==>>Help with ALL aspects of bipolar disorder<<==
Check out all my resources, programs and information
for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
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Hi,
I’ve got a question for you:
What do rabbits, turtles, and
bipolar disorder all have to do with
each other?
Here’s a hint: Aesop.
Got it?
Aesop wrote a fairy tale you
may remember from your childhood
about the tortoise and the hare.
The fable goes like this:
There once was a speedy hare who
bragged about how fast he could run.
Tired of hearing him boast, Slow and
Steady, the tortoise, challenged the
hare to a race. All the animals in the
forest gathered to watch.
Hare ran down the road for a while and
then paused to rest. He looked back at
Slow and Steady and cried out, “How do
you expect to win this race when you are
walking along at your slow, slow pace?”
Hare stretched himself out alongside the
road and fell asleep, thinking, “There is
plenty of time to relax.”
Slow and Steady walked and walked. He
never, ever stopped until he came to the
finish line.
The animals who were watching cheered
so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare.
Hare stretched and yawned and began to
run again, but it was too late. Tortoise was
over the line.
After that, Hare always reminded himself,
“Don’t brag about your lightning pace,
for Slow and Steady won the race!”
——————————————–
To this day, you’ll still here the expression,
“Slow and Steady wins the race.”
Now you know where it came from!
Ok, so what does that have to do with
bipolar disorder?
In my courses, I go into great detail about
learning how to develop systems, or
routines, and how important that is:
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
But in light of the fable and its moral of
“slow and steady wins the race,” you need
to develop a routine, something or things
that you do everyday – that’s the slow and
steady part. Whether you are a bipolar
supporter OR a bipolar survivor.
Some people whine that that is too boring,
but most people have told me that it has
literally made the difference in them
becoming a high functioning person with
bipolar disorder or not.
It truly is like the tortoise in the fable.
By going slow and steady, by sticking to
their routine, their treatment plan, taking
their medication, doing everything they
are supposed to do (and not complaining
about it), they are “winning the race” with
bipolar disorder.
To those who think there should be a magic
button or magic word that will make their
loved one better overnight, well, I compare
that to the hare in the fable. It just isn’t
going to happen, no matter what you think,
no matter what you try.
Remember, “Slow and steady wins the
race.”
I can tell you FOR SURE. That those who
are super successful with bipolar disorder
believe this. Nothing happens over night.
It’s a process.
In today’s society, people want everything
FAST and right away. They what to make
a million quick. They become way overweight
and then go to the gym a few times and look
incredible. They want to learn how to read
fast in a half a day. They want to go from
the bottom of their job to the top overnight.
They want their bipolar medication to work on
the first try and work perfect. The list goes on.
Actually TV promotes that this is all possible.
Many times you hear and read stories about
people achieving tremendous success in a
super short period of time. I have found
every time I research this, it’s a “statistical
outlier” (it’s not the norm and it’s one person
in every million or so) OR it’s simply not
true.
Another thing is this, the media normally
doesn’t include the years of time it takes for
success. As opposed to me where everytime
I do a bipolar supporter or survivor success interview
I ask up front how long it’s taken the person. You
hear 4 years, 8 years, 15 years, etc.
Hopefully some people will post today and explain
how long it’s taken them.
I have to run now.
Oh actually no more thing on this subject. I bumped
into on of the world’s leading authorities on stress.
I was telling him about bipolar disorder and he
was really excited about what I was doing. I was
really excited about what he was doing. Want to
know something odd. He said that one of the top
3 stresses that everyone seems to have is
the stress they have from comparing themselves
to people who are successful and thinking they
are not achieving success or having as much as
fast as the person they are comparing themselves
to.
Think about that. Well I have to run. Have a great
day.
Your friend,
Dave
–
P.S. Don’t forget to take a look through the
different programs I’ve put together… each one is designed
to help you with a different area of bipolar disorder whether
you have it or you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
P.P.S. Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
P.P.P.S Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can’t learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com
I am just starting to deal with my Bipolar disorder and the word process exausts me. I want to be well right now. I like the idea of a routine daily and will start one today. Does anyone have ideas for morning raceing heart feelings? I am not on meds yet but I have an appointment for this very thing coming up but untill then anyone have some advice to calm me down when I can’t seem to? I was so releaved to find out that it is Bipolar disorder that I have as I thought I was just going nuts. I am so the rabbit in the story and I live with the tortoise. lol I will think about that story all day I am sure.
This is a test only
I am bipolar and a daily routine has become very important to me. I work at a job where they have all different shifts according to your seniority. I had to get my psychiatrist to write a letter saying I had to work a steady shift. Now I work 9-5, with no Saturdays (which I had to work before). I eat at the same times every day, go to bed at exactly the same time, get the same amount of sleep and take my meds at the same time every morning, with a milkshake. This routine has helped me tremendously towards feeling better and being happier.
Hi Karen~ I remember my first days as being diagnosed and having to readjust to so many things that to me were normal that I didn’t realize were adding to my bipolar behavior. I won’t fo into a great detail about that but, I will just touch o two main points: (1) the morning racing heart- for me,I have a meditation book. Just a Daily Book, that for every day of the month I wake up have my tea, read for 10 minutes and gather my thoughts, and reflect on the message for the day and how I can apply it to my day. It brings me out of all the “I have to do this and that Today” thoughts for a few minutes. Then, I write a list of things to do for the day, to get organized and get those racing thoughts out of my head. It makes me feel organized and not “all over the place. That way I can feel like I can go back to the list to see what needs to be done and follow it in a orderly manner. I always allow for “mental health” breaks, though! LOL Also, this is a BIGGIE! I limit my caffiene! Watch those sodas! My favorite drink is diet Sprite…LOL! Good for you in seeking medical help right away and being proactive in your journey! I was diagnosed 7 years ago and it has taken me this long to come up with a routine to be a personal success. It has only been within the last year that I have found a routine of the correct meds, rest, excersise,seeking help, and keeping up with all the help that is out there for us via this site and others! BTW~ I am a rabbit and also live with a turtle!! It CAN work! Again, I say Good Luck and Have a Great Day!! Ali
That is just what I needed to hear this AM, Dave. Thanks so much.I have been feeling like an utter failure because I have not gotten my loved one to treatment or to even discuss that he has a problem. I appreciate you providing real life instances to the many symptoms of bipolar so that there is a chance for healing. I appreciate all that you do. I do have a question for yourself or any of the wonderful bloggers that are in your circle: Does anyone have a real life example of the intrusiveness that is a symptom of bipolar disorder? Is this the checking behind people or distrust that I frequently see in my spouse? Please advise.
This story really spoke to me and made a lot of things make sense. I am kind of a visual person and any time I can make a mental picture I can see how things relate to me. I remember before I was diagnosed that I felt like more than the rabbit, I was the Energizer Bunny. I kept going and going and going until I put my drumstick thru my drum and crashed. I don’t like so much being the turle and I really hate being somewhere in the middle because it makes me feel numb. I can see how being the turtle is ok because when the world starts raining on me I can pull into my shell a little and wait until the storm passes.
See,told you I was a visual person, LOL.
Jennifer
As I was told as a member of a 12 step group, “Never compare YOUR insides with someone eles’s outsides”. Works with BP as well.
Also, I NEVER say “I am bipolar”. I say, “I HAVE bipolar.” It makes a big difference to how I view myself. It helps me know I have a manageable cronic illness but it doesn’t define me or my Mom (who I support)
Judy,
Yes. I have refused to accept bipolar as my identity. It’s a condition I HAVE, not who I am.
Jenn
My bipolar was diagnosed six years ago while being “interred” in a state mental hospital.
I’ve had it well managed to the point of functionality for about two years.
That’s four years it took to get me under control.
Today I am amazed and proud of how far I’ve come.
I have to watch my reaction to my surroundings. the way my body feels ect. reg sleeep up at 7ish take meds feed the cat get coffee leave for work.
Yes it is boring but nessarry.
My girlfriend became pregnant, the day she found out she stopped her meds. within 2weeks she is a different person and ended the relationship. She says she nver loved me and wants me to have no part of the baby. Could her stopping the meds and bipolar cause this?
My girlfriend became pregnant, the day she found out she stopped her meds. within 2weeks she is a different person and ended the relationship. She says she nver loved me and wants me to have no part of the baby. Could her stopping the meds and bipolar cause this?
Well, Dave, it’s taken me about 39 years to achieve a modicum of success with my bipolar disorder. Like you, I have researched and studied this illness long before your courses became available. All I can say is – it would have been much easier if I had your material YEARS ago!
I had to learn through experience. Between my first and second breakdown, I didn’t recognize the “symptoms” or triggers that brought on a manic episode – and suffered for it by going manic. The same between my second and third manic episodes: things were just going extremely well, and I began to believe my delusions once again. This disease is insidious; it creeps up on you when you least expect it, and then it gets ahold of you, and the next thing you know – you’re in a mess and hospitalized.
Both my last psychiatrist and my current therapist have told me that I’m “wise enough to know what brings on an episode.” I only hope they are right. You can do EVERYTHING right – and STILL get sick.
Because I’m on disability and don’t HAVE to work (read “can’t”), I keep very odd hours. But – I use an “ebb and flow” system that allows me to get all the sleep I need. Like most bipolars, I thrive on little sleep. The nights I stay up late and get up early – or pull “all nighters” – I get a whole LOT done. But these days are followed by days of sleeping until the early afternoon, and following a routine.
You are SOOOO right about “routines.” Once you find one that works, stick with it. I take my meds religiously, and try to limit my stress. Sure, there are days that I get impatient and anxious, but as long as things run smoothly – I’m OK.
I learned I CAN’T drink alcohol with my meds; I learned I CAN’T stay up with no sleep for longer than 24 hours; I no longer smoke weed; I don’t go “trolling” for men, or get all worked up when I don’t/can’t have sex – all these things I’ve learned through 3 nervous breakdowns in five different hospitals. AND – you learn from your peers. I’ve learned more about this disorder through OTHER people with bipolar disorder. THEY are my greatest teachers.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors, and those who love them. My prayers are with you all. Stay sane.
I always said I was a creature of habit. I’ve had a daily routine for years. I refuse to acknowledge that I have one because I really am a spontaneous person that will freak out at any kind of pressure even from myself. It is true slow and steady and baby steps. I always have this feeling of being trapped and unable to breath. I have to go outside and have a cig. to calm down. I’m on Effexor XR, Visteral, Trazadone, Neurontin, and Abilify. I hate the Abilify. It makes me feel like I have a cold and I’m getting sick. It flattens mu emotions so much that I don’t even feel like myself and can’t get excited over anything. I have a lot of pain in my lower back. I need something like Zanax to calm me down.
Princesslala,
I am not sure what you mean by ‘intrusiveness’ but mistrust/paranoia are definitely symptoms. Especially if it is with spies, like James Bond kind of stuff. Before my fiance went into the hospital last year he was very paranoid, and it was catching. I was looking over my shoulder as well for a few days after he went into the hospital.
Is the distrust normal for your spouse or is it a little ‘off’? Is he wondering about people he doesn’t know well, or does he think that the people around him are imposters, and have agendas for him?
Every person is different. My fiance will sometimes have an “overly-strong” reaction to things. Once he was pestering me and I told him to “go away” in a light-hearted way… He didn’t think it was light-hearted and he was deeply hurt that I had said that to him. His response to the situation was skewed. He also has a few ‘props’, items that only come out and are used during mania.
What I look for are a bunch of symptoms happening at the same time. The first thing I look for is if he’s not sleeping. I am lucky, my fiance is *great* and doesn’t give me any grief when I call his doctor or ask him if he’s feeling stressed. It upsets him a bit, because he doesn’t want to go into an episode, but he knows that I am looking out for him. I have his trust and I’m not sure why. I try stay calm and never argue with him, just talk about his perceptions even if I flat-out think they are untrue, because they are his perceptions at the time, his reality. The smell of lavendar calmed him down, so I put some on him and rub his back. I suggest you find ways to stay connected to your spouse as it will help you stay in charge of the situation (without appearing to be in charge 😉
Thanks, Juliet. The similarities to my husband in your experience with your fiance is uncanny. Thanks for taking the time to answer me.
LaLa