==>>Help with ALL aspects of bipolar disorder<<==
Check out all my resources, programs and information
for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
Hi,
How’s it going? Yesterday I was way up in upstate
Connecticut yesterday. It took a really, really
long time to get there but a much shorter time
to get home.
When I was driving I was actually doing some
thinking about something. I was thinking about
what it must be like to be diagnosed with
bipolar disorder.
Just the other day I sent an email mostly towards
supporters of people with bipolar disorder
about how there are 5 stages of handling
the diagnosis of a loved one’s bipolar disorder.
Just to give you a quick recap it goes like
this:
Kubler-Ross defines 5 stages of grieving. These are
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
Let’s say that you have just been diagnosed with
lung cancer.
I think with people with bipolar disorder that many
people who do NOT have bipolar disorder forget
how hard it is to hear “you have a mental illness.”
I really don’t think I know any supporters who
have really thought about what it’s like to have
the following happen.
Imagine this.
You have many years of suffering. You feel good
some days. You feel bad other days. This happens
for years. You have many “relationship problems”
over a long period of time. You are smart
but school bores you. You do well at your jobs
but you wind up losing many jobs. You spend
lots of money.
Eventually you go to the doctor. The doctor
says you may have this or that. You feel
“crazy.” Some even say you are. Fast forward
many years and eventually you are told
you have bipolar disorder. You probably don’t
really know what that is. You ask. The doctor
who already has used up 18 of his 20 minutes
with you says quickly, “it’s a mental illness.”
Take this prescription and then see me next month.
The doctor then says, “okay great, have a great day.”
You don’t get clear instructions, what bipolar
disorder really is, how it’s all going to
work. You’re just told, take this and see
me next time.
This is a recap of what I have heard from about
100 people about what it was like to be
diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Just the other day, I was speaking to this one
friend of mine with bipolar disorder. He said
after he heard he had bipolar disorder he was confused.
He had no idea what that was. The doctor said on the way
of rushing him out the door “it’s a mental illness.”
The doctor then added that he had a chemical problem
in his brain and that he would see him next month.
The doctor added that it was a problem with his
brain.
My friend said he got no further information at
all. He said he was scared and started thinking
that he would have to have brain surgery to fix
his chemical problem in his head. He didn’t know
what to do and also felt like having a mental
illness made him a “screw up.”
As a result he spent years denying he had
the illness and eventually came to terms
with it and now does super well with it.
But he wasted a decade of his life.
I am writing this email today to supporters
of those with bipolar disorder to kind of be a little
easier on those with bipolar disorder and realize
that a) they didn’t ask for the illness and b)
if they are new to learning how to manage it,
most of the time they got little to know instruction.
My mom told me over the decades of having bipolar
disorder virtually no doctors she ever had told
her how to live with bipolar disorder or how to
manage it. As a result, she made a whole lot of
mistakes. Obviously the mental health system doesn’t
work that well in explaining these types of things.
I think that for bipolar supporters, it provides
a level of comfort to know that the reason why
a loved one is doing what they are doing is many
times not because they are doing it on purpose rather
they are doing it because they were never taught
how to manage their disorder.
BUT, I do have major problems with those individuals
with bipolar disorder, know exactly what they have to do
to manage the disorder and still don’t do it. Those
are the people that create problems for all the “good”
people trying to do the right thing.
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:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
So imagine my friend faced with thinking
that he had to have brain surgery for his
bipolar disorder. You may think it sounds
crazy but it really isn’t. If someone said
essentially your brain was broken or had
a chemical problem, you might think, “hey
I need brain surgery.”
There’s a word called “empathy.” You may
not know what it means exactly but it’s perfect
for this email.
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary:
===============
empathy
Main Entry: em·pa·thy
Pronunciation: ’em-p&-thE
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek empatheia, literally, passion,
from empathEs emotional, from em- + pathos feelings,
emotion — more at PATHOS
1 : the imaginative projection of a subjective state
into an object so that the object appears to be infused
with it
2 : the action of understanding, being aware of, being
sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings,
thoughts, and experience of another of either the past
or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and
experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit
manner; also : the capacity for this
===============
Take a look at the second definition. Basically
the word means putting yourself in the place of
another and trying to feel what he/she would feel.
So the next time you get mad at your loved one,
ask yourself, “If I had bipolar disorder, how
would I want my supporters to treat me?”
Hey I have to run. But this is some good
stuff for you to think about if I do say so myself.
If you have bipolar disorder, please make some comments
about what you think about my email. Also if you are
a bipolar supporters make comments as well.
Catch you tomorrow.
Your Friend,
Dave
P.S. Don’t forget to take a look through the
different programs I’ve put together… each one is designed
to help you with a different area of bipolar disorder whether
you have it or you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
P.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.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
i suffer from bipolar anxiety and just found out that i have borderline personality disorder they just keep adding more diagnoses if there was brain surgery for this bipolar ill be the first to do it its a terriable illness plus trying to raise my 3 kids im on 6 different medications just got denied disability i need help.
For some reason, doctors’ don’t seem to think it is important to explain bipolar disorder. When my doctor told me I was bipolar, I said “okay.” I didn’t trip out, curse the doctor, nor jump up and down like a monkey – I had a friend who did that. One must ask questions, as with any diagnosis, never sit there dumbfounded. This is just me, I ask questions and I get answers. I have always been that way, and I realize that some people aren’t. When my son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I had no question, because I knew the answers.
Another thing, I have to go to a neurosurgeon, and I there is a big possibility he may say, “you need back surgery.” I will ask questions that I already know the answers to, since I have been there before. My answer will be no way, no how, no thank you!
My point is, some people seem to put their head in the sand. The carekeepers also do the same thing. I have never been hospitalized, and for now I am properly medicated. My son is off his Lithium. He takes no medication whatsoever – besides he is allergic to 10 different psychiatric medicines.
Good luck to everyone who is diagnosed and their family members.
i suffer from bipolar anxiety and just found out that i have borderline personality disorder they just keep adding more diagnoses if there was brain surgery for this bipolar illness ill be the first to do it its a terrible illness plus trying to raise my 3 kids im on 6 different medications and just got denied disabilty i need help
Siendo Bipolar, siento que e sfactible estar estable (Yo lo logre en 2 años) y mejore en los siguientes 3 mas que pude encontrarme denuevo.
Podemos tomar esta enfermedad como lo que es…o darle un lugar demasiado importante en nuestras vidas.
Eso solo le dara a ella fuerza y nos restara a nosostros.
Tengamosla a nuestro lado, presente, como para no desatenderla y que no nos afecte. Pero dejemos de usarla como un escudo secunmdario para nuestros problemaxs de todos losdias. Hgaamos lo que debemos y asi podremos salir adelante.
i suffer from bipolar disorder and anxiety and just found out that i have borderline personality disorder they just keep adding more diagnoses if there was brain suegery for this illness ill be the first to do it its a terrible illness to live with plus trying to raise my three kids im on 6 differeny medications and just got denied disabilty i need help
Your description of how bipolar gets diagnosed hit the nail right on the head. I actually laughed! That could have been me. Not only do I have bipolar, but my mother has it. Like you, Dave, I was beaten to a pulp verbally, ever since I was a little girl. I never measured up to my mom’s standards, whatever they were! It would change from day to day.
By the way, Dave, how about adding an email or two or three about how to survive the onslaught of verbal putdowns over the years. My mom’s manic translated to anger, rage, rage and anger. She used guilt to manipulate us. She alienated her entire family: her brothers and sister, her mother and father, all 5 of us children. To this day, my brothers want nothing to do with her, and my father was a wimp. He kept his head in the sand for decades.
Interestingly enough, I didn’t recognize bipolar in myself until I had children and started hearing what spouted out of my mouth! Oops! Just like Mom. Along with getting a diagnosis of ADHD for my son, I started seeing the same psychiatrist. He was thorough, even calling my parents. At first I thought I had ADHD too. But he took a careful year, trying different meds, and taking as long as I needed to talk, before finally getting the diagnosis. We found a medication that worked fairly well. He did admit to me that he didn’t know much about bipolar. After our year searching, he suggested that I write a book about Bipolar.
My bipolar is mostly depressive. My manic is basically anger. I’ve never been violent. But I have kept my children and husband in the loop, and we have learned together how to handle the ups and downs. Unfortunately, my psychiatrist is no longer in this area, and I don’t like the guy who replaced him. I haven’t found any other options yet.
About 7 years ago I joined a good support group for mental illness. I have also done a lot of research the past 12 years I’ve known about my bipolar. I try to help anyone I get to know who has bipolar, simply because I could have used more assistance those first years I struggled with my bipolar.
For anyone on this list who has bipolar, I want to tell you that you have to be your own support person first of all. Learn all you can about your type of bipolar. Learn to recognize your symptoms and then actively try not to damage your relationships during the worst of your cycles. And faithfully take your medications, even if you have side effects.
I only know 2 people with bipolar who do not take medications. They both had terrible reactions to the meds. Allergic reactions. They do fairly well only because they both have strong ties with their church and church family. So they do have support.
I am a supporter of a person diagnosed with bipolar. My friend doesn’t handle his condition very well and refuses to go to the doc to have his meds evaluated. I have told him time and time again that if he visits his doc regularly and asks questions, he would be able to handle things much better. Unfortunately, he lives in NY state and I in Canada so I am not able to accompany him to his appointments. He is in a really down state right now and has been for quite some time. He won’t answer emails, phone calls or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? Do I keep trying to reach him or do I leave him and let him come around on his own? Your support and comments would be greatly appreciated…..
Good morning Dave, my son has the Bipolar Disorder an he is 26. He is married with 2 little kids 5 and 3. He works with me at my sports card shop. We went by your area SATURDAY when we went to Card show in White Plains, NY. We go out every SATURDAY to card shows and sell to dealers set-up. Wre were at NATIONAL CONVENTION in Cleveland 2 weeks ago. We also run a sports card shop during the week. I want to THANK YOU for your HELP with these PROBLEMS! I read your items every day. My son is NOW on medication SEROQUEL and seems to be doing better after many years of TROUBLES which his Mom and I and his wife have endured. PLEASE continue your fine work. We will be going by Stanhope, NJ again soon in couple weeks at Secaucus, NJ. We live in Montoursville, PA next to Williamsport where Little League World Series is held every August, OK? Well see you for now, Ron, Sr.
Dear Dave,
Your timing is great, as ususal. I was diagnosed this year on 7-25-07, barely a month ago. Already, my life has improved, bu t I attribute that to a very informed, compassionate general dr. who diagnosed me. After allowing me to cry for several min., she assured me th t I would be feeling better in the next few months. (after being put on medicines). Not only that, she attempted to call ,my hubby that eve. to talk to him. He was unavailable, but did talk to her during his own appt. a week later. She explained what it was, what to expect from me and what to watch out for in terms of “danger zone times” she called it. I am very greatful I have sucha great md.
Some times I think I am missing out on all the fun they have in the manic phase. I suffer from depression, but never get the wild mania. Only kidding. I can manage to wreck my life without mania. If I’m not here there is no one to support my BP step-son and borderline husband. Went to the psychiatrist for a med eval and he decided to switch me to a tiny dose of mood stabilizer insted of my SSRI.If I am stunned on 1/8th of a “low normal dose”, it is no wonder they do not want to continue their meds.
Empathy, something the world could use a lot more of. And thank you Dave for the vote of confidence for thousands of suffers of mental illness everywhere.
I say this all the time, I spent 20 years living w/out a diagnosis, and the last 2 years w/ a label for my life’s insanity – BPD. I agree w/ tambourine 100%, you must be your own support person first and foremost. Taking care of yourself is key as w/ any illness. The best thing that I ever did for myself shortly after my diagnosis was enroll in an Adult Partial Hospitalization Program at a local hospital well known for their program. It is an outpatient program I went to 4 days a week for 7 hours a day. The program was designed to help people who were not managing their lives very well for whatever reason, research and define their needs, problems, and potential solutions. Many of the folks in my group had undiagnosed mental illnesses or were recovering addicts/alcoholics who after a year, didn’t know how to reaclimate themselves back into day to day life. Some were already diagnosed and needed a “plan of action”. I was adamant at first that I didn’t need “daycare for dummies”, as I inappropriately called it at the time. I was hard headed and stubborn, believing it was NOT going to help, it only demoralized me more. How wrong I was! After two days, I had a handful of the most empathetic, colorful, creative and confused friends ever. And we all had a common ground (besides being colorful, creative and confused 🙂 !) The need to manage our lives in a healthy, productive way. Most of these men and women were parents, or single parents, like me, and I learned a wealth of knowledge I can’t imagine learning anywhere else all at once. Most importantly, I learned how to believe in myself again at THAT was and still is the key to being responsible for my well-being.
I have had bipolar disorder for three years. I was in the hospital in later april and may. I had electroshock treatments. I am the fourth out of five of my brothers and sisters to get this dreaded disease. I had to give up teaching after thirty and a half years. It has been hard this go round but Iam sticking with it for as long as it takes to get more stable. I am getting there. I wear dual hats of a supporter and a consumer. I take my medicine religiously and have a good psychologist and a psychologist (my counselor). I am a member of NAMI. That is a great organization. My sister is the local president.
wow,at first reading the heading I thought I’d have surgery in a heartbeat, if it meant being noraml and not being like this…
my daughter has bipolar depression and severe ocd.for the past 12 years i have seen her suffer with these problems, and yet deal with the majority of people who look at her like she is a wierdo.it breaks my heart.she is very intelligent.finally,thank you for getting the word out there on this disability.it is an illness and these people need love and support, not nasty looks and remarks of “get over it!”
I have a daughter who is serving time in a correctional facility because she has not learned how to live with bi-polar. She was diagnoised 9 years ago and will not take her meds. She has been on a wild ride- up and down. We try and support her all we can. She has gotten into so much trouble- legal and financial. Just wish there was more help out there
ciao Dave, friend, I understand you, thank you for all your work for us.
I have a stepsister who wants to utilize my hillness to take care of my money and push me out of my societies, do you know anything like this? we are having a trial.
my life has been an hell just to now, lithium helps, but in the meanwile life has gone and so many occasions lost. now I gave up lithium, too much weight gain, i am on benzodiazepin, but often sleepy, i would like the surgery but results are not guaranteed.
please visit my website youl know me perfectly !! http://www.gaiaclerici.net
byby angel, thank you sincerely.
I suffer from bipolar anxiety and depression. I’m having a problem with one of my meds, Seroquel it fights against my thyroid meds. If I take the full dosage I am VERY sluggish and I can’t be without or the anxiety hits me hard. Is there anyone out there with the same situation? If so PLEASE tell me what you are doing for it. Thank You
Hi Dave:
Thank you for your information and help in relation to bipolar illness.
My oldest daughter,43, was diagnosed with chemical deficiency about 10 years ago and a few years later, with bipolar disorder and more recently, with compulsive bahavior.
It’s been very difficult to give my daughter any help, other than being there for her, due to the fact that we live thousands of miles apart. She in L.A. and I in Fla. I have asked her to consider moving closer to us, but she refuses. Fortunately, she seems to have a good therapist and a good dr. who she likes and trust. I even took a course thru NAMI called Family to Family (which I recommend highly) which helped me a lot to understand the illness and relate and have emphaty for my daughter.
At the moment I’m very worry about the fact that she is alone and I am afraid for her when she gets depressed and even suicidal.
She is very worry at the moment about her disability, (which she got thru her job as a teacher, after 10 years) and /or her health insurance. The $ she receives from disability is not enough, even with the help from her dad and I.
At least lately we have been comunicating on a more regular basis, but before it was very painful when she was in the depessive mood and would go into a complete silence for long periods of time.
I would like to get some feedback from other people who are in similar situations and your advice on how to help my daughter and reassure her of the security of her disability (which is complicated) and to know that she would not go without health insurance. Any comments?
Thanks Dave for what you are doing and all your help. I wish I have heard of you earlier.
God bless you!
Alicia
Hey,
I’ve just been diagnosed with bi-polar (at 45). It didn’t come as much of a surprise to me because I have bipolar relatives on both sides of the family and my mom is bipolar. In my case my medical provider didn’t explain anything, but didn’t really need to as I’ve been a bipolar supporter all my life. I also married bipolar.
The problem is that my med provider doesn’t even want to mention my diagnosis! She’s afraid I’ll react badly. I’m being treated with bipolar meds, but haven’t found anything that helps. and my med provider wants to put me in the Hospital to stabalize my meds. I’m arguing that a hospital stay WILL make me much worse (due to other mental problems that I have). But, no one seems to be listening to anything I say.
So, far meds have made me much worse. I’m lucky that I was fairly stable before the diagnosis, have a good job as a news reporter, and my bosses are the best.
However, I don’t have support. My family can’t be supportive, my husband can’t be supportive and I don’t talk about anything with my friends – this town is just too small. And, my talk therapist is not supportive. I’m not sure what to do – except hang in there!
One other comment Dave. I wish I could afford your courses, but right now I don’t have hardly any income other than my husband’s. I am waiting for a court date for a decision from a judge on disibility. Not that I don’t want to work, I wish I could,But I know I have Arthritis in my back and a shoulder injury coming back to haunt me. So my lifting is limited. I was a Telephone Sales Rep.But had to quit that job due to the stress.(Anxiety attacks,Big Time!)I have no financial resorses right now to start a home business. But I do some Adult Day Care.(As long as I don’t have to lift or get in real stressful situations.) Acid Reflex also keeps me from taking some Anxiety and Depression meds. Whats a Person to do? I do take Effexor xr, and Seroquil.(As I mentioned in an earlier email. It would be nice if I had more support from my Husband. He gets resentful when I need my meds. Thank Heaven for an Awesome Therepist! He is a Christian. and also attends my church. So He knows my situation.
I also have a Son in a Correctional facility and my grandchildren are scattered all over the state. Which makes my life
even harder. My son is well over 21 and knew what he was doing was wrong, But what breaks my heart is my grandchildren Hurt! I do get my grandson on homepasses from the Academy he is at. which helps, but taking him back and having to leave him there.(again yesterday)Really Hard.I know he hurts too. He is on an emotional roller coaster. and so am I. I also have a sister in law who is also a best friend,that was just diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. Another friend who is dying from Prostate cancer. When does it end! My up and down days are Many,These days!
Sorry to Unload but I am having a BAD day! Thanks For Listening!
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I turned 40 and I also live with someone who suffers from bipolar disorder. What a relief it was to finally know what had been going on with me all those years and to learn that it could be treated with medication and therapy. But what a struggle it was to find the right doctor and medication. I wish there was a surgery that could repair this imbalance.
Thank you for your newsletters. It is nice to read stories that sound just like mine. Good luck in your battle to educate.
Luanna
“…your father has a mental illness…”
This is what my children were told when I was hospitalized for THREE weeks in the state mental institution (following my 3rd attempt). During that time I was starved for contact with my family. Being recently divorced I reallydidn’t expect anything from my X. However both kids were at home with her. I authorized notification to her household. The kids were in their upper teens. I think they could have handled a “visit” to their dad. However my X took it upon herself to make the decision that their father was “mentally ill” and the kids couldn’t handle it. They were not given the chance to decide for themselves.
The good side of this is that during this long institutional stay I was correctly diagnosed with BP level 2. After 12 years or misdiagnosis or none at all, the right path was determined. years ago one doctor screened me and I was treated for adult ADD. Of course he prescribed–you guessed it–ridalin. Well my focus DID improve. The medication fed my manic side like nitrobenzene to a funny car. The doctor was engineering me into mania. The disease severely worsened. My family and I both paid the price.
The divorce was supposed to “fix” their end of it. It gave me more reasons to self-destruct–and I tried–several times. But things–and I –are much better now.
I still have a hard time with the stigma “mental illness.” But I’ll take management of this disorder any day over labelling. You must tell yourself “It’s only a label” but I know WHO and what I am. Today I accept the disorder, take my meds, get therapy and listen to David Oliver. I look ahead rather than relive the past. Why trigger a depression?
Having your life under control is a beautiful thing!
The phrase “mental illness” makes lots of people jump to the wrong conclusions. That’s why I’m not telling anyone at my custody hearing that I have bipolar disorder. They already know I’m depressed, and have ptsd, and that’s all they need to know.
Hi Dave – It is a good thing you are doing…………..keep up the excellent work…….it is nice to know someone cares! God bless you!
I have bipolar dicorder and your I thought your email was very true. My doctor hasnt been very helpful at all. Also I have experienced alot of people treating me differently, like I cant understand anything. They obviously know nothing about the disorder, they have just used the excuse to get me to do what they want. I do not currently have any supporters because Im in school and Im not in close contact with my family. But if I did have someone supporting me, I would want them to know what you write. Thank you.
LIFE SUCKS WITHOUT MY WIFE SHE JUST GOT SENTENCED TO PRISON BECAUSE DURING HER MANTIC EPISODES SHE BECOMES WAY OUT OF CONTROL.I”M SURE YOU PEOPLE NO WHAT I MEAN.NOW HERE IM LEFT TO DEAL WITH OUT MY WIFE FOR TWO AND HALF YEARS.OUR DAUGHTER JUST TURNED 9 MOUNTHS.ANY HELP OR SUGGESTENS?
Tambourine – I can sure relate to having a mom who screams constantly! And, always made me feel as if I was responsible for her happiness – which was impossible. I’m like you and promised myself that I would never be like that.
And a comment for AMIE – hang in there! I’ve spent more years than I want to count visiting my husband in jail and waiting for him to get out. I miss him too – just keep on going!
amie, I am so sorry about your wife and child. We are lucky in that my daughter does not have child. She just went into the women prison. She is expecting her first child. Don’t know what we will do. Hang in there and know you are not alone
Dave, thanks again for your valuable information about Bipolar disorder. I understand your words of encouragement for the ppl who experience this debilitating disorder and I wish them the best with their medication, their doctors and their support circle. But I agree with one of your readers, when they said, you can not know how a spouse feels. I was married for 12+ years but quickly within 2 years, the sacred bonds of matrimony were broken. That’s right, the verbal and physical abuse (in front of family and co-workers),the extramarital affairs, the crazy decisions about money, and the potential for manipulation of children’s confidences. Did I feel that I deserved this treatment? absolutely not, but I was married. So, we tried counseling, etc. I had my daughter 9 years later and within 3 years, it became apparent to me, that there was no way that I would subject my child to this hell. Children are precious and deserve a loving environment where they can grow and learn from parents’ examples. When my spouse was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there were a few more disorders that they identified as well, borderline personality disorder and narcisism. And yes, he knew about the disease, researched it, and educated all of us, but as you have said repeatedly, they need to stay on medication. A marriage as I knew it from childhood should have been a special bond between 2 people, something so intimate with love, trust and respect that only happens between married couples. But this disorder, over time, killed the marriage. It was a one-sided relationship. So you quickly become the caretaker, and that is all. How could there be anything else? Clearly, in my opinion, it is also the spouse that needs the support group. Don’t be so hard on the spouses (and your father). I think it takes a lot of love and energy from them to get up everyday and look to their spouse with loving eyes when they have been beaten down by the disease too.
I am disappointed that you did not point out that if the people who are suppose to support the loved one with bipolar disease fail to do so, all that they will accomplish is the inflammation of the bad symptoms.
As for a “good person with bipolar,” what the heck do you mean? That is like saying the “good girl” didn’t deserve to get raped, but the “bad girl” did. That has got to be one of the most insulting and ignorant statements I have ever heard of from someone claiming to know about the disease.
Every person is an individual. Every person responds to treatment and medication differently. How dare you claim that a person with a mental illness is not doing everything humanly possible to recover from it. Also, Bipolar is not all equal. Some is mild and some severe, bordering on schizophrenia-like symptoms.
I do all the right things and work with my doctors and therapists. I beg and plead with my family to get more involved in learning about what I am going through, but they think this is within my control. Most medications make me sicker, not better. The best defense I have is self-control which is a total joke when the brain chemistry is broken.
All I get is blame from my family. I am screamed at constantly, and accused of not trying. Heh, “sane” people lose it under stress due to the change of brain chemistry. Try throwing that on top of a brain that is already ill, and what you get is KABOOM!
Without a support system that is understanding and loving, it is fairly impossible not to be suffering from frequent episodes. IT IS TIME TO PUT SOME BLAME AT THOSE WHO THINK WE CAN BEHAVE OUR ILLNESS AWAY AS THOUGH IT WERE NOT THE SAME AS DISEASES OF KIDNEY, LIVER, HEART, ETC.