Hi,
I got up at 6:00am because I was notified about a big problem
with one of my websites. I must say I am super mad. But actually
helping my mom all these years has made me handle major problems
much better.
Anyway, I wanted to drop you a quick email about something that
I wanted to tell you.
Yesterday on Saturday, I was talking with someone about why their
loved one was “so slow” to get better. I was kind of shocked because I felt
this person was kind of being mean.
Their loved one went into a major episode like my mom and he was
saying how it had already been a month and she wasn’t better.
I was thinking, “what the heck?”
I said to him, “how long do you think it should take to recover
from a major episode from a serious chemical imbalance mood disorder
like bipolar disorder?” He said, “well when you say it like that
I guess well maybe longer than a month.”
So I told him to listen to “My mom’s story” which is a cd
in my courses/systems. He skipped that cd because he
wanted to get to the important stuff. I explained
I didn’t add filler material in my stuff and that everything
was important. He said that he would go through everything more
carefully.
I hope this isn’t you. If you got my courses/systems:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
I hope you listened to that cd. It should have been the
first one for you to hear. I did that on purpose.
WHY DO I HAVE MY MOM’S STORY ON A CD?
I wasn’t going to have this. But really at the last second
of finishing up my material I decided to include it. See when
my mom was undergoing treatment, I never knew how long it would
take. I didn’t know what to expect. NOBODY would give me any
answers or estimates. It was really annoying. They would give
me the you just have to wait and see.
I am NOT a doctor but I have seen that it takes time to
recover from episodes. I think it’s really stupid for doctors
or anyone to say they have absolutely positive no idea
whatsoever how long it will take to recover from a major
episode. They can give generazationsi my opinion.
Here’s my rule of thumb. ALWAYS plan longer than you think
it will take and you will be less frustrated.
Anyway, I felt like if I put exactly what I did to help my mom on
on CD and how long it took, it would help you know what you would
be up against. People love that cd because of this.
Think about this. If you have a loved one and he/she is not
getting better after 6 months you might feel like there is
something wrong. But then if you hear it took many people 12 months
or more to become stable after a major episode you change your
view.
Information is the key and that’s what the mental health community
never seems to offer. They tell you about the 16 medications,
what they do, and all the names of illnesses. They don’t tell
you a lot of the stuff you need to know. Like, it takes time
for a loved one to recover from a major illness.
If I were you, take whatever you are thinking and double it and
plan for it. This way it makes it easier. If your loved one recovers
quicker that’s great.
Hey I have to run and get a TON of stuff done and wait for my
website administrator to get up so she can fix these problems.
Oh the stress in my life :).
Your Friend,
Dave
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.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
Dave
I really enjoy your emails. Especially first thing in the morning. They always make me smile. Hope you can get your site fixed. Just remember deep breaths. That is what they tell me when i get too stressed. Or find your happy place. I am dealing w a bipolar person. Myself. lol And I know first hand how long it takes to get over an episode. My last major one lasted almost a year. I have had a few minor ones since then. Thank goodness for a good support system. And the fact that I have learned the signs of one coming on. If not for this I would have really been in worse shape than I am.
Ruth
P.S. Keep up the good work.
Dave,
We people that aren’t bipolar shouldnt have to walk on egg shells every day waiting for the bomb to hit again.They have an excuse for thier actions, being bipolar.They can drive a sane person insane and they don’t care.Ive been married to one for 14 years and I am so tired of all the drama in my life from him.I tired of the dailey WAIT.I know he has a mental disorder, but what about us getting mental from it?? I’m sorry I am just so fed up and tired of going thro his fit rages.He wont go to therapy thinks taking his med is enough.The next blow up I decided to commit him.What do you think??How do we stay sane through years of this??
P.S. I really do enjoy your news letters. Its just that sometimes I am at a loss with my husband.Sometimes I think I need medication to help deal with his bipolar.It will always be no matter what you do, you will always have to cope and deal with your bipolar loved ones.Thank God for your news letters.
“Information is the key and that’s what the mental health community
never seems to offer. They tell you about the 16 medications,
what they do, and all the names of illnesses. They don’t tell
you a lot of the stuff you need to know. Like, it takes time
for a loved one to recover from a major illness.”
This is so true! My fiance didn’t have a care plan and when I went to set one up, there was no information on how to do it. Knowing the side effects of medications was only marginally helpful in planning and living with BP day-to-day.
Why isn’t there more information on how to get through daily life? Although I did read “Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder” by Julie A Fast, and found it very helpful.
Dave, your list lets me know how much I am doing right, and I appreciate that. Thank you.
Hola David!He visitado tu Podcast y he oído tus comentarios acertados referentes a este mal que nos aqueja,como es la depresión y los desórdenes bipolares asociados. Me parece que al encontrar la llave para aliviar las quejas de tu madre ya estás en camino a hallar una cura para todos. Te felicito por tu gran labor y tu contribución al mundo. Espero compartir contigo en breve mi historia.
Tu Amigo LAURENS
Hello i want yu to know that i really injoy reading your mesages on line.. I have been bipolar for a very long time i have been on alot of med.. for it ..i sometimes get out of control.. i cry and laught and don’t know why.. but reading your stuff has helped me and i wan to thank yu very much…
Once again, the daily email was right on target. The first major episode with my daughter was in late December and both of us are so at the “when is there going to be progress; why is it so hard” point. So the timing of this one was perfect. I’ve noticed i’ve been cranky and know its from frustration… i just let go of all the anger.. thinking, Betsy you know its a long road and our poor sick folk don’t need us angry at them when they’re so struggling.
thank you
This post caught my attention in so many levels. I’m bipolar and so is my Dad. The funny thing is, I should have developed a better understanding of how it is, but I still get impatient on how my dad is slow at conversation sometimes because he’s had electric shock treatment four times. I’ve also had a lot of people disappear in my life because they got exasperated with my mood swings and change in action. I am doing so much better now because I take medication regularly and am able to keep healthy relationships. I have stopped using my disorder as an excuse – it’s like blaming it on the rain. It has made my life better too, now I have higher expectations of myself.
Dave
I would like to email you with a question about my sons bipolar. I have bought and read your course. How do I do this?
Hi Dave
Did you read my mind? This email came at the perfect time for me. I am bi polar and have been in a real bad episode for a month now. My doctor switched my meds .(for the 100th time) because they allways work for a while and then stop. Anyway, this is the worst episode so far and I have had bi polar for about 10 years.
The problem I am having is that my husband thinks that once the new medicine is started I should just feel better and I don’t. I spend endless nites all nite researching info and dual diagnosis that I also have. He has never even read about bi polar unless I print everything out, which I do. And then he says he reads all of it, but I know he doesn’t. He really thinks that I can just stop the behavior and the episodes and the rage and the emptiness he doesn’t even have a clue that I feel.
He gets angry at me when I don’t sleep or eat or when I isolate. He takes it so personal and I can understand his frustration but I feel so alone because he is the type that “if we don’t talk about it, it will just go away” Little does he know that by doing that I fall deeper into my illness. I don’t know if I will make it out of this one..He is the only one I have to talk to because I have lost all my friends because of my insanity and pushing them away. When he won’t talk to me, because he says that I just repeat myself and talk too much (rapid speech) and he can’t stand it anymore, I want to die even more.
I know he will never understand because he doesn’t have it, but how do I get him to read up on it and really believe how sick I am?
I am having serious suicide thoughts. I have done it b/4 so he just blows me off, but this time I have really given up. I feel lost and alone. I feel if I don’t leave him and live alone, I will give up and go where I won’t have to feel so bad , to end it all. I am really struggling with this episode and I don’t know what to do. And you talking about how long it will last ..I am beggining to wonder if I will ever come back from this one.
Anyway, it is nice to have you to talk to and understand the seriousness of this illness.
Your mom is truly blessed to have a son that cares like you do.
God bless you and her.
Goodnite,
3:00am
Laurie