Hi,
How’s it going? I hope you’re doing ok today.
My friend told me this story the other day.
She was at this seminar for mental health in middle Tennessee. Well, you know they just had all that flooding there and everything. Well, this man had just lost his house to the flooding.
So he was up there at the front of the room and speaking to the crowd, and he was saying that he’s lost everything he’s owned before, but this is the first time it wasn’t to a woman!
Well, everyone laughed at that… But then, someone from the audience yelled, “No, it still was –
it was to Mother Nature!” So everyone laughed even more, even the speaker!
But here’s the point. Here was a man (who incidentally has bipolar disorder) who lost everything in the floods, and he was laughing about it! So this shows me that he also has found a way to survive his bipolar disorder and still laugh as well.
I encourage that. I think more people should laugh at their bipolar disorder. Or at least laugh with it. Laughing at bipolar disorder? I can hear you now. Some of you are probably pretty mad at me. You think I’m making fun of you. Or of the disorder. Not taking it seriously enough. Or not taking your situation seriously enough. I know, I’ve gotten hate mail over this before.
Some people say that I don’t take bipolar seriously enough, or give it enough credit. But that’s just not true. I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that bipolar disorder can bring upon a family.
That’s why I started www.bipolarcentral.com. That’s why I’ve written the courses and materials that I have, to help supporters help their loved ones with bipolar disorder to get stable. That’s why I’m so passionate about this cause. Because I DO know how serious it is!
But I also know that if you take it TOO seriously, ALL the time, it can lead to supporter burnout… And then where will you be?
I’m not saying NOT to take bipolar disorder seriously. Yes, take the disorder seriously – It IS a serious disorder. But not so seriously that it takes away your sense of humor. Having a sense of humor can be as important as taking your medication or attending support group meetings. It’s a tool. An important tool.
Even the Bible talks about it. It says that “Laughter doeth good like a medicine.” Laughter makes you feel better. Doesn’t it? When was the last time you felt down… And someone told you a good joke… And it made you laugh… Didn’t it make you feel better?
Laughter is a great stress reliever as well, just ask any therapist! All I’m saying is that if we can look at things a little less seriously, it can help.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below.
Amen, brother! Inability to laugh is known as anhedonia, a condition unto itself. Laughter, especially the ability to laugh at oneself, is a saving grace and balances out life’s tragedies, making them a bit more bearable. I have been part of support groups for mentally challenged homeless, and we have laughed our hour away! God must have a sense of humor – look at the platypus!
I agree about being able to laugh at yourself and your illnesses whatever they are. I have several debilitating illnesses and I have to laugh or I would be in total depression all the time. I am sure I am bipolar although have never been diagnosed. My youngest son is and so is my youngest grandson. I am pretty sure there is more than that but they do not want to admit it.
Dear Dave and readers,
Hi–Lynn here, ‘real’ alcoholic; and I also live w/bipolar II depression on a daily basis. I write for 2 online A.A. grps., daily, too. There’ve been 2 posts recently, sharing puns that were quite cute. We try not to take ourselves too seriously, and even share a laugh abt. somethings related to recovery from alcoholism, and some mention being bipolar, too, sometimes. A.A. literature also has a ‘Rule 62: Don’t take yourself so d— seriously,’ which is a good reminder, too. Thanks for letting me share, and have a great 24!
Dear Dave, Claude and Readers
I agree that laughter is the best thing for everyone.
I have been BP all my life. In lower grades they told my family was told I was ADHD. In second grade they told my mother I was retarded. Then I was told I was manic-depressive. In 2000 I was told I was BP. Finally put on meds. A long drawn process. Not to talk about now.
I have spent years trying to find out what is wrong with me. It had to be me. Not everyone has 5 hubbies. There is too much to go into so I won’t do that now. I am 56 yrs now and I have been this way since before pre-school. It would take 1,000 of pages to tell all my stories.
Back to the subject. When you are able to laugh at the “things you have done” you will be much happier. For instance; I went to Prison for two yrs. (Self Medication). I had never even had a speeding ticket. I was devastated. I refer to that time as my vacation in Southern California. Or when I was on campus in Southern California. No one knew where I was. Now I live in another state. My friends that did know just laugh with me when I say it that way.
We have have to laugh at ourselves. Or we make our lives a living hell. We all know what that means. We have all been there. Have you ever seen a video of you getting upset about dropping a clean fork on the floor, to the point of tears?
When you see you doing something silly like that then laugh. It is funny. I can’t tell you how many times I have done this.
I guess it has something to do with “GETTING OLD” or so my doctor says. What does he know? He won’t be my age for another 30 years. A lot changes in 30 yrs kid.
I know a doctor that I used to change his sh***y diapers. Talking about “GETTING UP THERE IN YEARS” my butt. he does not have to change mine. My grandma lived to 105 yrs I and going to also.
May God Bless
Cindy
Hi! I am bipolar and was diagnosed30 years ago. I live in Bogotá, Colombia, South America. I would like to know where you give your courses because I would like to travel and take them. I also want to know if you send your books to other countries. Where can I see the titles?
Thanks a lot,
Diana Lloreda