Hi,
How’s your day going?
Hey, I have to get going really quick because I have to take all the ice and snow off my car.
Okay so there are things in life that you absolutely HAVE to do, you know that, right?
Where you have no choice in the matter.
Like…
You HAVE to breathe.
You HAVE to wake up.
You HAVE to sleep.
You HAVE to eat food.
You HAVE to drink water.
These are just basic things you absolutely HAVE to do to survive.
No choice. Or else you’ll die.
But if you have bipolar disorder, there are other things you do have a choice over…
But if you don’t do them you may die as well.
Like…
You HAVE to take your medications!
Now, that’s an absolute MUST for someone with bipolar disorder.
People who don’t take their medications run a 20% risk of dying.
It’s your choice, but if you want to have a healthy life…
If you want to get better…
If you want to defeat bipolar disorder…
If you want to be stable and successful…
Then you HAVE to take your medication.
You HAVE to see your doctor or psychiatrist… or else you WON’T have that medication.
You HAVE to get the right amount of sleep each night, or you WILL go into a manic episode. In my courses/systems, I talk about other things you SHOULD do:
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
Now, you don’t HAVE to do these things, but if you want to be stable, you really SHOULD do them:
You SHOULD see a therapist on a regular basis.
You SHOULD eat a healthy diet.
You SHOULD exercise.
You SHOULD be productive.
You SHOULD have a strong support system.
You SHOULD do things that you enjoy.
You SHOULD communicate with your supporter.
You SHOULD have a social life.
You SHOULD attend a support group. Now, you don’t HAVE to do these things, but they will help you manage your bipolar disorder a whole lot better if you do them.
Does this make sense?
Like right now, I should go and take the snow off my car.
Seriously, do you know what I mean by this message today?
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
Dear Mr Oliver,
While I have expressed an interest in assisting Bi Polar case’s, It was never the intention of finding the above Email contact permanently installed, and despite repeatedly errasing it, you have re-enabled it each day
At this moment, you would appear to be missdirecting Blog visitors into a reality which is NOT your’s by using the name of my contact above, YOU are therefore requested to illiminate this misnomer permanently.
Thank you.
Yours, Dr. R. Garrick-Steele.
I have no idea what you mean. What does “permanently installed” mean? What do you mean by ” repeatedly errasing it.” What are you trying to erase?
I don’t know what you mean by: “missdirecting Blog visitors into a reality which is NOT your’s.”
If you have a customer service issue, which seems like you do, please visit: http://www.mentalhealthworld.net/support
The blog is not for customer service issues.
Kerrie please let me know you are ok.
Your dichotomy between “Have To” and “Should” sounds an awful lot like our wants and our needs. All bipolar survivors should WANT to become stable and lead as normal as life as possible. What we NEED is our supporters to understand us, and help in whatever way they can.
Also, we HAVE to take our meds and see our Drs and therapists – that is a NEED. A lot of us don’t WANT to exercise or get out in public and/or work, if we can.
What we HAVE to do is differentiate between what are serious needs and wants, and how they will help us in our daily routines. Our very SURVIVAL depends upon it.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. AND – EVERYBODY have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!
Dave, keep up the good work…. I appreciate it. other than You…. NO ONE understands….. I have NO support system.
i have been a bipolar since I was 5 now I am 57 back then there was no hope for us with mental illness. I have taught myself basically trained myself to abapt to what I needed to do. My concern is people look at me even now even my doctor and thereapist when I ask for some extra help and they claim I am a well functioning person and really don’t need the necessary help like others that are worst then me. What is this about? I grow up with this mess I had no friends, failed in school, people didn’t understand how i communicated with them. The worst thing of all is the insurance trying to find the right people to fit into your insurance or forget it. People are just finding out that they have the illness, try it for a lifetime, it really sucks. I hope others don’t live in the pain like myself I have notice here lately many have taken there lives . thanks merry christmas Maddy
David, How are you? I read your email today and thought it was good. I disagree with you on one thing. I don’t think support groups are for everybody. You are the expert in this field so I will rethink my thoughts on this issue.
Thank You for all you do.
I read what you said but are you saying that if meds aren’t taken, insufficient rest, poor diet will cause a person to die? Isn’t that overdoing it a little? So the people who are bipolar and basically not taking care of themselves are going to die or take their lives. Hard for me to believe because there are some who are stronger than others just as in everyday life. My daughter is bipolar and i can’t believe she would do that. However, she has a strong support around her and couldn’t that make a difference as opposed to those who are completely alone in this world.
I totally agree with you comments on what you should do, I have had bipolar type II since I was 18 (now 40) I have gained a great deal of insight into the condition, mainly through experience, but also having a supportive family and excellent community mental health team.
I consider myself lucky as I have come across sufferers who don’t have that essential support and the condition is so much mor delilitating for them because of the lack of good support be it family based or professional. I think this site is great David keep up the good work, I appreciate it. Nicky from England
Yes, the musts and the have to’s are essential. I’ve come across people who can’t afford therapy and/or medications. So, what options do they have? Or their health insurance is exhausted after so many visits per calendar year, so they would have to pay out of pocket, and not every therapist or doctor charges a sliding scale fee. Some can’t afford it, so they live with it sadly. I’d like to see an entry where this is addressed and maybe some helpful links for persons in this boat.
Thanks for everything you do.
Concerned about support groups. My son is bipolar, says he doesn’t like support groups because he doesn’t like listening to everyone complaining or being negative. He says he has enough problems of his own. Plus he has had addiction problems in the past and I’m concerned some in the support groups may still be into drinking or drugs and he doesn’t need to be around that. I on the other hand think he may see that he’s not alone and could possible make some good friends. Dave, what do you think?