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http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/?p=21#comment-59

You should have something of a social life. You should have friends and family outside of your bipolar support group. You should have outside interests besides bipolar disorder.

Your loved one should not be isolating (that’s a trigger to a bipolar episode). They should not be sleeping most of the day away (another trigger to a bipolar episode).

If they’re following a good treatment plan, then you should be living a relatively normal life, not looking for an episode around every corner, staying at home all the time because you’re afraid to make plans because they “might” have an episode. Come out of the dark – there’s a whole world out there for you to experience!

And you should have friends outside of your loved one. You have to have some outside activities that do not

include your loved one. Hobbies, support group, outside interests – even if you only go by yourself to the movies once in awhile, or shopping… if you don’t, if all you do is be a caregiver to your loved one 24/7, you will burn out.

You can’t be a good supporter if you don’t take care of yourself first – if you don’t meet your own needs. And some of those needs are to spend some time away from your loved one.

In thinking about what you would put on that message in the bottle, think about the things that are really important to you. I know being a supporter is important to you, and takes up a lot of your time. But some supporters just kind of fell into the role, because there wasn’t anyone else to do it, and they might even resent that – so it isn’t a very positive thing for them. Not that it’s any less important, but they might not feel appreciated. That’s why outside activities are that much more important – they need to get their self-esteem elsewhere.

What you do and who you are go into what matters to you most. Those are the things that will help you determine what you would put on your message in the bottle.

So who are you? Have you thought about that lately? I mean, who are you besides just a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder?

You must have your own likes and dislikes, your own interests, your own talents and gifts… are you doing/using them? Or have you forsaken them for your loved one? Have you stopped playing the piano? Have you stopped reading, writing, keeping a garden, practicing yoga, going to church, going to the gym, meeting girlfriends for lunch? You need to do those things that made you happy, those things that made you who you are.

You cannot let bipolar disorder determine who you are. Just because you do those things does NOT make you a bad supporter! In fact, it works just the opposite – the better you feel about yourself, the better a supporter you will be.

So, what would YOU write on your message in a bottle?

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Bipolar strategy-Know the real enemy or else

David Oliver June 24, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 15 Comments

Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you are doing well.

I wanted to point out a post that I saw

here:

Meg posted on my blog

“Arly, I am no expert at anything, but I know bi-polar from the inside. Get to a doctor, give this thing you feel a name. It’s earsier to get to know something (your enemy, best friend or self) if it has a name. Maybe you are bi-polar, maybe you have AADD, who knows.

Once you do, take it one day at a time. Find out what eats at you, what drives you to distraction, what calms you down, what brings you to a good level. There are signs in the turbulence, you seem to be a self-aware guy, so you know when you’re going up, coming down and how fast it goes. The trick here is to recognize it and have a strategy to get yourself under control. Maybe a strategy, medication, and a support system. But most important, you need to know what you are dealing with.”

———————————————————–

This was really insightful from Meg. The concept of knowing your enemy which is bipolar disorder.

The problem is, many people don’t know the enemy, don’t know how it operates, what can be expected and how to manage and defeat it.

This is how people get into trouble quickly – they don’t know who their enemy is. Some supporters think their enemy is their loved one, because they are the one who is acting out the symptoms of the disorder. But that’s a mistake.

In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

I teach you that you need to separate your loved one from their disorder.

It may be hard to do, but one of things I talk about is to think about how they are when they’re in the “normal” state (that state between manic and depressed). Or think about who they really are – that person you really care about, or that person you fell in love with – NOT who they’re acting like when they’re in when they’re in an episode.

Remember at all times who the real enemy is – and it’s NOT your loved one. Your real enemy is bipolar disorder, and there IS a chance that that enemy can be defeated, if you do certain things.

One way to fight the disorder I’ve already talked about – separating your loved one from their disorder. Another is fighting it as a team, both you and your loved one fighting it together.

Another way is to learn all you can about the disorder. That’s why my courses are so important. They tell you everything you need to know information-wise about bipolar disorder and about being a good supporter to your loved one.

There are other ways to fight the disorder as well.

You need to know how it operates, and just like any other enemy, it waits and watches for when you are most vulnerable. Just when you think your loved one will not have another episode, that’s when they will, if you’re not vigilant. You also need to know what can be expected from your enemy, bipolar disorder, and how you can manage it and defeat it.

You can learn what can be expected from it by learning all the signs and symptoms of the disorder. And you can learn how to manage it. Yes, the disorder CAN be managed!

There is still no cure, but you can defeat it by managing it – help your loved one by being the best supporter you can, by making sure they take their medication, see a therapist, stick to their treatment plan, eat healthy, exercise, and sleep right. All these things.

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Am I a fraud? My goal for bipolar disorder

David Oliver June 23, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 55 Comments

Hi,

How’s it going?

Thanks for responding to my help wanted question yesterday. I had about 500 responses already.

I have to read through them all today and tomorrow.

Actually today Megan starts working for us again. She was on Maternity leave. She is an incredible, and I mean incredible writer and thinker.

One more thing. I saw someone post on the blog why don’t I offer F.ree consultations for those people that get my course for people with bipolar disorder.

I actually do, do offer f.ree I call you over the phone and answer any non medical and non legal questions because I am NOT a doctor or therapist.

I have been doing that for years now. I offer this type of consultation with my main courses below.

Okay, I hope you are doing well today.

The other day I saw an interesting response to one of my emails.

It basically said that I was “manic” because I send out daily emails. It also said that I was a fraud because I was trying to over- simplify bipolar disorder.

My goal is to try to make it simple for people.

I think emails like the one above are funny. It’s sad. In the old days when I had time, I would talk to people like this and 99.9% of them had bipolar disorder, were off medications and were almost using a projection on me—they were actually not doing well and saying I had bipolar disorder and I wasn’t doing well.

If you are a bipolar supporter, you know that old trick, it’s you who has the problem not your loved one who isn’t doing well? Know what I mean? It’s sad. I didn’t bother writing this person back because I don’t have time to address stuff like this.

I was talking to someone who works for me that has bipolar disorder and they said it’s so sad how misguided many people with the disorder are. They think that success is super complicated and it’s not possible for them. They grow mad at the people trying to help them. They alienate everyone around them. This person that worked for me said that I should talk about it in my daily emails.

Before I do, let me say for the 1000th time. I am NOT a doctor, therapist, lawyer, accountant, or other professional. I am NOT offering medical, legal or financial advice. Okay with that said, there are many people on my list who unfortunately aren’t doing well. Why? Well the bigger the list gets the more people aren’t doing well. If you have 250,000 people who have signed up, if you just have HALF a percent not doing well that’s 1250 people.

If you read the blog, normally the most mean-spirited emails come from those that are characterized by the following:

Having bipolar disorder and being off their medication

A bipolar supporter, normally a supporter of a child or teen that feels they have no control over the situation so they lash out at society. That person asked if I am manic because I am able to send daily emails everyday. Actually sending daily emails is a function of setting goals, time management and having priorities. The average person could do what I do if they watched let’s say 5 hours of TV instead of the 7.5 that studies say each person watches on average.

Actually the daily emails was an idea that I got from someone named Matt. He suggested that I do it. He said that I should send bit size pieces of information each day so people could keep up with bipolar and learn something. But he warned not to make it too technical or boring. He also said to get the message out and don’t get all caught up in making the grammar perfect.

So more than a year ago, I started. Each day I type up something and send it out. It takes up to 1.5 hours a day.

My goal has been to try to help both bipolar supporters and survivors deal with bipolar disorder. Hundreds of thousands of people now see my daily emails. Many love them. Some hate them. One of my biggest goals it to take away the mystery of what it takes to be a good bipolar supporter and how to manage bipolar disorder successfully.

How do I know what I am taking about since I am not a doctor? Good question.

First my mom has bipolar disorder and I helped her go from almost losing everything with massive d.ebt, virtually no friends, no health insurance, no job, no doctor, and totally unstable without no one knowing how to help her to doing super well, stable, having a job, etc.

Now if you are thinking, “Hey Dave, that sounds great, maybe that’s a fluke.”

Good point. In addition to helping my mom, I have helped thousands of people through my materials and personally worked with probably over a 100. I have 12 people who work for me that have a disorder like bipolar disorder. One has 10 disorders.

Many people who work for me attempted suicide multiple times, were divorced many times, homeless, bankrupt, couldn’t keep a job for more than 3 months.

Today, the people who work for me are stable, productive, and doing really well.

When it comes to bipolar disorder, I know what I am talking about because of all this experience.

Over the years, I have worked hard to figure out what it takes to manage bipolar disorder. I have determined one thing, bipolar disorder can be simply to manage but at the same time it’s difficult.

The bottom line is that a system is needed. The system is made up of little mini systems.

This is what every success story that I know does.

For example, Michele, who works for me has probably 20 mini systems that work to go along with her entire system of managing her disorder.

Each system is fairly simple. It’s taken many years for her to figure it all out. Why do I have courses and systems on bipolar disorder like the ones below?

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

My goal is to help people cut the learning curve down. The odd thing is this, with interview after interview that I do, it takes the average person with bipolar disorder or average bipolar supporter 15 to 20 years to figure it all out IF the person with the disorder

is alive.

I just interviewed a woman named Tammie today. It took her from 1980 to around 2003 to figure out how to manage bipolar disorder. That’s a long time. Lots of what she does now is simple. It just took lots of time to figure it all out.

For my mom it took about 40 years.

With Michele who works for me about 25 or so years.

For April more than 10 years.

The list goes on and on. It’s odd but many of the key things with dealing with bipolar disorder are indeed simple but it takes some amount of time to figure it out.

Obviously when 20% of the people with bipolar attempt suicide lots of people are NOT figuring it out soon enough.

If you are doing well and have bipolar disorder do you think it’s simple once you figure it out or do you think it’s complex?

If you are a bipolar supporter, and your loved one is doing well, do you find it simple or complex to be a good one?

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/?p=37#comment-440

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Help Wanted question and warning on doctors for bipolar disorder

David Oliver June 22, 2008 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 29 Comments

=>PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES <=

Hi,

How’s it going?

I had a quick questions. I have

a few projects coming up requiring

research, data entry and data

collection related to bipolar

disorder.

Normally I use a service to do

this but I would like to keep it

in the family and use someone from

my list.

It’s not a ongoing thing but just

a one time project. You would let me

know how much you wanted to charge ahead

of time and then we would agree.

I was wondering

if anyone would be interested.

If you are send me an email to

feedbacktodave@mentalhealthworld.net

Okay, I saw a post on my blog at

It was in response to a daily email I sent

out about doctors and bipolar disorder,

the post said:

“Bad doctors…that’s a great topic…I have

had many. My family thinks it is me…”oh, not

another doctor!!” I can’t seem to keep them,

but then…some of them aren’t worth keeping.

The first one…told me to bake cookies when

I become depressed and prescribed aromatherapy

and colored scented fake flowers in his office

– in lieu of medication. One doctor used to

scream at me when he became frustrated. When

i finally confronted him on his need for

‘anger management’ in dealing with his patients,

he started crying, and replied, “I know, I am

working on that.” One doctor would not prescribe

any medication because he told me he does not

practice euthanasia…He insinuated that I

wanted him to assist me with suicide.

One doctor had cactus plants all over his office

– each one with a special light. There were

literally hundreds of cactus plants, everywhere.

Just wierd. The plants were his ‘pets.’

One hospital doctor prescribed GEODONE for

every single patient, then did not know the

drug came in capsule form – he told me to cut

the capusule in half. He was not sure how, though.

I had one doctor that would rudely eat his lunch

during our session and forget half of what I

told him.

One doctor actually ‘forgot’ his hearing aids,

so we wrote notes back and forth to one another.

One doctor left me waiting for him over an hour

for an appointment. He could not understand why

I was angry that he made me late for work and why

I did not want to re-schedule another appointment

with him.

One doctor told me, “I don’t know what you’re so

depressed about, it is not like you’re dying of

cancer, or something.” I have had atleast a dozen

psychiatrists, and I must say there has been only

one or two who are any good. Not good odds.

My current psychiatrist wants to do both

psychotherapy and medication management but

can only see me once every five weeks, which

is not sufficient, so now I have to go to a

community mental health center to get more

‘intensive treatment.’ I am not sure how that

is going to work out. Up until the last doc,

for the last 6 years, I’ve been diagnosed as

Major Depressive, now, I have Bipolar II.

Makes me think that they are all wrong, or

only one is right. That’s scary. Any suggestions:?”

Now you might read this and think, “oh this

all isn’t true, Dave, come on.” You COULD

think that.

Let me warn you however, in this field of

mental health all of what was posted is possible

and I am sure it happens.

I don’t know for sure if the post is true

but let me tell you, I have heard and see with

my own eyes things like this reader posted.

When I look at my own mom, she had TERRIBLE

and I mean TERRIBLE doctors. People who when

I look back had no clue at all. I mean none.

This doesn’t come from my mom which you might

say “well we can’t believe her she may have

been in an episode when allegations were made”,

these comments come from me.

With my mom’s old doctor, he use to fall asleep

in the room with his patients. He would lose notes,

forget to do tests with lithium levels. He mumbled,

he forgot people’s names. He forgot what he was doing.

I found this all out from numerous sources.

When it came to my mom’s last episode, remember

my mom’s doctor took her off the medication that

was working.

Did you catch that? He took her off the medication

that was working. He did NOT my mom. My mom followed

doctors orders and doctors orders lead to her going

into the mother of all episodes.

My mom started getting worse on the new medication

he wanted her on and my mom asked to be put

in the hospital. How do I know this is true?

Well she told several people she was getting

ill and wanted to go to the hospital.

The doctor refused.

So after my mom had a total breakdown, I started

to research what the heck happen.

My mom told me that she asked to go into the

hospital. I wasn’t sure if it was true. She

told me to call people she told.

Well when I found this out I was SUPER MAD.

I called and demanded to speak to him. He

would not come to the phone. Then I told the

receptionist that I would come every day

and get there at 6:00am and wait for him

and that nobody would stop me.

I warned her that I was a determined

person and one way or another he would

talk to me.

Finally he did. He was totally clueless

he kept forgetting my name in the middle

of the conversation. He would be like

“Steve, your mother is really ill.” I would

say “my name is Dave.” He would say “sorry

Dave but Steve your mom really is

sick.”

He could not remember why he took her

off her medication. I then asked him

if he had notes. I said and I will

never forget what I said, “aren’t

doctors suppose to take notes and

record stuff. I am going to call

20 doctors and also the board to

see if that is right.” He got very

nervous and said he lost his notes.

I then said, “I am starting to

get super mad and here’s what I am

going to do. I am going to come down

and help you find it all. I am going

to bring my friends and my friends

that are policemen. We are all going

to look together. I am really good

at finding things. Now if I don’t find

it, there’s going to be serious

consequences and my friends don’t like

wasting their time and they don’t

like doctors to begin with.”

He then said, “Dave I don’t know

where the notes are, I am sorry,

I don’t know.”

He was fumbling around looking for stuff.

He was so clueless that I decided he

was a total waste of my time.

Then after I started this site, I heard

horror story after horror story.

Doctors I would speak to told me about

horror stories of other doctors that

made the profession look bad.

I want to say to all the supporters

out there not to get mad at your loved

one when he/she is having trouble with

a doctor. It might be their fault but

many times, the doctor is bad.

If you are a supporter and hear something

that sounds “crazy.” Investigate. Don’t

just say your loved one is a liar and

making it up, because you’ll probably

be surprised what you find.

This field is almost unregulated it seems.

It’s strange there are suppose to be standards

and regulations but many don’t follow

them.

You have to know this if you are dealing

with bipolar disorder. Many a person thinks

that the person they are dealing with knows

what they are talking about and everything

should be okay. You have to watch everything

and check.

It’s a pain but true.

In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

I teach how to find a doctor, keep track of

them, know if they are good, and the ins

and outs of doctors.

I am not kidding when I say that the information

just on finding a doctor probably would save

someone $5000 and 10 years. I am not kidding.

The $5000 figure is conservative. Bad doctors

have cost my mom tends of thousands of dollars.

Bad doctors cost my mom countless friends,

jobs, massive d.ebt, and many other bad things.

I am not kidding around. People new to

bipolar disorder ask why I spend so much time

in my courses on how to find a doctor because

they think you just pick one really quick.

It doesn’t work that way. You have to go

about it the right way. The wrong way leads

to a nightmare.

I do want to say again to remember that

just because someone has bipolar disorder

he/she is not telling the truth.

Also don’t get frustrated if your loved one

is having problems finding a good doctor.

Don’t have my brothers attitude which is

dumb, he use to say “here she goes again,

the doctor is no good, yea sure.” She meaning

my mom. My brother always use to say my mom

would make up that her doctor was bad.

Don’t have this attitude.

Finally if you think those in mental health

are bad, accountants are even worse. Now

there’s a field that is “crazy.” Over the

years I have had really, really bad accountants.

People that did virtually everythign wrong

and you paid dearly when the Internal Revenue

Service came to your door.

It’s not just mental health. There are lots

of fields with lots of bad people.

Know what I am saying? Hey I have to run.

Catch you tomorrow.

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3

Your Friend,

Dave

===>> Great Resources For You <===

Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter

Want your own copy of these daily bipolar

emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:

Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder

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

View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE

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/

Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE

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

Bipolar Lesson from the phone that never came

David Oliver June 21, 2008 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 15 Comments

=>PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES <=

Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you are doing well.

I have to make this quick today. I actually

have a ton of things to do today.

I wanted to tell you a quick story and then

an important lesson with bipolar disorder.

Over the last year or so, I have had a

major problem with a manufacturer for one

of my businesses. It’s a really long story

but to make it short and simple–the company

is a nightmare to deal with.

Think of somebody or something you hate dealing

with and then multiply by about a 1000. That’s

what it’s like dealing with this company.

So I have a friend and business partner that

has been working to try to solve a number of

these problems.

In the last week there was a meeting. Each day

I waiting to get a call with an update on what

was going on.

I never did.

Yesterday I finally got a phone call in the

evening. He was walking through

the airport trying to catch his plane.

At the same time he was talking to me

about supposedly important stuff, he was

talking to the people in the airport. Then

his cell phone dropped. Then he called

back.

Then he was talking to security. Then he

was telling me to keep talking to him while

he was talking to security. Then he couldn’t

hear me.

It was seriously DRIVING ME OUT OF MY MIND!

I was so annoyed. We have a major problem

and this is how we are trying to solve it?

I should note, my partner in this business

wants me to stay with the manufacturing company. I think

that we should have left years ago. Unfortunately

I can leave but if I do, it will cost him, not

me a ton of money. So I have been putting up

with this nightmare for a long time now.

Anyway, my friend then gets on the plane and

is trying to talk to me about what happen

at the meetings, what changes where going

to come in the future and how this was supposedly

suppose to allegedly help me (hear the sarcasm

in my writings?)

Then the pilot starts talking. So then I

can’t hear. Then my friend said, “hey,

I will call you later on to tell you the

rest of what happen.”

I was thinking, “you haven’t old me anything

so far anyway?”

He said he would land get to the hotel

and call me immediately. It would take about

2 hours. Well guess what?

HE NEVER CALLED.

I can’t even describe how annoying this

is.

Now yesterday I was talking to my mom

about her doctor and why she likes her so

much.

My mom says that basically it’s because

she cares. She listens. She pay attentions

and my mom said, “she is always there when

I need her.” My mom then went on to say

how the three times that she needed her

over the last two years right away, she

called right back. My mom said how

most of her doctors over the years were

terrible.

My mom reminded me how her last doctor

never even returned her call when she

asked to be put in the hospital. Did

you catch that?

With my mom’s last episode, yes the

big one. My mom actually asked to

be put in the hospital BEFORE it happened.

Can you believe that?

The guy never called her back however.

Imagine that. Just like my friend. I guess

he was too busy, too lazy or too forgetful.

Then I saw this post on my blog

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/?p=37#comment-421

Janet, wrote:

“I feel the most important aspect in dealing

with bipolar disorder is a good doctor. When I was

diagnosed over 25 years ago, I felt like a guinea pig

with being on one medication after another and I

told my doctor that. I finally found a doctor who would

listen to me and was willing to work with me to find

medication that was best suited to me. It has been a long

and hard process but the end result is well worth it.”

What happen with my partner reminded me about a number

of important things with bipolar disorder.

You have to find a good, caring, responsible,

on top of things, doctor.

My partner is forgetful, doesn’t think important

things are important, hard to follow (he goes

from point a to point z to point b, etc),

doesn’t call back, etc. This makes doing

business with him VERY difficult.

Now when you think of a bad doctor

here are some signs. It’s the same signs

with my partner:

-doesn’t listen

-not around

-not keeping up on advances with bipolar and

other disorders

-doesn’t return phone calls

-doesn’t help a patient reach his/her goals

It’s VERY important that when you see

these bad signs, you start to look for

someone who is going to help either you

or your loved one. Now I realize if you

are a bipolar supporter and you see the

bad signs, your loved one has to agree to

start looking as well.

In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

I talk at length about how finding a good

doctor is very important. How to find one,

how to shop for them, how to afford them,

how to make “okay doctors” great, and

many other critical things.

Remember the doctor is the key, like the

post above suggested I firmly believe this.

I realize on my list, there are unfortunately

tens of thousands of people who probably have

bad doctors. It’s said but true. But, of the

ones that are bad, some can be reformed using

various techniques that I teach in my materials.

But there are some there is no hope for. Like

my mom’s last doctor. He was terrible.

Why did I bring this up with my situation

with my business partner/friend? Well, it’s

because I have no way of changing him, he

has been like this for years. I have concluded

that I have to move on, just like my mom had

to move on to another doctor that could get

the results she was looking for.

I have talked to so many people that

accept a bad doctor, one that doesn’t

even return calls, listen, etc. You should

not accept this.

Can anyone comment on their experience with

a bad doctor and then moving over to a good

doctor?

Hey, I have to run. Catch you tomorrow.

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3

Your Friend,

Dave

===>> Great Resources For You <===

Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter

Want your own copy of these daily bipolar

emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:

Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder

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

View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE

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/

Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE

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

Current Bipolar News

David Oliver June 20, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 15 Comments

Hi,

Here’s the current bipolar news.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews383

Repligen to initiate Phase IIb bipolar disorder study
DO> Interesting study?

Danielle Scott: doctor denies misdiagnosis
DO> What do you think of this story?

Firms back campaign against health bill
DO> I am surprised, are you?

Antidepressants Alone: Not For Bipolar Depression
DO> Many people with bipolar disorder, report this to me.

Clubhouse helps a life at Crossroads
DO> Good article.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews383

==>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
Your Friend,

Dave

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Bipolar Lesson Learned from People Making Fun of Me

David Oliver June 19, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 23 Comments

Hi,

How’s it going?

Yesterday someone asked me on my blog, “why do you write all these stories before your daily emails?”

I do because I like toJ I really hate long and boring stuff. When I first started helping my mom, there wasn’t much good information. And of the stuff that did exist, it was sooooooooooooooooo boring.

Today it’s the same. Lots of boring information and things that are based on theory not reality.

Anyway, I have a funny story today.

The other day I was actually buying a new cell phone. My other cell phone was 8 years old.

It just wasn’t working right. So I went down to my favorite cell phone store.

SIDE NOTE-

Actually I didn’t have the same phone for 8 years. I had insurance and my phone was breaking like every other month so I always had a new old phone if you know what I mean.

When you do more than 10,000 minutes a month, your phone breaks a lot J I would always get my phone at this Nextel store because the people there were really funny. They had like an entertainment store.

They had TVs, a couch, lots of funny people. They had lots of customers and it was kind of like the trading floor of a stock market (you know what you see on TV when people are buying and selling stocks.) People were always yelling in the store.

-“Get me this.”

-“I need that. ”

-“John where’s are dog?”

“Christie, where’s your baby?”

So anyway, I was there last week getting my new phone. They said after the years they “knew me so well” this certain phone would be perfect for me.

Well it turns out the phone wasn’t perfect for me. It had one problem. You couldn’t talk on the phone while it was charging. A major problem for someone who uses can use over 10,000 cell phone minutes a month.

So I knew that I had 30 days to take the phone back and get a different one.

I went in there and told them the problem. They were all laughing and screaming at one another. They have to talk super loud because no one can hear. It’s really strange but funny.

So they asked how I liked the phone besides the fact that I couldn’t talk on it and charge it at the same time.

IMPORTANT BIPOLAR DISORDER LESSON COMING….

I said well, I did like it. They asked if I knew all the features and I said yes, I read the manually carefully.

The guy John was like, “You did what?” and I was like, “I read the manual from A to Z, the entire thing.”

He said, “You mean the cell phone manual?” and I said, “Yes.”

He then started laughing. And then he yelled, “Dave read the cell phone manual — the entire thing!”

Then everyone started looking at me, pointing and laughing.

When new people came into the store they were like, “See that kid? He reads cell phone manuals for a living.”

They were like (HA HA), “You read the manual?” No one reads the manual. Only Dave would read the manual.” HA HA HA!

So then they were like “Would you read the manual for a TV or DVD player?” And I said, “Absolutely.”

I read ALL the manuals I get very carefully.

I don’t know why, but they thought this was so funny. Seriously, everyone in the store was looking at me and laughing. They were suggesting that I was some kind of nerd or something.

I was like, “The only nerds in here are you guys because you guys look like nerds. I don’t, anytime you want to play any kind of sport any day let’s do it J.” They were like, “But we don’t sit home and study cell phone manuals.”

I was like “Oh yea, well you guys look nerdy because you just sit here in a small office and eat poorly and never work out.”

They were like, “But at least we don’t read cell phone manuals!”

Then I was like, “at least I didn’t get picked LAST everything there was a game in high school? J” We were going around and around (it sounded like high school!)

I was like, “You guys are clueless, you should read the manual so you know everything, if you’re going to be selling these things!” I said, “How in the world would you learn everything or know it all?” and one guy screamed laughing, “Duh, by trial and error.”

I said, “That’s dumb. That’s just like not reading the information you get when you get bipolar medications!”

They were like “Oh there he goes again talking over our heads talking bipolar on us.” NOTE-These guys know that I have this

organization. They think it’s really funny. They say all I ever talk about is bipolar. Actually one guy has a family member with it so he loves to hear new updates.

One guy says that he was going to put a warning on the store that said, “working hear can lead to you going crazy?”

So then they said “I bet you are going to tell your newsletter people about us in one of your daily things.” I said “Absolutely!”

So here I am. This entire story reminded me of a HUGELY important concept with bipolar disorder when it comes to medication.

You MUST read the literature that you get. You MUST find out the side effects that a medication can cause.

You can do this by going to the drug companies’ websites and also calling the toll free 800 number that each drug company has.

VERY few people read the literature they get when they get their prescription filled. VERY few people look at the drug company’s website and call the 800 numbers.

YOU MUST DO THIS.

I believe in reading the literature you get. Whether it’s a cell phone manual, DVD manual, vacuum cleaner manual, or bipolar medications information.

You MUST do this.

I remember this one time my mom was put on a new medication. She had a number of problems. I told her to visit the company’s website and call the 800 number. The 800 number was answered by someone at the drug company who was very knowledgeable. The person explained that the problems my mom was having went along with side effects of the medication.

She told her doctor and her medication was changed. You might think it’s the doctor’s job to do this, but it’s not. It’s YOUR job to do this. In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

When you listen to the success interviews you hear from person after person how important this is.

Bipolar Disorder is a serious illness. It’s not a joke. The medications that you are talking are serious, too. You must know about them and be up on them.

You can do this all for F.REE by reading what you get when you get your prescription filled, visiting the drug company’s website

and calling their toll free 800 number to ask any questions.

Don’t be like so many people that don’t do any of this.

Hey, I have to run.

Oh one last thing. With my new phone, the manual comes on a CD. They were like “HA HA you can’t read this one unless you are going to glue yourself to your computer because it’s on a CD.”

I was like “Oh, yes I can. I will just print it off, have it bound (it’s 279 pages), and read it.”

They were like, “NERD!” and I was like, “You guys are lucky that I like you :)”

If you ever need a cell phone this store is the most fun phone cell phone selling place I have ever been to!

What do you think of this story?

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Will you make this common mistake with bipolar disorder?

David Oliver June 18, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 39 Comments

Hi,

How’s it going?

I actually have to go really quick today because I have to get back from the gym and prepare for a full days of doing lots of different things. Actually before I get started I have a funny story. The other day someone wrote on my blog that basically I had bipolar disorder because I repeated myself.

So I wrote a daily talking about this.

Yesterday that person responded back on my blog and said:

“you took offense when i asked if you are bipolar, but remember that some bipolar meds have the side effect of dementia. so that was not a dumb question.”

First, I didn’t take offense I thought it was funny. I never said it was dumb, at least I don’t remember saying that 🙂

This is funny…

Yesterday I was in the gym leaving and I was talking to the girls that are at the front desk. They are like 20 years old and have a really simple life–it consists of tanning, partying, shopping and text messaging.

The one girl was talking to the other girl. The one girl was talking about what she was going to do this weekend. Then she talked about what she did last weekend. Right in the middle of about a 7 minute explanation, the girl who was suppose to be listening to her said and I quote:

“I forgot what we were talking about, can you start over again?” The girl talking got mad and said, “you always do that to me.”

I said, “hey, someone accused me of having bipolar disorder because I repeat myself, maybe you have it?” She said, “bipolar who what’s that?”

Then she walked away and said she was “bored.”

I thought this was really funny. You might not and think I am crazy for even writing about it. But I wanted to so I did 🙂

But yesterday there was something that happen to the gym that totally relates to bipolar disorder on a serious note. Here’s what happen. There’s a guy in the gym that apparently was never in good shape in like 30 years. He was really in bad shape. Overweight, no muscle ton, etc. So he decided to get into great shape. Some say he is having one of the mid life crisis’s when you start trying to act like you are 18 when you are really 40 something.

Anyway, he tried ALL kinds of programs, diets and plans. Finally he hired one of the world’s top body builders to coach him.

The body builder guy gave him in my opinion a dangerous program that could adversely affect his health.

But the person started to lose weight and body fat. After 12 weeks he went from 20+ percent body fat to less than 5 percent. His program however is crazy.

No carbs excerpt 1 meal a week. He has to do more than 2 hours of cardio SEVEN and I repeat 7 days a week in addition to working out.

The plan is crazy.

IMPORTANT BIPOLAR LESSON COMING

So this person’s goal is to be the lowest possible body fat by July something or another. It’s like 3 to 4 weeks away. I have no problem with setting a goal like this but here’s the problem.

So right now, my friend is like, “his diet makes no sense at all. He is going to destroy his knees and mess up his system because his meals have no balance in them at all.” Other former body builder commented that his diet was dangerous.

Okay, so now, the question becomes? After you hit your goal, after July something or another when you are all done, what’s your long term plan?

At first he had no long term plan. He never thought about it? Sound familiar? It should because so many people dealing with bipolar disorder have no long term plan at all. They work on day to day or maybe this week.

Anyway, so now he decided that basically he wasn’t going to eat carbs forever and do 1 hour of cardio 7 days a week. He wasn’t going to take any time off.

My friend said, “dude, he’s so stupid that plan can’t work long term.” My friend is a person who looks great almost all the time but has a system. He has a balanced diet, takes supplements, takes lots of time off, has cheat days where he can eat junk, etc.

So now it stands this person has a plan that’s not only impossible long term, it’s going to wind up really injuring him.

You can NOT continue to work out 7 days a week hard for the rest of your life. Period. No matter what. Studies and common sense tell you this. If he does this, he will most likely get sick, start experiencing symptoms of massive over training (being angry, can’t sleep, lose weight, feel tired almost all day long, etc), and he will start to hurt his joints, especially his knees. He will wind up destroying himself.

What’s this have to do with bipolar disorder?

A lot. Just yesterday I was talking to someone who had this idea. He said it’s the final straw for his loved one with bipolar disorder.

He is going to measure and monitor all her medication for the rest of her life. He said that he is going to supervise EVERYTHING his loved one does FOREVER. He said he was tired of things not working or her not doing what she was suppose to.

He said, “what do you think of that?” He said it in like a “I have a plan that’s going to work.”

I said that I was 99% sure that it would not work and that it will actually work against him. No one wants to be monitored and treated like a baby.

I told him it was okay to help a loved one with their medication in the beginning but long term this can’t work.

I asked if this person gets a job or moves away how are you going to monitor.

He said, “well she isn’t moving, I will monitor it all.” I said it won’t work.

This is one of those people who has my information but hasn’t gone through it at all.

In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

I talk at length about how important systems and strategies are. I have systems for all situations–whether you are a supporting a loved one with bipolar, have bipolar disorder yourself or are supporting a child.

When you go through my courses/systems you’re going to be amazed at all the things that I have thought of and how there are indeed solutions to them all. You might think there aren’t solutions to even your most difficult problems but there are. You have to go through the material however. It’s a must. You can’t sit it on your shelf.

But back to this guy. He said, “well what would you do if you were me?” I told him the first problem that I see is, she doesn’t have a good doctor, she doesn’t have a therapist either. Also you aren’t creating a positive environment for her and you are trying to create almost like a ‘police state” where you monitor everything.”

I went on “you haven’t separated the bipolar from her and you are mad and angry at her. You think something is really wrong with her because she has bipolar disorder. You appear to be mean almost punishing her for something she did not do.”

He thought about it. And then he said, “well we will see.”

I finally told him the story of the person in the gym. I asked does it make sense to do cardio 1 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, only have carbs one meal a week for the rest of someone’s life? He said “that’s crazy. that’s stupid.” I said “hmm, that person is crazy but you monitoring your loved one and managing them, watching them take their medication for the rest of their lives is smart?”

I said, “your plan is not sustainable long term, you are just like the guy in the gym.”

He didn’t say anything.

Hey I just looked at the clock. Do you agree or disagree with me?

Anyone ever try to do something like this?

Anyone ever have this done to them?

Does this make sense?

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

Do you know this one basic tenet of bipolar disorder?

David Oliver June 17, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 31 Comments

Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you have a great day today.

Yesterday was really funny. I was reading my blog responses and saw one obviously from a person that if I had to guess wasn’t doing well. She said: “you seem to repeat information over and over. are you bipolar?”

Actually several people who work for me with bipolar disorder laughed and laughed about this.For a number of reasons. First, we all think it’s funny that if someone see something, like a typo, writing fast, repeating yourself, etc. they say, “are you bipolar?” We laugh because if you look at the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder “repeating yourself” isn’t one of them.

I actually don’t really repeat myself over and over and over and over. I do however repeat themes and important concepts, strategies and ideas.

One of them is getting the basics. You see this is where I come from. I come from a place where my entire life whether it was football or business, we drilled on the basics EVERYDAY.

I believe the basics are super important. When I speak to people who are dealing with bipolar disorder and having a hard time, whether they are bipolar supporters or have the disorder themselves, I notice that they do NOT know the basics. The basics are what kill them.

You can’t have a loved one who is really successful with bipolar disorder or you can’t be with knowing the basics.

So in responses to the post of “are you bipolar because you keep repeating yourself?” let’s look at the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Here is an excerpt from www.bipolarcentral.com

“There are two types of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by severe, debilitating symptoms, with extreme episodes, including some or all of the following:

Manic Symptoms

-Agitation, nervousness, irritability, feeling edgy, short-tempered,

-Feeling you can ‘do no wrong’, inflated sense of self, grandiose feelings, inappropriate or poor judgment

-Increased sex drive or desire, loss of inhibition

-Dressing or speaking in an extreme, or unusual manner

-Inability to focus

-Delusions, hallucinations

-Euphoria, or feeling ‘high’

-Heavy use of drugs or alcohol

-Boundless energy, sleeplessness, insomnia

-Rage, aggression or combative behavior

-Racing or disassociated thoughts, extreme talkativeness, rapid speech

-Reckless spending, high speed driving, high risk activities, decisions made without considering consequences

Depressive Symptoms

-Abnormally low, listless mood and energy

-Constant fatigue, increase/decrease in sleep, insomnia, excess sleep

-Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and unworthiness

-Inability to concentrate or focus, or to make everyday decisions

-Excessive drug or alcohol use

-Absence of self-esteem or confidence

-Extreme increase or decrease in appetite or weight

-Sadness, hopelessness, an attitude of ‘what’s the use?’

-Withdrawal from family, friends, co-workers

-No interest in activities, even normally exciting or interesting tasks

-Self abuse or injury, thoughts, talk, plans or attempts of suicide

Bipolar II is also called Hypomania. Bipolar II or Hypomanic episodes, and symptoms, are significantly less extreme than Bipolar I behaviors.

Also let me say again, I am NOT a doctor, therapist or attorney. I am NOT offering medical, legal advice or professional advice.

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar Disorder should be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a specialist, equipped to recognize the symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is crucial, because treatment usually includes medication. If the wrong medication is prescribed, symptoms may worsen, or side effects may occur.

To diagnose Bipolar Disorder, doctors look for at least two years of numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms. In children, the duration of symptoms must be at least one year. Symptoms must cause significant impairment in social, work or school or other functional areas.

The bottom line is a good doctor is the key to getting a proper diagnosis and then getting the correct

medication.

WARNING!!!!

It’s VERY important not to get any old doctor. You need to SHOP for a doctor. You need to really find a good one. One that knows disorders like bipolar disorder really well. One that will work with the patient AND the family or supporters as well.

In my courses/systems below:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

I teach at length how to find a good doctor. How to shop for one. How to ask the right questions. How to make sure you keep them on track. I go through the ins and outs of dealing with doctors when it comes to bipolar disorder.

This is information that nobody seems to ever talk about anywhere else. I have no idea when the doctor is so important.

If you or your loved one fail to get the right doctor, you are pretty much doomed. I hate to get dramatic but it’s true.

My mom had TERRIBLE doctors over the years. If you listen to the success interviews in my courses/systems you will hear person after person say that for 5, 10, 15, or more than 20 years they had bad doctors and bad doctors misdiagnosed them, gave them the wrong medication, didn’t care, etc.

This is one of the basics of dealing with bipolar disorder. You need a good doctor.

The reason why I pointed this out, is many people just don’t know the basics. They look around and say so and so must be bipolar because well because he spells things wrong. Or he must have bipolar disorder because he has purple hair.

A doctor will look for several signs and symptoms not just one at one time. Make sense?

As another interesting side note, someone said, “you write really fast sometimes and you do these daily emails. I saw a typo, I think you have bipolar disorder.” I laughed and laughed. The person didn’t think it was funny that I was laughing at them.

I said “you know, my mom can be in a MAJOR bipolar episode and write perfectly well. As a matter of fact, she can edit while she is in an episode. She writes perfect all the time.” I asked, “So how does this go along with your theory??”

The person didn’t say anything. The point I was trying to make was writing fast, making typos is NOT a sign of bipolar disorder. Again, this person was a person who didn’t even know the basics of the disorder and his loved one had been struggling for years and years and years.

I asked this person about his loved one’s doctor and I found out he just “picked one.” I said that was wrong, wrong, wrong. He said there were no doctors in his area. I said “you sound like my dad for my entire life.” Let me tell you, there are doctors in your area. They exist. You need to work at finding them. I go through this at

length in my course. But the bottom line is, doctors are super important, the basics of bipolar disorder are really important.

Hey I have to run. I will catch you tomorrow.

Anyone willing to share the result of what happens when you don’t know the basics like you need a good doctor? Anyone willing to share a story about a bad doctor?

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.

My big bipolar argument, was I wrong?

David Oliver June 16, 2008 | March 19, 2009 Daily Bipolar Disorder Message 44 Comments

Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you are doing well.

Well yesterday I went on a hike and it was very difficult. I actually have pictures but for some reason I can’t get them on to my computer to post.

I am going to work on it. As soon as I have them, I will post them for everyone to see.

Anyway, yesterday I got into a big argument with someone about bipolar disorder.

This person has the disorder. Notice I said the person HAS bipolar NOT the person is bipolar. There’s a big difference don’t you think?

Anyway, the person said to me, “I suffer from bipolar disorder.” Then a few minutes later he referred to himself as a “bipolar suffer.” I said to him, he should strongly consider NOT saying these types of things.

He said “saying what?” I said, things like: I am a bipolar sufferer. I suffer from bipolar disorder .I am bipolar disorder

I told him, “statements like that.” He said, “no really I do have bipolar disorder.” I said “I understand that but when you say these types of statements, I strongly believe you make your situation worse.”

I went on to ask him, “why do you think you suffer from bipolar disorder? I said to him, “I know many people who have bipolar disorder that use it as an asset and they don’t suffer.”

He then thought about it and got really mad and went on and on about how bipolar disorder had destroyed his life. I reminded him that now he is stable and doing okay, not great but okay. He really doesn’t apply himself all that much so he is doing okay.

I said to him, “I think your negative affirmations are hindering your success. You keep telling yourself a 1000 times a day that you suffer from bipolar disorder. Suffering equals lack of success and misery. So I really think your brain will work to make sure that you really indeed do suffer to some extent.” He started getting mad and saying that’s not true and that I don’t understand bipolar disorder. That’s what anyone with bipolar disorder says to me when I don’t agree with them. I do understand bipolar disorder and I do understand positive and negative affirmations.

Many people with bipolar disorder I find say NEGATIVE affirmations over and over again. The affirmations or statements wind up being a self fulfilling prophecy.

Supporters do this as well. If you are a bipolar supporter and keep saying:

My loved one is never better My loved one is always sick Bipolar disorder is always going to destroy our family Bipolar disorder is a nightmare and you can’t manage it Doctors and therapists are all crooks Etc.

You get the idea. These are statements that my family use to say all the time. We got what we asked for so to speak. The person that I know who I got into the argument as been getting what he has been asking and saying for several years.

Do you agree?

In my courses/systems below, I go in great length things to and not to say. This is CRITICAL.

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit:

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Visit: