Hi,
How’s it going?
I hope you are doing well.
Today I have a really bad sore throat–
probably from all the stress I have been
under 🙂
I am going to make this relatively short.
I wanted to make you aware of my book:
“An Overview of Mental Disorders”
You can get it for F.ree by visiting the
following site:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/overview_of_mental_disorders/
Okay, today I want to talk to you about
SPEAKING UP!!!
Not just to anyone, but to your
doctor. This can be to your doctor
who handles your bipolar disorder,
your family physician, or really it can
apply to any doctor you see.
For supporters, this can apply to you
as well.
First of all, you need to ask yourself,
does your doctor really know you?
How much have you really told him
or her about yourself and your
disorder, your life, and how it’s
affecting you and your family?
Many people aren’t really that
comfortable talking with their doctors
because sharing personal health or
psychiatric information makes them
feel vulnerable, intimated, or
embarrassed (or all three). But this
can only hurt you in the long run.
Rosemary Browne, M.D., is asst.
professor of clinical medicine at the
University of Arizona, Tucson. She
says, “As physicians, we are here to
provide help in any way we can, so
we need to know what’s on your
mind, but we can’t read your mind.
The more forthright and direct you are,
the more we can help.”
See? She gives the doctor’s point of
view. They can’t help you if you
don’t SPEAK UP!!!
One thing I teach in my courses/
systems is, if you don’t feel
comfortable with your doctor, maybe
you should find another doctor. There
really are good doctors and bad doctors.
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
If you’re embarrassed and you just
need some help getting started, try
simply saying, “I’m really stressed
out and it’s interfering with my life.”
Or, “I’ve been experiencing some
mood changes recently.”
Or, “I’ve been having some trouble
sleeping lately.”
These are some ideas of conversation
starters with your doctor.
Maybe you’ve got some of your own?
If so, I’d like to hear them.
The key points you need to bring up
are:
-How your mood is affecting
your life
-Your ability to function
-Your eating habits
-Your sleeping habits
-How long you’ve been
experiencing these changes
-What worsens or helps your
state of mind (body)
-Whether you (or your family)
have a history of this
It’s also important to express your
concerns/worries.
I have to run.
Your friend,
Dave
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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
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that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
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mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can’t learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com