Ok David You are saving peoples lives and helping supporters. It is very time consuming and you have been so generous with your time. You are helping my family and I am here to say I am with you on this. I received the supporters plan and Cds and I told my doctor I wish I had this 7 years ago for my daughters diagnosis. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your work, your dedication AND all the people who work for you. Brush off the criticism and go on. Take a walk and breathe. You are a hero for the bipolar community! Mary

good morning. yes, that is life ups and downs. good days and bad days. i agree with david that the supporter needs to have time to recharge their batteries to continue being a supporter. this can be by having their own activities, exercise, hobbies etc.

but at some point you do need to have your bp loved one to make some effort. what if they are not making any effort to help themselves in their situation or relationship? there is only so much one can do. they have to do their part as well. this can be very frustrating.

todd

Hi David,

Thank you for the email on “You better not do this…”. It was a real reality check. Last Monday my son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he is 13. We have battled ADHD for several years and the anger seemed to get worse, the older he got. For all those years, I shrugged it off as a side effect of the medication. I am now ready to face the reality that he has more than just ADHD – there is a family history of bipolar on his father’s side and his doctor has mentioned for some time now that there is a real possibility that my son has inherited the disorder. It is very hard to take in all of it…especially only a week later after finally taking the steps to get him on the medication to treat it. Your email described exactly how I felt from time to time over the past week and it was a real inspiration to keep moving forward and learning all I can about how to help and support my son. I look forward to receiving more of your emails and finding out what you have to say each day. Thank you for sharing your experiences and thank you for wanting to take those experiences and put them into your website to help others dealing with this situation. You are a good person!!

I THINK YOU ARE A REAL PERSON, AND I LOVE READING YOUR ARTICLES, BUT PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE SUPPORTERS, AND SUPPORT THEM, MY DAUGHTER IN LAW WAS ARRESTED FOR VIOLENTLY ASSAULTING MY SON, AND THERE ARE TWO LITTLE BABIES INVOLVED…. SO WHERE ARE THEY PROTECTED….. YOU SEEM TO FEEL SORRY FOR THE WRONG PEOPLE….. I WOULD ENJOY AND AS IM SURE OTHERS WOULD TO BE MORE SYMPATHETHIC OF THE SUPPORTERS, AND TEACH THEM HOW TO HANDLE THE DANGERS OF BIPOLAR…………..THANK YOU…. GOD BLESS

Hello David,,, I do hope you’ve gotten you tech issues straightened out. And I apologise on behalf of those knuckleheads who want to trash you.
My wife is one who was diagnosed with being bipolar for many years,,has attempted suacide several times and has a doc who really does not know what to do with her. Since we have been married,,(Feb.15,08) she has attempted suacide twice. The first time, they admitted her into the hospital and doped her up so badly with 10 different meds that she came out a zombie,,no emotions whatsoever. For a time I lost my wife and her sister said she wanted her sister back. She went to her group meetings and then after I got on her doc’s case he started to back off on some of the meds. See,,the meds had her so knocked out that she slept all the time,,,ate only comfort junk foods,,and as if her weight wasn’t already an issue,,it got worse and that made her self esteem fall even lower and she felt like doing even less. Once her doc backed off the meds some (from 10 down to 6) she was able to function more but getting her motivated was a nightmare. She was still bummed about her weight and it hurt for her to walk. On top of all of that,,,it seems that some of these meds promote psryosis reactins and these got worse,,,way worse. It is like her body has been turned on itself. Now,,she gets out more and goes to church more but then she started not taking the meds on time everyday and if it got too late,,then she would either not take them or take all at once Of course you know what that means,,,another episode. But in spite of all the arguments she and I had about her behaviour,,,soemthing clicked,,,cuz she went and (having thoughts that were overwhelming to commit suacide) she took 10 pills to quiet the thoughts and while in fear of telling me to my face,,she came out and emailed to me that she took the pills and then told me she left me an email and went to bed. Of course I opened it and read her notes and then went and talked to her,,reassuring her that I loved her and am here for her and we decided that she needed to go in (well,,,I said either we go or I dial 911,,she hates 911). Now,,the doc over her doc has decided that she is not bipolar but suffers from clinical depression and took her off of most of the meds and switched her onto some other meds and not as many. Still doing high doses of Lithium though. I also keep her meds bottles in a locked box that I hide from her,(per her and mine agreement) adn we set up her weekly tray and that is it and I work withher (even calling from my work) to make sure she takes them on time every time. We get out more and I have talked her into taking lil dates out with me. But a lot of issues are still there and are unresolved,,,just put on the back burner,,for I am not one to let stuff just go as it never really ever just goes away.
So,,,here I am reading your posts and learning and finding out that clinical depression and manic depression/bipolar all have simular componants and use simular drugs and therapies to treat. Her doc who over sees her other doc and I are somewhat working together,,(professinals really seem to not like it if you know anything,,,aftrer all,,’they’ spent years and make tons of money that tells them that they are better and more right than any lay person) to figure out a meds regimine that will not mess her up. I am also looking into herbals to slowly take the place of the meds as I feel that the meds are too strong for a body to porperly handle and teas over the day would be less invaseive. I will keep you posted on how that works out. And she is now wanting to build her own business and even now and then helps me with my own business.
I do,,in htis long letter, want to thank you for all the work you have done. No, I can not afford to buy into you program but from what I read in your posts,,they have been a great help to us and I just want to say, God bless you for your love of your mom and your time in all of this research.

david,

let me tell you that no matter what it is you do in life, there will always be those who will critisize you and be negative. where that comes from is many different places: jealousy, anger, negativity etc…

you can not do anything about that. however, what you can do is to know what the right thing to do is and do it, WHICH I FEEL YOU ARE!! you know why, when those people type those nasty things or call you and say mean things, you go to bed at night knowing that you did your best and what you are doing is right. and that is what really counts. your efforts are not unnoticed!!

do not let these types of people get you down. they want you to think you are not doing good so you stop what you are doing…

smile. you are doing the right thing and you should feel very good about yourself!!

todd

To your comment about the intelligence of someone with bi-polar . . . . . . . . My husband, oldest son (15), ex-husband (diagnosed 5 times by different profesionals but wont stay on meds) and all three of my step-kids are all bi-polar (one has been diagnosed, one is epileptic and his meds keep him stable, and the other wont get tested but I am pretty sure he is). I KNOW they are all intelligent, some are lazy perhaps (my son specifically) because of the situation but the intelligence levels are real high. It is getting them stable if possible and getting them to use their intelligence that seems to be the hard part, getting past the “I am not bi-polar” or “I dont like how the meds make me feel” thinking that I find hard. I am a supporter for my husband (he is doing great!), and my son (because I make him take his meds) and they are functioning well. My husband has more than just bi-polar, the list is at least 12 disorders (some of them are personality disorder, front lobal brain damage, and short term memory loss) and he is on disability. To help with all of this, he keeps busy, sees his doctors/counselors, works out regularly, and helps me with my kids and the house. I feel accepting the diagnosis, getting the help and staying on meds is the best thing anyone can do for themselves. Having a supporter that is willing to research the sickness and talk to the professionals and UNDERSTAND that this is not something ANYONE would wish on themselves but they can be a asset to society just as much as anyone else.

I am a bipolar and need support. I realize what is happening but the circumstances around and the occupational hazards are really pushing me against the wall. Need help and a lot of support.

That was Becky Jarvis w/ the 13 yr old–can you ask her to contact me? maybe we can help each other w/ specifics… Thanks!

Dave:

Why do you find it so difficult NOT to write in your e-mails about people who write nasty things to you or call you? Now you have many people commenting about “don’t let them get to you”, and one person even apologized for the behavior of others!! Can you not confine your e-mails to lessons about bipolar disorder and work out your “SUPER mad” issues in a more appropriate way (like with other supporters or your staff or friends)? When you complain about people “mistreating” you it detracts from whatever lesson you’re trying to teach, if any. Please remember that people who subscribe to these e-mails do so because they need information about bipolar disorder and help with being a good supporter, not about your personal problems. Maybe you could take an anger management course to help yourself deal with the anger these people cause you?

Anyway… “Wherever You Go, There Yo Are” is a book on meditation
written by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1994. He is very popular, and brought up the idea of “mindfulness”, which means living fully in the moment. It has components of Eastern religion in it. Also, Kabat-Zinn has done seminars
for some cognitive therapists, some of whom do what they call “mindfulness based cognitive therapy. Kabat-Zinn has written many other books, including meditation workbooks, and now many other authors have picked up on the same theme.

I am really hurting from another email I received from a distant family member. He told me that homeless people have mental problems (yes, he calls them ‘mental problems’), that they chose to be homeless because of their mental problems and/or drinking/drug habits. They refuse help. Then he compared a homeless person to me. He said I blame others for my ‘plight,’ won’t help myself improve my life, and that I have alienated the entire family.

I am so tired of ‘constructive criticism’ from my family. Everytime I ask for help, I only get abuse and hurt. Then, if I speak up for myself, then I am told I have mental problems. It is a no-win situation.

I have thought about going to another place and leaving my problems and family behind. But, I suppose the problems will always be with me, even though I have pretty much ‘alienated’ my family. Now, I seriously wonder if they are ‘worth the fight.’ Should I continue trying to reason with them or will they help me. Or, is their criticism the best they have to offer? Do I have to feel so badly everytime I ask for help? Should I not be speaking with these people at all? I am so confused and very sad about all of this.

You young man need not listen to those idiot`s who say evil about you. You can not let them get to you emotionaly, you have done so much and by GOD`S FAVOR and GRACE you will go on to help many more, you do not relize how many people you have stopped from committing suicide. You are a tool in GOD`S hand you keep your eye and feet on the path that ALMIGHTY GOD has put you on.Dont look back!!!!! Get Going!!!!!and keep going!!! and GOD will REWARD YOU!!!!!!

Sorry David but I agree with Sue in Ohio. I am personally gettting a bit tired of reading about all the super-mad days you have, all your frustrations, anger at others, people verbally attacking you, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, these people are not right to do what they do. But we have all heard about it many, many times, enough already!
We all read your daily blogs to try and glean some helpful tips, info or insight into bipolar disorder, whether it be from the sufferer’s point of view or the supporter’s. If we continue to read emails that begin negatively, we may just stop reading right there and give up eventually. Don’t forget, a lot of us are ALREADY discouraged, feeling negative, having bad days, bad years, bad lives. All we look for is some encouragement. We are all aware of the people who are off their meds, not on meds, and just rude angry people who are out to hurt others, and if you cannot resist mentioning them all the time, perhaps you could benefit from some counselling. Just a thought…

Dear David. Proper sleeping habits might be as important as medicine. Do you find yourself sleeping 12 or 14 hours at a time? Is your husband staying up all night? If you have been accepting these strange sleep patterns as part of your depression or bipolar disorder, you may be surprised to learn that changing the way you sleep might significantly improve your condition.

What may surprise you is that reduced sleep isn’t just a symptom of mania – a short night can actually precipitate manic and hypomanic episodes. Studies have found that 25 to 65 percent of bipolar patients who had a manic episode had experienced a social rhythm disruption prior to the episode. “Social rhythm disruption” is some disturbance in routine affecting the sleep/wake cycle; it can be as simple as staying up extra late to watch a movie on television or getting wrapped up in an interesting online chat session, or as serious as being unable to sleep due to a family member’s serious illness or death. “For reasons we have yet to learn, people with bipolar disorder seem to have more delicate internal clock mechanisms,” said Dr. Ellen Frank, co-author of one of the studies. And once a sleep-deprived person has gone into mania, if he then feels less need for sleep (parasomnia) and, by staying awake perhaps 20 or more hours a day, is actually contributing to making the mania worse.

Some scientists believe that the reason the incidence of bipolar disorder has risen in modern times is the development of bright artificial light. Once upon a time, most people’s sleep/wake cycles were regulated by the sun. Artificial light changed all that, and made it more likely that people who have a genetic predisposition toward bipolar disorder would actually develop the condition.

Interestingly, 85% of patients with unipolar depression report that they suffer from insomnia, even though bipolar patients tend to experience hypersomnia – excessive sleeping – during depressive episodes. Hypersomnia is also a characteristic of Seasonal Affective Disorder – along with decreased quality of sleep, which is also found in depressive patients, whether insomniac or hypersomniac. This poor-quality sleep can, in turn, lead to fibromyalgia, a painful, nondegenerative muscle disorder. All these patients can benefit from good “sleep hygiene” – a disciplined regularizing of sleep/wake hours. Depressed patients and those with fibromyalgia are also often treated with antidepressants such as amitriptyline and trazodone, which have sedating effects.

Patients suffering from insomnia and hypersomnia are told to go to bed at the same time each day, and get up at the same time. Naps are forbidden. Insomniacs should not stay in bed if they can’t sleep, but are to get up at the same time no matter how little sleep they have had. Hypersomniacs are advised to gradually reduce the amount of time spent sleeping to a normal amount by using an alarm clock.

Preliminary studies indicate that aggressive readjustment of the sleep/wake cycle may be of particular help for treatment-resistant rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Such therapy may begin by enforcing complete light and sound deprivation for as many as 14 hours per night, which can be gradually reduced once the patient’s moods are seen to stabilize.

Doctors point out the need to involve the patient’s family in the effort to regularize the sleep/wake cycle. Family members should be taught about the patient’s vulnerability to changes in daily routine. After all, a husband’s “Oh, honey, I know the party will last all night but can’t we do it just this once?” could send “honey” straight into a manic episode. Family members also need to learn the signs of an episode’s onset, whether manic, hypomanic or depressive, and be prepared to intervene before the mood swing becomes full-blown.

If you or a loved one suffer from any type of mood disorder, pay attention to the sleep/wake patterns of the person involved. If you identify insomnia, hypersomnia, poor-quality sleep and/or reduced need for sleep, this should be brought to your/your loved one’s doctor’s attention right away. Treating the sleep disorder is very likely to improve the mood disorder, too.

References/Suggested Reading:

Disruptions in Sleep May Lead to Mania in Bipolar Disorder
Report on studies presented in 1997 at the Second International Conference on Bipolar Disorder, which found strong correlation between sleep deprivation and manic episodes.

Meeting the Challenge of Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder
Reported in depth on a case study where aggressive sleep management stabilized a patient who had been resistant to conventional treatment. (Article no longer online)

Sleep Treats Mania in Bipolar Disorder
Reported on the same case study, as well as discussing the effects of sleeping at different times of the day. (Article no longer online)

It seems interesting, when I take the path of least resistance, no one seems to notice.

But if I’m working for a positive change, enemies come out of no where.

Paula: Thank You for the reminder.
Cathie: I like your spirit!
Dave: You have many more who agree with you!

Vicky

How much do the sickness industry & the Trillion Dollar BAD Drug Cartells pay you? Dr. OLIVER. Another organism who makes the Tits on the Bull look useful. When at his/her best!

Are you saying my comments are not posted as your system is always down? You have a lot of bother with your system. Do you play with it? You are not the sharpest tool in the shed R U?

I believe my comments R not posted, as U did not write them!

As soon as you get it up little Dave I want to see all of my comments. one per day, and some answers will suffice. I need to see all of my responses posted, and some answers to restore faith…. I believe we need Trust, and someone to hear us, something like that. You R trying to cash in, on that & “our uncontroled spending.” It is criminal to take advantage is it not? Same as you do not have sex with a Drunk or Drugged Woman, conscent. She must be 16 and of sound mind (In Australia).See what I mean? If you want to help, you and others, can all do it for free. All of your “goods” could be free downloads. Your bosses the Drug Cartells, will pay you more for better Spruking. (Flogging the product line, Hawking…). A better PUSHER!

As I can already see a $9000+ per hour organism (psychiatrist) for free, and get truckloads of “medication” from her, for $5. she also tells me to take Opiates if I get a Headache? Opiates make one sick, Then I sleep a little. Cocaine is Worthless. How much can she move? Should I Dr. Dave?

You see we can get all you know and Bad drugs, & others, for FREE. so your pushin’ Shit up hill, little fella. If we wish to here psycho. babble we go to Hospital, or to the Worthless organisms rooms. They know nothing. Not even when youre lying badly. They believe ALL. Well it does NOT effect them, or theres does it. One would be better talking to the Neighbours Rotwiler. It Wrestles well after I jump the fence.

All you ever do is go on about you, we do not care about you, you are a psychiatrist, one who wants to Ruin us and ours. It is your Duity, you R Gov. sanctioned, Condoned, protected… like the peadifile is here.

Seeing the organism it is worse than Death. Studies have PROVEN they make us worse, as we knew when they where first invented. We R highly perceptive. Well we need be to Survive, say the right thing… My Nurse told me I was very perceptive. Even though I am NOTHING I was! Due to the organism & its’ bad drugs.

Yes after your winge about having nothing to do, and too much time & cash to do it with. We get:”Take the “medication” and see the Worthless organism.” Each note is the same.

Oh & your always in a hurry, and excited to do nothing, usualy go to the Gym, or Walk for NOTHING? If you had a Job Brickies labourer, any Labourer, you would be far fitter, and would not need little Walkies, and Dumb Dumb Bells! You would be as hard as I. Brikkies Labourer looking after 5 to 7 Brick layers. Not bad.

We do not understand how why you would be short of time? Do you spend more than 24 hours sleeping per Week? You need to get active.

Even if there where a Dozen HOT Babes NEEDING you, that also gets very BORING! I lived with up to 30 young strippers for 3 years, yes they where Very Healthy. Yours would call them Nymphomaniacs. Me/mine we call them Healthy Young Women. after some Weeks I’d rather watch T.V. Yes we are soon Bored. I still did as they wanted I like to please.

Some KILL themselves or others as theres nothing left, Boredom, or mental isolation Due to Meds…. My IQ has fallen to 133, Dr. PhD is 117? Masters 118. Yet most of us are unemployed, all are underemployed. Never reaching our potential. We need to be utilised. As we need work, and interaction…

The “Medication”, and the psychiatrist create & FEED Bi-Polar disorder. Yes with the Drugs I can also create Bi-Polar. Same as All Scitzophrenics I know have smoked heaps of cones, and drank heavily, and yes a little Speed. Then Scitsophrenier. Same as Bi-Polar is Medical induced Brain Damage, so to Scitz. Only the proper BP is better, as DaVinci, Eienstien, Motzart, US Presidents, Anyone who was or is anyone. Who “Medicated” DaVinci? None, hence a Genius unserpassed. The Quack & “Meds” are to Ruin our Minds, Bodys & Souls. Lives & Families Ruined. Cirtain types of Brain Damage give symptoms the same as BP or Scitz.QED

I read that Cat Shit can give One Scitz. Is this True?

BPS are proven to be at least 20 points above a Mere Mortal on any IQ test! We need twice as much excercise, Have far greater strength, Speed, and endurence. Check BP Athleate, I don’t do any sport, what is it’s use? Wow I ran 100M faster than you? Well? People get Millions for this, driving up the cost of living, for what?

We have Hyperfocous, whole Brain function, photographic memories, yes picture & slide show, Video memory. We operate in the vast Subconscious…. We are far superior in every way to all mere mortals, as we are only 10% of the population, they want to exterminate us, why? Fools are leading fools World wide. It is odd as MOST MINORITY Groups have MORE Rights, I have NONE! We should be like the Gays and whinge just like Nancy Boys. Why do all Gays want to lick me all over? Is it Brain dammage? I am NOT Gay, Nor good looking, so it has to be Brain Damage! Are Gays a product of Freaud also? Yes they still study “Penis envy.” Was he a peadifile? He was a Dr. Then he made his own “field.” His name is truly Fraud.

If the “medication” was good for you, why won’t 1 Quack take it? Why does the Judge tell me to answer nothing if I have been dosed within 48 hours? I am supposed to consume every 12 hours? I don’t. And they know, I told them. My Nurse took it best, as I guess she does not get a cut from the Drug Lords?

Why when I use the crap I must have all Vital Organs tested Monthly, except of course for the Brain? Yes the meds have tou in a state beyond death, whilst there killing you, taking the Mind, the Body & the Soul. It’s Cruel.

I told my lovley Nurse I had not had a Morning Errection in the 8 years scince meting the organism. My Nurse was very concerned…. She told me to stop using the 1 I still used to see if it returns. ” When I was a Med Nurse I’d seen errections on life support.” ( I don’t know was she describing the patient, or the Schlong)?

I believe my Penis needs testing. If the Penis works the Brain may? We can hire anyone under $9450 per hour. No Madonna’s too old, and at her prime you could Buy her for $5. I will need to test for some weeks, as I have never tested it to failier point. Perhaps see an ex girlfriend? I have had sex and not rembered ever seeing the Women. They looked like Barmaids, they told me they where & where they worked. They said I would rember there names?

Poor little Dave, if you where to take Asprin, or Parecetamol, every Day, just in case. You would DIE of POISIONING! And the “antipsychotic” Garbage, and “Mood stabilizers” are a lot heavier. They will KILL you A LONG PAINFUL DEATH AS YOUR MIND FADES FURTHER EACH DAY!

The psych. trade is even more INEPT and CRUEL than the rest of the sickness trade. It NEEDS removing.

Emancepate ourselves from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our Minds, Have no fear for Atomic energy, none of them can hold back the Time….

Troy,

I seriously have no idea what you are talking about. It would be cool if someone paid all my expenses but they don’t. I do, that’s for sure.

All your messages have been posted.

Dave

Dear Dave:

I’m sorry if I offended you. I found your website a long time ago and you have provided a lot of good information about bipolar disorder and info for supporters. I have no doubt that your motives are pure – that you truly care about bipolar survivors and bipolar supporters.

I’m sure that it is difficult to run a business; I can’t even imagine all that goes into it. You aren’t the only one who has problems with employees, even people who have employees with no disorders have a lot of stress.
And, especially because you work in the field that you do, I can well imagine that you would get bizarre, angry letters and phone calls.

Here’s the point I’m trying to make: You present yourself to us as a professional. Your target population are people who either have bipolar disorder or people who struggle to support them. The reason, I would think, that they would subscribe to your e-mails is that they’re seeking information, as well as getting support from other bloggers.

That’s why I say that I don’t think your e-mails are an appropriate place to air your frustrations. Note that I am not saying that I don’t understand that things bother you – you are, after all, only human. I’m just suggesting that you work out your anger and frustrations with your staff and friends. I don’t think that you should need the reassurance and support of the people who subscribe to your website. We all have problems of our own. I know that you’re NOT a Dr., therapist, social worker or lawyer, etc., but you are the one who’s the professional here.

The overwhelming amount of your e-mails are positive and appreciative. That should give you some confidence and reassurance. I think that you should be able to deal with your business problems, hostile e-mails, phone calls with your own confidence that you know you’re doing right, and, as I said, with your staff and your friends.

Do you understand what I’m saying? I appreciate that you write daily e-mails, but I personally get a little upset when you tell us about your personal problems. It wouldn’t be appropriate for a therapist to spend the session talkling about her/ his own problems, would it? I fully recognize that you have feelings, and feelings are neither good nor bad – they just are. You feel what you feel. It’s what you do with those feelings, and how you cope with them, that matters. I just don’t feel that writing about your problems and feelings when you’re the professional on a major website is appropriate.

But please don’t think that I don’t appreciate what you do.

To Sue in Ohio: Right on! That is exactly what I was trying to get across to David. We DO appreciate him. We just don’t need the constant self-disclosure regarding personal issues. We are ALL only human…and I TOTALLY get that…but this website has a particular purpose geared towards a very particular sort of audience.
I’m went back to school (I’m 51), taking Social Work, and I just learned how one has to be careful about choosing what to self-disclose to others, and what should be kept silent. Before you self-disclose, you are supposed to think “Why am I disclosing this?” and “Will this be helpful to others?”

Hi there

never mind what people say to you about the information here. You are doing an exellent job on this. Last week Tuesday my sister was taken into a mental insitution. That was after she destroyed the house…..We are looking at R46 000 woth of damages needed for repairs. She is extremely violent and she has hit nurses, sweared at them and even threw a water bottle at my mother. I am not sure how to deal with her situation and i have even though of hitting her back.. Would this be a correct way to deal with it because most of the time she is at her sober mood and knows what she did but never apologises. She does not even see wrong and continues cursing at us for putting her in that place. I have recently joined your mailing list and have read through a lot of articles but still nothing matches what my sister is doing…… Can you advise.

Regards
Sifiso Mayekiso

Hi Dave!

I have never posted before, but I have been reading and getting your emails for quite sometime, and I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! You are my savior of the day quite often!

Although I do have a question…is there a way to email you? I have heard you mention many times that people do and I’ve been looking around for your email address, but with no such luck 🙁 I have a few questions and/or comments and I don’t exactly feel comfortable posting it all right here.

So if you could email me perhaps when you get the chance, that would be great, I would appreciate it sooooooooooo much!!

Thanks, Crystal 😀

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the reminder. My husband of nearly 4 years was diagnosed in late’06, and he’s finally starting to get more stable. He’s in a good place right now, and open to suggestion for ways to stay healthy. I really appreciate the reminder to stay objective and step outside the problem. The best analogy a therapist gave me, was that our lives are surrounded by a fence with a swinging gate. You can step into another’s circle, and they can step into yours, but you can also shut the gate. You can put one foot into another’s circle to help them and support them, but you can’t stay there. You’ve gotta go back to your own circle, your own mental/emotional/physical life. Remembering that I am me, and he is his own person, has helped me deal. I’m glad that your experience and advice are out there to read. If we can afford it later, we’ll probably end up ordering your information. Thank you, again.