Hi,
How’s it going?
I am actually coming back home on Tuesday because I am still in those meetings.
Yesterday when I was at my meeting, I was talking to someone about how he had seen Saw 5. He thought it was a very strange movie— which it is.
Anyway, the other day I told you how I went to see Saw 5. (if you have been on the list for like a week, you probably remember)
So I actually went with this girl who is really into horror movies. She is actually a chemist which has absolutely nothing to do with the story but I figured I would tell you.
So we decided to go.
What is Saw 5?
It’s a strange horror movie basically about a guy that goes around killing people for reasons that seem to make sense to him but don’t make sense to anyone else.
He essentially allows people to torture themselves to death.
This guy has to do a TON of planning to think everything through to make sure the people act the way he wants them to act.
So what does this have to do with bipolar disorder? Well, planning is so key.
Right now, November is my mom’s worst month of the year. It’s when 90% of her episodes occur.
I have carefully thought through actually what could happen and have a plan for it. I have back up plans to my plans. It’s like chess.
My friend said to me, “who the heck would plan so much” in reference to the Saw Killer in the movie. (My friend forgets it’s a movie) 🙂
But I told him how much planning I do with bipolar disorder.
Think of bipolar disorder as an enemy that is trying to get you.
It’s trying hard.
It strikes when you don’t want it to.
It works hard to make your life tough.
It strikes at the worst possible times.
YOU have to counter its goal to destroy.
Know what I mean?
In my courses/systems, I talk about looking at bipolar disorder as if it were an enemy trying to destroy you, and how you can defeat it by managing your disorder.
That way, you have control over it, instead of it having control over you.
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So you think of bipolar disorder as an enemy.
What do you do?
Well, what would you do with any enemy trying to destroy you?
Naturally, you fight back!
So the way you fight back is that you strike first.
You make plans, like I do for my mom.
You take your medications every day.
You follow your treatment plan.
You see your doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist whenever you’re scheduled to.
You do whatever it takes to manage your disorder instead of it managing you.
In other words,
YOU DEFEAT YOUR ENEMY!
This isn’t a movie. This is real life. YOUR life.
And you do what you need to do to save it.
What do you think about the importance of planning and bipolar disorder?
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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.
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I have been following thia lifestle now since my daughter who was diagnosed with bipolar showed if to me and am excited. If you want to try free ww stle tracking system with a community and a way to finally get it together so to speak this is it.You can do it and share or be private.
This newsletter is amazing. Every day I receive comments about bipolar, which incidently my husband diagnosed himself as many years ago though refused to complete the full treatment regieme. Many of the things said are relevant to us at the moment. The planning and ensuring that a plan is in place in case the plan fails is what I have been doing since my husbands worst bipolar crisis ever, and nervous breakdown. To the point that the plan has worked so well this time, and he is slowly starting to turn himself around. He is aware of some of the devestating things he has done and said to the people aroun him but not all, however on this ocassion we are filling in the gaps and ensuring that another plan is in place for the next crisis or big event. Many thanks for the newsletter which has been a wealth of information and support.
You are absolutely right about handling bipolar as an enemy and haveing back up and attack plans. If you dont, you are carried into the battle with the foot soldiers but if you plan ahead, you can be the hero on horseback makeing the stratgic battle plans and winning the battle. I know, i have it and did not realize up until reading your latest letter, that Oct, Nov, and Dec are my most terrible times of the year. I have learned to accept it happening but never really turned around and attacked it, especially not first. Now i understand and can lay out plans and counter plans to help myself. Thank you from someone who loves winter and Christmas but could never enjoy them.Now i know how to sit down and bring thisinto reallity. It is wonderful. Also i have been developing things and feeling as a result of cancer surgery that i layed all on this problem than onto the bipolar and realize it i the bipolar and can not deal with it all.Thank you and i recomend you to everyone. Your friend, Valerie
Recently, like 2 weeks ago I found out that my daughter is bipolar. Problem is, she lives in Iowa and I live in Colorado. Your emails have been a great help to me in understanding why she has done the things she has done in the past and present. She is in the process of a divorce, her husband was not trained in the symptoms and got fed up with her behavior. Yes, there have been many lies told, now I recognize them but my main concern is how can I help her from a distance? She is on meds and is seeing a doctor, but she calls me and says she is out of meds and can’t afford them, she told me the other day that she fired her Doctor because the nurse told her she was a ‘drug seeker’. Yesterday, she called and said her 17 year old son had called her names and hit her, that I can almost believe because he is a very angry kid. He also could be bipolar just not diagnosed yet. Then, her car was repossessed and she was devastated. How far do I go in supporting her? I am retired, on a fixed income and work part time in the Income Tax field. Would really appreciate any guideance you can give me.
Dear Save,
thankyou for your comments. I particularly thought your emphasis on planning against bp was very well brought out by your chess example. Check mate is the final cure, but in the mean time our moves are not random, knowledge such as you give every day on bp, trains and informs bp suporters, so that we can be never at a loss or caught unaware. Like chess there are varieties of situations but always the same basic problems which require the moves which are always given by you as a bp supporter’s checklist. When we react without recognizing a problem underlying we are bad chess players. Knowledge is power. We act because we know.
I go into a mild “down” state during Fall and Winter, but knowing this, I have accepted a “plan” to get me through it. I enjoy the Holidays, and they usually go by without too much drama.
ALWAYS take your meds religiously, see your psychiatrist/therapist, and follow a treatment plan like Dave advises, and you can “bar the door” against the bipolar disorder. Having this illness, I KNOW what to look for as far as triggers are concerned; but it’s not always that easy. Sometimes, the symptoms will come upon me, and I’m not ready to deal with them. It’s then that I call my shrink and we work things out.
This is a particularly hard time for me, with the refinancing not being closed (supposed to be this afternoon), my tax debt, and the room not being rented. I have NEVER been this low on funds in my life. When my parents were alive, they always bailed me out. When I owned my apartment house, there were ALWAYS the rents, being fully occupied at all times. Looking back, I realize selling the house was a BAD mistake, but I had no supporters to advise me on the pros and cons of selling. Now – I live on a fixed income, and have a little bit in my checking account as a “cushion,” but that’s dwindling, too. Christmas won’t be as “merry” for my family who live on the West Coast, as I can’t afford to send them “packages” for the Holiday.
I have to LEARN how to live ON my means instead of BEYOND my means. No more credit card debt; no more impulsive shopping; watching and making a budget. If I don’t, I will outlive my money, and that scares me. I’ve gone from being “comfortable,” to being “poor” in three short years. I can empathize with most of the people who respond to Dave’s emails, and know I am not alone.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
I am bipolar. Also went through divorce because neither of us realised I was till after. I had to learn to stand on my own two feet and I lean heavily on family and friends. My ex is still very critical and tries his best to avoid me like the plague as if my condition is contagious! Anyhow, what i wanted to say: first I have really really realised I have lived very impulsively as if there is no tomorrow. And secondly, November is also my worst month, just like David’s mom. I can however not put my finger on the issue of WHY. Why November? Where I live it’s the start of Summer… anyhow. I would just like to encourage all of you supporters and thank you. From the bottom bottom of my heart. Good luck. You’re stars!
Dear Dave,
Thanks for your site. It is so good being able to read about what you go through and your strategies. I have a question for you . Why is November the worst month in the bipolar cycle? I live in Australia so it is a different season to you in the states. As a carer I have watched and I cannot agree with you more.
Dave,
Saw V is a pretty strange parallel for bipolarity, but I appreciated your analogy!
Jigsaw John and hos followers are just plain nuts, though – not bipolar.
Steve
My life is a HORROR MOVIE. Maybe I should go see this ‘crazy’ movie. I can’t understand how I went from happiness into a life of pure HELL. Our telephone just got turned off and I just paid our rent. However, I know the check will not clear because I only have $144 to my name. I am thinking what is the point of living a HORROR MOVIE. I keep looking at my bottle of pill and wondering if I could be in a better place.
Sorry…guess I will find a pay phone tomorrow and call my psychologist or the suicide line. Can’t seem to get past all these problems and pull myself up…it just gets worse and worse.
Today’s topic hits home. November is a very gloomy month. I do wish they would stop fiddling with the clocks. My boyfriend has been feeling down the last 6 weeks or so, but still had the occasional day or two in between when he was quite cheerful. However, since the silly clocks were turned back and it suddenly gets dark in the middle of the afternoon, he has plunged deep into a depressive episode. For the last 2 weeks I haven’t seen or heard much from him, since he wants to be left alone. He was much the same around this time last year, as he gets SAD on top of bipolar. All I can do is wait and hope he will feel better again soon. I do not understand why his doctor does not slightly increase the dose of anti-depressants this time. This usually used to help a little.
Tried them all….. hugs to you…. we also have past due bills. That is life. You have to believe in some kind of higher power and start talking to Him/Her. I am working 2 jobs to help my son who is bipolar. I am 46 years old and can’t keep up the pace. No matter how much I earn, it seems like ALL goes to my son. I am tired, worn out, and sometimes feel like giving up. What would that accomplish though? Really?? Get a grip and join the game. Say a prayer.. what could it hurt?
Suzanne.. you seem to have it all together.. good on ya!
To everyone else…. please don’t give up on your loved one… it really isn’t their fault.
DIANE: Thanks, I appreciate the fact that you have TWO jobs and are helping your son who is bipolar. I am 45 and have a disabled mom to take care and lost my job due to a layoff. I cannot find another job, despite my efforts.
You say to pray. Pray for what? How did I get in this situation anyway…I was NOT responsible for it. Now, I should pray that the same God who got me in this mess to get me out? I stopped ‘believing’ six years ago after my dad died a horrible death. I stopped believing that there is someone caring enough to help me. Frankly, I have just stopped caring, plain and simple.
Although my aunts and I are not on talking terms, I have asked that they find a place where my mom can live together with our dog, Missy. I plan on taking a lot of Lorazapam and taking myself out. I am no good to my mom, I am no good to my family, and I am no good to myself. I know there must be a better place, but I am NOT praying to anyone or anything.
so how much chess do you hav eto play to defeat the game?
I feel like ive been playing for years and I still havent won or lost.
as for Saw V, I might as well be in the movie, I feel like i am running from Jigsaw himself, and he is winning in some ways because I cant fight the battle anymore. I have tried and failed and failed again and again. Whats next I will tear my own arm off to scrath my back? I feel like Im running the biggest circle and dont even know Ive passed the same land make 12 times today.
david im really having a hard time deal with my girl bipolar .she just want be the women i met.i didnt know she had this problem.we are having problem staying together.Help