Bipolar Supporter Blog

Hi,

How’s it going?

Sorry, this didn’t send. I have no idea why.

Anyway, it’s late.

I hope you are doing well.

Here’s the bipolar news. Sorry I am sending it on Saturday not Friday. We will be back to the schedule  tomorrow.

Anyway, here is today’s news.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews410

Screening hot line, Web site can help with holiday blues
DO> Have you see this?

Calmer child comes with a price: side effects
DO> Great article.

Meds Dispensed Freely For Mentally Ill Children
DO> Hmm. Do you agree with this?

Older Americans Take Risky Combo Of Medications
DO> This is so true.

Family Honored For Overcoming Challenges
DO> Great article, what do you think?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews410

==>Help with ALL aspects of bipolar disorder<<==

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp

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.

Hi,

Hope things are going well for you. And I hope

you had a great Christmas if you celebrate it.

I know someone who loves to do those Jumble Puzzles. You know, the ones that are in the Sunday comics?

Where each word is jumbled and you have to unscramble it, then take the circled letters from each word and  put them together in the right order to solve the riddle? People say I’m smart just because I have a degree from Yale, but I think this girl is really, really smart.

She can figure out this Jumble Puzzle sometimes in less than 10 minutes! And I sure can’t do that!

That’s like doing the Sunday Times Puzzle in ink, and those people amaze me, too!

Anyway, I asked this girl how come she’s so good at solving these puzzles and how she can do them so fast.

And she told me it’s because she looks for patterns in the words – like (-ing), (th-), (-er), (-ed), etc.

And that got me thinking…

I know it seems funny how I could relate the Sunday Jumble Puzzle to bipolar disorder, but it was what she said about patterns that made me make the connection.

Now, each person is different, which is why I list out all the signs/symptoms of bipolar disorder, as well as the triggers to episodes in my courses/systems:

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
So, since each person is different, your loved one is not going to have every sign/symptom of bipolar disorder.

BUT…

They are going to have patterns.

There are patterns to the behavior of a person with bipolar disorder.

These patterns are even chartable.

For your loved one, I suggest keeping a daily mood chart. There is a really good one available online at:
www.moodchart.org.

This records their daily mood, number of hours of sleep, whether they feel anxious and/or irritable, and even gives them a space to record their thoughts or any specific events that happened that day that might have affected them.

This way, they (and you) can notice patterns as they emerge, and get help before an episode occurs.

They can even print out the chart and take it to their doctor/psychiatrist.

For you, I suggest doing the same thing in maybe a journal or notebook.

Record the same things as your loved one would record on their mood chart.

Note any things you observe, like behavioral changes, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, change in sleep habits, anything happening in their life that might affect their mood, etc.

Take special care to look for patterns in their behavior (especially negative ones or ones that are out of the ordinary).

For example, if you note that your loved one has only been sleeping for 6 hours a night (the usual is 8-9 hours) and that this has been going on for 4 or 5 nights in a row, that’s a pattern you should be concerned about. Or if you’ve been noting irritability and/or anxiety for 5 or 6 days in a row, that’s another pattern to be concerned about.

Especially if you’ve noting in your “Comments” section that your loved one has been under stress, or that  there have been stressful events happening in their life.

If you do see patterns like these emerge, they could be signs of an episode about to happen, so you need to take them seriously.

First, talk to your loved one about it. They may be noticing the same patterns on their own mood chart.

Encourage them to get help – to talk to their psychiatrist (they may just need a medication adjustment)  and/or their
therapist about it.

If you find your loved one reluctant or unwilling to talk to their psychiatrist or therapist about these patterns, see if you can call for them.

But the worst thing you can do is to do nothing.

Left unchallenged, these patterns will most likely lead to a bipolar episode.

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
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.

Hi,

Hope you’re having a great day!

Christmastime is a great time for many people, but not always for a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder.

Sometimes, at this time of year, you seem to have the hardest job of all.

With all the stress of the holidays, some people with bipolar disorder get stressed, and tend to show signs and symptoms of their disorder more often than not, and it’s your job to notice these and to keep your loved one from going into a mini-episode, or even a full-blown episode.

During this time of the year, the hospitals are full of people with bipolar disorder more than at any other time, because all the excitement of the holidays cause them to go into a manic episode (especially because all that spending on Christmas presents may turn into “excessive spending.”)

And excessive spending is one of the symptoms of a manic episode that I talk about it my systems and courses listed 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

Still, there’s something important I want to remind you today:

Remember to separate your loved one from their disorder, especially on Christmas.

Let today be a good day for the both of you.

Let today be one day full of happiness.

I’m not saying to let their signs/symptoms get out of control.

I’m not saying to let them go into an episode.

I’m not saying to stop being vigilant.

What I am saying is to try to enjoy Christmas.

To remember what this day is all about.

And it’s not about the presents.

It’s not even about the family gatherings.

Because that’s one area where you especially may need to be understanding about. Your loved one may be feeling a little anxious about being around all those people, even if they are just family.

Be compassionate about this, if it is the case. If you do go, try to stay for as short a time as possible to reduce your loved one’s stress and anxiety.

Then spend the rest of the day just the two of you.

Try to stay in the holiday spirit.

And, above all…

Have a very Merry Bipolar Christmas!

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
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.

Hi,

How’s it going?

I have been really sick over the last couple of days. I hope that I get better by Christmas.

I am going to take it easy today but wanted to send out this message.

I hope you’re doing well.

By now, everyone knows we’re in a global recession.

Millions of people have lost their jobs.

Banks are shutting down.

Businesses are closing their doors every day and going out of business.

Gas prices are sky high.

It’s nearly impossible to sell your house in today’s economy.

In fact, that seems to be the #1 thing on people’s minds today – How bad the economy is.

Well, sure, if you think on all the negative things I listed above (and I know it’s hard not to, with it all being in the news all the time staring you right in the face, and some of it happening directly to you).

But you have a choice. You do.

You can choose to be positive in a negative world.

In my courses/systems, I teach about having a positive attitude, no matter what the circumstances are that surround you:

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
Now, I’m not saying that you just ignore all these negative things. I know you can’t do that. You still have to be realistic. You still have to deal with high gas costs, etc.

But it’s your ATTITUDE I’m talking about here.

If you have a negative attitude, is it going to keep businesses from closing down?

If you have a negative attitude, is it going to put people to work?

Is a negative attitude going to lower gas prices?

Would your negative attitude help other people be positive in a global recession?

NO.

But your positive attitude might help that unemployed person get through another day. It might encourage them a little bit.

Your positive attitude at least will help your loved one to manage their bipolar disorder, and keep them from having a negative attitude.

A positive attitude in a negative world is not going to change that world, but it might help change the world around you just a little bit.

What do YOU think?
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
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.

Hi,

How’s it going?

You know, anyone can easily get caught up in the hustle of the holiday season and become obsessed with finding each person on their list the perfect gift.

But what about the person with bipolar disorder who has had problems with manic spending sprees in the past?

What can you, as a supporter, do to stay in control of the shopping this season? Here are some suggestions for both of you:

· Keep your perspective. Don’t get so caught up with finding the perfect gift for everyone that you become obsessive. It isn’t worth the anxiety or the checkbook balance.

· Spread out your shopping. Shopping ahead will minimize your holiday anxiety. Starting after Thanksgiving is a good idea. Take advantage of pre-holiday sales.

· Pick a budget and stick to it. If you have had a problem with manic overspending in the past, come up with a specific budget well before the holidays, and stick to it. This way you can spread out your finances.

· Shop together. Especially if you have had problems with overspending in the past – by shopping together, you can sort of “police” each other, watching your spending so that it is easier to stick to your budget and avoid impulse buying.

· Shop online. For people who have access to the Internet, online shopping has become a holiday favorite way to shop. It is less stressful and will help you to avoid the hassles of the mall. Just make sure that the supporter knows what the survivor is buying, and that it is still within your budget, so there is no overspending, because there is a threat of impulse buying when using the Internet.

· Use gift cards or gift certificates. Almost everyone loves getting a gift card or gift certificate. And these days, gift cards and gift certificates have become more personal and specific to the person – their own needs and likes. You can easily choose one that fits the person and where they shop, eat, etc.

· Make home-made coupon books This is a great idea, especially if you are on a limited budget. It’s also something that the two of you can work on together. Think of that single mom, who would love to have some free babysitting. Or that older couple who would love their driveway shoveled for them for free. These coupon books are even great gifts to make for each other!

In my courses/systems, I talk about how important it is to avoid stressful experiences, whether at holiday time or any time:

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
You don’t have to have a stressful shopping experience this holiday season.

Remember that holiday gifts are just a way to show the person that you care about them.

The gifts don’t have to be expensive.

They don’t have to be elaborate.

And remember to keep the other person in mind when you are shopping for them, and don’t stress yourself out looking for that “perfect” gift – they will appreciate any gift you give them.

The above are just some ideas.

I’m sure you can come up with more on your own.

Or if you have used some successfully in the past, I’d love to hear them.

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
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.

Hi,

I hope you’re having a great holiday season.

If you celebrate Christmas all done shopping?

Shockingly, I haven’t even started. I have been working so hard on so many things, I haven’t had time. I am going tomorrow.

Nothing like waiting until the last second, huh : )

I want to ask you a question:

What do you think is the greatest Christmas gift you could get for your loved one with bipolar disorder this year?

Take a guess, then scroll down for the answer.
Scroll down …

Keep scrolling…

No cheating!!!

Think you know what it is?
Keep scrolling to find out…
Ok, I’ll give you a hint.

The greatest Christmas gift you could get for your loved one this year is not something you can buy in a store.

Think you know now?

Then scroll down one more time…

Ok, I’ll tell you.

The greatest Christmas gift you could get for your loved one this year is the gift of being a good supporter to them.

It’s the gift of your love and understanding.

See? That’s something that, as the commercial says, is “priceless.”

Only you can do that for them.

And that means being a good supporter.

How can you do that?

If you’re a good supporter, you help your loved one manage their disorder.

You don’t let them skip their medication just because they’re “sick of taking it.”

You don’t let them stop seeing their doctor, psychiatrist, and/or therapist just because they “don’t feel like going.”

You don’t enable them when they can do those things perfect fine all by themselves. In other words, you are not their caretaker, mother, or babysitter, and you’re not afraid to tell them so.

You set boundaries, and you’re not afraid to stick to them.

You make them pay consequences to their actions from what they do when they’re in a bipolar episode.

And even though all these things sound so harsh and like negative things, they are all very important.

I go over all these things in my courses/systems, because they are all things that make up a good supporter.

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
You do all these things because you ARE a good supporter.

You do all these things because you know they are important to your loved one’s stability.

You do all these things because you want to help your loved one manage their bipolar disorder.

You do all these things because you LOVE your loved one.

Because you UNDERSTAND them. And that is your gift to them.

The gift of love and understanding.

A gift that no money could buy.

A gift that no one else could give them.

So remember that this Christmas.

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
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.

Hi,

How’s it going?

I wanted to bring up something today that I think you need to be prepared for in advance, and that is holiday let down in your loved one with bipolar disorder.

I don’t want to ruin your Christmas, and I do hope you have a really good one, but the more prepared for this you are, the better you will be able to cope with this when it happens after the holidays are over.

With all the festivities associated with the holiday season going on right now, your loved one might be acting pretty excited right now (but, hopefully, not manic).

And this will build up to Christmas and, if you’re lucky, even to New Year’s Day.

However, after the holidays are over, your loved one (and you) are bound to face holiday let down.

I just want you to be prepared in advance.

One of the things I talk about in my courses/systems is that sometimes something seems negative, but it really is a positive.

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
So don’t think this is a negative message. I just want you to be realistic, and I want you to be prepared.

After all the excitement of the holidays, with all the parties and gatherings, the presents… and after all the Christmas decorations are taken down and put away…

Your loved one may feel a sense of loss.

Any sense of loss to a person with bipolar disorder is a trigger to stress, which can lead to a mini-episode, or even a full-blown episode, if you don’t watch it.

That’s what I want you to be prepared for.

Think about all the other times your loved one has exhibited symptoms of their bipolar disorder after a relatively “normal” period of time, and don’t be caught by surprise at this time.

How did they act last year after the holidays were over?

Did they act let down?

Did they start sleeping more?

Did they mope around the house?

Did they start withdrawing from friends and family?

Did they lose interest in things that they used to take pleasure in?

What other “out of the ordinary” behaviors did they exhibit last year at this time?

Because these are all signs and symptoms of a bipolar depression.

And you might expect these behaviors to happen again.

Let me ask you this:

What have you tried in the past that has helped you cope and deal with your loved one’s holiday let down behavior?

It might work again.

If it has worked for you, please share it with us, so we can share it with others, as it might work for them, too.

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
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.

Hi,

How’s it going?

Hey I have to get going because I have to get all the snow off my car. It snowed like 10 inches or something.

Okay, so….

For most people, the holidays are a happy and exciting time.

They enjoy all the shopping, presents, decorating, visiting friends and family, gatherings and parties, and all the festivities that go along with the holidays around this time of year.

Even for some people who have bipolar disorder, it’s a happy and exciting time.

But for other people with bipolar disorder, it can be a very stressful time.

It can be anxious and overwhelming to them.

Like to my mom, for example.

This is the worst time of year for her.

This is the time when she traditionally goes into bipolar episodes.

But we know this, so we just watch her more closely. And she goes to more sessions with her doctor and therapist.

That way, we can avoid the episodes.

In my courses/systems, I go over the triggers of bipolar disorder, and these are things you should know  about your loved one:

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 noticed that last year around this time, for example, that your loved one became very stressful and anxious during the holidays, then this year you might want to watch them more closely now.

If going to gatherings and parties, even if they were with family, were a trigger for our loved one, then you might want to avoid these events, or at least only stay a short period of time.

If you notice other behavior out of the ordinary in your loved one, too, like that they are more irritable or short-tempered, then that might indicate that they are feeling more stress around the holidays.

If you notice that their sleeping habits have changed during this time of the year, then that could be another indication that they are feeling anxious or stressed.

If they are isolating, and don’t seem to want to go out at all, or don’t want to go Christmas shopping with you, then they might be feeling overwhelmed, another indication of holiday stress.

If you see any of these things happening in your loved one, then they might be indications that your loved one is feeling stressed about the holidays, instead of happy and excited.

If this is the case, then you should do what we do with my mom –

Just watch them closer for any signs or symptoms of depression, in case they might be going into a bipolar episode.

You might want to approach them about some extra sessions with their doctor, psychiatrist, and/or therapist as well, if you think it is serious enough.

Getting through the holidays is harder for some than others. If you see that it is harder for your loved one, think about what I’ve said above.

The main thing is keeping your loved one stable through the holidays.
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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.