Bipolar: It’s Important to Laugh

Hi,

Let me ask you something: When was the last time you laughed? I mean downright belly laughed?

I was watching this commercial the other night, and I swear I laughed till there were tears in my eyes!

The commercial showed these different people giving verbal commands to things, but they didn’t work.

Like one man said, “Close blinds,” but the blinds didn’t close, and the man was standing in the window naked, looked up, and his neighbor was staring right at him!

The most hilarious one was this woman with a to-go cup of coffee in her one hand and a briefcase in her other hand, walking up to a glass door of a building. And she says, “Open door,” and the door doesn’t open, and she walks right into the door, and the coffee goes everywhere, all over the glass! I’m telling you, this was hilarious! I just couldn’t stop laughing!

So, I’m asking you, when was the last time YOU laughed like that?

I go to so many bipolar support group meetings, and I get so many negative or complaining emails that I know that this is true – Too many people with bipolar disorder and their supporters stop laughing once the diagnosis is made.

I mean it! It’s like the disorder steals all the joy they have, like pulling the rug right out from under them.

Now, does that seem fair? I don’t think so.

But I see it this way. Having a sense of humor is a choice.

It kind of goes along with being a positive or being a negative person.

I’ve heard from some people who have bipolar disorder and their supporters who paint the

picture that their lives are so dark and gloomy that it’s more like they’ve got cancer than

just bipolar disorder!

Then I’ve heard from some people who tell me they’ve learned to manage the disorder

so well that they’ve gotten to the point of success (stability) and actually have a pretty

happy life!

And guess what the difference is?

At least for some people, they’ve been able to put the joy (the joy of life) back into their lives.

Let me tell you this: You NEED to laugh as much as you can in this life! Even experts will tell you that people who laugh more live longer. People who only see the doom and gloom side of bipolar disorder are like a self-fulfilling prophecy – They go through more depressive

episodes than those who have learned to have a more positive attitude.

Now, this isn’t medical advice, for sure, but I bet if you did learn to laugh more, you really would

have less episodes.

Think of all the things you have to face. Apply the laugh theory to them.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

  1. i am so lucky that friends e-mail me almost every day at work with either funny messages or cartoons, or they send something inspirational. i am lucky to have a couple of good friends who know everything about my life and support and help me every day.

    you are so right, living with a bipolar spouse is no picnic. add in drug allergies and other medical problems and of course his almost daily threat of suicide, and sometimes not only do you not know up from down but you don’t care because you are so tired.

    hey, thanks for the time to vent. it does really
    help to have people who know what it is like because they are in the same boat
    hand in there guys
    deb

  2. David, thank you so much for your enlightened words – they strike such a cord with me (Bi-Polar Disorder sufferer). I have received your messages for a long time and I appreciate every one. My darkness grows daily and my suicidal thoughts ebb & flow.

    Making me understand that I am not alone gives me great comfort and support. Unfortunately my wife has no concept of my problem – i.e. ‘just sort yourself out man!’ She is a Christian person, but she cannot understand my troubled mind-set. This makes me feel even worse about myself. Please pray for me, my wife and my three kids – I’m at the end of my tether and need as much spiritual support as is possible.

  3. david: you are so right,lauging is the best medicine and you don`t have to spend a dime.so keep lauging and tell your friends to see the funny side of life.for life is too short not to. dot. f.

  4. Hello again David…..
    Another very deeply touching e-mail this one, like the last one you sent me I responded a long response to…..this one hits home hard…..
    Your question was “when was the last time you laughed…right from the belly?” I cannot even remember a time, sounds sad, bit so true!! I have nit laughed in so long cannot remember what it feels like. I smile and what not, but to laugh, that is a strange action to me, never happens….does being intoxicated on alchol count at a party?
    this Bi-polar has stolen me away, and not having any support around me, my husband does nto support me, gives me a very stressful, chaotic world….so laughter is no longer part of me any more, has not been for a while…I am lost!!

  5. I agree with the laugh theory, Dave.
    Slaves can’t see it the same.
    The pills don’t work when they refuse to take them
    and when they take them they don’t laugh anyway.

  6. My neighbor has a sibling that impersonates every celebrity under the sun as a way of dealing with her bipolar — she wants to be everyone that she thinks is bipolar free but herself — another neighbor helped her solve that issue – it was when she actually wore those people including certain doctors she developed that problem, she discovered being herself and actualizing a love she desired in a way she’d understand was the way that put her back to the road of discovery!!!! Talk about Discretion!!! She almost completely cured of calling her siblings her kids but she’s well on her way!

    When I saw a particular fiancee sweeping the side of her house, I knew laughter was going to be the only solution to mankind’s problems of bipolar, cancer, etc. it was quite therapeutic for she – the sweeping symbolized to her that GOD WAS INTERESTED IN HER WELFARE! she feels loved and problem free when she sweeps away her issues.

    Sometimes you have to laugh at the disorder (for what it actually does to the person it’s attempting to attack)
    – how happy A Master OF PSYCHOLOGY will be upon arriving and seeing the doing of this very discreet person!

    Let’s Go Don! lol!

  7. Dear Sir Oliver: I agree with the laughing theory. After I have received a good cursing out and I’ll be sorry when I die from my 20yr. old bipolar, adhd, interlectually handicapped grandson, I go on the inteernet and look up old shows like carol burnet, in living color, or some other comedian and have a good laugh. It’s so magical and upbuilding. How can you get mad at a sickness? Hope one day to afford a program. In meanwhile I appreciate the e-mails and internet site. Pam

  8. Cool! I’m all for that! especially in the world we live in and the daily base (we are in facing our demons that go by many names bipolar, depression, stress etc.)

    Here are a list of things I’m greatful for

    I eat well
    I live well
    I sleep well
    I party wonderfully

    let me start laughing at myself

    I have a wonderful Santa holding me in “Her” Arms as we Speak!

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