Hi,
How’s your day going?
Yesterday I had a bad day.
I found out that someone who probably is not on medication started a website writing as if they are me.
And the stuff they were saying as if they were me, was totally crazy.
The person also believes they are the President of the United States and Jesus.
They also believe they are many different celebrities.
There sites are totally crazy. I mean super crazy.
This person is really sick and needs help.
It’s really annoying because I had to waste my entire day contacting law enforcement, lawyers, web hosts and other people.
If you have bipolar disorder. Stay on your medication. Otherwise you could do something completely crazy and that gets you into a lot of trouble.
I forgot to tell you this person has videos with himself with no clothes on. It’s disturbing stuff.
This person is going to be in a whole lot of trouble. It’s bad enough what he is doing to me but he is doing it to a lot of powerful people who have an army of lawyers and law enforcement behind them.
I told my friend this and he asked me if I get tired of dealing with crazy people. This made me mad.
The reality is, the vast majority of people who have bipolar disorder are fine, fun, super smart and great to be around.
This is why I have so many people with bipolar disorder working for me.
It’s sad when someone gets off their medication and do so much bad.
Anyway let’s get into today’s topic.
I’m really concerned about something, and I think you need to know about it as well.
You know I volunteer at several places where there are people with bipolar disorder and their supporters, like support groups and such.
Well, sometimes I like what I hear, and then I bring that information to you, because I think you can benefit from it.
But what is really bothering me today is something that I’ve noticed happens at some of these meetings that is NOT a good thing.
I’ll tell you about it:
It’s when people who have NO clue about bipolar disorder give advice on it – even though the advice is sincere, it is still sincerely wrong!
Now people can truly get hurt by this advice, and that makes me mad!
For instance, one person at this support group meeting said, “My friend told me that since I seem to be doing so much better, that I should stop taking my medications.”
Then other people say, “Yeah, my friend said the same thing”…
And before you know it, this one comment is controlling the whole meeting, and it is a totally FALSE thing – a LIE!
Then, when I try to tell them that that comment can’t be true, or that it could hurt them, or at least that they should check with their doctor before going off their medications, they ALL look at me like I’m some crazy person!
Know what I mean?
Or they say their friend told them to stop working and get on disability.
Well, who are they to give that kind of advice?
That’s BAD advice, too!
Another person said that their friend said that another friend said that they should take this supplement on the market instead of their medications, that it worked for their friend’s friend!
In my courses and systems, I teach the difference between the truth and myths that are out there about bipolar disorder:
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:
But I ask myself, where are these people getting this stuff? And how come people are believing it?
Really, sometimes I just want to walk out of these meetings and just keep going. But then I remember why I am there – to help.
And sometimes that help is just to tell them the truth about what their “friends” have been telling them.
Like with these herbal supplements that you see advertised on the Internet and such.
Now, I know this is real controversial.
I’m not saying they’re bad. But if you do take them, you should ask your doctor first.
And not just take someone else’s word for it.
And always take them WITH your medication, and not INSTEAD of your medication!
But sometimes, like these people at these meetings that act like they’re doctors…
Well, they might say that these herbal supplements are a cure, which is NOT the truth!
Same thing with those “natural remedies.”
Well, that’s just a politically correct way of saying natural cure.
And they get a lot of people to believe them, and it’s still BAD advice.
Not only bad advice, but NOT the truth!
The only REAL truth is that there is still NO cure for bipolar disorder at this time, unfortunately.
No matter what you may hear at a support group meeting.
Even though these people are well meaning, always check with your doctor before you do anything like taking a supplement instead of your medications just because you heard “a friend of a friend of a friend” says it works.
What do you think about all this?
Have you ever heard any of this at one of your support group meetings?
Do you know people like this?
Post responses below
Yes! I have had alot of people trying to give advise on the disease. Maybe this maybe that. But the truth of the matter is. Unless they have delt with someone who is sick with this disease and have been to school. They should not give their oppinions as to how to treat it. It definitly can be of great harm to the person who suffers from it. A person with Bipolar taking medication can greatly get hurt, or worse! The only thing the sick person needs is suppot and to be treated like a human being. So please people do not give a doctors advise they might beleive you and quit their meds.I have been dealing with this disease for over 14 years. And I am no expert.
I run 2 DBSA support groups. One of our guidelines, set up by DBSA, is that no one gives advice. We can share what has worked for us and we support others by doing so, but we do NOT give advice. I am very careful to suggest to the group to always check with their doctor before making any kind of med changes. I must admit, however, that at one point of my journey with bipolar friends convinced me to get off lithium to take St. Johns Wart instead and I listened. It cost me over 2 and a half years to get back to where I was before I went off my meds. I know there is a lot of bad advice going around. But one of the best ways to advoid bad advice is to avoid allowing people to give advice. In my personal life I will not listen to any advice unless I have asked for it first. Even then I will only consider it. People need to know the risk factors of choices that they make but we can not tell them what to do or how to do it. That responsibility is up to them. Kelley
Hey David, hope you have a better day today. I am a survivor. I have a lot to say, but this is not my forum, it is yours. Everything is slanted from your point of view, as it should be. Let me just say this. Western medicine that leans solely on experimental harmful pharmacudicals (I am sorry, I cannot spell), is not the only way to deal with bipolar disorder. There is harm to your mind and physical well being when you follow doctors advice and take every chemical they recommend to deal with this illness. Most of us are grossly overweight, have diabetes, high blood pressure and drug induced anxiety problems.
David, you are doing a GREAT JOB getting the word out about bipolar disorder and I thank you, but do not be so close minded about medication. Medication and counseling is one approach to deal with an ongoing, chronic, lifetime condition.
I have tried some of these other ways of coping with bipolar disorder, some do work better than western medicine at this time. We, as Americans are too aragant as to believe our Pharmacy is the answer to everything. If any little thing is troubling you, take a pill. Well those pills all come with a price. For some of us, the price to our health and wellness is just too high.
There are some enlightened doctors out there who are beginning to look back to see if there are other ways to heal ourselves without killing ourselves with dangerous chemicals. Chemicals are not a cure either. Like you keep saying there is no cure.
For years and years I avoided starting on these so called wonder drugs. The doctors all said if you would just try this you will cope with this better. First in my 20’s I had children to avoid taking the medicine. Then after they were weaned I still avoided taking the medicine. I learned coping skills. I learned how my body works. I was more fortunate than most. I have food allergies that are actually beneficial to my bipolar disorder.
I am allergic to wheat, it makes me sleepy. I am allergic to pork, it makes me speak out in defense of myself (instead of letting everyone take advantage of me) When I was under stress and circumstances (like sick babies) kept me from sleeping for a few days, I would make a way to help insure I got the rest I needed.
I would find someone to care for my children, find a quiet place with no disturbances, eat plenty of bread (it was my drug) and sleep like a baby. Just make sure you eat lots of fresh fruit so constipation does not become a problem.
I had troubles from the beginning with DFS being concerned that my children would be better off in a two parent household without bipolar being in the equation.
I am sorry for the ramble. I am caring for an abandoned newborn kitten and my sleep has been disturbed. I am on medicine, but a baby dose. I am one of those people, that medicine has been unable to help. I have been on medicine since my 30’s and I have the added bonus of now being obese with other health problems.
Medicine is a wonder, but you must be proactive in your care. Never trust anyone else to make all the decisions in your healthcare unchallanged! Doctors will add and add and add more medicine till you are a zombie with no quality of life. Some of these wonder drugs do real damage to your brain.
Some medicines, like anti-depressents, will make you worse. Some medicines will cause you to become a rapid cycler. Be proactive! Learn about nutition, exercise and yes herbs. Mother Nature provided us with everything man needs to survive and be healthy. Look to the old ways, not modern, for the real cure for bipolar disorder.
Nurish your brain and your body with healthy things that inhance your wellbeing. Be around positive people, listen to good music, stay away from images on TV that are mentally unhealthy for you. Dwell on the good in this world. Eat healthy, not what is in our stores. Eat whole grain organic foods, find meats without growth hormones, antibiotics etc. Find out about herbs, grow your own and learn to forage for them in Mother Natures Pantry. Like our ancestors, shop in the woods, by streams, fields, your own backyard. There is a better way out there to be healthy. You can do it, but it is a lot of work.
Being blessed with this disorder is a lifetime sentence. You get to decide how well you get to live your life. Educate yourself. Do not blindly listen to a doctor that got a total of 10 hours of education on nutrition and tons of hours of what drugs to give for what. Doctors are drug pushers for the big money companies that run America. This is not the only way to treat bipolar disorder.
Do keep up the work you started David. But I know there is more knowledge out there on vitamins, herbs and amino acids that offer hope too.
Peace to all who are affected by bipolar disorder. Take good care of yourselves. Keep on trying to be as well as you can. YOU CAN DO IT !
I must be somewhere out in the ozone somewhere, because I’ve NEVER had anyone suggest to me any alternative medications that work BETTER than the meds I’ve been prescribed. One time, however, I was motivated to take St. John’s Wort, and it made me sick unto death. I looked at the label, and it said it was 70%-80% “grain alcohol!” Of COURSE it made me sick – I was “drinking” my meds! I got off of it and went back on my meds; too late, though, as I ultimately went into a manic episode and was hospitalized. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT follow someone else’s advice on what to do in your particular case. For one thing, they don’t know your susceptibility to drugs, nor how your chemical imbalance is working. ALWAYS consult with your psychiatrist BEFORE trying ANYTHING new, even an aspirin, as ANY supplement/drug/natural substance can throw off YEARS of therapy in an instant.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
P.S. I go for my brain MRI this afternoon; please pray for me. Thanks 🙂
What about bad advice from the psychiatrist??? The person you are suppose to trust? I think my son’s psychiatrist is wonderful, except that he has suggested that my son try going off his meds. What??? The meds have kept him stable for a year and a half now and he wants him to go off of them? The Dr.s reasoning is that my son had one very mild episode and that he may never have another one so why take these powerful meds if you don’t need to. Hmmmm. My son has one more year of post secondary school and then he thinks he’ll try going off of them. Wish me luck folks, I have a year to convince him that it isn’t a good idea!!
Take care..
I have read this and i agree such advise is often wrong.I myself was on bipolar meds several and i said enough.I was a zombie my brain function was low at best.I stopped.I have had bad days i won’t lie to you but i cannot understand why side affects are so bad with meds.I refuse to spend the rest of my life living this way.Doctors don’t know or listen often they don’t care.I have had my battles believe me.I also battle fibromyalsia..osteoarthritis…ddd in my neck..degenerative arthritis in my lower back.I spend alot of time in pain.The joint meds were mind boggling.I was turned down by disability even though my doc said i shouldn’t work because i am not on meds…i take over the counter pain medication now because noone will litsten.My doc failed to do his job and listen i quit him also.No doc wants to take on a new patient with alot of issues welcome to ontario.I found my doc to be nonrealistic.when i went to him to get my application filed i couldn’t lift my left arm above my head..he put no physical limitations.When i asked for a referal to my rhumatologist he said i don’t have time.I quit.If all docs care about is time write me off.I found a loving partner who helps me he understands my tears and anger.I cannot ask for help any more noone hears.Yes medications might help some but it hurts others like me.Sometimes someone needs to say research your options.I want councelling i am waiting for mental health to get me a social worker..now i get a warm line caller once a week.I undermind myself yes i know that,but i want a better answer.I do undertstand how get off the meds by freinds advice is bad but staying on it might not be a good option..research…learn about the illness and coping skills.thank you
I’m sorry you’re having this trouble with bizarre web sites. I’m with Teresa – “no one gives advice”. Including not even you – “stay on your medications” is of course the party line, with good reason, but not a golden rule.
In my case, when medicated, my depression becomes deadly, and I choose that word carefully. I’ve spent 2 years now very carefully managing without meds. To begin with, I got it quite wrong and ended up being committed twice. These days I do much better, and if I make it through this Summer, I will stay on this path. It can be hell, and I still get very dysfunctional, but at least I generally want to live.
There is one simple tool I use constantly, and that is mindfulness. Instead of trying to explain that, I’ll just say you get effectively the same thing through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
I would never “advise” anyone to do that same, but in my little world, it’s the difference between life and death.
This is for Diane, why do you think you know more than your son’s doctor? He may very well be right. Instead of wishing you luck in your quest to insure your son go down this road unnecessarily, my wish is that you find out your son is healthy, competent and able to make up his own mind. It is not a supporters job to force their idea down a bipolar persons throat! Even if he does really have bipolar, comes off meds, has an episode, it is his life. He needs to be allowed to live it. He may stumble and fall, you will be nearby to help him back up. You cannot put him in an unnatural environment, over protect him and not allow him to stumble and fall and learn how to dust oneself off and keep on with this life.
Than You David, I am sooo glad that I found you and your words of wisdom. I have a son who is now 24. It all started when he was 16 years old. His father and I thought he had a drinking problem, drug problem, problem with the law… He ended up in jail and a locked down center for the mentally ill. He is now in a group resident home doing well on medication. I thank God that my son is safe and on medication. Is there side effects to the medication? Yes, there is, but my son is alive, and learning to live (cope) with out drugs an alcohol.
When people say “your doing good, you don’t need the medication”, they don’t realize that the medication is the reason that they are doing good.
David,
My husband has bipolar, I am finding that my husband’s medicine is not working like it should. I am also seeing that his manic attacks seem to be coming from added stress. I am also looking it too having him try something more in the natural herbs. Any suggestion? As a suporter my children and I are finding this very stressful. But we work together as a family this is what keeps us strong for my husband.
Thanks David for everything you are doing.
There are good and bad psychiatrists and there are good and bad natruopaths, faith-healers, acupuncturists, phlebotomists, etc.
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The secret is to inform YOURSELF about the disease, be it yours, a loved one’s or a friend’s.
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When my wife went manic, so many well-meaning friends came forward saying things like:
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“It’s just her hormones. What she needs is bio-equuivalent hormone therapy”
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Or:
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“She needs to go to this or that evangelist’s church. He/she will help her drive out her demons”
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OR:
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“I’m a Scientologist, we don’t believe in psychotherapy”
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OR:
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“I know this great accupuncturist, he’ll put her right with Oriental therapy and herbs”.
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Etc., etc., etc.
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EVERY ONE, without exception came to me later saying something like “Wow Luke! I didn’t realise how bad things are. Please get her to a good doctor – I was completely out of line when I suggested that herbs/faith healing/acupuncture/bio-hormones/whatever woould fix the problem”
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Even some of the herbalists, acupuncturists, evangelists, came to me privately and said “I can help her to some extent but I’m not a mental health professional. Please get her to one.”
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Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that all these things are without merit. Every one has its place BUT Bipolar is not something to be taken lightly,it’s not some passing phase or stage of life. It is an insiduous, destructive, chronic ailment that HAS to be treated properly.
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I put my anger to one side (It is still there but I direct it at her condition, NOT at her and I don’t let it get in the way) and made myself an expert on the subject. I read and continue to research EVERYTHING – Western, Oriental, pharmaceutical, natural (Don’t forget that many of those “horrible pharmaceutical chemicals” come from natural sources). I can talk intelligently with Psychiatrists and Faith Healers, Somewhere in the midst of all this is a way to manage and control her BP – There is NO CURE and absent some miracle breakthrough, it will never go away but it can be managed.
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To me the biggest danger times are the “normal” ‘tween-episode periods when everything seems so good, when the woman I married is back – when that evil twin has gone to hide somewhere – THEN we need to remind ourselves that the disease has not gone away, it is still there, hiding somewhere and if we relax our guard, it WILL come back. And every time it comes back it will be a bit harder to fight.
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We finally found a good psychiatrist and therapist and they are working wonders even though my wife persists in her denial/anosognosia. She is still getting accupuncture, taking herbs, exrcising, etc. It will take time but at least after so many years, so many hurts, we are slowly making some progress.
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Meantime I continue to research, discuss, read,and constantly watch for any signs of that evil twin to show.
First, since today’s post begins with a story that’s hard for me to ignore, I want to respond.
I can see that this situation is a big problem. I’m sure it’s eating up a lot of time that could otherwise be dedicated to more important things. I can tell it’s frustrating. And even so, it sounds like one or more people do have a handle on it.
But again, I am very surprised, and a bit disturbed that this stranger, this “crazy” person, whose internet activities are “crazy” is automatically presumed to be 1) suffering from bipolar disorder, and 2) off of his/her meds.
Just saying, is ANYONE administrating or participating in this blog qualified to DIAGNOSE anyone with ANY ailment? And for the sake of argument, even IF someone affected by this person WERE an EXPERT in bipolar disorder, psychiatric medications, and the effects of being “off of medication, could that EXPERT diagnose ANY condition based upon what the person has done on the internet?
I’m not splitting hairs, but generally when I see this in writing, this automatic assumption that people who are doing “crazy” (to use your words) things are unstable people with bipolar who are off meds…
Well, honestly it flies in the face of what I see here written by the same person or people.
YOU JUST CANNOT DIAGNOSE IF YOU’RE NOT QUALIFIED. NO LAY PERSON CAN DO THAT. LIKEWISE, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THAT A PERSON IS OFF OF MEDICATION.
Yet, these conclusions are too often made, HERE, in a forum where we are striving very hard to educate ourselves and one another. A few weeks ago, the question was, “Can you tell to look at someone whether or not they have bipolar disorder.”
The majority of us said “no,” and a few made this same point. If you look at someone, if you see some of their behavior, and based upon that, as a lay person, you “diagnose” them, you’re WRONG.
It’s critical that people learn NOT just to casually diagnose a total stranger, with so very little information, taking the DSM into your own hands. It clouds the true definition of bipolar symptoms, which misleads people who don’t know better.
This person is a problem for you right now. I wish you all the best in dealing with that problem. I’m sorry it’s happening, but I feel frustrated each time I see this kind of “flash, amateur, diagnosis and assessment of a stranger’s medical/psychological condition.
Take care of the situation. Don’t assume, then state, that someone has bipolar disorder and is off their meds every time a stranger does something you don’t like.
Dear Dave,
My darling daughter has come back from her private little Bipolar hell it took a long and lonely journey ( for her) of 2 years for her to return to her present stability before that time well meaning people including myself recommended allsorts of rubbish and hocus pocus potions and portents to fix the problem ……and she didn’t got better….. all we had done was enabled my daughter to get worse.
My brother inlaw turned me round: he has a daughter with schizophrenia, he decided to follow and put his trust in the doctors, psychiatrists , the medication, the therapy and so on – for the treatment of his then young daughter- she is a happy has been employed for the last 5 years she is a well grounded young woman today as a result.They do say the proof is in the pudding – I stepped back from my laymans ignorance and took a look at my neice’s progress and decided to listen to the doctors and mental health professionals for the first time and shut my mouth about alternative medications and advice for the mentally unwell.
The first bit of advice my neice gave me was – my daughter would have to take ownership of her Bipolar before she could get better and noone could help her until she recognised she had Bipolar and supporters needed to find out as much as they could about the disorder as possible before offering any kind of suppport
Simple little steps for supporters but they work . I have changed so much since that conversation and with the help of this blog, and the stories of other successful Bipolar supporters and their loved one’s I believe I have become a helpful and successful supporter to my daughter, not a hinderance
Regards
Shona
Jane,
Try running this blog for a while and you’ll see what David has to contend with…
Hi,
That’s background information that I know so I wasn’t making an assumption.
Dave
You can say that again. It sure isn’t easy.
To Tina: I know I don’t know more than my son’s doctor, I don’t think I ever said that. I do know that he has been stable on his meds and that he hates psych wards and never wants to be in one again. I have also done research and spoken to friends who’s loved ones are bipolar and they have all reiterated what I have read that medication is the key to controling the illness. I want him to live a totally normal life (whatever that means!) and be happy and healthy. What Mom wouldn’t want that for her child? Since he is now 20, of course it is his choice, but who is going to be called in the middle of the night when he is in jail or in the hospital? Or, worse, after a depression, suicide? I didn’t think his “first” episode was all that mild. He stole a computer game from a local store, headlocked a co-worker until the guy screamed for help, didn’t sleep for days, thought he was Michael Jackson and was moon walking and singing all over the house, thought Julius Caesar was his great great great grandfather… etc, etc. Then he ended up in a catatonic state in his car, in a snow filled ditch, not responding to anyone for 3 hours. When he “came to” he thought he had committed suicide and wondered why me and his father were in heaven with him??? Did he kill us too?? No, this was not something that was haphazzard… it was the real deal and I don’t want him to go through that again. I don’t want to go through that again. Will we? Maybe, but if he stays on the meds our chance of it happening is way lower. It totally broke my heart to hear his diagnosis. This past year has been really good. He took his first year in college and was on the Dean’s honor roll. He really wants to be a success in life, and that is NOT my fault! You seem to be blaming me as being over protective… I guess I was guilty of that when my kids were little, but I have done nothing for the past several years but teach them how to be self sufficient.
Would I like him to be off his meds and be “normal”? Oh ya! will that happen? I don’t think so. I am not negative.. just a realist. If he choses to go off his meds I will be there for him, but he will have to be accountable for his actions. He knows that. Do I want to have to call the police when he gets out of control? NO! He knows I will have to do that. Do I want to pay $400 for an ambulance again? No. Do I want him yelling at me saying that I don’t care again? No.
I just want my son to have the best chance there is. I can guide him, but in the end it will be his choice and I know that.
Hi there David,
My girlfriend has biopolar, she is at the best of times okay.
About three weeks ago she started to take medication, I think its called tripaleen or something like that.
She used to drink a hell of a lot but she stopped drinking because of what she did and said when she drank.
This last past Saturday, 18 July 2009 she was drinking and started to fight with me like usual when she drinks.
At the end of the night she took all her pills.
We rushed her to the hospital, she was in a coma for 2 days. i collected her yesterday. ( Tuesday 21 July 2009)
She does not remember anything.
It was the most scarest thing I have ever gone through and dont wish to go through it ever again.
We have been together for almost 3 years and I love her dearly but the drinking and fighting I just cant take anymore.
She is always sorry the next day but things always seem to happen again.
I think she might of learned her leason but i am worried!
She says she is sorry she put me through all of this but she knows she has to sort her head out.
She has not been on medication while she has been with me up until this medication.
She is fine when she is sober, its when she drinks when she becomes impossible and becomes a monster.
I was maybe thinking of sending her to a clinic for a few days to sort herself out but dont know if thats the answer.
She needs to learn how to deal with life better.
She does not quite why she took all those pills, she cant really even remember taking the pills.
Please can you give me any advise, dont know even where to begin with her.
I love her dearly and just want to help her fix herself.
Her taking pills, alot of people have said its a attention thing!
I agree a little bit but it almost costed her her life!
There must be an easier way than this?
PLEASE HELP!
Thank you!
Regards
Tammy
Dave,
Thank you for the clarification that you did have that information about a diagnosis, et. confirmed in some direct way, and that it was not an assumption.
Your original post did not state this. It said that the person was “probably” bipolar and off medication, so I was responding to that.
I stand firmly in my belief that unless someone, anyone, does have this kind of confirmation about diagnosis and medication, it’s misleading and counterproductive to comment based upon a guess.
Someone: Dave has cleared this communication up, to my appreciation.
My feelings on this general issue have ABSOLUTELY ZERO to do with criticizing Dave personally, or any lack of appreciation for, in your words, “what he has to contend with.”
I appreciate it, AND I happen to have an opinion. Those things are not mutually exclusive, Someone.
Thank you again, Dave, for the clarification. And in case YOU, the person to whom I directed my first post, have any doubts that I appreciate your work, please be assured that they are unfounded.
I thank you for providing a forum where people are free to think critically about what they read. And also that people are free to comment, whether they completely agree with you all the time, or not.
I’m glad my sincere quesion or concern is welcome, and very pleased that it warranted a response from you.
Jane
I am diagnosed as a Bipolar, recently reveiwed to reccurent depressive under remission, kind of “light” bipolar…
About natural medicine…
I have also been told to avoid halopatics or “standard” prescripted drugs. But I thought better.
Digged out many files from the internet, specially on “alternative” medicine which I respect a great deal such as Chinese, which I understand too little and indian Ayurveda, which I’ve been reading alot latelly.
Found many interesting stuff.
Like saying white rice is better than brown rice for Bipolars. Considerations on the inner “fire” that is common to the Kappa/Pitta/Vata inbalance of the bipolar.
The only assertive thought that I could find is that treatment of bipolarity “depends” on the diagnosis. That bipolarity has many varieties, I,II, cyclotimic, and not otherwise specified… And based on that there can’t be One treatment for all. Something David already mentioned on one of his e-mails latelly.
My point is: don’t do the same thing your friend of friend did because hardly you have the same simptoms, and the same intensity of simptoms.
Also, and most important:
Alternative Medicine in general considers the hole individual. So a few precepts have to be consider:
–You must eat accorddinly (no meat, or minimum meat consuption)
–You must meditate
–You must not drink at all, or smoke, etc.
So if these treatments shall have any chance of working the level of commitment of the patient shall be very high. That is particularly hard to us bipolars.
I haven’t heard of one professional really prepared to deal with the particularities of aour simptoms. At least not here in Brazil.
I am fortunate to have this Psichiatrist following my treatment and adjusting the dose of the two drugs I’m in.
Wath I do for myself, considering everithing I mentioned on alternative, is:
1-keep up with my medicine, missed one or two doses on the last 6 months.
2-meditate as regularly as possible, means dailly, only once and not twice as considered ideal, but I shall get there. Sometimes I just relax and listen to soothing music, it helps anyway.
3-Eat healty, reduced the amount of meat (but didn’t quit) and avoid brown rice for example.
4- I couldn’t make it o quitting Smoking tabbaco, but still consider, even though I believe I use it as self medicating on some occasion. I’m figuring out what could replace it on that matter.
5- I take massages, doesn’t solve any problem but helps on the day-by-day stress.
6- I visit friends regullarly, try to understand their “world” so I can understand mine better, on what concerns mania X happiness and depression X sadness. We shall not be free of sad moments in our life, but these will not be always depressive.
That’s what I could add for the moment I hope it helps on other patients considerations.
Best regards
Filipe
David
excuse me to say something to Tammy that has written here on the 22nd.
Tammy,
I’m bipolar and I take prescripted drugs as your girlfriend.
I had trouble with drinking alcohol in the past, before diagnosis. First diagnosed as “simply” depressive I had to quit drinking to avoid interaction with the medicine. I was succsesful, it’s been 6 years now.
Talking to my doctor, and reflecting I had the chance to understand that I was not dependent on alcohol, not addicted, I was in “bad use”. Before quitting I could spend weeks without a sip, eventually drink two glasses of beer, or drink one shot of bourbon, but when it came to party I would drink a lot, no numbers, just a lot.
What I understood after six years being sobber is that there are better escapades for me than drinking. I watch a movie and leave all my troubles out of the room, when the movie is over I am able to get back to them. During the movie I may have some good idea in terms of solution. Not drinking gave me the opportunity to get inspired.
It’s a commitment I made to myself. I consider it as important than taking medicine.
Your girlfriend should give it a try, HARD.
she shall not stop drinking because I said, or because you are asking.
She Shall quit alcohol in commitment to herself!
Her body needs a long period free of the influence to heal the mind as much as possible. Her memory shuld improve and possibly she may remember what she had been through under influence.
Best regards
and thank you David for maintaining such a site for us
Filipe