Hi,
I hope you’re having a great day today!
Guess what?
I have a really important lesson for you.
You know I have a business that consults with hedge funds and investment companies. (Not hedges that you find around the house : ))
People who don’t understand what hedge funds are always ask me if I’m a gardener : )
Anyway, one of the big things banks did that are causing them to get into big, and I mean big, trouble is that they didn’t look at the warning signs.
It would be like you not looking at the warning signs of a bipolar episode, and then you or your loved one goes into an episode that could have been avoided!
But here’s a smart thing that investment companies do:
They weigh the cost against the investment.
And that’s a bipolar lesson that you can learn.
Bipolar episodes can cost you.
But bipolar stability is an investment you can make.
Ok, let me explain (but I think you can probably guess what I’m going to say).
Cost doesn’t always mean dollars and cents.
Let me ask you:
How much has bipolar disorder cost you in terms of doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists?
What about hospital stays?
And medication?
Even if you do have insurance, there is usually a co-pay, isn’t there?
And if you don’t have insurance, these things can almost bankrupt you!
And then there are costs that aren’t monetary.
What about the cost of your relationship?
The cost of losing your job?
Your friendships?
Your family?
Your independence?
Your self-confidence?
Your interest in the things you used to enjoy?
Your productivity?
Your stability?
See what I’m getting at?
Bipolar disorder can cost a LOT!
Now let’s look at the other side of the coin.
Let’s look at investment.
To manage bipolar disorder, you have to make an investment in your stability.
In my courses/systems, I talk about how important it is for you to be a part of managing your own bipolar disorder:
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LEARN THE SECRETS OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/bipolarmastersystem/
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
These are some of the bipolar investments you have to make:
You have to take your medication.
You have to see your doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist when you’re supposed to.
You have to stick to a regular sleep schedule (8-9 uninterrupted hours of sleep every night).
You have to eat a healthy diet.
You should exercise.
You have to have a strong support system.
You should go to a bipolar support group.
You have to have as little stress in your life as possible.
You might want to practice relaxation exercises.
You should be productive.
You might want to have a part-time job or home business, or at least volunteer somewhere.
You must communicate with your supporter.
You must watch your triggers.
You must watch for signs and symptoms of oncoming episodes, so you can avoid them from happening.
That last point is really important.
All these things I listed are INVESTMENTS in your STABILITY with bipolar disorder.
But if you don’t do the last thing, you will still go into episodes, and you won’t have stability.
But do you see my point?
Bipolar disorder does consist of costs and investments, just like banking does.
And there’s a difference between the two, and both need to be balanced.
Yes, just like your checkbook.
In the case of bipolar disorder, though, you want the investments to outweigh the costs.
But that is up to you.
How about you?
How does your bipolar “checkbook” look?
Are you making enough “investments” toward your stability?
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Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
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
Hi Dave,
I have been busy, busy, busy. I have been helping a fellow bipolar get on medication, move to a different larger city where he can get the medical services he needs and was rather successful : ) A month and a half a go he was suicidal, and I don’t mean a little bit either. He was a fraction of an inch a way, and not a big fraction either. Thank God I have been reading your emails, got your survivor package and have learned how to survive this disorder.
You are right about everything you mentioned about investments and costs. Surviving bipolar is all about prevention. In the case of bipolar an ounce of prevention might save you the cost of losing your marriage, your relationships with those you love, your bank account, and most importantly save you or your loved one’s life!!! Prevention is the way to beat bipolar at it’s own game. We have to stay one or two steps ahead of it to beat it. The further ahead of it you are, the greater your chances of surviving and thriving despite having bipolar, or of helping someone survive it.
You can also look at doing the things you mentioned as putting gas in your car. If you always drive around on empty you take the chance of running out by forgetting to put it in “One” time. If you keep you gas tank full, by using all the tools you mentioned to prevent bipolar in this email, it is like running on a full tank. You are less likely to run out and if you fill it every chance you get, you will not run out of fuel, and if you have to go without buying it, or “forget” to do one of these things “One Time” you will not run out of fuel or go into an episode because you have been doing things to prevent episodes and have built up a safety net. This applies to everything but taking medication, we must take that all the time, but the things like going to see the dr, or exercising, or practicing relaxing, being productive. These kinds of things are preventive maintenance and if you have been doing them habitually, missing once won’t throw you into an episode, but if you only do one of these things regularly and then don’t do it, it could. If you don’t do any of them, you will run out of gas and into and episode. I can testify to that. So keep your supportive system going, keep that preventive maintenance going, keep your gas tank full and you are much less likely to run out of gas and into an episode!!!
Thanks,
I love your analogies
Bob
To BOB: I like YOUR analogies, too!! In “real” life, I keep my gas tank at half-full, just in case I have to run errands and find myself with a low amount of gas when I really need it.
I make as much of an “investment” in managing my bipolar as I can. This is VERY difficult right now – in fact, I slept 24 hours yesterday, and am a day behind! I went to sleep at 10PM Sunday night – and woke up at 9PM Monday night! I’ve NEVER done that before. When I looked at the clock at 8AM, I had to throw up, and had a headache, so lay back down – only to wake up 12 hours later! Is this typical of depression? Heaven knows, I have PLENTY to be depressed about. But – I FEEL upbeat and only feel badly occasionally.
I had a WONDERFUL date with an 80-yr-old man Sunday evening. I would go out with him again if he calls. So – as far as I can see – there were NO triggers for my oversleeping. Perhaps my body needed it. Oh, well, I won’t dwell on it; just encourages me to think about it, and I DON’T want to!!
I’m following The Plan – meds, sleep, exercise, eating – as my investment in my disorder. But it seems the more diligent I am about my bipolar, the more the BP interferes in my life. As we all know – it’s a life-long disorder, with no cure. ALL of us need to be vigilant about our triggers, and TRY to avoid them at all costs.
Enjoyed your email today, Dave. You ALWAYS hit the nail on the head!
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
I am going to forward this one to my loved one. I want to thank you for how clearly and simply you spell it out. I am also surprised at how eloquently my loved one can recite all of the correct things and then not follow through on them. I am watching him spiral into someone unrecognizable and hope he will read this and be able to put the brakes on.
Dear Dave,I’d just like to thank you for all the emails I receive.I’ve been bipolar over 20 yrs.But recently started back on my meds…after bucking the system for about 6yrs.I thought the world was off its rocker not me.Your so right when you said this thing takes alot of strenghth and patience.My family has had it pretty rough with me….but thank God for family right.Anyway Dave,I’ve hit a depression spell lately that makes me ready to quit trying…I don’t want to live this life,but also tired of getting knocked down each time I get a leg up.What should I do? Sincerly,Kym
HI……
Kim that made me laff (the world off its rocker) (:
kim you sound like me am not the only 1 then it nice to no
there are people out there that suffer simaler stuff.
Or dave by the way about that Email you sent me ergent it was the elephant in the front room he tryed to comverscate
the lap top when i told him i was on david oliver course since yesterday he,s not been his self.never mind.
P.S he,s even been checking see if he has bipolor.
Take Care Linda.
OOOOO….
IT SOUNDS LIKE AM BEING SHOT OUT ME OWN HOUSE BY THE LODGER.
Dear David I am back. I went into hospital after all on the 20th feb and just got out today 10th mar, on loads of meds. feeling very tired right now.have a lot of emails to read through but not going to do that today.
God Bless Amanda
Hi Dave!
My bipolar checkbook is at 2.32 right now. It’s not very much, but it Is a start. I am learning how to invest in taking care of myself. for instance, earlier today, I felt myself losing funds, and to try and clam myself, I went for a walk, and tried to give myself an investment to snap myself back out of it. It hurt though, for I was reminding myself of the things and people I have lost over the years. So my checkbook is looking a little low. I also received a letter marked return to sender from my bio-dad today, which further unblanced the checkbook, for I found him online a year ago, and he still won’t fill his checkbook in getting to know his other daughter. On that account, my checkbook is a little low there, too. Thank you for reminding me, Dave. I need to invest right now. Those 2 reality checks of reminding myself of the people I have lost, and the one person in my life that I want to invest in me, brought me out of the mania. Thank you. I like the comparisons of investing in bipolar and of balancing my checkbook.
Hi,
Thank you for the investment message for people with Bipolar. I am having a lot of problems on my job. I can’t sleep at and when I do go to sleep, I don’t wake up in enough time to be on time for work. Last year I lost 480 hours of work with no pay. My job has changed my units startng time to 9:00 a.m. I am used to working after 4:00 pm. My original starting time was 2:00 pm. I hve been try to get an accommodation but nothing is working. I am really stressed most of the time. I feel that I am working in a hostile environment because upper management does not communicate with me when it comes to my job. I was told that I should go on disability. I am too intelligent and very motivated, so why should I go on disability. Sometimes I do think that it may be what I need. Just thinking about it. Looking forward to your next message of hope.
Thanks
HI Dave and all, I really am relieved to read these blogs every day..My husband has manic episodes whenever he has to leave the house or make a phone call, or write a letter!!!He freaks out at things that I don’t have trouble with, and yells at me and calls me names if I try to help or even ask a question {sigh}…He went off paxil because he lost his mdical insurance when he was laid off
Suzanne;
ALL the “meds” cause Coma like states.
Perhaps you are on too much? ie. Headache, Vomiting. Comatose…
Good luck with your man.
I pray for your Country.