Hi,
How’s it going?
Hope you are doing well.
I have a super busy day. I have had really,
really busy days. Today I have to interview
two people, then one doctor, then record
try to record 11 records, do a lot of
operational stuff, train a new person
who has been hired and then work on
my other businesses.
Some have worried that I am “over doing
it.” Don’t worry, I am not. I have a great
team in this week and next week will
be super busy but then the workload
will lighten.
I actually have some really interesting
to talk about today quickly.
You might not have heard it but,
a whole bunch of people in the media
and on the internet are saying
Britney Spears has bipolar disorder.
I just ran a search on google and people
are running ads with the following titles:
“Britney’s Meltdown”
“Britney Mental Lockdown”
“Is Britney Insane?”
I can’t believe people are running
ads like this to drive traffic to
their websites. Very strange.
Anyway, all this talk has gotten many
people to write and ask me. One of my
coaching clients asked what I thought.
I have some thoughts.
Actually before I get started, I want
to say first
I am NOT a doctor, therapist, lawyer
and NOT offering medical, legal or
professional advice.
Also, there is a person on my list that
said that I was exploiting Britney Spears
for my own person gains. I am NOT doing
that. I am simply addressing what the
thousands of subscribers I have all
over the world want to talk about.
With that said, first thing I want
to say is this. Well the first thing
I want to ask is this.
How do you think they will know if
Britney has bipolar disorder?
Take a guess and then scroll down for the
answer.
NO CHEATING, guess than scroll 🙂
A qualified doctor will make that determination.
How is this done? People ask me all the time:
“How do I know if I have bipolar disorder?”
“How do I know of my loved one has bipolar disorder?”
The answer is from a qualified good doctor.
This person will see an individual, check his/her
history, give them a mental status examination (MSE),
ask lots of questions, possibly take input from
family members, etc.
After that, the doctor will make a diagnosis.
This is how it’s done. There currently is no
brain scan, body scan, software, etc. that can scan
a person to determine if he/she has bipolar disorder.
Also, in some cases, since the diagnosis is a guess,
it could be made incorrectly. What do I mean by a guess?
Well there is nothing a doctor can say like:
“If you have this or that and I can see it,
you have bipolar disorder.”
Meaning, there is a test for let’s say cancer
or diabetes. There is no such test or “proof”
of bipolar disorder. There are only signs
of bipolar disorder.
Make sense? Some people have a lot of the
signs and others don’t. For example addiction
can be a sign of bipolar disorder. My mom
has bipolar but never had a problem with
drugs or alcohol.
Excessive spending is another sign of bipolar
disorder. I know a person who works for me
that never had this problem. But she has
bipolar disorder.
The key is this, a good or great doctor
is the key to a proper diagnosis.
What is a great doctor? Well it’s a person
who knows what he/she is talking about
and knows bipolar well.
To get the right diagnosis and right
treatment plan, you need a good to
great doctor.
In my courses/systems below:
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 teach how to find these people. HEED MY
WARNING. You must invest a lot of TIME
finding the right doctor and therapist
or you will be doomed.
I am not being dramatic but a bad doctor
or doesn’t really care, know what he/she
is talking about or know bipolar well
can give the wrong diagnosis, then the
wrong treatment plan. When this happens,
the nightmare starts.
It’s like you are trying to go
from New Jersey to California. To
do this, you take Route 80 west.
Imagine you got instructions from someone
who was clueless. Imagine you were
told to take 95 south.
95 south takes you to Florida. No matter
how hard you try, 95 south will take
you to Florida. You will never get to
California taking 95 south from New
Jersey.
Unfortunately, many people on my list
are on 95 south trying to get to California.
The person who gave them instructions so
to speak, gave it to them wrong.
I hope you get what I am trying to say.
For too many years, my mom and dad
didn’t realize how important a doctor was.
As a result, my mom almost never had a
good one. It wasn’t important.
It wasn’t until I stepped in and
was determined to find a good one.
How did I know? It was an accident.
I have had bad lawyers and accountants
who have created huge problems for me
and given me bad advice.
I knew from these experiences there are
good AND bad professionals. I knew
there would be good and bad doctors
and I was determined to find a good
one.
My dad at first didn’t think it
was a big deal. He really thought
that all doctors are not good and greedy.
I didn’t think so.
Anyway, does this make sense about
the diagnosis?
So for all those media people and
doctors out there that are diagnosing Britney
from in their offices and houses,
it’s a joke. They can NOT know unless
they do the things I just told you.
You can’t just look at Britney
and say, “hey she is doing crazy things
so she must have bipolar disorder.”
I have had friends do many crazy things
and they don’t have bipolar disorder. Some
do it for attention. Some do it because
they like being different. Some do it
because they are bored. Some do it
because they think it’s cool.
I have a friend that has a tattoo
across his chest that says:
“Simply Insane”
Is he insane? No. He is a great person,
has a great job, a family man but at
the time, he thought that was cool
and he probably was trying for attention.
As you can probably tell, I have many
diverse friends. From ones running
$250 million companies to those who
barely work and simply body build
for a living. Anyway, I have seen
all kinds of people do “crazy” things.
If someone does something crazy, that
doesn’t mean they automatically have
bipolar disorder.
You can’t just say someone has bipolar
disorder when you look at what is reported
on TV, online or in print.
Now on to Dr. Phil
I ran a research and saw these headlines come
up:
“Can Dr. Phil Save Britney Spears?”
“Dr. Phil visits Britney in hospital”
“Britney Takes Phil Pill”
Then I saw on the internet:
“According to TMZ, Dr. Phil walked into
Britney’s room at 7:30 am on the 7th floor
at Cedars uninvited and completely blindsided
the pop star. According to People magazine,
Britney’s father Jamie was the one who pushed
Dr. Phil to intervene since he believes Dr. Phil
is a “God”.”
Who knows if this is true but it appears it
might be true because I have seen Dr. Phil
talking about Britney Spears having bipolar disorder
over and over over the last couple of days.
If Britney has bipolar (NOTE, remember
we don’t even know if she does or not
because she has to get a proper diagnosis from
a qualified doctor)…
#1-Trying to get someone into treatment by
sending a guy like Doctor Phil who appears
to be using a “confrontational approach”
probably won’t work.
Getting someone into treatment is difficult.
In my bipolar supporter master course…
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
I go through more than 20 ways. People want a quick
way. There is no magic way, you have to try
different techniques over a period of time
and eventually one will work.
#2-I can’t believe someone who is a “doctor”
would do what Dr. Phil is reported to have
done and thought about.
On CNN I saw the headline:
“Did Dr. Phil step over the line with Spears?”
It talks about how he was “invited” to go
to the hospital where Britney is at by
the family. He was considering taping
the entire thing and putting it on
TV. Imagine that? Imagine even thinking
about this.
If you really wanted to help, you would
do some quietly and not make a huge
deal and bring Cameras and talk about
it on TV.
I have had famous and popular people
contact me for help. I keep it quiet.
You would never know because I will
never, ever talk about it.
I remember one guy who was big
time in entertainment. I didn’t
know he was but he told me in a
modest way. He asked that I never
reveal his name.
I said to him, “I already forgot
your last name” so don’t worry 🙂
I think he was kind of shocked
I didn’t know who he was. I made
him feel better by saying, “hey,
I don’t even know how to use
an IPOD either.”
He felt better and was kind of happy
I didn’t really know who he was. His wife
had bipolar disorder. She left. He was destroyed.
He was one of those that said, “I will
pay you anything to help.” I told him,
that’s not necessary. I told him
to get my course. He did. He used
my f.ree consultation certificate
that came with my course for NON
legal and NON medical questions because
I am NOT a doctor, therapist or lawyer.
He went through the course. Then contacted
me with a plan. I helped him modify it
slightly.
After two months, the plan worked. She
went into treatment. It was really nice,
she found out later I helped him. She called
and left a voicemail saying thanks. That
was nice that the person with bipolar
thanked me.
Anyway, there have been others. I would
never run around and make a big deal
for some F.ree PR or something.
Anyway, I think when it’s all said
and done, very few people understand bipolar
disorder.
Maybe Dr. Phil thinks he does. From what
I can see, he doesn’t. The reason why
I know it so well, my mom has it, I have
many people who work for me who have
it and I have done so much research
into it.
Anyway, hope you learned something today.
I am sure I will get some hate mail from
people saying I am exploiting Britney
Spears but I am not. Just trying to
teach some things.
Hey, I have to run. Let me know what
you think on my blog below. Catch you tomorrow.
Your Friend,
Dave
P.S. Want your own copy of these daily bipolar
emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3
P.P.S. 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
P.P.P.S. 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/
P.P.P.P.S 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
Thanks for sending that email about Britney Spears. That was one of the reasons I was searching bipolar again. My son is bipolar, diagnosed and it seems that everytime I turn on the tv, they are talking about someone else who did something irrational or bad and their tagline is of course we believe they are bipolar. I as caregiver was getting depressed. I need to see some positive things, my son needs to know that there is a positive, that life is going to get better. We’ve gone through so much the last 3 years that we’re finally hitting that part where life is kinda normal. Not the old normal but the new and hearing people being called bipolar b/c they’ve flipped out for awhile and labeling them at the drop of a hat doesn’t help the kids who are bipolar. My son is still at that time in treatment where he doesn’t think he has a problem, that doctors just need to label you with something. So the Britney thing doesn’t help, he already thought she was just a screwed up person. I don’t want him to think that he is screwed up too.
Hopefully With Britney’s situation, bipolar or not, some positive attention will be given to this disorder to help all involved better understand and get the proper help. Too bad she my be used in the process. Very devastating disorder!
i am suffering now with my bipolar.i take all my meds and iam very depressed.i talk to my doc and social worker all the time but i can’t leave my apt.i am afraid something bad will happen.i have huge internet e-bay shopping sprees and running out of control.can somebody help me.
thanks-steve
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dave,
Thanks for your words about Britney Spears. On the hotmail home page yesterday was a headline that read, “Britney Spears: Mentally Ill or Diva?”
I completely agree with your comments about Dr Phil. Whatever happened to client confidentiality???? It’s the wrong kind of attention that Britney seems to be getting.
As a celebrity, you give up a lot of your privacy. But that is just ridiculous! I truly feel bad for her that her family would choose to publicly share whatever she seems to be going through.
Juliet
Dave, you hit the nail right on the head! NOBODY, at this point can say whether or not Brittney is bipolar. It really irritates me when i hear people say ” oh,he/she must be bipolar”. Getting the correct diagnosis took a long time for me, and for several “qualified” physicians. NOBODY but a psychiatrist can accurately make this pronouncement!
I love your newsletters, keep up the great work you are doing.You are educating the world about this frequently misunderstood condition, and god knows this world needs it!!!! God bless you and your staff……..Mark
Steve, you really need to disclose the information about your spending sprees to your doctor! I was in the same mess you are-eBay is so bad for bipolar episodes!!! With the right adjustments to your meds, you can overcome the desire to do all the wild spending. I sincerely hope you get the help you need. I have been in your shoes, and there is hope!!!! Hang in there buddy, try to avoid ebay until you see your doctor.-Peace.
I really enjoy getting your’ emails. I discovered about 20 years ago that I had this disorder, and I’ve made so many mistakes, over, and over again, but your’ colums help me so much, you’ll never know. I am mid-fifties, and I am THE CARETAKER of my 90 year old mother, not easy, but that’s the way it is, but the articles I get from you get me through most of my days. Thanks so much.
Nita C
Thanks for sending the e-mail on Britney. First of all I do not know why Dr Phil calls himself a DR
he is a psychologist. I am bi-polar
and I would no wish it on my worst
enemy. If he was going to tape a show from her hospital that’s just sick. Granted I think she is train wreck however she is under a DOCTORS CARE. PHIL MCGRAW IS A STEP AWAY FROM BEING JERRY SPRINGER
First, let me say that testing lithium levels can be helpful in determining whether or not someone MAY have the bipolar disease.
Second, thank you for calling Dr. Phil out as he should be: as an exploitative GRANDSTANDER. I cannot believe all the hype on TV promos (mostly for the tabloid shows), that has probably been generated directly from the “Dr. Phil PR machine.” They act as though he was invited to Cedar’s and retained by Britney Spears herself when what he did was nothing short of blindsiding her in her time of fragility.
Every media outlet should unveil his tactics for the self-promoting schemes they are- where does his real concern lie? I know the answer!
I just think you are doing a great job. And feel this is your calling. The lord said when you have done it to the least of these , you have done it unto me. God bless you Dave. Trish
I think Dr. Phil was generally trying to help her. Brittany is a very popular celebrity and there is always a swarm of media surrounding her. So it is unavoidable that Dr. Phil just so happened to talk to the media. He did not revel anything that took place. he just confirmed what everybody else has been saying about her for the last year “She needs help”. I would never wish bipolar on anyone however if she does have the diease not being properly treated could deadly for her.
David,
I know I read somewhere lately that there is a man is suing Dr.Phil because he came as an audience member to his show and apparently everyone is required to fill out a form before hand that asks if they have any mental conditions. The man informed them that he was bi-polar. He was then instructed not to ask Dr. Phil or any of the guests any questions during the taping of the show. He was basically told that because he was bi-polar that he could not participate like the other audience members. This man is now taking Dr. Phil and his show to court and suing them and I hope he wins big. I think that given the fact that Dr. Phil is a psychologist, his discriminating against this man who was diagnosed with this disorder under treatment is unconscionable. I wish I had saved the link to this but I know I read it on a news site. Thought you might like to know this. It would not surprise me if Dr. Phil made such a public display of this visit to Britney to attempt to influence the jury pool that he is a great guy who has compassion for people with bi-polar disorder. Makes you think doesn’t it?
Thanks for the information on Britney Spears. I feel that every one was with her when she was popular but no one wants to be with her now that she is going through a crises.She is only human and has feelings that can be hurt as well as any one else. I only hope by the grace of god she gets the help she deserves. Then get back on her feet and find out who her friends really are. She was and always will be a great person down deep. Thanks Sharon
HELLO DAVE,MY RESPONSE TO BRITNEY SPEARS IS THIS,SHE IS A VERY GOOD ARTIST WITH MUSIC,BRITNEY NOT TO BLAME FOR HER ACTING UP,SHE WANTS TO LIVE HER ON LIFE,SHE HAS VERY CONTROLLING PARENTS,WHO WANTS TO DEAL WITH OTHER THINGS BESIDES HER ( his)CHILDREN MR.PHIL IS NOTHING MORE THAN A TV HOST,I HAVE DEALT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER ALL OF MY LIFE WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND DO I THINK BRITNEY HAS A BIPOLAR DISORDER,(MAYBE)I THINK HER PROBLEMS GO DEEPER THAN THAT;WHAT I SEE IS NEGATIVE PEOPLE NEWS MEDIA TALK SHOW HOSTS JEALOUS PEOPLE,DESTROYING A AMERICAN TO MAKE A BUCK,THAT IS A UGLY THING TO DO;IAM NO DR OR TV HOST BUT I HAVE HAD YEARS OF DEALING WITH PEOPLE WITH THIS DISORDER,DOES BRITNEY HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER SHE COULD HAVE BUT I REALLY DONT THINK SO. HAVE A GREAT DAY
That was really good artical on Britney Spears. We all don’t know if she is Bipolar unless she gets the proper medical attition. She could also be looking for attition.
I always thought she was not normal in alot of ways. There is alot of things that she did I don’t agree on. She is pretty screwed up.
Sometime I think that my son is just looking for attition, and using the term Bipolar Disorder for a crutch..He really needs to be reavaluated but he refuses to go. We tryed talking to him and so does his girlfriend even tryed. He is almost 19 we can’t force him to go…
Well thanks for all your information it was a great help.
God bless
Connie
Hello Dave,
How Ya doing?I am doing so-so.thanks for the e-mail.i did find it informative and you just seem to speak in a comforting manner.if that makes sense.i kno i usually don’t make sense.least thats what peoples tell me.i have ALOT on my plate and it just seems like it stays full and i sure wish someone would empty it off sometime.about Brittany S.i really like her alot and i do watch the news to see if anything new has happened to her.i wish her all the best.and i hope she seeks help because if not, she may not have her children in her life and then she may lose all control of what little hope she has.i myself am now 47 and when i was young and wild and did all the things that she is doing, i too had a baby, little girl, always wated a daughter and i almost lost her at birth, she was premature, so i fought like hell to keep her and she made it and grew and had absoluteley NO problems! i was very lucky.and i thank god for his healing hand in helping.i really hope that someone helps her to get her life and herself back together .i miss her and her music very much.although i may not be here to listen to her for very long.i do not want to live my life no more.i have come to terms with dying and my health and i am ready.and if it doesn’t happen soon, i will honestly make it happen myself and trust me with ALL the MED i am on , i can make it happen quick.i am disabled and i used to be in nursing, i loved it, i went to work every day, and i went to work for the patients and not the money, i miss my job, but i can no longer work.i am just an all round loser and it has to end.SOON !!!!!!! anyway, Dave i liked the e-mail and please send me more.ty again…take care of you for me.
sincerly,
I think that Dr. Phil just walking into Britney’s hospital room was DEAD WRONG. The girl is in enough torment, and to have this self-styled behavior-guru approach her at her most vulnerable, is just plain WRONG.
Either the parents, or Dr. Phil himself, should have at least alerted Britney that he was coming, not spring it on her in the hospital, for Heaven’s sake. If Dr. Phil (or any other celebrity) had accosted me while I was being evaluated as a danger to myself or others, I would do EXACTLY as Britney did, and walk out on him. This is just NOT professional behavior – this is, pure and simple, for personal, monetary gain. And to think – he wanted to put the FAMILY on his talk show!
It would be nice if there were a blood test or an X-ray to diagnose bipolar disorder, but since there is NOT, the evaluation by a good, qualified psychiatrist is ESSENTIAL. Sometimes, as with other disorders, a WRONG diagnosis is made – either pro or con – of bipolar disorder. Yes, behavior is one such “marker” for the illness; but some “normal” people act “crazy,” as you say, and they are NOT bipolar. It takes an extremely knowledgeable doctor to separate the person from the bipolar.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love them; I will keep you in my prayers.
Well, this could be confusing. I see there is another Becky here now. I have only posted once, a couple of days ago, and I spoke of the man whom I support, and I called him “R”. I will identify myself as “BB” so that the two Beckys are not confused.
Dave, you and I must be watching different channels. Not once have I seen Dr. Phil say anything inappropriate about Britney Spears. In fact, repeatedly I have seen him refuse to divulge any information about her. I haven’t heard him call her bipolar, either. I keep seeing clips of him saying that he will not discuss her. I don’t have cable, so maybe they are only showing the more detailed clips on cable?
I like Dr. Phil most of the time, and I don’t think he needs any publicity. He is wildly popular and if he is out of line with Britney, I am surprised! I can’t imagine him taping his session with her and broadcasting it, and as you have seen, he didn’t.
I think most of what is being said is speculation and plain ol’ B.S. And I mean about Britney AND Dr. Phil. Don’t you? The media is feeding us what they want us to have, what they want us to believe.
Other Becky — I have heard that story, too, about the bipolar man in Dr. Phil’s audience. You know what? It’s Dr. Phil’s show. He clearly states, time and time again, that he does not deal with the problems of the diagnosed mentally ill. He is trying to help the masses. He is trying to provide help to people with regular, every day problems that could befall any of us. He is NOT, however, trying to take on the complexities of a person with a diagnosed mental condition on an hour long show. That is not something that he wants to tackle on television. He tells his audience members that and he tells his guests that. The man in the audience knew that.
When he has a mother with a child that she claims is ADD or some such thing, he always sends the child to a specialist to be evaluated. Dr. Phil would like to keep things simple enough (I believe) to help normal people. I don’t say this to insult anyone, and I am very sensitive to the needs of someone with bipolar disorder. God knows I have ridden the bipolar roller coaster from hell with the man that I care about, just as you all have …. yet that doesn’t mean that I am naive enough to believe that the entire world is going to open it’s heart and arms to the mentally ill. It is not going to happen.
And although it may seem to some of you (judging from your posts) that everyone is sick, the truth is that most people are not. I am not. The kind of day-to-day problems that most of Dr. Phil’s guests have are interesting to me because they are normal problems of the normal people.
Bipolar Disorder, as with all mental conditions, changes everything. I can totally understand Dr. Phil not wanting to complicate things by trying to deal with mental illness on his regular daily show. Nor fend questions of the mentally ill in his audience.
As for Britney Spears? Perhaps in good conscience, Dr. Phil could not stand by and watch, again, as one of these public women self-destructs right before our eyes. Does everyone remember Anna Nicole Smith?! It was apparent that she wouldn’t last much longer. Her motley crew of yes-men allowed her to die. Maybe Dr. Phil just wanted to make sure Britney’s yes-men didn’t do the same.
Thanks Dave for all your time and work. I know my 35 year old daughter has bi-polar as I insisted a few years that her doctor tell me what was wrong, which as he,s not suppose to due to her being an adult. I said oh due to her drug abuse, no she had to be born with this, but drugs and alcohol make it worse. Right after that Ohphara had as how on this and it fit Lorena to a tee. I always called her difficult. My mom died two years ago and I met and became best friends with her. She has a daughter just like mine, her mom has mild issues and one brother. So we compare notes on how to handle how negative and nasty they can be and how to help and still love them. We know it came from our great grandparents and that is a horrendous story! My daughter is very intelligent. A caring nurses aide who is excellent with her patients. She also has a 6th sense, we both do and see the other demension most people are scared of. Your info is helping and I am passing it on to Cel, who teaches special kids and to my grandaughters who need to understand better also. They are just entering their teens and life with mom is difficult. I love my daughter, but do not like her and right now she hates me! Diane
To CATWOMAN: PLEASE call your doctor/psychiatrist/therapist; or, if you can’t reach them – PLEASE go to the Emergency Room and get evaluated. You sound like you’re too close to “ending it all,” and you desperately need HELP.
Suicide is NEVER the answer to a person with bipolar disorder. It leaves those behind with all sorts of guilt-trips and remorse. It sounds as if you raised your daughter the best way you knew how – can you imagine how SHE would feel if you took your own life?
I have both physical and mental issues; I am having surgery tomorrow on my lower back, and I take morphine and Percocet for the pain. I am also a person with bipolar, and am taking Depakote, Zyprexa, PaxilCR and Valium.
There is ALWAYS hope – if you can’t see it now, perhaps your professional supporters WILL help you. Just DON’T do anything stupid!!
Your friend (and I CARE),
SuzanneWA
I’m not sure if britney does have bipolar or not and if dr.phil is helping or not. Although i do think that all the media etc. attention is not helping her, her family, and anyone else involved. I think the media should leave her alone and let her and the people closest to her deal with whatever problems she does or doesn’t have on her own. THAT’S MY OPINION……
This is BB again~
Btw, Dave, I can’t thank you enough for all that you do. And personally, although I don’t think your main motivation is making money, I hope that you are making a boat load. Everyone has to make a living, and how wonderful that you have been able to combine your desire to help, with your need and desire to make a living. I think you rock!
HEY SUZANNE,
TY, FOR ANSWERING.AND TY FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.I AM JUST USELESS AND HOPELESS.I MYSELF HAVE A LOWER BACK CONDITION AND I USED TO TAKE ZYPREXA BUT ONE OF MY MANY DOCTORS TOOK ME OFF AND I HAVE NOT BEEN RIGHT SINCE.I JUST CAN NOT TAKE IT ANYMORE.I HAVE NO ONE TO TALK TO.AND I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO BURDEN ANYONE WITH MY WHINING SO THIS WAY I WILL BE GONE WITHOUT BOTHERING ANYONE.I HAVE SO MANY HEALTH ISSUES BESIDES BIPOLAR THAT I CAN NOT EVEN LAUGH ABOUT IT ANYMORE, NOT THAT I EVER DID. BUT NOW I AM AT A STAND STILL .MY PAIN MGM DOC SAYS THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO FOR ME BESIDES KEEP ME MEDICATED AND STUFF.I ALSO HAVE A BUTT LOAD OF BREATHING PROBLEMS AND I HAVE CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER ANDI HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK AND ON AND ON IT GOES.I AM JUST REAL TIRED .I WANT IT TO END. SO IF TE DOCS DON’T DO IT. I WILL SOON.JUST NEED TO TIE UP A FEW LOOSE ENDS AND ……. BUT TY FOR LISTENING TO MY WHINING..IF YOU WANT TO E-MAIL ME BACK I WILL ANSWER YOU. YOU SOUND LIKE A REALLY GREAT PERSON. WISH I WOULD HAVE TIME TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU.
HUGS
B
DR PHILL HE IS A THERAPIST NO A MEDICAL DR GO TO HIS WEBSITE
HE DOES NOT HAVE THE PRIVILAGE OF USING DR IN FRONT OF HIS NAME
Hey “B” saw your e-mail to catwoman, I will talk to you, kermodiebear@uniserve.com
To CATWOMAN: PLEASE, again, I BEG you – don’t do ANYTHING until you talk to SOMEONE in a professional authority who CAN help you. NOTHING is as bad as it seems once you get a different perspective on it.
I am SURE your daughter would NOT want this to happen to you. There are a LOT of people who love and care for you, me included. I, too, have more health problems than I mentioned before, but have been able to maintain a positive attitude through interaction with a GREAT therapist.
If you WILL, call your lovely daughter and talk to her. Otherwise, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM and explain how you’re feeling RIGHT NOW. I’ve lost a few VERY good friends this way – and I DON’T want to lose YOU!!!
Please write back on this blog with your email address, and DON’T do anything until I hear from you.
Hoping and wishing the best for you. I am praying HARD for you. God bless you real good, girl.
SuzanneWA
To Catwoman, Listen to Suzanne, there are lots of us who do not want you to take this step! I have lost friends this way and it hurts! I also have health issues and sympathize with your pain. All that Suzanne says is true and you can talk to me also, Diane kermodiebear@uniserve.com
First, I think it’s utterly outrageous to put ads like you describe in the email to promote a website. How sick can some people get? Britney should have every right to sue them.
I can’t comment on Dr. Phil, as I don’t know much about him. However, he may well be one of those cashing in on famous people’s misfortune to become rich and famous himself.
As you say, bipolar disorder is extremely complex and not so easy to diagnose. I am totally convinced that my ex-husband has bipolar disorder, although he was never diagnosed as he refused to see a doctor. He has nearly all of the common bipolar symptoms: addictions (not drugs), delusions, reckless spending, promiscuous affairs, full of energy after just 3 hours sleep and on the other end of the scale sleeping 12 hours, feeling hopeless, worthless and undeserving of love. He never threatened suicide though, and if he had, he may have been forced into treatment.
It was when I got to know my current boyfriend who has bipolar disorder (well controlled with the right medicine now) and found how very similar the two are, that I became even more certain that my ex has the condition. Then I started reading your emails and now I’m totally convinced. My ex-husband and I are keeping in touch as friends and I’m constantly hoping that one day he is going to accept the help he needs, not for me but for his own sake.
Dear Catwoman, If you have no other friends at present, we on this blog, will be your friends. In my experience, animals, trees, flowers also have tremendous uplifting powers. Maybe you are called Catwoman because you are fond of cats. A cat sitting on your lap purring its little heart out can be very comforting. Buy scented flowers and essential oils and candles which are uplifting. Go for a walk in a wood or park and listen to the birds. Have a long hot relaxing bath. Watch a funny dvd or read a funny story. When you’re down the only way is up. Don’t ever give up, know that you are not alone and there are people who care.
When reading this I thought about how important the one thing that you said was It is very Important for people and families to know where to go for help the right help that is and for people who do not have any knowledge on Bi-Polor and they are trusting a primary care Dr. or one that just doesn’t care they may never get anywhere it may just get worse. I had a very hard time with my children one is now diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder and one has Asbergers which is a form of autism but for a few years I was told that both of them had ADHD and when it started to get worse I was told that it was also ODD and I really didn’t even know where to turn every place I went I couldn’t seem to get the right help and the sad part is that I work at a place where we take care of people with several differnt mental and physical problems so I just knew that it wasn’t right but didn’t know where to turn until one day someone told me to go to the phycoligist and that is the key he directed me and all the right directions wrap around services home theropy at home and services for school and phyciatrist
If there is anyone out there in the same boat I was a few years ago I really and truely hope that that one small piece of information can help someone else because it changed all of our lives 900% It was to the point I didn’t even think we were going to be able to safely keep my children at home with out having us or someone completely 1:1 with them now my son is a honor student ..
Boring, boring boring. I am really tired of these spoiled celebs. I hoped your newsletters would be educational and convince me to purchase one of your courses. It hasn’t happened yet! Your content doesn’t sound very intelligent. I don’t mean to be critical or harsh, I guess I am just frustrated. My son’s bipolar on and off girlfriend is destroying his life. She refuses to take her meds because she doesn’t like how they make her feel. She has been on lithium and depakote. He says he doesn’t love her but can’t abandon her. He has lost his home and business trying to help her. HE needs help. We have tried but I think he feels we are picking on her and we are at a point we can not discuss her with him.
BB here~
Wow Granny, no wonder your son won’t listen to you. You sound pretty nasty. Your son is an adult, is he not? And he’s not mentally ill, so maybe you should consider minding your own business. I’d lay odds you are making the situation only worse. And yes you do, too, mean to sound harsh and critical.
And before everyone jumps on me, I don’t think it’s any worse calling someone “nasty” than it is to say Dave’s “content does not sound very intelligent.” And actually, I wanted to call her something even “harsher and more critical”, but I wasn’t sure if I could curse in this blog.
Sheesh. You remind me of a lot of other self-righteous people.
Hey Becky, I was going to comment on granny,s remarks, but you said it all well. My daughter is like granny,s son,s lady. I know how frustrating it is for family and friends dealing with loved ones with bi-polar. My daughter disrupts everyone she can get in her path when she,s on a roll, starting with her doctor and staff and then all she can get to stay on phone or computor until they,ve had enough and cut her off. I love her but I don,t like her, and I try to listen and not set her off more, which is difficult. It is a very tough love situation. I worry one day I,ll get the call that she has ended her life and she has 3 beautiful children, lots to live for! Right now she hates me, again. If you,ve got some good answers I,d love to listen, for me, my grandkids and my cousin who has a daughter similar to mine. Diane
To Catwomen,
Please hang in there.My wife is Bipolar and I am working with her on getting better.I had severe depression 6 years ago and felt exactly as you do now–medicine not helping,helpless and not not knowing why I have to suffer like this and that ending it is the only way out.My wife (who is Bipolar today) got me to go seek profesional medical help and today I am still on medication but enjoying this life that God has given us.I read this blog for the first time today and can see that there are people on here that really care for you.I would like to be added to that list as I really wish and pray that you will get help and start enjoying life again because it is here to be enjoyed.
I think Britney Spears is Bipolar. I know the signs, I’m one.
Marie
Wow! This is a pretty emotional day here on the blog. I love how people with bipolar disorder REALLY care for each other.
CATWOMAN: Several people have reached out to you here, and so do I. I have been in that deep, deep hole of depression and hopelessness, and was convinced I’d never come out – but I did. I really hope that you will contact Suzanne. She’s very smart and caring. Everything she says is absolutely right. I used to be a psychiatric nurse. Suicide is a tragic and unnecessary PERMANENT solution to a temporary problem. I know you think your problem is permanent, and the physical problems you’re having may be, but your most urgent problem right now is DEPRESSION, whether you realize it or no. And depression IS treatable. I promise you it is. Please, PLEASE, get some professional psychiatric help. You can e-mail me, too. Suzanne will tell you how. I care too. You are a valuable person. Just DON’T do anything. You may think that your thinking is clear, but it isn’t – it’s clouded by depression. You can get through this. You may need a med change. Or maybe a different therapist. God Bless you – I will pray for you.
Fondly, Sue H
STEVE:
I’m so sorry you’re feeling so badly right now. Just as I told Catwoman, there is a way out. It seems that the treatment you have right now isn’t working, and I think that maybe a change in treatment is needed. I would definitely try a med change. And, while your social worker may be nice, maybe she isn’t what you need right now. I HIGHLY recommend cognitive thinking. Steve, I know exactly how you feel.
I have been paralyzed by depression before myself. It IS treatable, and it WILL improve. Hang in there, okay? I’m praying for you, too.
God Bless, Sue H
Dave, thanks again for another great blog. No one really knows what’s going on with poor Britney, and we can only hope that SHE will become motivated to get help, because no one can make her. I do think she’s in grave danger. But on the subject of Dr. Phil… IF her family asked him to see her, I believe he was well-intentioned by going to the hospital. But she should have been told ahead of time, and if she didn’t want to see him herself, then he should have stayed away. I happen to be a fan of his; he picks up on things very quickly and I think he’s brilliant. But he’s very busy with his full-time work with his show, and he knows it. I know he wouldn’t offer to treat her himself. If you watch his show, he ALWAYS refers people who need help to Dr.’s or therapists or whatever they need. The great thing about him is that he knows who the good professionals are. Too many of these celebrities go to treatment centers that are a joke, and, as we all know, many people with mental illness have experiences with unqualified or uncaring professionals. Britney needs, first, a psychiatrist who can make the correct diagnosis. It’s complicated with a substance abuse problem; that may need to be treated first (and Dr. Phil knows what the really good treatment centers are, and where they are). Let us all hope that Britney will reach out, find the right kind of help. So far she’s resisting. And let’s pray for those poor children.
SUZANNE: Wonderful comments. I really hope she takes your words to heart and listens to you. You are so caring and compassionate… “God Bless you real good….”
Love, Susie
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wow again,lol, I,m new to this site and do not have bi-polar but my adult daughter does and some of other family members and we are fairly new at realizing this or how to help and still love them! Again, Catwoman I hope your paying attention, see how many care and Sue,H. says it totally correctly. I smiled when Steve talked about compulsive spending, because my daughter does that all the time. Ohpara taught me that was a bi-polar trait. I thought my daughter was irresponsible, but I do know that going out and buying something new helps make a person feel good when having a blue moment, mostly a woman thing,lol, so it fits as bi-polar people have lots of blue moments. Don,t feel bad Steve you just need to find help on how to control this. I also like Dr. Phil and like how Sue H. put it. I am sorry to BritS problems are being made so public like they always do to famous people. AND Dave you are great with what you are doing, thank-you. I pray for all of you with your struggle with bi-polar and for those around you to learn to be more understanding and helpful, which is what Dave is trying to do. I am always open to talk to any of you, Diane Kermodiebear@uniserve.com God Bless
NIGTLADY:YES, I AM CALLED CATWOMAN BCAUSE I DO LOVE CATS.ESPECIALLY BIG CATS BUT I HAVE MY “OLD MAN” CAT.HAVE HAD HIM FOR 12 YRS AND IF HE COULD TALK, WOO HOO..AND HE DOES BRING ME LOTS OF COMFORT. AS FOR GOING FOR WALKS. I STAY INSIDE FOR THE MOST PART UNLESS I GO TO THE DOCS OR THE GROCERY STORE, YOU KNOW NEC. THINGS.I DON’T GO NO WHERE ELSE.I STAY HOME AND IN MY ROOM. I AM COMFORTABLE THERE.I GET REALLY SCARED AND NERVOUS TO GO ANYWHERE, I KNOW SOUNDS REALLY CRAZ HUH?BUT THATS ME.ANYWAY, I AM JUST AT THE END,I WROTE A FEW OF MY “G’BYE” LETTERS TO CERTAIN PEOPLES AND I HAVE ENDS TO TIE UP BUT AFTER THAT ….I HAVE EVEN CONTACTED THE PEOPLES WHO I FORGET THE WORD BUT THEY HELP PEOPLE DIE WITH DIGNITY WHO CAN’T DO IT THEMSELVES OR ARE AFRAID TO DO IT THEMSELVES AND I GOT A COUPLE OF ANSWERS FROM THEM TOO.
TY FOR THE ANSWER AND TAKE CARE OF YOU 4 ME
CATWOMAN
(BB here~)
Catwoman! If you leave, who is going to take care of your cat? Who is going to love him as much as you do? Nobody. He is only 12. My cat lived to be over 18. Are you going to kill him, too? Of course not!
And like everyone here has said, it always gets better. You can’t just quit. This is LIFE, not a job at BiMart. You can’t quit! It always gets better. There is no where to go but up, when you’re down! Remember?
You need to call your doctor immediately. You are talking nonsense and I’m not sick, I’m perfectly well, and I know sick talk when I hear it. You’re just sick right now.
You owe it to yourself, and to the people that love you. You owe it to your cat, who is always there for you. Sorry for the guilt trip, but it’s true.
You must call your doctor immediately. Please.
And Catwoman? I only say these things because I care. We all do. You are a fellow human being in obvious pain. We just don’t want you to give up and miss out on your own life.
Dear Catwoman, I love all anamals and raise siamese, plus I am a leo,lol I wonder how old you are? I,m 61 and with all you,ve said I get the feeling your up there, but still too young to end your life!!! Your woo hoo comment reminds me of my daughter, who always says that. The fact that you are afraid to go out makes me wonder if your not suffering from begining stages of dememtia, or it is depression, surely you can see so many of us want you to stay alive and fight to get over your obstickles, forgive my spelling. I hope those people who help people die with dignity recognise you don,t fit their criteria and if they help you could and should go to jail! You can get help with your lonelyness, people will come to help you with that you just have to hold out your hand, we are waiting patiently for you to do so, please don,t do this, Diane
DEAR GLEN,
TY, .YOUR WORDS WERE SO VERY KIND KIND THAT I HAD A CRY FEST NOW I AM CLEAR EYED ENOUGH TO ANSWER.I HAVE ALOT O SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT I AM SLOWLY DYING FROM.I AM READY NOW.I DO NOT WANT TO LINGER ON AND SUFFER LIKE I AM .I JUST HAVE NO HOP AND TODAY HAS BEEN A VERY BAD DAY. I WOKE UP AND DID NOT EVEN WANT TO MOVE AND I EVEN CALLED SOMEONE I KNEW TO SEE IF I COULD BORROW THEIR GUN, BUT AS YOU SEE THEY WERE NOT HOME.I HAVE NO CLUE FROM ONE MINUTE TO THE NEXT WHAT TO DO OR THINK.
To Sue H. Catwoman just e-mailed me with her addy, she wants to talk to you,, call me, don,t want to post her addy without permission, Diane kermodiebear@uniserve.com
SUZANNE WA Catwoman wantsto talk to you and has given me her e-mail addy, Diane kermodiebear@uniserve.com didn,t want to post it without her permission, talking to her whilewaiting to hear from you, or trying to
Suzanna WH, catwoman wants to talk to you, she e-mail me, my e-mail is kermodiebear@uniserve.com
DAVID: You are right again! The only way to find out if someone is a BiPolar is by Hospitalization (out of the outside enviroment)and to be assessed by the professionals in the Hostital. Now that could be a regular hospital with a Mental Health floor – which is usually all locked up and on the top floor of the Hospital. Or in an institution for Mental Health that we have in Canada like Penetang. They assess people there all the time. The Professionals also try out different medications in the Hospitals where the patient is watched very closely – because that is how I found out I was a BiPolar. I went Manic on someone and had to be restrained and then given the old “needle in the butt” sort of thing; in the meantime the guy that was given the new medication ‘flipped out’ and the male nurses had to put him in the “bubble room”. That is a room where they put freaked out people until they calm down. It’s all padded of course so no one can hurt themselves. As far a Britney goes – that is what has to happen to her. and she will be sent to a “very private” place that just deals with Mental disorders! I can’t believe Dr. Phil would even attempt to go and see her. He is more a family councillor than anything else. He wouldn’t know a BiPolar if he tripped over one! These Mental Health places also deal with schizophrenia. And believe me there is one hell of a difference between the two disorders. Todays society has gotten way out of hand at “labeling” people with a Mental Disorder! If you are seen doing something out of the ordinary then your ‘labeled’! Why? I suppose it is because it is not “politically correct” to be doing odd things. As a BiPolar I always tell people exactly ‘like it is’ – of course they don’t like that. But I can’t help it. That’s the way I see it and it is the TRUTH. Now, everybody knows that telling someone the truth is a ‘no – no’. I suppose that is why BiPolars don’t have many friends. Britney has FANS they aren’t friends. She probably hasn’t had a darn good chat with a girlfriend in a very long time. And problem build up in all of us. Also the pressure of being famous is enough to drive someone “nuts”! Not BiPolar – just nuts!!! BiPolar Disorder is an imbalance in the brain chemicals. It has been proven that some BiPolars have the ability to use a lot more of the two halfs of the brain making then very smart to genious even. And that is a scientific fact. Some of the Stars have even come forward and said to the Late Night Talk Show Hosts that they are BiPolar – like Robin Williams. He said he would have never made it to where he is today if he had said something years ago about it – like when he started out on TV in Mork and Mindy! And look how many movies he has done! So, I wish all people would keep their comments to themselves and lets “us” be. The world would be a happier place to live in!
LYNN SHEDLER