Bipolar Lesson from Blog and Bipolar Statistics

Hey,

What’s going on?

I am really tired today. I am up early because I have a meeting at 6:00 today. It’s a major pain because I have to drive towards New York City. There is so much traffic it’s a joke.

Anyway, I was looking over at some past blog comments and saw this one which addresses a VERY important point about bipolar disorder. VERY.

Did I say “VERY?” 🙂

Okay. Bi-polar38 said on my blog…

NOTE-Bi-polar38 is a “handle” or screen name. That’s not the person’s real name.

Anyway she wrote:

To David Oliver 🙂

I just received your e-mail about the blogs that you have been getting, and I am really sorry to hear that people have been doing that to you.

I hope that you do not shut down the site or the blogs, I just love the site and the blogs, I think they are the greatest thing out  here.

I have learned so much about Bi-polar from this site, and from your blogs and the blogs from others. I am a Bi-polar survivor myself. for years I have felt so alone, I knew other people had it to, but did not know how to find them, I tripped up on your site one day and was blown away. Your blogs and site have helped my life, and my life with my awesome, understanding boyfriend so much.

I learn a lot from you David, I think that you are such a great person, too bad I could not meet you in person, that would be an awesome day! I think that you are such a great person because you care so much about us BP people, you reach out and help us in any way you can, you are very informative, you are a great person for what you do and sharw, I just love ya… not in that way of course, you know what I mean!

don’t let the ignorance of others take away what you work so hard on to share with us, don’t let their harsh words shut you down, and the blogs! I know it is hard, but shut them out, block them out, they are not informed like you are, so don’t let them ruin a good thing…your the best David Oliver…simply the best, and it sounds like you have an awesome team behind you as well, let the words bounce off of you, and focus on the people who adore you!! your doing such an awesome thing here!!!!”

——————————————————-

First I wanted to say that, yes, we have a great team. There are lots of people who work behind the scenes to make all this happen. We have more than 20 people working on things.

More than 70% of them have one or more disorders as well.

The statement that I keyed in on with this blog post was:

“I am a Bi-polar survivor myself. for years I have felt so alone, I knew other people had it to, but did not know how to find them.”

It got me to thinking. I remember with my mom She was thinking there were only a few people with bipolar disorder in all of New Jersey. SIDE NOTE-For international readers, New Jersey is the state by New York on the north east coast of The United States of America.

It was odd to me that my mom thought that way. I didn’t know how many people there were with bipolar disorder, but I knew it had to be more than a few.

But I never met anyone that I knew of or spoke to anyone with the disorder when I first started helping my mom or growing up.

My mom said she only met one person in 40 years with bipolar disorder.

When I started this site I had no idea how many people would be interested. After about one year, I determined there are millions of people dealing with bipolar disorder. I could figure it out because of how I buy my advertising and a complex formula that I have.

Then I had the statistics researched for me.

Did you know that 4.4 percent of American adults has a form of bipolar disorder? At this time, the U.S. census reports the adult population at 210 million, so that means that over 9 million adults have bipolar disorder right now. That’s why most of the information published is directed toward people who have the disorder.

What about the supporters of these people, though? If we were to assume that there are two, or even three, supporters (family, friends, co-workers, etc.) for every individual with bipolar disorder, we could be talking about over 22.5 million people! That’s more than 10% of the adult population! And there is very little information published for them-especially information telling them what they are doing wrong.

When I first started this, my goal was to find as many people as possible dealing with bipolar disorder and present the realities of the disorder for those with it and those who were bipolar supporters.

Sometimes people don’t like hearing what I have to say. They almost want it not to be true.

In my courses/systems below:

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

I give you all of what I have learned and what others have learned to be successful with bipolar disorder. I give lots of strategies but one of the most important parts of my systems and courses is hearing other people talk about bipolar disorder.

It’s important to realize that you are not alone — and you aren’t. There are millions upon millions of people dealing with bipolar disorder.

Hey I have to head off t the gym and do my morning and evening workout together.

Catch you tomorrow.

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.

  1. Just read your post, and have a request: what’s the best way for all of us bipolars to meet (or is this even a good idea?) I live with who used to be my boyfriend, not sure what we are to each other now, as the only bill he was responsible for was rent, and he let it go unpaid for 5 and a half months, so yep, not a penny extra to move right now. Feel like I’m down for the count, and it’s getting close to that “three! two! one!” I have 11 teeth left in my mouth, but instead of trying to get my teeth taken care of, I’m calling his cardiologist, who gave him a 30 day termination notice because of unpaid delinquent bills. I begged him to wait with me for my hip pain to get relieved, but he said “no, I can’t” and left for his job, which he says he’s getting ready to walk out on, and if he does, somehow I HAVE to go! I didn’t realize how much I was hurting till I started writing this. I’ve been fighting off thoughts of suicide, am out of my as needed agitation pill, which I can’t afford to get because am in the Medicare D “donut hole”. Any encouragement would be so appreciated! shy1250 aka jan

  2. Hi! I just wanted to say how important this blog is to me and how hard I feel David and his staff work to give reliable information. I feel we are lucky to have somebody out there that cares enough to do this! Thank you very much!

  3. I wonder if you can offer any help or advice to someone (me!) who is having to cope with a bipolar mother who also suffers from the Narcissitic Personality Disorder as well as being highly intelligent/autistic and from Paranoid Schizophrenia.

    I’m coming apart at the seams and can’t find a decent therapist anywhere to help me (in the UK)

    God Bless

  4. David,

    I appreciate your work to educate the bipolar community. My son has bipolar disorder and I NEED the information. I just wish I had it a long time ago. Keep up the good work.
    Margaret

  5. Hi David,

    I am trying to get your book in this part of the country but I cannot get any. The problem is that $199.00 is quite expensive when you are leaving in South Africa, do you perhaps have it published in this country?

    Kind regards,

  6. Hi David,
    As someone who was battling to come to terms with having bipolar disorder I stumbled across your website. Since then I look forward to reading your blogs and I know that I am not alone. Unfortunately there are people in life who are knockers. They deliberately look for something negative to say. Please don’t listen to them. I think that your website is great. I would have bought your book if I could afford it. When I can I will. I also really appreciated your handbook describing mental illnesses and the article on Omega 3.
    Thanks for everything, Claire

  7. Thanks for giving the supporters help. We often feel alone or unable to talk to someone else who truly understands. My family has been great but none of them have ever lived with a person with Bipolar and they don’t understand how hard it can be day in and day out. They often try to fix my parenting instead of just listen to my feelings. Thanks for giving me daily support and hope.

  8. I’ve never felt alone. I was adopted into a loving family as a baby. One of my uncles had paranoid scyzophrenia. I grew up with my uncle being very odd but as a child I just thought that was the way he was. Then he caught Jesus and stopped taking his medication. The voices returned and he comitted suicide by stepping in front of a train. When I was diagnosed with BiPolar after years of being treated for the depresson but not the manic end, it was a huge relief that I was not like my uncle.
    My grandma has been a tremendous support to my mom, helping her make sure she can advocate for me when I’m unable to do so for myself. It is my mom’s step-mom, but she has helped her so much! She married my grandpa long before I was adopted so I have always known my her as my grandma. She has always been very supportive of me, praying for me, lending an encouraging word – anything I need. She helped me not feel so alone. She encourages me to take my medicine, take care of my physical, mental and spiritual health.
    Now I’m having a problem though. I want to take my medicine but now that I live in India I can’t find them. They simply are not available here. Yes, I live in a less developed area, but when I consulted with my doctor before leaving (who is from India originally) she swore I would be able to get all my medicine here. Well, due to the BiPolar and brain injuries from a serious car accident I am disbility. So I am only able to get a psychiatrist through the state I lived in. I will be going back as soon as my husband gets his immigration paperwork done. Anyways, she went on vacation for a month and the clinic I go to did not have any one to replace her. So I’m out of medication and trying not to crash.
    It makes me SO angry because I WANT to take my medicine, I want to be happy and healthy and the system the state has in place stops me at every corner. My mom is helping me but she is frustrated, too. After I finish with this, I’m going to email the dept of health where I will be living.
    Thank you Dave!

  9. When I was diagnoised over a year ago, I got on the internet & started looking for info on BP. That is when I found your site. Since then, I have not even tried to look for another one. Your site has the best info that I have found.

    The emails that you send out relate to everyday life for the one with BP and the supporter. Yes, some of the things that you have stated are straight forward. There are times that we really do need this. Your straight forwardness has helped me alot. It has made me stop and think and take note of what I am doing.

    I hate that there has been problems with your blog. I don’t want to see it go away. Dave, you have put your heart & soul into helping us and it is deeply appreciated.

    Thank you Dave for everything that you and your staff do.

  10. Hi there David, I know I’ve told you this before but i just want to reinforce it…you are doing an amazingly wonderful job in helping both bipolar sufferers and their loved ones/supporters. I have soaked up all your information like a sponge and learned A LOT from it. I have passed it on to my supporter and he has learned too. My suggestion: Don’t post any kind of negative, rude, possibly manic-fueled responses on your blog. Just delete them. I get angry, defensive and upset sometimes when I read how rude and ignorant some people can be.
    Bottom line: 99.999 percent of us think you are GREAT, and that’s pretty damn good in my book! Cheers from Canada.

  11. I know I felt very alone when my son was first diagnosed, but after doing research on the internet I found that I was no where near alone in what we are going through. Thank you Dave for having this site and for giving so much information to us all. I enjoy reading the responses to your email and have learned a great deal about bipolar disorder and how to live with it and how to be a supporter from the responses.
    Dave, have you ever thought about adding message boards to this site? I notice that a lot of people ask questions, but not many get responses. It would be nice to talk over a few things once in a while with someone who is going through the same thing. Just a thought.

  12. David,

    I have bipolar and ADHD for adults I had it since i was around six years old. My father was manic depressive when he was alive. He always wanted to help me he told me I was going to be just like him when I got older. Guess what I am alot like him my mother said I would out grow it and no I did not. I am 41 and I have three kids and man did I have a hard time finding the right meds for me and I feel better with Lithium, Tegeratol, Serequol. I have to deal with be to defensive. I am a clean freak. I get alot of downs lately because my girls are with there father for now. I am so lonely I just got to pray it will all get better you know. Have a great day

  13. I know thier is other people out their with bipolar disorders but I don’t know them… I feel alone.. Very alone and my b/f , when I get really depressed calls me a basket case, a dumb *** AND OTHER HURTFUL THINGS! I have to hope my divorced parents will be calm enough to help me through a panic attck. When I’m happy and content my b/f is as well and things are better between us, the hardest thing is putting on a happy facade for our three yr. daughter when I’m in the depressed times when really I feel like I’m dying inside and than he thinks I’m happy as well , I’m on medication and I delve into my Christian religion to get me threw but I don’t want to live where I have to put on a happy facade and yet feel like I’m crumbling away inside. Is my medication just not enough? I’ve bought books to show to my b/f and even read parts that are realavent to my case to him and highlighted parts and asked him to read them, he thinks nobody needs the medication! Hes wrong thier, I know I would feel even worse w/out it! And he just calls it me being crazy . But than I question even into myself, why are you still with me than? I love him eternally… I have sacrificed monetarily for him and emotionally… but what am I getting? yet I dunno why he still wants to be w/me if I’m”crazy”.

    I just pray and call my parents at times…I read my Bbile, listen to my christan music or sounds or nature cd’s that I find comforting, I hate those panic attck I’ve been having lately though! It scares me to think of them! I get short of breath and my chest hurts, I cry uncontroablly.. I think the world is going to end, my last one was two nights ago…
    I went to my psych. and had my meds. altered and I’m trying to get therapy, but my b/f mocks it… says its a waste of $. Sometimes I think his little RC trucks that he races are a waste of $ but I didn’t say it..
    Anyways, thanks for letting me vent, I have to get ready to go , go-karting tonight, another one of his hobbies, I hate getting all muddy, getting a sitter for our daughter, coming home to what was a clean house, having to get in the shower again, make dinner, and do another load of laundry for the day and have my back hurt for the rest of the week… another waste of $ on his part, maybe I wouldn’t resent it if I could vent to a human being like a therapist. Anyways… Thanks again, probably won’t hear from anyone, which kinda sucks but Hey at least I got to type out my feelings….

  14. I was diagnosed in my twenties and have had great support from doctors, family, friends and co-workers. I have been hypo manic/manic for most of the past 2 years. I am now facing all the consequences, risky behavior, maxing out credit cards, lying, manipulating and have kind of burned bridges. I have a lot to prove to the people I love. What can I do in the meantime? I might like to blog. I love to write. I write all the time but haven’t shared it with anyone.

  15. hi david.
    you are doing a great vjob. I read the info as much as possible.
    My son, has BD and depression, but has not taken his meds.
    He has been on drugs , meths and drinking.
    he doesn’t live at home. he was on disability, but the checks do not come anymore. he was spending the money for drugs ,etc.etc/
    I heard from his friends he is also GAY. I think it is a lie, because, he has not told me.
    I am confused, and not sure. I think my son, is confused about
    alot of things when he is off his meds, and on drugs,
    because he is strong addict to drugs. he went into a rehab clinic for help, but did not tell me, so I hope they are able to give him the help he needs, but he is a such a weak person, he might go back in the drugs again, unless he is in a resident impatient. The rehab clinic will not give me any info on his condition for privacy reasons.
    I cannot allow him to return home, because it is very upsetting to me, I don’t know what to do, maybe someone can
    offer me the correct advise. I have spend alot of money to help him, but he refuses to help himself, with work, and thinks
    as long someone is there to help him, he won’t make any effort to help himself. what do I do ???
    thank you
    Sandy C.

  16. I have a a hard time believing that people are actually writing these emails because David’s emails are full of typos and the emails he says he gets from people ae full of typos. David will put a period after the first letter of a word. W.hy? This last email has “too” as “to”. There is no capitalization when a new sentence starts. I feel if David is supposed to be a professional then he should show himself as one and type correctly. His bi-polar mini course teaches nothing to the average person. Thankfully I have enough education to turn everything into a very educational presentation. If anyone needs help with that contact me at Lorrainepttsfld2@aol.com. It is very difficult for the bi-polar mind to grasp. I am bi-polar but I was also given the gift of intelligence, a very high one, from God. Einstein tested at 135. I tested at 145. The IO test. I’d also be more than happy to work with David on a lot of areas for free because his information is quite lacking in his emails.

  17. Hi Dave man will help anyway I can your doing a GREAT job man keep it up. and if you need a phone no for the midnight shift you can use mine.I’m up all night with my apnia. I have to sleep in the daytime when I can be watched. We can do this together.I think I sent you an application.Well if I can help I’m here but don’t give up too many lives depend on you bro.

  18. Oh my goodness Lorraine, David does all this stuff for FREE at NO COST to us. If you are above Einstein then you should put together the math. FREE information. FREE help. Nobody else has trouble reading it. You are wrong, take your meds and be good.

  19. Dave, you provided an outlet and I don’t even know now how I got here the first time. People everywhere know how to criticize. It’s just human. At any rate, your blog provides a place for someone like me to listen(with my eyes) to the plight and needs of a BP and support person. We have to glean the important info we need from all the words written. We can’t use only one source of information and hope to succeed. Other sources, books too are needed. I write too many details, but it’s my nature, I’m a detailed person. None of us are perfect but I know this from such a short time here, there are many people hurting and uninformed/uneducated about this illness.

    If I had known one more specific piece of info about suicide intervention, my fiance might be alive today. JANICE HOWARD needs to go to the hospital, anyone who thinks suicide could eventually devise a plan to carry it out. I told the 911 a week ago tonight that he was depressed and they were there in a very few minutes. It was too late. Mandy Jay’s blog yesterday helped me more than anything understand so much more that I really couldn’t have changed things in my fiancee’s situation.

    There are support groups provided by NAMI in most cities of any size. Every web browser has a “search” area. Type in what you want to know and then prepare to read, read, read. I only had 7 months total with my fiance BUT I had ten years with both parents with Alzheimers and I survived their illness and was educated at the support group meetings. I wouldn’t be here today on this blog but by the grace of God. I hope all you believe, even when you are reallllly angry at God that he is the source of your strength to survive. God bless each and every one of you. Carlann

  20. To Lorriane,

    Your post gave me a good laugh. It’s funny that you are bragging about your IQ. I have this friend who ALWAYS tells me about how well he scored on tests. It’s interesting that the smartest people I know didn’t do well on tests or in school.

    Anyway, the reason why I use periods in words is because of spam filters. The blog post is actually an exact copy of my daily email. I figured you would know that since you say you have an IQ of 145 and you smarter than Einstein. LOL. I must say, several people who work for me with bipolar think it’s really funny. You are probably going to get mad at me with my post 🙂

    Dave

  21. Lorraine, (correct spelling of your name) you are a grammar Nazi and from one manic to another it is never as bad or as GOOD as you think.

    xID

  22. I think your numbers are greatly understated. You see it is difficult to diagnose bi-polar in hormonal teens and even more difficult in uncooperative adults. Looking back I could probably add a dozen to your numbers just in my family. Luckily you are out there, as many others are, bringing this info to the forefront so that fewer people will go undiagnosed. Now if we can get the educational system to recognize the problems, we’d be so much better off.

  23. It is true what that lady said Mr. Oliver, you are doing a great thing! I had been living with someone with bipolar for about 6 to 7 years and had no clue about it until one day by chance I found your website. Everything that I had been through all those years was addressed by you in your e-mails. Every question I had ever had or wondered about is answered in your e-mails. All these years I thought my husband was just the biggest a-hole on earth, not knowing that his horrible, monstrous side comes from his mental illness. Right now he is in jail for like the millionth time. He will be coming out soon and I feel I am better prepared to deal with him now with your help and support. The only problem is that he refuses to take his medication, he thinks he is fine and doesn’t need it. I was wondering how I could get in personal contact with you so that you can help me make him understand that the only way he can get better is through medication and treatment. I can clearly see the difference when he is on the meds and when he is off them. I hope you can contact me and help me some more. Thank you, Sincerely, Sandra M.

  24. Hello Dave, thank you for inquireing about me. I’m doing fine. The reason I have contacted you is because my High School Sweet heart is Bipolar. Everyone, except her mother has abbanded her, and he mother is very old. She lives in Florida and I in TN. We remet at our 40th HS reunionlast week. My wife and I talked about it and have agreed to try to help her out. That is why I’ve contacted you. What can I do long distance. She e-mails me once in a while. I just want to insure I do and say things correctly. Want to help but don’t know how well a long distance thing will work ??? Karl

  25. Dave-
    You are doing a great job! And this website is a God-send to us supporters who have no one else to “talk” to. Just by the numbers of subcribers should be testimony enough for you to know how much you are appreciated and also by all of the responses you get on your blog.

    Your newsletters hit it on the nose every time! It is a relief to know that others are experiencing the same thing and dealing with similar issues. And that there are solutions.

    Sure there are other sites but we could get information from but they don’t have the informations that we need for day-to-day coping.

    And to that woman who thinks she is smarter than everyone else- What are you doing here? Unscribe and leave the rest of us who love the site alone!

  26. Oh, Dave – ANOTHER correction! There are NOW 300million Americans!! This was announced about 6 months ago, so if you take the percentage of bipolars to the population of this country, you get about 5%!! (PLEASE tell me if the percentage is wrong).

    I also want to add my “two cents” to the glory of your daily emails (NOT being sarcastic). I have finally found an outlet to my emotional insecurity by venting on your blog site almost every day. And – knowing there are others out there who are hurting just like I am, makes it somehow easier to bear. THANK YOU for taking your “extra” hour in the mornings to write your emails (typos and all!) that are straightforward and easy to understand. We have ALL been there; if your Mom hadn’t had bipolar disorder, we wouldn’t be here, and we wouldn’t have learned how to live as bipolar survivors. THANK YOU for your investigation and hard work in studying bipolar, and giving us your wisdom.

    BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good.

  27. I am Angela and I am dealing with and 11 year old boy with a bipolar disorder he is my son I and I just don’t know how to deal with this disorder I don’t have a job write now to buy a book or taks your courses so I was wondering if maybe you could give me some advice on the computer thank you for listnening and caring Angela

  28. That 4.4% is a conservative estimate, don’t forget, because there are many people out there who have not yet been diagnosed, or who have been mis-diagnosed. We will never know just how many of them are out there because, without the proper treatment, many (most?) of them will end up dead before a diagnosis can happen. (So, estimates of up to 20% mortality could well be conservative, too.)

    On a more personal note, I echo Suzanne’s comments. I believe this blog does allow folk as ourselves – survivors – to survive longer! I know there is a one in five chance I won’t get through, and the odds are weighted further because I am Type II ‘and’ my swings are rapid with a capital “R”, PLUS there is nothing that can be done about that except try to control the extent of those swings. But this place allows me to left off some steam in what I hope is a constructive way … for the most part! Getting positive feedback helps you feel what you do is worthwhile, is helping others and, in doing that, gives another reason fight back against the worst of the depressive or mixed moods to get through the next bout of bad days.

  29. Sandra, Someone on the previous version of this blog said she had found a way to force her BP partner to take his meds. It may not work in your case, but it has to be worth a try.

    Step 1. Tel him you’ll leave if he doesn’t take the meds. (If he does, go to Step 3. If he doesn’t, go to Step 2.)

    Step 2. If he doesn’t take the meds, carry out your threat and leave him. Keep contact but don’t fold on your demands until he does start taking the meds. If he does, go to Step 3.

    Step 3. Once he’s stabilised make a contract with him, where he will agree to keep taking the meds and you will agree to support him if he does. The other part of the contract is, if he fails to keep the agreement, you will leave.

    I would add to this by suggesting he would only get, say, three chance if he breaks the contract. After that you may promise that you will leave and not come back. This may sound cruel but you have a life, too. But your life is just as precious as his. You just be as kind to yourself as you are, or have been, to your partner, to give yourself the chance to live what is a short life for us all.

  30. Hey Jan,

    I have the doughnut hole “D” Program too but I do have a secondary insurance, but I know what you mean, why would they have a medicine program that doesn’t cover all medication that a dr prescribes???? What the???? I reaaaaaaaaaaaally do not understand this. I would like if we were telepathic and could sense what each other were going through, there would be so much less pain in the world and we would get our medication without a problem!

    Turtle, I don’t want to get you in trouble, but is there anyway you can get the dr who was prescribing you medication to give your mom a script and have her mail them to you? Make sure it is legal first. I know it’s probably not possible but I thought I would just throw that out there. Going without medication is dangerous for us, I hope you are able to expedite your husband’s immigration papers, can you tell them it is a medical emergency? That may help.

    Hopeful, I would drop him like a box of rocks. Sorry, but anyone who is against a person who has bipolar getting medication and mocks you as crazy does not love you for who you are with what you have to deal with. I once had a girlfriend who kept telling me my problems were all in my head! Well she was right about one thing, my bipolar is a chemical imbalance in my head, but that is not what she was implying. She hurt me time and time and time and time again with what she said, but she would say she loved me and was happy to be with me. I think it is pure ignorance on their part and anyone who really loves us would support us in our decisions to take our medication, perhaps go to therapy with us once in a while to see how they can help and be there for us to cry to… That is what a loved one is supposed to be for!!!! I am sorry if I come across so strongly about this but I was in a hurtful relationship with a girl who was just like him and she never understood me. I left her and it was the best thing I ever did for myself, well, other than seeking psychiatric help and getting medication and taking it! I want the best for you and I think you would be better off alone than with someone so critical and cynical of you and your feelings. Loved ones, Accept US ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! They are suppose to support us ONE HUNDRED PERCENT, not cut us down. Just like Dave had to do on this blog, he got a moderator to cut out the riff raff. I think you could do much better than him. Even if you had to be alone until you did find someone at your church who is a real Christian. How can anyone say they Love God and be critical and cynical of anyone at the same time, especially to some one they say they love?

    Anyway, sorry if I hurt your feelings, I just can’t stand to see someone get beat down like I did for four years! I would rather be alone than to be with someone who refuses to accept me for who I am and with what I have to deal with…

    I guess I used up all my space for today, but I think Hopeful needs a hand up. You are doing all the right things girl! Don’t let anyone drag you down, life is hard enough as it is.

    Sincerely,
    Bob

  31. I think the percentage of the population could easily be more than 4%. As was previously commented by another reader, there are many people incorrectly diagnosed or never diagnosed. The percentage of the population suffering with Bipolar could be more than we could even imagine.

    The more educated people are about Bipolar, the more support we will receive. It is incredible how many people do not understand. It is so difficult to relate to people who have preconceived ideas about mental illnesses. They simply don’t believe that Bipolar is an illness.

    It is great that this website exists. There is no other website like this, to my knowledge, anyway. I visit this site everyday and it helps me a lot. I have learned things from Dave that I would otherwise never had known.

  32. kEEP IT UP DAVID! YOU’RE A GOOD MAN. YOU HAVE HEART!
    IS THERE A SPECIFIC NATIONALITY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS BP?
    THANKS.

  33. Dave, What do you do if no one understand what is wrong with you? My husband only makes matters worst! HE does not understand me at all.

  34. Thank you very much for your lessons.
    I want to relate about myself. It’s a way to feel better.
    I was diagnosed with bipolar (but some time after I had the biggest up/down oscilation), having medication and interrupt it by myself because of side effects (getting fat – that was a new trouble in the circle). Of course I was out of “episodes” when I took decision.
    Now I consider I’m pretty well and I’m simply studing how to re-program myself.
    Good idea is to study NLP (neuro-lingvistic-programming), taking into acount that the easiest thing to do for normal (should I say ordinary?-in my language “ordinary” means something bad) people is to benefit from BP. I was and I still am in this situation, because I lost some working tasks (not jobs) due to lack of motivation&self confidence&concentration&efficiency and people refuse to give me what I want and deserve. I suppose they say don’t trust me, but the truth is they prefere easy-to-lead/submissive people and they hide or handle informations for this purpose.
    Challenge: how to convince bosses (lots of) to give you the works you want and let you solve them the way you want. Now you see the reasons I am sort of BP…
    So, I’m working on me and I wish me good-luck! (half of joke…)
    Thank you for listening.

  35. the information you provide is so very important and not only do you share the information with the person who is seeking it–your information goes out to people they run into or their families as well. Shoot I even shared the information with the facility my daughter is in and her children’s services case worker as well. And believe me they have passed the information to others in Ohio as well. -Yes most people do feel they are alone and do not have many people to discuss the illness with. It is especially hard to find support groups for teens with mental illness—programming just is not available. People just do not get information from psychiatrists or service professionals. It makes me wonder if they have the information available to them or the time to go searching as I did to find the information. When my daughter was first diagnosed the psychiatrist did a test and came in and advised me that she had every sign and met all the criteria of bipolar disorder. When I asked what it was he gave me the technical high low discussion. When asked how I could help her and the rest of the family I was told to medicate her and monitor her behavior. I pressed for more help and more answers and met brick wall after brick wall. I then turned to the internet which led me to you David and to NAMI. The tewo of you gave me the insight and heled me learn more of what to expect. NAMI has assistance for parents and caregivers for a variety of mental illness with their FAMILY TO FAMILY and HAND TO HAND programs, But even they tell you that they have been fighting to get assistance and support for youths because it just is not out there. It is a stigma within our society and it desperately needs to be broken. We need to open up as a society and embrace that it is no longer a “UNSPOKEN”—that we need to get support and we need to talk about it–How else are we to learn and be able to be a support for the kids. I remember when my grandma was diagnosed with her illness–in the 80’s it was they needed a vacation and the illness was not discussed and the person was sent out of state for a rest–it was not discussed with the family as a unit–the father or this case the grandfather got the information and never discussed it with the rest of the family–let alone with neighbors or anyone outside the medical profession.
    Your informations have been a great help to us–I share them with my daughter –You have given us more information than any of the psychiatrists ever have. Reading your information has given her hope and understanding. you information line has provided us with information and support even the professionals of children’s services did not know about. And these are the people designated to help parents and children and protect our children in a crisis.
    It has been a year since I first learned of what was going on with her–prior to that all we heard was she is going thru normal teenage stuff–it will subside–which I had found to be silly as having other children I knew the behavior is not normal behavior–it took her trying to kill me and trying to commit suicide for them to look at what was really going on-My ex husband refused to see what was going on. He opened up when he got a phone call from the police to come get my other children as I was on the way to the hospital and my daughter was under arrest.-her fourth attempt at suicide put her in a crisis unit and then for the next month she attempted 4 more times with 4 more visits to facilities-each time in the facility brought more diagnosis and more meds at one point they had added 15 diagnosis and she was on 17 different meds–the last stay I met a children’s services worker who said we needed to look at residential treatment as the crisis treatment just was not helping us. It took almost a year for me to talk with my family as to what was happening in our home and to ask for help. Not because I was ashamed or anything I was not able to sit and talk with them face to face-due to the complications of the attack on me and my recovery/rehabilitation process-but once doing so I found even in our family unit there were others with same issues and diagnosis as well as other diagnosis. I have shared this with my sister in law whose first husband is bipolar and my nephew who also is bipolar—Yes you are right mental illness affects more people than we know and can be close as a nephew or a neighbor.
    And until we as a society stop making it a “UNSPOKEN” and embrace the fact that in everyday life we all are affected by mental illness and those recovering from it. It touches us all. Whether it be the person at the checkout or a family member or our barber. As for those uneducated people who make commentary to mental illness or call people names–wake up and smell the coffee–usually when people attack the unknown it is because it is unknown and they do not know how to deal with it all. Bottom line we need more programs and more lines of communication for parents and kids to help us thru this all. Our children need more assistance in learning what is going on with their bodies and mind. Unless we do this we are doing a great injustice to them and to ourselves.

  36. I strongly believe that If we are in a position to help, and we choose not to, then our living is in vain. How dare someone get so technical with how some one writes, express themselves or inform masses of people with information that they seek out. David do not force his knowledge on people, we seek him out.
    And all those people who are finding or is looking for trivial and mediocre things to complain about are not a solution to the problem and are counterproductive. Better known as “HATERS”!
    If only one person has improved or has a life changing experience then David your work is done. Mission Accomplished!
    Part of the problem with this whole society is that we Think that if someone is not educated to the highest degree of the educational ladder. then they are not qualified to help others or should not be allowed to direct others through the experiences or research that they have obtained. Sometimes you need common sense to.
    The CREATOR gives special gifts to people that others don’t have. No matter how much education others may or may not have obtained. They don’t have the insight to put it all together like the Master Has given his special gift to. Recognize Such (all you Haters).
    David don’t ever think that your work could ever be in vain or insignificant in any shape, form or fashion. Because for me, when I read your mail, read the blogs, study your course, retained and use all the valuable information you so willingly share, I feel like a seed that has been watered and nourished and beginning to grow.
    If some one has a better way of doing things then all fine, well, and good. Do so. But don’t knock something that is working for other.
    We are all helping each other when we share our experiences good or bad and everything in between. So, lets all keep up the good we do for one another and continue with things the way they are. Just Fine.
    No Doubt!

  37. Hi David,

    You’re doing a wonderful, really wonderful, job. Please keep going.

    I’m a survivor myself and got benefited so much from your website. I’m on regular medication. My therapist suggested Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Though it costs a lot to me, I’m willing to take it so I can be free from BP further more.

    I’m 54. I want to take up part time job and earn at least a small amount that compensates for my medical expenses; but I’m not able to because of my persistent depressive spell. I feel frustrated.

    I’ve an understanding husband and son. Since both of them are earning, I don’t have the stress of paying the monthly bills. However, they still can’t cope with my depressive spells; in the sense, they become more aloof and leave me to handle my state all by myself. They expect me to get going without spells. That puts an extra stress.

    My therapist insists that I must stop smoking as my Cholestral is high. I’m due to attend to the sessions from August 10th and I’m panicky because I feel I just can’t drop this habit. I’ve been smoking for the last 30 years.

    Could you give me any suggestion?

    MV

  38. hi david,
    i have been a bipola personfor a number of years but has only been diagnosed about a year ago. i am still trying to come to terms with that. im not doing very well because (1) i keep denying that i am bipola
    (2)my daughters do everything in their power not to talk about it.(is there any wander?) since i’ve started reading your letters i’ve accepted the fact that there are other people out there who have the same problem that i have. thanks to you david, for making this load a lot tighter to carry.
    keep up the good work. M.M.A

  39. hi david,
    this is fabulous information, i say this because i have exoerienced that very thing. i have a perfume named LOVE SONG, which i spray on at random because i get high with the scent. i feel happy and lght when i smell LOVE
    SONG

    YES I WILL KEEP SPRAYING

  40. Hello,
    Please don’t post it.
    Accord me just 3 min. (I mean 3 minutes of your time) because I want to elucidate something: I can’t buy anything from you and I not depend on you; I can comment with you, maybe give some ideeas and that’s all.
    So, stop commercial publicity.
    If you realy want to help, continue without publicity.
    …I have great doubts about this; I suppose you work somehow like this: classify the materials you receive and see if you can use something for your daily announcements_with_no_possibility_to_replay.
    …I always have a comment&reply and I always find a way to do it…
    Thank you for your 3 minutes and I hope it will be useful for you to read something like this.

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