Hi, how’s it going for you today? I hope your day is good so far.
Everywhere you go these days, you see those advertisements for $4 generic prescriptions, don’t you? It started off with just one company, and now everyone’s doing it. Do you know why? Because it’s a successful campaign. And people need it.
Have you ever seen an advertisement that says, “We beat all competitor’s prices”? It’s the same thing. Why do they do it? Because it’s an effective strategy. More realistic, however, is the “We will meet all competitor’s prices.” You can actually go by that. If you have a sale paper that shows something you want is at a certain price, you can take that ad into another store and get the same product for the same price. Why do they do this? Because they want your loyalty. They want your business.
Some people pride themselves on comparison shopping, and in this economy that’s a good way to be. You should comparison shop to get the best price for the things you and your family need.
You especially hear about comparison shopping when it comes to buying a car. That’s because it’s such a big decision, and can have such a big impact on your finances.
Well, guess what? There is no comparison when it comes to bipolar disorder. Each person who has it is different. Some of the symptoms may be the same, but everyone’s different. You might hear from another supporter that such-and-such medication worked so well for their loved one.
Then you might think that your loved one should be on that medication, too, so they can do as good as this person is saying that their loved one is doing. But you have to remember, there is no comparison when it comes to bipolar disorder.
If you go to a support group meeting (I know, because I go to several of them every month), you’ll find people who will tell you what to do for your loved one. That doesn’t make them right.
They are not doctors. They are not psychiatrists. They are not therapists. They are not researchers. They are not any kind of a professional, so you don’t have to listen to them.
One of the problems with these kinds of people is that they believe that what works for their loved one is going to work for everyone who has bipolar disorder. Just remember that there is no
comparison when it comes to bipolar disorder.
Your loved one is who they are. They should be on the right medication for THEM. They should be doing the things that make THEM stable. And you should be the best supporter you can be for THEM. Not according to what anyone else says.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
am just getting into this. with my 25 year old son… had an idea for a couple years something just wasn’t right and this summer he had a full blown manic episode… and i’m finding so much of what you have sent me is so true. especially todays.. i have had so many people tell me what their loved one has done for their bipolar.. and we at this point are struggling to find the right balance for him.. too little and he went back into manic again.. now he is stable..but very zombieish… so we are “tweeking” and trying to get the right dose… as always tho.. one day at a time…
thanks keep up the good work
diane
I have been trying to get your free dvd course, but your web page does not work! The State field does not let me put anything into it. I tried at home on xp and at work on Vista. Both are IE8.
Also I get an email every day telling me that I failed to complete the dvd order. The link in the web page has a serious typo. It says “dipolar” instead of “bipolar”. So it takes you to a non-existent url. I figured out how to correct that, but still have the same problem with filling in the State field.
enjoyed reading your email. comferting to know that some one understands. My friend is bypolar. I ordered your vido “bipolar supporter success” received it yesterday. can not get to work in my computer. My friend and I are considering taking the rest of the course. we need to see this one to make our dession. hope you can be of help. RSVP
I spent the day in the hospital ER today (for the 4th time this month). I got the same psych evaluator. I had great plans to end my life. He let me go home. He thinks we are playing a game. I can now spell “world” backwards in my sleep and can count backwards from 100 in increments of 7. That makes me sane and okay to join the rest of society.
To TRIED THEM ALL: I’m sorry I didn’t read your blogs before I wrote you some emails today. It’s too bad that your “evaluator” is so COLD and clinical that he can’t read your “signs” of distress. Can’t you request someone else who will take your suicidal ideation SERIOUSLY?? I KNOW you’re NOT playing games; your illness comes” out of the blue,” and I KNOW you CAN’T control your episodes. Have you seen Dr. Meyers recently? Maybe the two of you can “connect” on some level you’ve been unable to with other DRs. I believe in my heart that there IS help for your condition, and I will pray that you get the best treatment available for your disorder. I love you and care about you, but it sounds as if the medical/psychiatric community could care less. I’m really sorry for the treatment you got; hold your head up high, and TRY to beat this thing.