Hi, how’s it going for you today? I hope you’re having a good day.
I was reading about this new research study they’re going to do about bipolar disorder, and something struck a bad chord in me and I wanted your opinion on it.
It says that most people with bipolar disorder concentrate on everything else but symptom
control. Do you agree with that?
I don’t have bipolar disorder, my mom does, but I see her really trying hard to control her symptoms so that she doesn’t go into an episode. To my way of thinking, that’s the way everyone with the disorder would be. I mean, who wouldn’t want to control their symptoms?
But this research study, in my opinion, is starting off on the wrong foot. They’re assuming that everyone struggles with the disorder all the time, just because they’ve been diagnosed with it.
My view, and my hope for you, as all others with bipolar and their supporters, is that recovery IS possible. Bipolar disorder is just a diagnosis, NOT a death sentence, after all. Yes, it can be difficult, I’m not saying that isn’t true. And yes, it does take some work to get and maintain stability. But once you have stability, I think it is just more of a matter of “Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” (stability).
I know many people, survivors of bipolar disorder, who are living happy and successful lives now. I hope you are one of them. But even if you aren’t, you shouldn’t let negative studies influence you.
Everyone who has bipolar disorder is different (just like everyone who doesn’t have the disorder), and it’s not fair to classify them all together like this study is doing. Why don’t they do a study on bipolar success stories, like I’ve done?
For every person you show me that seems to be a failure, I can show you 10 people from my testimonials list (of over 10,000 people) who has found stability with their disorder. In almost all cases of successful bipolar survivors, I have found that they have a positive attitude – They are optimistic about life, themselves, and their recovery. These are the people you should be modeling. People who stick to their treatment plan, take their medications religiously, go to see their doctors and therapist, take care of themselves, and are productive with their life (whether in a traditional job setting, or home business, or volunteering).
I’m talking about the real success stories, not the negative stories that you hear about in the news.
I believe it is possible, because I helped my mom to be successful with her bipolar disorder. But also because of all the research I’ve done on people with the disorder, and all the people (survivors and supporters) who have written to me or called me to tell me about their success.
It’s all about your state of mind. If you believe you will never get better from your bipolar disorder, then chances are, you won’t, because you won’t be trying to manage your symptoms to be stable. On the other hand, if you believe that you can be successful IN SPITE OF your bipolar disorder, then you WILL!
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
Any study, wrong or right has potential for discovery.
Dave, you are right on today. I disagree with the premise of this study. As you said, and for myself, focusing on symptom control is very important. Successful people manage their disorder by doing all the things you mentioned today in your post. This may be a rather worn out cliche, but it is especially true for me: ” The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” (and it is worth every penny)
I think that you might have personalized this study a little. It is true that there are many many successful people managing their bipolar. I also believe at different times of life bipolar takes on different venues due to changing physiology as we age. ( hormones and environmental factors and such). I do think that the most successful way to manange bi polar is to be open minded about the many different ways you can help yourself. These tend to change overtime….tolerenance to a drug….secondary medications need to be introduced for other medical issues that might affect the drug that has been successful for you to date……one thing for sure whether info or studies have productive info or not so productive info is that bi polar is being studied and that people have been able to talk and discuss it without shame. More importantly about whether a study is right or wrong or happen to be agreed upon that there is support for it and there many different avenues of study on going. Try not to take studies so personal…..there are many people out there who have not made it their lifelong passion to help out the loved one with bi polar…..many people out there are only managing a few of their symptoms but not most….there is always hope ….because there is always God. Keep up the good work !!
I may be one of the success stories. I do watch my sysmptoms very carefully. It is funny how the bipolar word is getting to be commonly used these days and in a negative way. In the past people used to describe somebody as crazy, now they describe the same person as bipolar. Maybe the day will come when people realize that their relative is bipolar or even their wife or husband is. Only then they will treat the subject with the respect it deserves.
You may be missing the studys perspective. My wife of almost 50 years has been BP for most of her life. Without medication that is effective she would not be able to recognize a symtom. She would beleive that others were “off” not her. Only with “assistance” can a BP person Think clearly about how to “manage” their condition. So…I believe they do recognize the problem and the solution is what happens when youuse the techniques that you prescribe. Thanks Dave for your help. BOB
Hi Dave
I don’t agree. Like yourself, my mother also suffers with Bipolar Disorder, however Doctors would never use the word. It is always “Severe depression”. I must thank you for the information I receive everyday as this helps me to help my mother. I have a better understanding of the sickness and it brought me closer to my Mother then ever before. My mum is not so aggitated and aggessive like she was before. Before she should stop taking her medication, when she felt that she is OK, but now She understands the importance of continuing with her medication even if she feels that she don’t need to take it. Everyday is a new day with new experiences.
You are doing a great job Dave and I thank you for all the information. Regards
Dave,
My son has bi-polar and believe me, he try hard to contol his moods, but at times can not. I reach the medical field would listen more to people like you and I that deal with bi-polar daily!
God bless
Nancy E. Pickering-Cortina
What a shame! I have been stable on my current course of treatment for over 5 years. I take my medications, see my doctors,nurse practioner, pyschologist for therapy and meet with my social worker on a regular basis. This is they to my stability. I work very hard with them to implement a good working treatment plan and stick to it. I have a few good support people in my life that I know I can count on to help me monitor my mood. I limit my time with the toxic people that create stress in my life. I maintain a healthy diet sleep schedule and other things as much as possible to help battle this disease. I research it as much as possible and this website is very valuable. While I still have small fluctuations in my mood depending on my stress level. I am doing much better. Medicine alone isn’t enough. Going to therapy is q critical part of treatment. Thank you to giving a voice to and a clearer picture of this illness.
The only problem I have with the “do what you have been doing” premise is this–what if you have been doing the wrong thing and continue to do the wrong thing, instead of trying something else or going down another path that might lead elsewhere. In otherwords, if I do what I have been doing, expecting different results, I most likely will end up right where I have been to begin with. (Spinning my wheels and going nowhere.) I hope this makes some sense. Thanks.
In 1995 my son (now 47) had a total mental breakdown as a result of Bipolar Disorder. Over the years watching him struggle to improve, I see him very much concentrating on symptoms. The first sign of a symptom; depression, anexiety; etc. he calls to inform me and we immediately contact his Doctor. He is religious about taking his medicine, which is massive. Like his Father, I’ve been told by his doctors that he is among the severest on the mental illness scale. However, unlike his Father, he is extremely cooperative with me (Mother) and Doctors, case workers, etc. Concentrate on everything but his symptoms? NOT AT ALL! I see him daily concentrating on anything that would bring on a symptom!
Thank You.
i think it can go both ways. i am bipolar and i think i try to just go with my symptoms sometimes. and at this point i feel pretty great. and my husband thinks i am up. but i think i have been managing quite well. but he does not know and neither does anyone else who is not bipolar.i may go with my symptoms but i also think i have learned to cope.
As always Dave, right on are you! …and the state of mind you speak of, comes from faith, which comes only through the grace of God. For us supporters, know that your loved ones stability depends on THEM first! May all who suffer with bipolar disorder know that they CAN have peace and joy and manage their suffering with success! Yet, another canNOT gift it to you, no matter how much they would LOVE to….
While I do agree Bipolar is not a death sentence, I dont agree that people with BiPolar dont have to struggle with the illness every day. My partner who is BiPolar has told me on many occassions that she never feels great. When asked she will say she is good but there is always this subtle look of dispare. She is very vigilant in avoiding stressors and we try to watch for symptoms. She is what I would consider highly functional, has a good job with responsibility. I can tell she lives with a certain apprehention about going manic or becoming depressed every day. So I guess I dont really think the study is startimg off on the wrong foot.
As a psychological researcher (juvenile delinquency) myself, I wonder, David, if you are jumping the gun here. What specific population of bipolar patients are the researchers interested in? (sorry…I could not find the article on your website). If they are interested in individuals with bipolar who have not yet received treatment or are currently not taking medication, then a lack of focus on symptom control might be a strong spot to examine. From personal experience, I can say that before my wife began treatment for her disorder she never really focused on what was going on with her disorder (even though she was well aware that she had it). Indeed, one of the major things we emphasized when she began treatment was beginning to recognize when her disorder was starting to act up. This was a MAJOR force in helping to curtail episodes is to be more cognizant of her own symptoms. Moreover, you can’t disagree that individuals with bipolar have problems focusing on symptoms. You even stated in your response to this that your treatment/classes have sections on this. In your mini courses you talk about how one of the first things you had to do (after learning what bipolar disorder was) with your mother was figuring out and being aware of her symptoms. In addition, your 10,000 plus testimonials are all from people that in some way shape or form are going through or have gone through treatment (which is probably why they found your site). Thus, I don’t think you can really come down too hard on this research study without knowing all the facts. I’m not necessarily saying you are wrong. It is just that over this last year I have come to lean on you for information and insight. The vast majority of which has been fruitful and well thought out. This is the first thing I have seen from you that seemed to not give a lot of thought to all the different potential angles. Anyway, I enjoy your column/blog/e-mails/whatever-you-call-them.
Thank you for your email and I wish I could get your kit but I’m on disability and don’t have an extra penny to spare. I’m sure you know others in my situation so you can understand my problem. Anyway, keep up the good work. It looks like you really help people and that’s fantastic!
Hello,
I believe that most bipolar people try to control their symptoms, so I disagree with the study. I do however believe that more studies need to be done, and more permanent solutions available to bipolar patients. There is so much negative press about this disorder, and many that have it do not commit crimes, or commit suicide. Why can’t they focus on the success stories, instead of making it into an embarrasssing stigma. Sincerely, Joanie Quintal
I don’t believe individuals with BP “act out” because of their diagnosis anymore than anyone who has been diagnosed with a medical condition like diabetes or cancer..My daughter was diagnosed with bipolar at eight years old but we never called it that until she was older. She showed symptoms of the disorder before she even knew what BP was. This year she has had a hard time and she has been stable now for a couple of weeks. I know for a fact she enjoys her life best when she is stable. This study needs to know all the facts beofre they make thier accusations.
Sure seems as those who worked the study did not have a real life experience to learn from. Concentrate on symtoms, grief one has to be in a contant state of monitoring symtoms. I have had over 25 years of symtom guard.
Definately true. I am now on three pills for my disorder. I was extremely manic, even after my two regular pills.
HEALTH IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE.
When it was determined that I have bipolar, it was presented to me, as you put it, as a death sentence. That negatively affected me, and how I perceived my place in the world. However, I took the bull by the horns about 8 years ago, and became proactive in preserving my sanity. I’m very careful about keeping my environment orderly and peaceful. I’m very careful who I let in my life. I keep all appointments with my therapist and psych nurse. When I feel myself slipping, I shut down from the world until I get back on track. I believe that if one is not diligent daily, the bipolar will take over. I’ve even gotten to the point where I feel confident enough to begin taking a writing course on line. Success of any kind can only be the result of hard work and (as I already said) DILIGENCE.
I agree with you on this one. I, for one, do not believe that anyone who really has bipolar affective disorder will refuse to take their medications, no matter what the doctor says they have. The phrase “hell on earth” comes to mind. Nobody would be willing to go though what I went through before I was finally put on lithium– and I mean NOBODY. On top of that, those symptoms that are not under control after medication are more than just irritating, they take over your life. I can’t imagine anyone wanting them to continue.
What I think is happening is that some doctors are seriously overusing the currently fashionable diagnosis (bipolar affective disorder) and then people who don’t actually have the disorder are using it to get sympathy. They make it bad on the rest of us, who actually are responsible, law-abiding citizens who just need people to move over and make room for us. I don’t like to be mean, but if I could I’d lock up the people who are faking and refusing to take their medication so that the rest of us wouldn’t have to be saddled with their irresponsibility.
I agree that most people with bipolar disorder do not deal with their symptoms. But I do not fault them for this because most of them don’t know how. Pharmaceuticals are a big business, and whenever profits can be made at the expense of those less knowledgeable, greed will rule.
Every person is different and react different on any circumstances, sometimes most are if someone challege o start disagree with all you say and do. It cames the point where you lost it and is not easy for you and the people who doesnt know anything about it, the first thing they say is you are crazy or taking drugs?? And if they know how to makes you mad, there is the bad thing, my ex wifes son knows that I have it and always he managed to makes my life a living hell,unfortunately we ended in divorce but I say to her, he will gonna hit you in the face as his father do to her, so 5 days after we divorced it happened.I am getting my treatment again in the VA hospital and getting better every day alone but always ahead..
I do agree with that. Understanding your illness and controlling it takes time to learn. Newly diagnosed people don’t understand how to manage their illness and focus on other things in their life.
Easy does it, management of the illness comes with experience and education.
i borrowed this principle from one of the 9 Fruitages of Spirit
found a definition i think you’d like:
Self control is the ability to control one’s emotions, behaviour and desires. In psychology it is sometimes called self-regulation. Exerting self-control through the executive functions in decision making is thought to deplete a resource in the ego.
symptom control is likened to SELF-CONTROL – HOW CAN A CONTROL A PERSON THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW – KNOW THYSELF SO THAT THOU CAN CONTROL THYSELF AND YOUR BEHAVIORS….
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you knew you were God’s Child and You knew He had a Loving Eye upon you constantly – wouldn’t you be propelled to control your own behavior and alter certain things that might not be pleasing to him. Even better, If certain things about yourself displeased your partner, wouldn’t you be motivated to change???
That’s Funny – A friend of Mine mentioned that it HER BOYFRIEND that was very patient with her while she was going through the episodes – having a partner or someone else who cares makes it run more smoothly. hopefully this opinion was helpful
I think this study is looking for problems in people who can’t find stability.They are looking to downgrade those who can’t cope to changes once they are dianosed with bipolar disorder.Sure,I had gone through depression,went to bed when everyone got up,and didn’t want to see anyone because I felt I was an alien,and people could see it.But with medication,support,therapy,doctor visits,I pulled through it after a couple of years.I got a job and today I’m driving trucks to make ends meet.This bipolar isn’t gonna get me anymore as I walk proudly like any other person of which nobody knows I have it.
dear doctor: I’m dealing with a teenager. He doesn’t want to accept the he has bipolar. He doesn’t want to see the doctor or take the medications. It is a struggle every day to give him the medication. So it is very hard to work on behavior when the person doesn’t believe that they have a behavior problem. It is the behavior not him that schools are rejecting, and friends and family are distancing themselves from. I am trying to point out that the world doesn’t hate him but that he is receiving the consequences of his behaviors. I hope that he will get with the program, forget the past and press forward.Sincerely Pam
Spinning the wheels and not going anywhere we are all too familiar with. I am researching a new thought that had not occurred to me in the past, although I feel like I have wasted way too much of my time on learning about bipolar, I still try to learn more b/c of the damage the illness (notice I don’t say the person but the illness) has caused to us. When there is bipolar without a co-morbidity than yes, i agree, bipolar itself does not feel like a death sentence for the extended family. But when there are comorbidities like alcoholism or personality disorders (meaning the kind that are pervasive and cause trouble in every area of a person’s life) than it is like a death sentence, in fact death would be kinder and less all consuming. The grief that is constant and unrelenting when a family member has severe mental health issues is very complex – you are constantly grieving because in our case it never ever got better it just kept getting worse year after year (the spinning the wheels issue). What I am researching now is the issue with Altzeimers and dementia bringing on bipolarity in a worsened state than prevsiously and also traumatic brain injury bringing it on in a worsened state than previously. And this is information that was never brought to my attention until I read an ad on the back of a newspaper today !
In fact, they are calling a new bipolar disorder that has to do with dementia, bipolar VI.
Symptom control is my number-one issue. My doctors found the perfect combination of medications for me and I have learned to recognize stresses that trigger bad reactions. I then was dropped from our local mental health center because I was dropped from Medicaid, and it’s been months of fighting to find a doctor who will put me back on the regime I was on before–one which works well both for me and the ones around me. I don’t want my problems to become everyone else’s, and I don’t want people to avoid me because of my behavior. Controlling my symptoms is the only way for life to be even half-way enjoyable. I do not like the out-of-control feelings and the way I treat people when my symptoms are there for the whole world to see. Control the symptoms, control the illness!!!
Hi, David:
I agree with you that this is not the case for bi-polar sufferers! The very thing they are most concerned with is their symptoms; they urgently want relief. They don’t want to have these problems and seek every way they can to escape them. With the proper medications this can be accomplished. My great-grandson who lives with us is the patient I am concerned with; he’s not easy to live with and we certainly appreciate alleviation of his symptoms!
Dave,
It’s not true. the meds effect my moods and thus I can lead a better life.
Dear David, You are correct, it is a continual process to control your symptoms with bi-polar disorder, but it’s like that with any illness. Maybe this study is speaking of individuals who have just been diagnossed. I know it took me a while to figure out I had to stay on top of things, medicine is not the only answer. We are a society of “I need a pill to fix it”, that is not the answer to any illness out there and it takes time to figure that out. I hope they do, quickly, I hate to see any one with this disorder suffer unneccessarily, we suffer enough inside ourselves, let alone an outside influence suffering as well. Lisa Eddleman
First of all, I want to thank you Dave,
Fighting with this battle of bipolar, and ptsd,and many
illnesses. It takes over my whole being.
I am fighting Lymes Dieseas and arthritis, also
on top of that,fibromyalgia.
So I do try very hard to live with this, taking
medications for many reasons.
Trying hard day by day, crying alot of tears,
Feeling like no one knows how I really feel?
Running back and forth to doctors, one on one, so on
and so on.
Sometimes I think the meds. just messess up my brain.
I do take the meds. But there are times I will skip
them. Thinking!!! I was just fine.
I am praying for every one who understands, what others
are feeling just the same.
We can not give up! God is on our side, may He Bless
us all. Thanks every one…. Loretta,
Hi Dave,
I have to agree with you to a extent. I have bi-polar and have been stable for over a year now. Each day however is a struggle to keep it that way. I have my cycles and when it is a “down” time in the cycle I just have to keep plugging along. I tell myself that even though I am doing all that I should I have to do more and this is going to pass as it has in the past. Without my support system I don’t think I could have made it this far. All of you out there who are reading this keep telling yourself that you CAN do it and most importantly keep your chin up for the dark days will pass.
David,
I am relatively new to your program, but have been a struggling supporter for nearly four years. My daughter returned home from college after her Sophomore year in a psychotic, delusional state. She has been through five hospitalizations, back and forth with medication compliance and is currently off all treatment. She has accepted her diagnosis intellectually, but not emotionally. To her, the drugs are worse than the disease. Perhaps this or some other study will help sufferers and supporters find a path to treatment when the disease blocks the way.
1ST IMPRESSION AND 3RD IMPRESSION
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
ACTS 10:13 ACTS 11:7
I think I’m a bit baffled by this. I don’t really know when something is coming on. I swing thru moods all the time. I don’t know if the meds work or not. The doctors tell me I can’t go off of them but honestly I still have to deal with racing mind and I think well why take these meds..would it be worse? I can’t figure out when something is going to hit me or not.. I don’t see signs. I go to a therapist regularly and psychiatrist and take all these meds. I don’t ever feel even.. My children even said I looked different the other night and I did not understand.. that upset me a lot. I thought most bp people just did like me took your meds, saw your doctors and rode the ride the best they could. I don’t even come close to understanding the concept of controlling or looking out for symptoms or watching out and changing the outcome. IT’s just never been anything ever brought up or taught to me or mentioned or thought about. I’ve been dx.. for 10 years now. in therapy off and on at first but seriously consistently for 9 years and one hospitilization which was a disaster. The worse possible situation for me. Anyway I want to hear more about how you are able to recognize something coming on… I just know when I cry uncontrollably or feel like cleaning a lot but I don’t see it coming. HOw can you?