Hi,
I hope you’re having a good day.
I’m really not so far. I dropped my blender on the floor and it was glass. It shattered everywhere. While I was picking up the glass, I sliced open my finger and it started bleeding everywhere as well.
I can barely type. It’s going to take me forever to type this. But I will get it done.
Okay I was looking back at my blog responses and saw there was this one question that many people had that I wanted to address. It’s kind of an old question but better that I answer it late then never : )
I was reading a blog post that said the following:
Dave, why do you put these letters up as your daily e-mail? What is your purpose in writing the e-mails? I thought it was to give bits of information about bipolar disorder, with thoughts for bipolar supporters.
What have you taught us today? Many, many times you have written e-mails telling us about what people have said or done that make you mad. What does that teach us? Can’t you have the self-confidence to manage those things on your own? It really feels like you’re seeking praise and gratitude and reassurance from the people on your mailing list – and, boy, do you get it! With only a few exceptions, people fell all over
themselves to thank you and encourage you and praise you; many even felt so bad for you and told you not to be upset, etc., said they’d pray for you…
===============================
This was in reference to a daily email I sent out that had a response to a person that basically said really bad things to me.
This person asked why do I do this — Is it to seek praise? (Nope, but I would say hearing nice things once in a while in this field I certainty don’t reject:)) As a side note, I challenge anyone to do what I have done. I really do. Start something like this. Take no salary. Do it for YEARS. Hire those with the disorders that are on your list. Create all the systems. Build a team, etc.
Anyway back to my point. I do it to show people what people who are NOT on medication can and probably will do. These types of emails which I will certainly post every now and then TEACH LESSONS.
If you don’t think so, ask yourself this question:
If up to 20% of the people who have bipolar disorder and are not on medication commit suicide, why is that?
Probably because they didn’t even know what there were capable of doing when not following the right treatment plan.
So, yes, I post emails like this. And yes, I talk about your loved one sticking to their treatment plan so they will not be like one of these statistics.
I’ve also been accused in emails like this of “pushing” and “soft-selling” my courses/systems to you through these emails.
Well, I usually am not in the business of defending myself, but I’ll tell you why I do it (obviously it’s not to get rich, because I’m certainly NOT rich!). It’s so people can LEARN.
So people don’t write emails like the one this guy wrote me.
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
I want people to be informed about bipolar disorder.
I want their loved ones to be informed about bipolar disorder.
I am in the business to help people with bipolar disorder.
And part of that is to post negative emails so people can see what happens when people with bipolar disorder go off their medication and don’t follow a good treatment plan, which is what I advocate and what I teach in my courses/systems.
So even when I get negative emails, even when they cut me down, or say terrible, horrible things about me and/or my work (which they do, unfortunately), sometimes I do post them so you can see what can happen to your loved one – so you can see how very, very important it is, as a supporter, for you to help your loved one to stay on their medication and follow their treatment plan.
You don’t want them to become one of these people, do you?
I’m sorry I had to send you this email. Normally it’s not my philosophy to defend myself against negative emails.
But I wanted you to know so I could TEACH you something.
So I could WARN you.
I hope you understand now.
Don’t worry, I do get many more positive emails than negative ones. It took me like 1.5 hours to type this. Okay, I am heading to the gym now. Catch you later on.
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.
Post responses below
OMG.The examples of what people do and say that you post are pure examples of BiPolar and Borderline personalities at work. They remind me to stop and think before I act.Keep up the good work. Next time use a broom to sweep up the glass, no matter how big the pieces. I always end up getting cut unless I use a broom and a dust pan and remove myself from the danger. A sturdy piece of paper like a file folder makes an excellent substitute dust pan. Stay healthy.
Hi David,
I just want to say thanks for what you are doing.
I am the girlfreind of a bipolar man and untill i found your site and a particular forum site i felt completey alone so i just want you to know thanks xx
I hope your hand is better Dave. I appreciate the effort you go through to inform the public. Since I have the illness, I do understand the ramifications of going off meds and not attending some form of therapy.
I will say this. Some of those people with bipolar refuse any form of treatment and walk around sick. They are either in denial they have anything wrong with them or just can’t see themselves as being ill. I know people like that and it’s scary. So, for me it’s preaching to the choir. I have said all I can to help them get treatment, but they would rather self medicate, or not be on medication at all and just dig their heels in and refuse to budge.
Take care and hope your hand is better.
hi dave i now how hard it is but is it not part of the disorder to get mad at enything.
hope your day is going good i like all you have to say .
hope your dad is doing good and how is your mother with all that is going on?
well take care hope to hear from you soon.
cerese
Sorry, I am still trying to figure out how the naughty girl, even though she wasent naughty was able to become one, but the creative person who wasen’t creative couldn’t become one. I guess the negative part of a person comes out easier then the positive part. So be it. Has me baffled. Enlighten me please. In short.
I enjoy your emails and the course so far. It reinforces things I have learned along the way. And gives me some things to take notes of. Thanks!
I enjoy your emails so dont listen to negative people who can be nasty , life is too short cause we dont know how long we will be on this earth so each day should be filled with lots of happy thoughts. I have a question to ask what do you do with a loved one my husband who has biopolar who is so negative at times and says things that hurt people or embarasses especially out in public and his answere is I dont think and the look you get from people around? Thank you Dave and keep up the good work we have Xmas comming and I am really worried he will be rude to people and they dont understand am I to tell some that are strangers that he is biopolar my hubby would not like that as he would be very mad.
Sharon
I have gotten a lot of information from your emails they help to understand what was wrong and why the amount of episodes took place while i was married to someone who was bipolar …i know it wasnt my fault thought i was always being blamed….they help me get inside of the head of my x which was something i couldnt do during 25 years of marriage to him…the threats of divorce almost every year the putting me down..the episodes i never understood ..you have shined light where it was very dark..thanks
for Jeannie: For years when my parents argued i use to think it was my fault even when i wasnt at home at the time of their row, i always defended my siblings and take the trouble in order to protect them. if i wasnt at home at time of row i would say to meself if i had of been here i could of done A B or C to prevent it from happening. I’ve bipolar and it was through lots of counseling that i learnt it wasnt my fault i didnt do anything wrong. In the story graham told about the little girl she never had someone to tell her she didnt do anything wrong therefore was always thinking in the negative, well thats my meaning you have to learn to think positive and yes your so rite it is so much easier to think negative its almost second nature to us. Here in Ireland we’ve a great one OUR WEATHER. you go into a shop, school or church and you have can strike a conversation on the weather on how bad it is and we all do it.
i hope what i’ve said is making sense.. My husband has informed me today i am going up so this is making sense in my head.
God Bless Amanda
Dear Dave,
I wish you would quit starting your emails out with what a terrible day you’re having. I understand you’re trying to help people see that every one has problems, but I believe if you were to start your emails out with a negative and turned it into a positive you would be more effective. For example todays: Your glass blender broke, and you bled all over the place, and now you can hardly type and it took you an hour and half to write this email. Well you can turn this into a positive by saying now I can go buy a plastice blender, they’re newer, they’re lighter to carry, etc.
We bipolars have enough negatives in our lives without hearing someone else’s. You have to find a way to turn negatives into positives. Someway.
Whether it’s a prayer to your Spiritual Guide, to God, to a Higher Power, it can be as simple as that. I’ve quit reading most of your emails because you start them out so negatively about what is happening in your life. Bipolars are looking for INFORMATION, FOR THE NEWEST TECHNOLOGIES, AND MEDICATIONS. So if you’re going to keep writing about what happened to you please put a positive spin on it at the end. I believe this would help the reader to look at their situations a little differently. Please forgive my bluntness.
Sincerely,
Teri
Lol… Good on ya for putting the idoit in their place…
Its always good to have a bitch… Hope it made you
feel better.. Have a great day..
One more thing: I am Bipolar and I just want to encourage those out there who are not “stable” yet–Feeling like something is wrong with you and not really knowing what– that medications DO WORK!!! It’s taken 2 long years to find the one’s that didn’t increase my depression, make me so drowsy I couldn’t stay awake at work, I didn’t even put my make-up on. And I need it! I worked in slow-motion at times. Now it seems we’ve found the right “cocktail”. I feel like a normal person, I get up shower and put my make-up on and am dressing more fashionably,(which I didn’t care about before). Life is on an upswing, even though I found out my ex was remarried–which would have shattered me before–in my depression. I cried a little bit ( I found it out on our anniversary) and then picked myself up and had a nice Thanksgiving with my family. So basically what I’m saying is WORK CLOSELY WITH A PSYCHIATRIST WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER!! And I mean closely, if someone notices something about you, (esp. your family–example: 2 months ago I saw my parents and they mentioned that they noticed I was moving in slow motion, eating in slow motion, and I already knew that things were moving to fast for me in my Statistics class. So I went to my doctor. I told him what other people were seeing in me–and he lowered the dose of one medication, completely took me off another and then added a new prescription.) I feel like me again. I’m getting up, not dragging myself out of bed, I go to work, I go to school, I am now in the process of deep cleaning my house and writing a Final Term Paper, plus I have all my Christmas shopping done except for one person. Life is beautiful again. I don’t feel “Bipolar”, I feel normal and it’s a wonderful feeling. But I take my medications every day the way they’re supposed to be taken and that’s SO IMPORTANT! If you don’t take your medications you’re headed for disaster. 1)GO TO A PSYCHIATRIST THAT KNOWS BIPOLAR, 2)TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED) 3) WAIT TO SEE IF SIDE EFFECTS ARE LONG LASTING and if they are 4) GO BACK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND TELL HIM HOW YOU ARE FEELING.
Howdy from Texas;
Responding DIRECTLY to Whoever you are, who was so negative and plain mean to Dave:
You are on the verge of a Bipolar Episode, and do not even know it! Please take heed to Dave’s information, and he may save your life from a very serous Episode.
Hi
I was wondering if you could touch on strategies to get your husband to see a doctor. I see definates sign of being bi-polar. How do you do it in a nice way without the person thinking they are crazy?????. We are having lots of problems and was thinking about suggesting marriage counseling just to get him in the door. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!!
One more thing: I am Bipolar and I just want to encourage those out there who are not “stable” yet–Feeling like something is wrong with you and not really knowing what– that medications DO WORK!!! It’s taken 2 long years to find the one’s that didn’t increase my depression, make me so drowsy I couldn’t stay awake at work, I didn’t even put my make-up on. And I need it! I worked in slow-motion at times. Now it seems we’ve found the right “cocktail”. I feel like a normal person, I get up shower and put my make-up on and am dressing more fashionably,(which I didn’t care about before). Life is on an upswing, even though I found out my ex was remarried–which would have shattered me before–in my depression. I cried a little bit ( I found it out on our anniversary) and then picked myself up and had a nice Thanksgiving with my family. So basically what I’m saying is WORK CLOSELY WITH A PSYCHIATRIST WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER!! And I mean closely, if someone notices something about you, (esp. your family–example: 2 months ago I saw my parents and they mentioned that they noticed I was moving in slow motion, eating in slow motion, and I already knew that things were moving to fast for me in my Statistics class. So I went to my doctor. I told him what other people were seeing in me–and he lowered the dose of one medication, completely took me off another and then added a new prescription.) I feel like me again. I’m getting up, not dragging myself out of bed, I go to work, I go to school, I am now in the process of deep cleaning my house and writing a Final Term Paper, plus I have all my Christmas shopping done except for one person. Life is beautiful again. I don’t feel “Bipolar”, I feel normal and it’s a wonderful feeling. But I take my medications every day the way they’re supposed to be taken and that’s SO IMPORTANT! If you don’t take your medications you’re headed for disaster. 1)GO TO A PSYCHIATRIST THAT KNOWS BIPOLAR, 2)TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED) 3) WAIT TO SEE IF SIDE EFFECTS ARE LONG LASTING and if they are 4) GO BACK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND TELL HIM HOW YOU ARE FEELING. Repeat these steps until he gets it right.
It took 2 years for me to find the right prescriptions once I was diagnosed with Bipolarism. THERE IS HOPE! I’ve been married three times, bewildered by the fact that the men would always leave. I loved them, I knew that but I had irresistable urges to Nag, Argue with them about something, anything–it was like I couldn’t stop myself and didn’t have control over my feelings or my mouth. My house(s) turned into chaos, I didn’t pay my bills and fell into bankruptcy, my parents have bailed me out up into the tens of thousands of dollars. I’ve lost Professional Jobs, and write now the perfect job for me is working at the University I attend, and going to school to get a degree in Landscape Design-B.A. I should be finished with that in Spring of 2010. I empty my dishwasher when the cycle ends and not wait until dishes have piled up high in the sink. All this because of a few medication changes. Life is good. There is hope out there for all of you who are struggling right now. Also, one more hint–get your life into a routine, a positive routine, like getting up at the same tiime every morning and going to bed at the same time every night. And/or adding an exercise routine (just walking the dog). Make a routine day for yourself, with positive -make you feel good about yourself things to do- even if it’s “I didn’t drinik today”. You still have a right to feel good about yourself. Even if you do have Bipolar. Love to all you Bipolars out there and to the supporters of Bipolars.
Teri
Please continue your good work. I got on your website in researching bi-
polar disease after our grandson’s dx. Your breaking and cutting your hand makes me think of things I do and get so upset with myself, as in,
nothing goes right! As I have read in your e-mails the holiday season is
the worst time I know it is for me and I have not been dx’d with bi-polar.
Norma James
I have read your emails that you send out for well over I want to say two year now.
My younest Son is Bipolar, he is 31 years old. It took a lot of hard work and pleading to get him to MHMR because he had no job and no insurance. He lives in TX and I live in AZ, which made the task that much harder. We did finally accomplish getting him on Medication. How ever that is all, he see’s the phyciatrist every couple of months for a new prescription and that is it. He does not get to talk with anyone, because we don’t have the money that it would take.
I would really appreciate it if you would guid us to the right agencies to get complete tratment for our loved ones that are bipolar. You may not charge a lot for your courses but it is more than we can afford.
We are trying to help support our Son financially as well as in every other way and I am on disability and a very limited income.
Our Son was and is a drug addict as well. He has not used to my knolledge for a little over a year now, but as a result of the use of drugs he got in trouble with the law and is on probation right now for the next two years. He must stay in TX until that is complete.
If you could guid us in anyway to help him to get the theropy that he needs and advise as to how to get him working and being productive again it would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in our delima.
Mary
My partner for a short time, is now in a hospital unit in a foreign country, she had not taken any medication during the time we have been together. {or before ] She has had an allergic reation to treatment, manifesting on her face. the treatment will stop for two weeks, she was already in episode on entry. Its impossible for me to contact her. I was the trigger. She is alone.
Without Daves information, I would still be in the dark. , thank you.
To Amanda. Thankyou. All I needed was that one sentence to give me the whole picture. “She didn’t have anyone telling her she wasen’t doing anything wrong.” Thanks for clearing my mind Amanda. That’s why I am on here, to keep on learning. Cheers. Jeannie
footnote: I should never assume—-I did assume because everyone was telling the girl how beautiful she was all the time, they were also telling her she wasen’t doing anything wrong. Now the story all makes sense.
I can’t believe someone could post such a negative e-mail, negativity is the last thing someone with Bipolar needs (like myself). I have really learned alot from your e-mails and also from my research (mainly on WebMD. I believe by you hiring people with the disorder and what you went through with your Mom is enough said and that you also did your research otherwise you would not be giving the advice that you give in these e-mails. Thank you again, and I sure hope that the Negative People listen and read what you have to say, so they do not have the Negative outcome from not listening and falling as victims of the disorder…..
I think your emails are perfect, just the way they are.
Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I don’t mind if you use the daily emails to “soft sell” your product, if in fact you do. So what? Everyone has to make a living and you’ve found a wonderful way to do that AND help people. I realize you have other business interests, too, because you have mentioned it, but I hope you make good money with this project, too. The emails and all your other work in this field is time consuming and difficult and you should be compensated for that, if possible. I think it’s great that you do the daily emails and I’m sure there are plenty of mornings when you would just as soon not. I also think it’s very clever the way you use everyday situations to teach a lesson and people that are complaining probably do that a lot.
Furthermore, if you occasionally use your emails to rag about something personal or get positive reinforcement from us (again, if in fact you do), well — so what? You’re human and I for one am more than happy to tell you that I appreciate everything you do. I find your little stories about the dudes at the gym amusing and entertaining and if that makes me your cheerleader, then … RAH RAH! GO DAVE!
I’ve been reading your stuff for years now (I must have been one of the early ones) and it has helped me support my friend more than you will ever know. Thank you, Dave. Don’t change anything.
dave, i am so thankful for you. the negative person is in total denial as i was for years. now i am on my meds and dont mind admitting i am bi-polar, i want my loved ones to know what to expect and how to respond to my illness. you are doing gods’s will, you are hurting no one. i read some of your emails to my husband, i am so amazed at how many others is just like me, and how many understand because of you. keep up the good work. you are wonderful and thanks for caring. have a merry christmas, and i look forward to the new year with you emailing me. you are so needed by so many people. and you need to be told that. love always, diane
I, for one, am encouraged by the blogs from Teri!! She seems to have it “all together” as a person with bipolar. She did all the RIGHT things, and now, like me, is feeling “normal,” with a GREAT routine, and doesn’t feel “crazy” anymore. You Go, Girl!!!
She sounds like she’s “been through the mill,” just like most of us bipolars – and come out the other side. It isn’t EASY; it takes a combination of KNOWING your diagnosis, and being willing to WORK with your mental health professionals; taking your medications religiously, following a good treatment plan, good wake/sleep cycles, exercise, etc. “Knowledge is Power!”
And – Dave – you have given ALL of us – bipolar survivors AND supporters – such valuable information to work with. I appreciate the time and effort you take EVERY day to write your emails, and those with a negative response to your emails certainly ARE exhibiting abnormal reactions to what you say. I would just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep on GOING!! Thanks for all the hard work you do for us – don’t take every negative email so personally – even if it IS meant to teach us.
How is your Dad, and how is your Mom coping with the Holidays and your Dad’s stroke? Informing those of us who CARE would be greatly appreciated.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
Powerful post, Dave. Worth all of the 90 minutes!
Okay DAVE, BARBARA in DALLAS, and MOST OF THE REST OF YOU:
Here I am – exposing myself – I am the nasty, mean person who wrote the comment Dave featured in his e-mail today. I wasn’t even going to respond, and there probably isn’t much point in it, but I have to try – for me.
First of all, the comment I wrote was in response to an e-mail from back in August. Dave didn’t talk much about what my comment was in response to, but the title of his e-mail that day was …”Bipolar Threat Against Me.” The person who wrote the comment in that instance was certainly angry, but he wasn’t profane, and he didn’t make any threats. He seemed to be angry because he felt that Dave was greedy, trying to use this illness to make money, and the “threats” was a statement that he would say negative things about Dave and his courses on other websites.
I wasn’t defending the guy (I don’t believe that Dave is greedy), but I was defending his right to say how he feels. My comment was made because I had seen many of this type of e-mail (“negative” e-mails), and I felt that Dave’s e-mails should be used to give information about bipolar disorder and help for supporters (of course my entire comment wasn’t quoted).
Nowhere did the guy writing his comment say that he was off his meds, or even that he was bipolar or had any other mental illness. The only thing you could tell for sure was that he was angry. People (even your staff) discussed it, and theories that were discussed (by them and by bloggers) were that he might just be angry and directing his anger at you, or he may be bipolar, but there was no way to know (as you know, things must be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist).
So how can you say that the reason you included the comment was to teach about how people need to take their medications and can even commit suicide if they go off their meds, when there’s very little evidence
about the person who wrote the comment’s circumstances? Today you did talk about the importance of taking meds, etc.
But did you need to use a comment I made in August, taken out of context, to talk about the importance of taking meds and having a system? Now I’ve been called a bitch, many have called me negative and nasty, someone said that I was a negative person in denial, and one person issued a direct warning to ME that I was on the verge of a bipolar episode… What have you accomplished today by using my comment, Dave? And why are all these people so angry with me? I wasn’t profane, or disrespectful – I was trying to say how I felt (and on that original blog, interestingly enough, many people agreed with me). How do any of you (except a few who know me) know anything about me?
I’ll tell you who I am. I’m a 52 yr old retired psych RN, divorced with 2 grown children. I have a sweetheart and many friends. I see a psychiatrist often and take all my meds religiously. I have a cognitive therapist whom I’ve been working weekly with for 11 years, and we set goals and have a system we work on together. Of course I have my faults and no one is perfect, but I can assure you that I’m not in denial and I’m not on the verge of a bipolar episode. I wasn’t in August, either.
I’m also not mean-spirited or ungrateful; I was only trying to make some honest observations.
Would you prefer that we make only positive comments? Should that be a rule for the blog? Should we be drawing conclusions about or making decisions about someone we know nothing about?
I guess that’s all I have to say… What I’m most grateful for are the very kind and caring people I have met on this blog, who have become a part of my support system. And, I’ll say it again, Dave, I get more out of your e-mails that are aimed at teaching something than out of those that feature an e-mail that you found “negative”, “mean”, or “threatening”.
Dave,
Your e-mails have changed my life, do not stop that part which makes me feel you are a real someone and not just a machine made formula.
Being myself a physician this also help many more people.
Thanks, Carmen Liz
Hi Dave! I hope your hand is better. I do not have any negative responses to offer, only gratitude. Your e-mails have been very helpful to me and my family. My brother suffers from some sort of mental disease, which seems like bipolar disease. I am a new subscriber and have found your information to be very insightful. Upon first reading the information you provided, it just seemed that all of my brothers actions were akin to bipolar disease. He stopped going to work but will not officially vocalize that he has quit his job. He refuses help (seeing a doctor of any sort) and says he is fine. His actions say something else. I would like to impose of you (or anyone else reading this) any advice you can give me as to how to get him much needed help. He cannot, thus far, be convinced to go the doctor. Thank you for what you are doing and hopefully for any answers you can give me.
MR DAVE YOU HAVE HELP ME A LOTE MY GRILEFRIND HAS BYPOLER AND SHE GETS TO THE PLACE SHE HAS TO RUN AND I DONT KNOW HOW TO STOP IT I LOVE HER TO DEATH I HAVE TRIED EVERY THING I CAN THINK OF IF ENEY ONE CAN GIVE ME A CEJESTEN PLESE CONTACK ME AT BABBS200857@YAHOO.COM SORRY ABOUT MY SPELING
TO SUE IN OH:
Just because we have bipolar, doesn’t mean we can’t have a negative reaction to something/one. I wrote my own complaints to Dave and hope he will change his style of starting out almost every email with what’s going wrong in his life–unless it has something to do with Bipolarism (which he says he doesn’t have). I had some positive response to my email, but was also called a bitch. There was one letter that actually said they were “encouraged” by my blogs. Notice “blogs”– which means in their opinion I wasn’t on the verge of an episode, I need to see my doctor, etc.
I just recently had a conversation with my mother on the phone, and she was commenting on that I wasn’t leaving the room clean enough while I stayed with them for Thanksgiving.This turned into an argument which is NORMAL for us. My mom and sometimes my Dad are obsessive-compulsive about cleaning a house and clutter. I realize that it is their house, but no matter how much I get better, nothing is just right. They keep wanting more and more. Well on the phone I said, “mom, we better stop”… she kept it up… I said, “mom, stop” (Because i did not want to get really angry and blurt out : NOTHING IS GOOD ENOUGH WITH ME IS IT?…
Finally realizing my boundaries were in place, I had asked her politely to stop the nagging and she wouldn’t… so I hung up the phone. THIS IS NOT A BIPOLAR EPISODE I’m having!!! It’s establishing healthy boundaries. My mother is intrusive, negative and gossipy. She always knows other peoples business and relates it to other people who have no business knowing. She lost a good friend that way. My mother is difficult to say the least (always has been). When I WROTE MY NEGATIVE LETTER TO DAVE — I WAS NOT NEAR HAVING AN EPISODE!! I was just expressing my view of how he starts off his emails. Sometimes they have to do with Bipolarism and alot of times they don’t. But I guess alot of you enjoy hearing about his gym buddies, and brother, and especially his mom and dad. So I’m sorry if I offended anyone. It’s just the most recent info on Bipolarism that I’m looking for. Not about someone breaking his glass blender and bleeding all over the place (which I’m sure is an exaggeration). Everyone knows (I thought) you pick up small pieces of glass with a broom and dustpan, a vacumn, or a wet paper towel.
So there are some hints for you Dave, the next time you break glass.
There are some really helpful hints in your emails, in fact you almost took my list from my email in today’s blog. I’m know by reading your blogs, there are alot of people you’re helping out there. Esp. when there was no website for Bipolar people. Thank you for your help/suggestions.
Teri
Hey Teri, I recently dropped a glass and although I do know that one shouldn’t try to pick up broken glass, I did it anyway. I’m not bipolar, nor do I have any other mental disorder at all – but there I was – reaching right down to pick up the glass like I forgot to not be stupid. And guess what? Yep, I cut my hand and “bled all over the place” (yes, an exaggeration and I didn’t need a transfusion or anything, but it was more blood than I had planned to shed that day – or any day, for that matter.)
I’m jussayin’ …. sh*t happens.
Hi Teri… and all others who feel the same, we all agree at least that Dave is doing a wonderful job with his website and the info he gives! I am from South Africa and it is only since the beginning of this year when my youngest sister was diagnosed with bipolar that I have come to learn so much about it on Dave’s site and his very informative e-mails (which by the way if it starts with his negative problems of the day …’yawn!’….I just skip that part and go straight into what I actualy want to read about, sometimes his stories are a bit much and dragged out but then if the heading does not sound interresting I just delete it…no offense meant to Dave or anyone else! We are all off course allowed to have our own opinions and choices and we can either take out of the e-mail information that is helpful or ignore it if we feel it is not of any value to ourselves, I reckon each person takes out of it what they want and if we are not able to get anything out of it which is helpful or positive we always have the choice of unsubscribing or not reading that specific mail…..so in fact I think in my humble opinion it all boils down to what each of us makes out of it and out of our bipolar lives (Teri it sounds as if you are doing great and I wish my sister was like you)!! and there is no one on this earth who will be able to satisfy all of us now is there??? So you have every right to be upset if things were taken out of context and every right you have to your opinion if u think that your comments and blogs were misused and it is sad that sometimes people do things like that but I am sure after this last comment of yours Dave would know exactly why u were upset and people should let him decide how he feels about it and not be rude to you who have the right to express your feelings about the whole matter! I hope this now setteles everyone who would yet like to lay another ‘rotten’ egg…..please people out there….try and accept and respect others who have feelings and sometimes negative experiences and be grateful if you rather get positives out of something!…LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH FOR ALL!! best regards from our sunny South Africa to all!
Hi David,
With every email there is a lesson. Bipolar is the problem, empathy, people do not see with your eyes. David you are a kind and careing person. People can not see with their own damn eyes. We who are sick live, breath, fear, hide, lose everyone-everything, do not sleep, check mail, answer phones. You are the son of all sons- you got it how bad it is, you took the time to learn how to fight it, you know it. For all the boo hooers dogin you about your email. They dont get there is no magic answer” Till death we battle”
Hi David,
Thanks for all the tips. Would you please forward me the email you sent some time ago regarding the 5 stages of handling the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Thanks a lot.
Pat
Dear David:
After reading your emails for several months. I do get the feeling that you are somewhat sensitive and insecure. You have no need to defend yourself over what a few people write or say. Lighten up !! You are providing a valuable service to people and I want to thank you for your time energy and dedication. Maybe it’s your writing style that draws critisism. Perhaps, not talking so much about yourself and your daily actvities might help. In general, people who read your emails are not interested in how many times you worked out each week or what you did last weekend. By talking so much about you and your personal life, you are giving some people the impression that you are self centered and more interested in yourself than you are with their problems. It’s nice to know that you are a human being with the same daily challenges that we all face. However, your audience is a group of people that are hurting and looking for answers. Because they are hurting, their number one concern is the illness and what they can do to get better. So perhaps a lot of these negative emails are not a result of a character defect but rather a result of your writing style and what you choose to tell us about yourself. (know your audience). I personally think that those who critisize you are being petty and ungreatful. I am greatful for all of the information that you have given me and I have put it to good use. In fact, you helped to save my life because I would probably still be in denial if it wasn’t for your newsletter. I appreciate your effort and dedication. Keep up the good work.
Scott
Hi for the first time, but have been helped on many levels by your outreach. I’d like to buy a course ‘second hand’ if possible. My saga is that I feel my husband of 20 yrs may be bipolar (as his grandma was and institutionalized). He’s rung up 20K plus in legal fees divorcing me and seeking sole legal and physical custody of our children. He had raged for years he would do this and called the police on me many times. Once I was arrested for ‘disorderly conduct’ because I yelled that he was abusive and I would get help (and said he should be scared because I didn’t care who found out). The officer did not let me tell him what I said and I already had left the home after the few-minute episode. My husband chose to have me forced to stay out of the home for 6months, pursued a divorce running about 5K in fees, reconciled for a year then started all over again. Any advice from anyone? The kids’ atty does not recognize the kinds of ‘non-physical’ abuse although, and my kids are siding with my husband as is his family, making it an exhausting ‘battle’. I trained as a mediator (and searched http://www.womanslaw.org and http://www.lundybancroft.com which could likely help more folks with the bipolar issues). The more grassroots networks and efforts the better. Peace, Cath