange one of his meds o maybe something like the lexapro. well please let me know what you think. tm not able toget your oourse. sorry abot the errors,my keyboard is sfuck. thankyou and God bless you. mary

  92. I havent known this site very long but it is slowly helping me dealing with the fact I have major depression and anxiety and compulsive order which now they THINK I have Bi Polar so I do THANKYOU for all your helpful emails
    Michelle

  93. Hi Dave,
    Would these same people be so down on you if you were supporting cancer patients? Bi Polar is no different than any other sickness and one does need medications just like the cancer patient. What if you got some other sickness that only takes a week of medication? Would this person be against taking an antibiotic? Think about it . . . mental illness is no different form any other.

  94. hey Dave,

    Don’t let it get you down anddon’t go down with them by repsonding to them.
    They must on some level know you are right or why waste time arguing about it , just don’t take it no one is making them.
    But we who take our meds know there is a huge diiference in our thinking and reasoing.
    Stay above it your doing a good job and you need to prove nothing.
    Tricia

  95. Keep up the good work i know exacly how you feel the same thing happens 2 me all the time.Then i check my email and you are telling me the same exact thing and it helps me alot.So dont ever think about quitingIf it wasnt 4 you going through all that i wouldnt make it.

  96. Dear David Oliver, I would like to let you know ,that what ever someone tries to do for any good there is always some backlash,this goes for from winning a lottery,as I have won many,over the last three years.I have not beenable to meet the payments to send for any of them.Even my family would not help in any way they can,as they just do not believe that you have actually won.I also hae had compensations,inheritances,and trust inheritances.I have all of these,by working through the apppropriate lawyers and courier firms,with all the certificates on my computer.It is hard convincingany one that they are real,so I put my self,in the same position as you find your self in some times.I think you are a very good fighter,in what you believe you have to do,and I commend you.They are not many people like us around,as I have been told,so keep up your good work.I also would like to let you know that I joined up with you,because my brothers girl of 12 years old was diagnosed with Bipolar.She had to leave shool because the other children were giving her a hard time,after they found out that she had bipolar.I do not have all the time in the word to read all of your email,not even the course as yet,but have put them in a folder ,so I can read them when I do get the chance,as I have to try and get these payments made somehow.Thanks for your help in giving me this information on bipolar,and I would let my brother ,and hs wife read all that you have sent,when she returns from Australia,where she went a few days ago with a church group.Bye for now!

  97. Hey Dave,
    I have recently just started recieving your emails and newsletters and I feel that they are very helpful and informative. If you allow those 2 people to discourage you the way that they did than you are pretty much letting them win at their own game. Life is a game to some people and if they are miserable than they do everything possible to make others feel the same. Usually this happens becuase they dislike themselves and maybe they need help and need medications, but refuse to do it so they become angry that they suffer from bipolar. I should know I have suffered from bipolar 2 for some time now, and at first I disliked myself and wouldnt accept it and was just angry all the time. I have been episode free and medication free for two years now, and to me that is a big thing, but at this current point in time I can feel and have seen an episode coming on, and the first thing I told myself was I need to get to the doctor and get back on my meds before I hurt myself or someone else as I have with past episodes. I hate medication but I know it is the right thing to do to keep myself and others around me safe from harm. So theose two people that wrote the emails are wrong, meds help not hurt, if you have the right med that is. So dont take it to heart Dave you do awesome work from what I have already seen and read.

    Keep up the great work I enjoy reading it everyday!! 🙂
    Jen

  98. Hey, I don’t even know you, but I already like you for being so helpful and open. I just started looking up stuff about bipolar because my best friend’s husband is having a very bad manic episode. So, thanks for all the help to get the info out.

  99. I would imagine your ego and self-esteem are intact again after all these responses. It’s all been said above…..you’re doing a great service. Thank you for all the research you have done.

  100. I am on Bi-polar medication and can attest to the importance of it. My life has been changed for the better because of it … even though I still have episodes they are not as extreme.

    I have a 26year old daughter and I often wonder what I must have put her through prior to the diagnosis and subsequent medication.

    Keep up the good work

  101. Meds allow a bipolar person to be his/her real self!
    I am thankful that you agree they are necessary. I would “beg, borrow,” or do most anything to be able to pick up my husband’s meds at the drug store on time so that he doesn’t have to be without them. Without them he is nervous, argumentative, & sometimes physically agressive. With them, he is a rational person,able to function and reason. Keep up the good work–we appreciate you. Nobody can please everyone–just develop a thicker skin & let criticism roll off!

  102. Have to say I am another one of those people that are pretty put off by your letters. I function better off my meds than on. When on my meds I feel like a druged up suffocating idiot that can’t get a single thought out into the world. The side effects are horrible…those alone make me want to die. Have to say most of your e-mails make mad and I never finnish them because you remind me of those around me that like to play the high and mighty role.
    I have been diagnosed as bipolar, borderline, adhd, with the “possible” schizzoaffective appearing here and there…and I function off meds. I graduated high school, hold two college degree’s (that I got working three jobs), and now work full time. I was hospitalized once for an overdose as teen and that was under all the care in the world and meds i was supposed to be on. Once I figured out I was bigger than anything the world could throw at me I just had to find that place in my mind to get through it I would always be ok….and I have been. Only meds you will find me on right now are for the car accident I surrvived.
    It really shouldn’t be preached that all BP’s need meds to live normally!
    To me your e-mails are you whining like my 3yr old son about how your life was and is and how it still is….and how you like to make sure the world knows your not getting a pay check or getting paid by drug companies etc… live it up and let the people soak it up I am so very over it drama.

  103. I read similar article also named Bipolar Disorder and Complaints About ME!, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me

  104. i am confused the doctor says i dont have bipolar i have all of the symptoms of bipolar i have to have my meds or i go schizophrenic i think people are talking about me or looking at me strangely i cant deal with other people cause i get confused half of the time i get confused i dont know what day it is and all i do is sleep i have my own home business but i am scared to approach people about it. so i get scared and run. i have trouble taking long car rides i get sick i cant be in the car with more than 3 people cause i get claustrophobic do i have bipolar or what i am so confused i get so out of it somedays i will talk to people and i have missed a couple of days i cant remember going bye help what should i do

  105. You’re doing a wonderful job. It’s ok to feel disappointed in people. People are disappointing, that’s why I like my cat. He’s very clear and demanding with no expectations except to please him.
    So, forget the people who criticize you. You are here to serve a better cause – Helping those who have an extraordinarily hard time in accepting themselves. As a supporter of someone who has bipolar, you are helping me. Stroll on my boy, stroll on.

  106. From glancing through many of these and reading only a very few, it looks like you have a great support system here in your responses from others. There is a balance of course that is needed. Take only what meds are doing the right job for the body, mind and do the best you can to keep it at a minimum if at all possible. Over medication is not good as is under medication is not good. So a balance of what works with the meds. and the support team that one can work with is the best that should be realized and keep it under control as much as possible. Faith in God, in Jesus as Lord and Savior sure does help too, but it may not be the kind that is noticeable by others if it is at a low degree of obedience, as well as a high degree of health issues at hand. Since I have a sister who is like that, it is hard to know at times whether she really does Believe in God, but if it weren’t for the fact that I was there when it happened I wouldn’t have known it . So for those who are of the Christian faith and still struggle, know that He is still there and loves you inspite of your problems. I love my sister, but she is not always easy to get along with. But is much easier since she has come to the Christian Faith. Blessings, T.C.

  107. Hi Dave

    “Never give up. Never ever give up. Never ever ever give up.” To quote Winston Churchhill.

    Dave, I have BD and am about to start a support group in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I have used your info, experience and “talk the honest truth” about this illness to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for my venture. So thanks and never give up!

    Best wishes
    Simon

  108. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!! regardless of the complainers, there are way more people out there who need you. You give up, where are they going to get their information from? Who else cares about all these people like you? God bless you.

  109. I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Bipolar Disorder and Complaints About ME!, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.

  110. I’m a little late reading your e-mails, but I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the information that you’re sending to me and others. I’ve never encountered bipolar disorder before, until I fell in love with my boyfriend who was recently diagnosed as having bipolar. I’m trying just as hard to understand it so I can be there for him as he is learning how to control it. I agree, medicines are very important! I’ve known him since before he was diagnosed and I can tell the big difference that his medicine makes in helping him to control his temper and anxiety. Keep up the good work!! And thank you for doing what you do. Without your e-mails and mini-course I’d be almost completely in the dark trying to help my boyfriend.

  111. Dave,
    I know you submit only the things you believe will help people, and I know for a fact that the whole medication issue has its huge pro’s and con’s. I agree with the way you’ve handled things and I don’t believe you should be targeted or scrutinized for your efforts. Rock on, friend, I know your intent is only to help.
    ~Carol

  112. Did you really think this was something you could do and not get one single bad thing said about you? I think you picked the wrong profession to get a big head over…you post anything on the internet and someone will have something bad to say about it. Have to say does make it seem like you make yourself out to be something mighty special when all the time I read “I haven’t made a paycheck in…….years” to go on later to read “off to the gym again”. I wish I could not make a paycheck and afford the gym and everything else you talk about doing must be nice.

  113. I was amazed that someone would take the time to even suggest that you are not helping people! I am 34 years old and I have never come across a person who cares as much as you do about others.

    As you are a very strong person these few people should not even be given a second thought. If they where truly people who cared they would be supporting a worthy cause as you do instead of wasting there time insulting a person who gives his heart and soul to others so that they can make it through another day of tribulations…..

    Forget about Dave!!! You have helped me and I am sure many more in such a short time that who ever has the time for such destructive thoughts most likely need you more than they could ever know….

  114. I HAVE HAD THE BP GIFT FOR 35 YEARS, I HAVE HAD THE DISORDER FOR 8.3 YEARS. THE DISORDER IS BOUGHT ABOUT VIA “MEDICATION” mEDICALY INDUCED BRAIN DAMAGE.VIA POLYPHARMACY. TOTALY IATROGENIC. THE “MEDICATION” DESTROTY BP, RUINS THE MIND. LEAVES YOU WITH A DISORDER. A LIFE WORSE THAN DEATH.

    AS YOU KEEP PUSHING YOUR BOULDERDASH, I SEE YOU ARE BUT ANOTHER OF THEIR PUPPETS. ALL KNOW THE “MEDICATION” KILLS THE MIND, BODY & SOUL OF THE POOR ONE WHO IS FORCED TO TAKE IT.

    WHY DO YOU WINGE WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO EDUCATE YOU, AND POINT OUT FACTS. AS IF YOU ARE NOT RAKING IT IN, WE ARE NOT STUPID AS ALL OF YOU FOOLS BELIEVE.

    CHECK OUT THE THUD EXPEREMENT ON YOU TUBE. THEIR ARE MANY GREAT TRUTHFUL ACCOUNTS ALSO ON THE PSYCH. TRADE. BY EVEN PROFS. OF PSYCH. THEY ALL SAY THE TRADE IS BUT A FRAUD.QED. FROM THE HEADS OF THE INDUSTRY.

    WHY IS IT NOW I AM A SCIENTOLIGIST THEY CANNOT MEDICATE ME. HELL I SUDENLY HAVE RIGHTS, PITY IT’S TOO LATE TO SAVE MY LIFE, I LOST THAT 8.3 YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST SEEN THE PSYCH. ORGANISM.

    YES FORCE INJECTED… HOW IS IT DAVE YOU CAN REFUSE “LIFE SAVING TREATMENT” WE CANNOT REFUSE LIFE ENDING TREATMENT?

    HOW IS DESTROYING THE BRAIN, OF ANY HELP?
    POST JUST ONE?

    WHY WILL YOU OR ANY OTHER MINDLESS FOOL ENTER A DEBATE WITH ME, IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHT, PROVE IT.

  115. To TROY: You’re on another of your “senseless” rants, aren’t you??!! In the archaic, ancient days, forced electroshock therapy was used because it produced effective balance to depressives. I don’t really “think” you can be “forced” to undergo ECT.

    The “organism” is nothing but the shrink’s way of medicating highly resistant and out-of-control patients, who don’t know what’s good for them. Bipolar disorder IS a medical reality; why you can’t accept it, I don’t know. If you think your brain has been “destroyed,” talk it over with a therapist.

    I have had bipolar disorder since 1968, and instead of having my brain “fried,” I’ve decided I’m going to “exercise” it and make something of myself, instead of whining that my “creativity” and “intelligence” is gone. Where did it go??!! I’ve also been on Disability since 1990; just because I CAN’T work, doesn’t mean I don’t have the guts to try and do what I can. Sure, there are times when my brain feels “cloudy” and unresponsive; but, this too, shall pass. Medications work FOR you, not AGAINST you. Any patient can “override” the effects of ANY medication; try it sometime.

    I don’t care if you were once tested as having a “genius” IQ and now feel as if your brains have leaked out of your head. If you spent as much time “developing” what you have left, as you do posting your delusional crap on this blog, I dare say you COULD make something of yourself. You make sense; you really do. But do something CONSTRUCTIVE for a change, and see how THAT feels!!

  116. Hi Dave,

    Don’t listen to the people who downplay the important role medications play in treating the symptoms of bipolar. I take 4 medications to treat the symptoms. If not for them, I’d be sick and I don’t want to go there.

    There will always be people who don’t agree with you. Take it with a grain of salt. You know you are doing a great service! What do they have to offer? Criticism and negativity which won’t help anyone sick or otherwise.

  117. discouraged???? ahhh diddums, wanting a little reassurance? take the hint, makes me wonder why you show people all this evidence that people think you are an idiot. having to nail people saying ‘they must be very sick’ or ‘off their meds’. maybe they just know you are an arsehole peddling worse info than a peado on child welfare

  118. Dave, I would just like to say thank you for all your messages. I do find it very helpful and encouraging. I have a very good doctor and he has been the first to help me and the medications he has given me have helped me tremendously. In the beginning I went off my meds and I made a lot of debt, hurt my loved ones and became very suicidal. It was after reading one of your letters explaining how harmful it was to me and my loved ones to be off my meds that I went back on and have never gone off them since. I thank you for that and look forward to many more letters whether they be words of encouragement or warning with regards to this disorder.

  119. DEAR DAVE:IN MY OPINION, YOU & YOUR STAFF ARE DOING AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC JOB!! I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WON’T LOOK AT YOUR POSTS, SO I SEND THEM E-MAILS… THOSE THEY’LL READ. SOME COMMENT FAVORABLY, SOME NEVER RESPOND (TYPICAL). MY MASTERS IS IN CLINICAL PSYCH, AND I FEEL THAT YOU GUYS ARE POINT-ON. KEEP IT UP!! SOMEONE IS HEARING AND HEEDING. FRANK POWELL

  120. Dave,
    You advertised for writers once before, any updates on that? Thanks. Read your writings daily. Peter Z

  121. Thank you for the encouraging words. It’s hard. I sleep 14-18 hours a day then do nothing the rest of the time I’m awake other than play on the computer or watch tv. I’m tired of being tired and when im not up I’m in bed crying so I just stay there all day. They don’t have my medications right and I’ve heard for 3 years now that everything will be ok. We will get ya fixed and still life goes on the same way when it started. I just want to be normal, and not sleep my life away. My husband says he sees me dying a little more each day and I dont wanna be like that. I wanna get up in the morning and have the energy to get up and move about and do the daily functions that a wife and mother should do. I’m really tired of it.
    Anyway just wanted to say thanks!

    Deanna

  122. I just wanted to say that I think your letters are very helpful. Sometimes they get a little long and I skim over stuff that doesn’t necesserely pertain to me. I’m not bipolar but my grown child is and maybe both. It’s hard to tell sometimes. My life is a long story and I won’t go in to it now. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Your doing a good job and it is a lot of work. It’s taking me a long time just to write this. You even do this for us for free. You are in a service for God and will be blessed. I’m retired and don’t have money to buy your books etc, but maybe one of these days I will. Thanks for all your hard work.

  123. Hi Dave,
    Iam reasonably new to your site and joined your mini course to broke to get the other ones you offer, so anyway I just wanted to thank you for being there in my email box everyday and for the insprational quotes you sometimes have I write them for my daughter on post it notes and leave them around the house so she finds them. I have been struggling some days to cope with her Bi-Polar and what is does to her. Her medication is helping a lot now and her therapy sessions are something she looks forward to.It’s such a hug step for her, we have provided a safe and secure environment, non judgmental, loving and stress free. We have introduced stress lit bits at a time and support or help steer her decisions to better ones. So for me to have you on the other end has been excellent for me and my husband and son as we all care for her and support her. Don’t let the minority spoil it for you as you can’t please the world. You can’t be everything to everyone…. Chin up and keep going you have the world behind you..LOL

  124. Hi I’ve been going through most of your advice sheets and it really seems as though you are on a one way street to make money only for yourself on these people who have a debilitating illness and at times can be vulnerable to say the least. Most don’t have money to pay for rent etc yet alone for your help books you are selling. In most cases if anyone with BP cares to know more about their illness they too can research most of the things you have in your books or letters by doing so on the internet. There is a lot of stuff and more up to date information on you and BP.
    Another thing is that what is working for your mother isn’t necessarily going to work on everyone with BP. Everyone with BP is seen as an individual not a clone hence the different medications.

  125. Hi Dave, i’ve recently subscribed to your emails and love the information I receive.

    My partner of 14 years (we have been together since we were 16) has recently been diagnosed with Bipolar after years of being unreliable, wasting money, abusive….you name it we’ve been through it.

    The final straw was sustance abuse and spending food money…with 3 children I wouldn’t allow it to go on anymore. He flew to another country the day I kicked him out. Long story short he crashed while over there and came home to be hospitalised.

    Now medicated I can’t get over the change in him. He’s so wonderful and caring, all traits I haven’t seen from him in years. He actually considers the children and I now before making decisions.

    My problem is that my family refuses to give him the benefit of the doubt “again”. They don’t believe he has Bipolar and that this is another one of his “lies”. Its hard having my partner defensive whenever my mother phones and my mother, step father and partner abusing each other.

    My parents have had to look after the chilren and I when my partner was wasting money and taking off etc but I don’t feel I “owe them” like i’ve been told.

    How do you make people understand that Bipolar is a real condition. We have children that need Grandparents too.

    Thanks
    Kel

  126. DAVE;
    You are in Delusion…..
    One more thing their is NO POSITIVE EVER COMES FROM PSYCHIATRIC “THERAPIES.”

  127. How long can mania go on without being treated? My husband’s is going strong for 2 years now. He is in a group home and we have put up strong boundaries to protect ourselves from any further abuse. He can come and go from the group home however he wants. I thought mania burned itself out eventually?

  128. Hi Dave,
    Sorry I’m abit behind with reading this news – I have been busy supporting my rapid cycling bi-polar husband.
    You know as well as any of we supporters, when people need help the most is when they ‘lash out’ like wild animals caught in the headlights so to speak. I admire your courage even sharing the negative comments with us all. Remember often people think the opposite of Love is Hate – it is not – it is actually Fear! Those who lash out are in fear…
    Fear you could be speaking the truth!
    Fear they are out of control!
    Fear they will never manage their condition!
    Fear you may be right!
    and most of all
    Fear they just may have to take Responsibility!
    Take care and keep up the good work – in Reality there is no Good or Bad save for people’s individual opinions and judgements about it!
    Small consolation I know but I receive the most critism and judgement from my husband when he’s cycling!
    Don’t take it personally- Insults can hurt the Mind!
    Violence can hurt the body! BUT neither can harm your SOUL!
    With my support and empathy always
    Devon – New Zealand

  129. Be very careful when someone gives a diagnosis of “bi-polar”, It can be a basket case term for anything a doctor wants to treat you for, usually for a lot of money.

    My book, “Surviving High Society” tells how a renowned psychiatric hospital accepted my adoptive mother’s offer of $2 million dollars to keep me hospitalized. They trumped up a diagnosis of “bi-polar”, gave me 20 shock treatments and overdosed me with lithium and then wrote orders that no lithium level tests were to be taken. They would never know when I came down with kidney disease and was supposed to die in the psych hospital of renal failure and the hospital would hget their money.

    After five years of lithium you are guaranteed to have kidney disease which will worsen if you continue to take it. Lithium attacks every system in the body and after five years of use, you are at risk for stroke, heart attack, cancer, severe intestinal problems and many other things.

    I escaped the hospital and other psychiatrists put me on a non-therapeutic unnecessary dose of lithium for 20 years so they wouldn’t have to tell me that the whole thing was a scam. A kidney doctor finally took me off it.

    I now have stage four kidney disease and in the future will be looking for a kidney transplant………….I escaped their attempted murder plot years ago but will die of their abuse anyway!

    Go to my website and blog at http://www.surviving highsociety.com. The book is for sale on Amazon.com. It has some great stories about Katharine Hepburn in it. Her niece (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner) was a childhood friend of mine.

    Elizabeth Marvin Mulholland

  130. David,
    I am sorry to hear about those complaints, but hey, you are dealing with irrational people of which I am one. The thing is that if you are writing a blog about bipolar, the readers will be bipolar, like me, and we can be unstable, and irrational and say one thing one day and the opposite thing the next. I sure don’t blame you for being mad though. When that sort of thing happens to me my “why bother?” voice kicks in for awhile. I will pray for you that you don’t give up because I believe you are providing a good service here! There will always be those who are anti-drugs, and in a perfect world, that would be the case. But I for one need all the support I can get and am thankful for it. Don’t give up!
    Wendy Love

  131. These are two e-mails out of how many? Is there a tally or some way to track a census of visitors?

    Even if it’s impossible to know how many posts appear on this site, certainly two of them, by comparison to all the rest, do not indicate that you have a significant amount of opposition!

    So it’s not true that for all your work, “all you get is criticism.” Two people disagreed with you.

    Your anger shows in your response, and of course how you feel about this is how you feel. But you also outline in much detail why you disagree with those two posters. You do defend yourself even though you say you won’t bother.

    One thing is that, whether or not anyone participating on your blog likes what anyone else says, as a rule, everyone does have a right to state their feelings. And in fact, they will do that.

    I read a statement that said people are allowed to say whatever they like here, and they can disagree with you, as long as they are respectful. Let’s hope most people choose to be civil.

    It follows, of course, that you have every right to respond as you wish to anyone who does disagree with you.

    In all honesty, it appears to me that you have not only responded to these two posts, but your reaction goes to extremes. Two posters disagreed with your stance on medication, but all of us got your e-mail suggesting that all your work was met with opposition.

    Clearly, this is false. What is distasteful about two posts should not be generalized as if everyone is against you.

    Today I was in the street, and I was called “the B word,” by a total stranger. I haven’t accused you and/or every other man in the world of attacking everything that’s important to me.

    So, the short version is, “Don’t sweat it.” Nobody likes everybody, nobody agrees with everything other people say, and sometimes we all are the objects of a random, drive-by kind of insult.

    I would decide how important two posts matter to me.

    Do Not Sweat It! 🙂

    Let’s hope

  132. If I were running a forum like this, I would WELCOME opposition! In fact, I would CELEBRATE it.

    Does anyone want every single person in the world to agree with them unquestioningly? I don’t!

    We SHOULD think independently. We SHOULD be invested enough in this discussion about bipolar disorder to say our piece. Are we here just to pat each other on the back, to nod along and echo each other’s opinions?

    At worst, her message is emotional, and arguably, the WAY she expressed herself is rude.

    If her tone offends us, can’t we take the high road and brush it off? Don’t we have a choice NOT to take it personally?

    Knowing what to brush off is a VERY important skill – it’s just good mental health. Not just for people who have a mental illness. Much harder when you catch and hang onto everything that bothers you.

    Lastly, I don’t think this is a black or white situation. She’s angry. She was rude. She generalizes. She’s not a HATER!

    It looks like everyone who is NOT a fan of every single thing that happens here is labeled an enemy. Even when that “enemy” just randomly stopped by and angrily disagreed. Not even someone who frequents the blog and leaves such a message pretty regularly.

    Is it really true that we have to love or hate everything here? Are we either unwavering fans who never question anything, or HATERS?

  133. Well Dave, here’s something I request you to publish in your newsletter A.S.A.P! I was diagnosed with this disorder in 2001, after a “trauma”, yet another one in my 54 years of life! My first expierience of Mental Illness was way back in 1977, after the traumatic delivery of my son, may I add my ONLY child! I was sent into our local psychiatric unit for a rest! I had a 4 month long rest, nearly losing my life, due to blood poisoning due to afterbirth being left in my womb for 1 month, yea, beggars belief! 11 “Shock Treatments”, countless injections, and numerous medications later I was allowed to leave and go live back with my parents. I was a gibbering wreck, my poor husband was nearly demented and my poor son almost left motherless! I had a very rare severe mental diagnosis of Puerpueal Physcosis!

    To cut to the chase, I could go on forever, I have a wonderful Consultant Psychiatrist, who took me on as a patient in 2003, after taking an overdose, of these wonderful medications you keep harping on about!

    Well in May of this year after a period of hyperactivity, which I controlled myself, with over the counter HERBAL good old Kalms, the brand name over here in England, I was due to see my Consultant in June for my 3 monthly check up, by the way I also have a wonderful Community Psychiatric Nurse who visits me weekly now, due to a reduction of my mood stabiliser, she has been visitng me at home for the past 2
    and half years, told you I had wonderful care and support.

    My consultant and nurse came to visit me at home and I was asked would I like to have sleeping pills, no thank you, 4 years worth of Zopiclone, never managed to make me sleep for long, so the other alternative good old Seroquel XL! For a short time, yes they put me out, BUT the side effects have nearly KILLED me!, Swelling feet and ankles, pneumonia, and NOW to top it all a heart attack!

    How I was NOT carried from my home last Thursday in a body bag is a bloody miracle, pardon the language, boy am I ANGRY! What with a Mental Illness, a physical disability, failing vital organs, it is a miracle as I said previously I am still here to tell you all this!

    Well my rights as a HUMAN BEING, not a lab rat OR a number on a brown folder, are NO MORE CHEMICALS for me!
    Do your Medical Professionals over there bother to READ the information on these Toxic substances they keep shovelling down our poor throats!

    I have two questions for any patient unlucky enough to be on these POISONS to ask their so called betters, HAVE YOU READ THE INFORMATION ON THESE DRUGS, AND WOULD YOU TAKE THEM IF YOU HAVE?

    As I write this to you heads are beginning to roll over here in ENGLAND, I don’t want money, I have everything I need thank you very much, But thanks to these “WONDERFUL MARVELLOUS DRUGS” just as I was getting my life back yet again, I don’t have my health!

    My last episode and “rest”, for yet another 3 months occured in December 2006, I knew it was coming,I was drinking all the Christmas booze to try and knock myself out, as with the holiday season, everyone was on holiday or busy, all I needed was good old Lorazepam, 1 mg as required, my wishes and respected by my Consultant.

    Unfotunately they came too late, on December 23rd 2006, I went to my G.P, and told him I was pregnant, 6 months gone and need to be somewhere safe to have my baby.

    Well with all good intentions I was put on another “Wonder Drug” Quitiepine, 25mg to start, increasing to 600mg, the maximum SAFE dose,or so they lead you to believe!!

    I do not know what happened here with e-mail, can’t even be bothered to correct it, better more important things to do with my precious time I’m afraid!

  134. I just had to thank you pretty much once once more. I’m not certain what I could possibly have followed inside the absence of your type of concepts contributed by you concerning my theme. It really was a frightful difficulty for me, nevertheless finding out the very professional manner you resolved the situation forced me to jump over joy. Now i’m thankful for your work and even hope that you are aware of an awesome job you’re accomplishing training persons these days thru your weblog post. I know that you have never got to know any of us.

  135. Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I’ve a weblog based on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would enjoy your work. In case you are even remotely interested, feel no cost to send me an e mail.

  136. Talking about thyroid, I was suffered from the disease for almost ten years! Doctor told me it can’t heal and only can be control with medication, but I am fully heal now by just using natural remedies… good job, pharmaceutical companies – for keeping us the patient a loyal customer.. but not me anymore. This is where I got my remedies hypothyroidism-treatment.tk

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