Hi,
OK, here’s today’s lesson in logic:
A + B = C
You probably think I’m crazy, right? Yeah, well, a lot of people do, so I’m used to that.
But by the time you’re done with this email you’ll understand.
See, there’s a certain logic to life. Just like there’s a certain logic to the formula above (A + B = C).
In other words, you can’t get from A to C without going through B. And that’s a very important concept. Not just in logic, or in math, but in life. And in bipolar disorder.
I’ll tell you why.
Too many people think that if they just leave it alone, the bipolar disorder will go away all by itself. Wrong! (You can’t get to C without going through B) Too many people with bipolar disorder think that if they try to do it without a supporter that they’ll be able to manage it all by them- selves. Wrong! (You can’t get to C without going through B)
You can’t expect the bipolar disorder to go away on its own any more than you can expect a bacterial infection to go away on its own without antibiotics (and especially that you have to take the WHOLE bottle even after you start feeling better). (You can’t get to C without going through B)
In my courses/systems, I talk about the fact that you are not alone, but I also talk about how you can’t do it alone – that one of the first things you do is develop a support system, because you need help if you’re going to manage your bipolar disorder:
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:
The fact is (again), that you just can’t get from A to C without going through B. That’s just plain logic.
With bipolar disorder, there are certain things you have to do to manage the disorder (the B of the equation). If you do these things, you can manage the disorder. If you skip these things, (getting to C without going through B first), you will NOT be able to manage the disorder.
What are these things (the B’s)?
1. Medication Medication is absolutely critical to managing bipolar disorder. You need to have the right medication in the night dosage.
2. Therapy You need to see a therapist to help you work out the issues that having bipolar disorder or being a supporter to a loved one with the disorder bring up.
3. Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is the one who prescribes the medication for bipolar disorder. If you are a supporter, your role here is to make sure your loved one takes their medication, and when they’re supposed to.
These are just some of the “B’s” of managing bipolar disorder. The main ones.
Do you understand now how the formula A + B = C makes sense as it relates to bipolar disorder?
You just can’t get from A to C without going through B. You just can’t expect the bipolar disorder to manage itself. You have to do the work necessary to help manage it.
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.
I am writing to ask you about disablility, i’ve applied serveral times yet everytime i have been denied. I am not only bipolar but i suffer brom borderline personality, panic/aniexty and ptsd. I cannot for the life of me understand why i am being denied. I am at my wits end and am constantly worried how i am gonna survive day after day. I am not only responsible for myself but i am also resposible for my eight year old daughter, i don’t know what to do. Can you give me any advice?
sincerely,
help in NJ
What do you do when B is not working yet, when all the meds are being tried and nothing is working.
I just read your email today and i agree with what you have said but unfortunately i have a stubborn fiance who would rather take control of his own medication. I have tried to, not take control completely but to help him remember. He doesn’t like to be reminded and sometimes i think the reason he goes off of his medication is because he’s tired of being reminded. At least thats one of the reasons. The other reason is, he says he’s tired of taking it and he stops. So he goes on and off of the medication and he can’t stay stable or even get near to be stabilize. My fiance is also an alcoholic. When he’s not stabilize, you can imagine how much he drinks just to make himself feel normal, which is really sad but also fustrating for the supporters. Reading your email today reminded me of how much my fiance like to go from A to C and skip B. Right now he’s stable but i fear that one day he will again stop taking his medication because he’s either tired of it or he’s feeling good so that he doesn’t have to do it everyday, which i know is the wrong thinking but thats a bipolar person’s thinking. Anyhow Dave, thanks for the refresher.
Hi Dave:
Just wanted to say that a + b = c makes perfect sense to me, especially since I have been struggling to get to “c” for almost all of my life, in one form or another. Sometimes it can make you want to give up and in some cases you do have to give up because you can’t help someone who refuses to be helped, no matter what tactic you use, but then you get another challenge and you get a glimpse of C sometimes that makes it “b” all worth while.
What about Homeopathic medication to avoid the dissastrous side effects of the normal medication ?
David..
My Husband has Bipolar Disorder and moved out of the house a couple of weeks ago. He has never been to a therapist and he has purchased antidepressents over the internet…We have not heard from him at all. The last conversation my daughter had with him was that he was moving to Arkansas.
Could you send your information to him….
Ray Andrews
marinadellray@yahoo.com
I would prefer that he did not know I contacted you….
thank you.
Donna Andrews
Dear Dave
Just wanted to say a big thank you for your messages. My partner has bi-polar and I have been finding it very difficult. We are both psychotherapists and have the support of a psychiatrist, GP and he is on medication (I give it to him) and he is having therapy. But, it still very hard at times and I really value your support.
It feels as if we are getting through the crisis but I take each day as it comes.
Warm wishes
Karen
Finding the RIGHT “B” is a life-long process when you have bipolar disorder. You have to “kiss a lot of frogs” before all THREE “B”‘s of the equation will work. I am fortunate in that, although I don’t have a live-in supporter as such, I have a “support unit” consisting of good friends who KNOW of my disorder – and accept and help me along the way.
It is also VERY important to find an empathetic therapist, but not one who echoes everything you say. I have had some real “winners” when it comes to therapists; however, right now, the one I’m with, I’ve known for 38 years. Sometimes, I think she knows me TOO well (grin).
My “psychiatrist” is a Nurse Practitioner, who is allowed to prescribe meds. I much PREFER a doctor who is a psychiatrist to the one I have, but, being a Community Mental Health center, you get what you get. She’s good, and usually goes along with any suggestions in change of meds, but I’d like a TRUE Psychiatrist to handle my case. Oh, well, no use crying over spilled milk :-(.
If you have all 3 “Bs” in your equation, you will soon find that you can “beat” the bipolar, instead of having IT “beat” you.
Good luck to all those who suffer with bipolar, and those who love us. May God hold you in the Palm of His hand.
I agree with respect to Bipolar but I don’t thing the analogies work. For example, many (most?) bacterial infections will go of their own accord without antibiotics. In many cases they go in spite of the antibiotics, which leave the body (and mind) depressed because those medicines kill off the “good” bacteria in the bidy just as they had a go at the “bad” stuff. Catch a Cold and there is nothing you can do to cure it, just only to relieve the symptoms – you just have to sit it out and wait for the virus attack to get burned out by the body’s immune system. I’d suggest something like a broken motor car – if you’re like me, you’ll never get it going without a mechanic to fix it!
Jennifer – I am in the process of applying for SS disability, too. I have not been denied yet – but I am told the entire process could take anywhere from six months to two years. I do not understand how our Government expects people to ‘survive’ when it takes so long to review their cases. Then, to make it worse, you cannot get any medical benefits TWO YEARS AFTER BEING APPROVED. Potentially, you could be without medical benefits for four years.
That process defeats the entire purpose of having the SS system in the first place. I have written to my congressmen and senators, and I urge you and anyone else to do the same.
Personally, I cannot wait two years to receive SS benefits. I’d definitely be homeless by that time. I have absolutely no choice than to ‘try’ to work, then, I will be disqualified from receiving SS benefits. It is a very poor system in our country. Yet, our President just signed a bill for $86 Billion more going to finance the war.
Best of luck to you – hope you have an attorney – he/she will take 25% right off the top, but may be able to expedite the process along for you, that is, if the attorney is honest. Unfortuantely, my attorney is stalling so that he will get more money for himself. I am looking for a different attorney!!!
I have now had bad psychiatrists and a bad attorney. Is anyone in this world honest and look out for anyone but themselves?
To jennifer in NJ—have you tried Allsup.com or Binder&Binder? They usually don’t lose.
To TRIED THEM ALL: When I applied for my SS Disability, I went the “lawyer” route. I went through THREE appeals’ process, being turned down every time. Without the lawyers being on my side, I don’t know how I would have approached it.
Fortunately, I had just gotten the survivor’s inheritance from my first husband, plus rents from 3 apartments I was renting, so I didn’t starve. BUT – it took nearly a YEAR to be approved. Social Security paid over and above my entitlement to my lawyer; I received a lump-sum benefit, retro to the year I had been denied.
It is NOT true that you DON’T get Medicare until two years after you’ve been approved. I got my Medicare along with the SS Disability – it’s a “given.”
While I empathize with your disapproval of the system – it’s the only one we’ve got. Be patient – you’ll receive MUCH more than you think you will. My “back pay” came to $11,000!! I know there are hundreds and thousands of appliants for SS Disability who don’t have the resources I had for that year – and my heart goes out to you. Do you have parents who can get you through until you get your disability, or go on welfare, without going after a job? That will only hurt your application for disability.
I wish you the best of luck. There ARE good attorneys out there (just as there are bad in ANY occupation); you could ask your doctors if they have any recommendations.
My prayers are with you. I just pray that more can be done on your particular case; other than that – just be patient. The wheels of government grind slowly.
in reply to Suzanne:
I am applying for SSDI because I have worked many years and contributed to Social Security. I did not qualify for SSD. I am told that SSD qualifies for medical benefits immediately; whereas, SSDI has to wait TWO years. I don’t know if it varies state by state. No, I do not have anyone, no family, and friends can’t help me get through this. I can’t get on welfare–I have no children.
Yes, I agree the back pay is great…but I, personally, cannot wait. I don’t have the money to be patient…neither does my landlord, or my creditors. You are lucky you were fortunate to have the resources to help you make it until you got disability payments, but I would guess, that for the majority of us, that is not the case.
The system does not work for the ones that need it the very most, unfortuantely. And, unless we, as citizens, speak up, nothing will be done to change it. I don’t think we should just sit back and accept things as they are. Furthermore, it is sad to have to hire an attorney to get a government benefit. It is just wrong. The system works in favor of the lawyers — the longer the case goes on, the more the money. The lawyers don’t want these cases settled soon because they get less.
what you say is very true. but what if you live in san joaquin county, calif. you are supporting a single mom going through a nightmare of violence. for MediCal patients, there is one disinterested and burned-out psychiatrist for all the teenaged patients in the county! when the girl takes a cane and beats her mother and goes to juvenile hall for the third time in three months, that same burned-out psychiatrist has all the juvenile hall kids! what a monopoly…the guy is making countless millions for doing nothing. the mother knows her daughter needs inpatient. as do i, a former psych tech for 22 years, the last 9 with teenagers. but although the county has a big building saying: “children’s psychiatry”, when you go in all they have is a few impotent counselors who refer you back to that same psychiatrist. there is NO inpatient facility for teenagers in the entire huge county! the judge is afraid to release the girl, she sees NO CONNECTION BETWEEN HER BEHAVIOR AND HER BEING JAILED. SHE WILL SOON BE RELEASED ANYWAY, and everyone knows what will happen next. her mother is a loving person with a disability who tries her best to manage the girl, but there is no real help available. government money cutbacks, really sneaky and invisible, over the last few years are the cause. if i go crazy at 54, there is a place for me. but not for this girl or any other MediCal teenager, who number in the tens of thousands. that is the story for the next few days. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE GOT AN IDEA OF WHAT THIS MOTHER SHOULD DO? we’d really welcome any thoughts. thank you…
As a Bipolar Supporter & RN, I agree with your logic A&B=C, so let’s start applying it to ERADICATING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES RELATED TO ALL MENTAL ILLNESSES, whether it’s Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder etc. A: STOP USING THE WORD CRAZY, which has always been used to describe people that were mentally unstable: B: TEACH THAT MENTAL ILLNESSES ARE DISEASES, just like Diabetes or Thyroid diseases, however the symptoms, because they are chemical imbalances in the BRAIN instead of the Pancreas or Thyroid Gland, unfortunately affect BEHAVIOR: C = LESS RIDICULE & MORE ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES.
I’m a supporter – my spouse comes home from his docotr this week and tells me his docotr said bipolar is seasonal and often goes into “remission’ in the summer. My husband has been doing great for several weeks – now they are planning on cutting back on his meds. I think this could be a mistake………does bipolar go into remission in the summer? Is cutting back on meds a recipe for disaster?
i used the word crazy only referring to myself. having worked in psychiatry as long as i did, one has little time for “Political Correctness” and needs a sense of humor when talking about OURSELVES, and OURSELVES ONLY. what about the coming and present disaster i described? is there only semantics and “PC” for a response? i hope not…
This article sounds well, but how everything is related together?
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100%, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong.