Bipolar Disorder and Fishing

Hi,

Hey, how’s it going?

Actually my friend asked me if I wanted to go Deep Sea Fishing which I don’t ever do. I don’t really like to do it. Plus I have way too many things to do today.

But after he asked me, I was thinking about bipolar disorder and fishing.

I bet you’d never in a million years think that bipolar disorder could have anything to do with fishing, would you?

Well, let me show you how this guy who actually has bipolar disorder changed my mind.

This guy really likes to fish. He goes fishing wherever he goes.

So he was down in Florida on vacation, and he went on one of those excursion fishing trips where they take you night fishing out on the gulf.

Well, there was this one woman on the boat who’d been fishing for hours, and nothing was happening.

Everything was so calm, in fact, that she had almost fallen asleep.

Then all chaos broke loose!

Her line went crazy!

She was losing control of it!

She couldn’t keep hold!

She just couldn’t do it by herself!

She needed help, and she needed it badly.

Well, she ended up catching the biggest fish caught on the entire boat that night!

Do you know why?

Because the deck hands helped her reel it in.

And this guy was watching the whole thing happen from beginning to end.

So he told me (like I’m sure you’re wondering) how this made him think of his bipolar disorder.

He said that usually, his life is really peaceful.

Life goes along, and things are usually pretty good for him, no real problems to speak of.

But then some things start to go wrong.

He gets a little stressed.

He might start losing some sleep.

His meds get a little off.

He just “doesn’t feel right.”

Then all chaos breaks loose!

He feels like he’s going crazy!

He’s losing control of it!

He can’t keep hold!

He just can’t do it by himself!

He needs help, and he needs it badly.

He’s headed for a full-blown manic episode!

But, just like the lady with the fish, he doesn’t have to go into the episode, because he gets the help he needs.

He has a great supporter and a strong support system.

He told me that remembering that fishing trip and that woman’s experience with the fish helps him stay stable, because he remembers that he can’t do it by himself, and that there is help for him if he needs it.

In my courses/systems below, I talk about how to build a strong support system and how to ask for help when you need it:

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

Each person is different.

For this guy, remembering his fishing trip in Florida helps keep him stable.

For others, unfortunately, it’s remembering the last episode, when they forgot that they couldn’t do it by themselves, and that all they had to do was reach out for help.

If you/your loved one has bipolar disorder, I hope you’ll be more like the guy with the fishing story.

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.

Free Trial on my Bipolar Supporter’s Master Course

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that I am offering a special F.REE Trial on Bipolar Supporter’s Master Course.

I am only taking 50 people and it ends 10:00 pm EST Monday, October 27, 2008

For complete details, visit:

http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/supportercoursespecialoffer/

Dave

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.

Pick Bipolar Door Number Two!

Hi,

Hope you’re doing well today.

Hey – remember that old game show that had three doors…

And the contestant had to pick one of the three doors, because there were prizes behind them…

(But actually only behind TWO doors)

Behind Door Number One…

A…Brand…New…Car!!!

Behind Door Number Three…

BUZZZ!!! A goat.

Aww…You lose.

But behind Door Number Two…

The…Dream…Vacation…of…a…Lifetime!!!

Yeah! Scream! Jump up and down!

Audience goes crazy! Bells and whistles going

off!

So why should YOU pick Door Number Two?

First of all, because bipolar disorder or not, everyone would love a free dream vacation of a lifetime.

But for you specifically, because wouldn’t it be great if just for once you could escape from the world of bipolar disorder?

Wouldn’t it be nice if just for one week everything went perfect?

If just for one week you could forget about the fact that you’re a supporter to a loved one with a potentially fatal mental disorder?

If just for one week you could get away from all the anxiety and stress and pressure of being a supporter?

Yeah, it would be great, wouldn’t it?

But it’s not reality.

This isn’t a game show, and you don’t get to pick Bipolar Door Number Two and win the dream vacation of a lifetime.

I’m sorry, I really am.

Because if it were true, I would’ve already done it, and then showed you how.

Believe me, because that’s what all my courses/systems are all about. I check things out first to save you the time and trouble, and/or I develop systems for you to help 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

But I deal with reality, and not dreams that won’t come true.

You’re probably not going to go on a game show.

You’re probably not going to win a million dollars in the lottery, either.

The reality is that even if your loved one had never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your life wouldn’t have been perfect anyway. No one’s is.

The reality is that even if you hadn’t had to deal with a disorder like bipolar disorder, you would still have to deal with something serious in your life that would cause you as much stress – statistics just show this.

And people are dealing with more anxiety and stress in their lives now more than ever before.

So what can you do, since you can’t run away, and you probably won’t be going on that dream vacation of a lifetime?

You have to deal with what’s in front of you, and the best way to do that is one day at a time, or else you’re going to feel overwhelmed.

You take things as they come, and you deal with them the best you can.

I know that sounds rather simple, but that’s the way I have to do it, too.

Life is hard enough without complicating it yourself.

Keep it simple. Face the day that’s in front of you and only that day.

Even 12-step programs, where people are trying to change their whole lives have adopted the philosophy of “One Day at a Time.”

They know that trying to handle any more than that would just be too overwhelming.

A simple philosophy, but one that has been time-tested and proven to work.

Use the tools in your “bipolar toolbox” each day.

Practice what you’ve learned in this mini-course and in my bigger courses.

Use the knowledge that you’ve learned from books and your other research into bipolar disorder.

Be active and productive, so that you aren’t focused solely on your loved one’s disorder.

Do things that you enjoy.

Keep lines of communication open with your loved one.

Be a good supporter so that your loved one can become stable and there are fewer episodes to deal with.

Stay close to family and friends.

Have a social life.

In other words, do whatever it takes to have a happy life (in spite of the bipolar disorder), so that you don’t have to focus on your loved one’s disorder, and you don’t have to fantasize about lotteries and game shows and getting away on the dream vacation of a lifetime!

Just live for today, and be happy.

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.

Bipolar Disorder? Learn these two concepts or else

Hi,

Hope you’re doing ok. I am actually getting some of this message ready on Saturday night because I have to get up at 5:00am tomorrow to volunteer in this charity for battered women.

So I wouldn’t have 1 hour to write this entire message.

As I thought about what I was going to write, I was thinking about how I had to put this all together fast because I have to go to bed early.

So today I want to talk to you about two words:

ACTIVITY and PRODUCTIVITY

There is a difference between “activity” and “productivity,” especially when it comes to your loved one.

Productivity, for the most part, involves having something to show for your “activity.”

I’ll show you what I mean.

Scenario #1:

Lisa works as an office worker in a major corporation.

Her co-workers are very busy, so no one has time no notice what Lisa is doing – they can’t tell if she is being productive or not.

So Lisa walks around carrying files in her arms for most of the day, looking as if she is busy (just in case anyone happens to be looking).

Is Lisa being productive?

No, Lisa is showing some activity, but is not actually being productive.

Scenario #2:

Mary works for a virtual organization in the customer service department; in other words, she works from home.

So there is no one looking over her shoulder, no one to see if she is really working or not.

However, she spends more time on the phone with the other members of the virtual organization than actually talking to customers.

Is Mary productive?

No.

Talking on the phone is an activity, but it is not productive.

In fact, in this case, it’s worse, because it’s a distraction to the other members of the organization who can’t get their own work done while they’re on the phone with Mary.

Scenario #3:

George has bipolar disorder and when he’s depressed, he tends to sleep more often.

The answer may seem obvious, but is George productive?

No, because although sleep is an activity, it isn’t productive, since there is nothing to show for it.

In fact, in the case of bipolar disorder, it can be harmful to your loved one.

Too little sleep can lead to a bipolar manic episode, and too much sleep can lead to a bipolar depressive episode.

Scenario #4:

Bill watches quite a bit of TV. His wife accuses him of being lazy, but he argues that at least he is doing something with his time!

Is Bill really being productive since he is doing something with his time, as he says?

Bill is doing something with his time, as watching TV is an activity. However, it is not a productive activity, as once you are done watching TV, you really have nothing to show for it.

So Bill is not really what I would consider productive.

————————————————————————-

You want your loved one to be more than the examples in the scenarios I just described.

You want them to be productive, since that will help them manage their bipolar disorder better.

You want them to be productive, because that will make them feel better about themselves.

You want them to be productive, because productivity brings more quality to a person’s life (bipolar or not).

So how can you help?

You can encourage your loved one to start making To-Do Lists, detailing out tasks they want to accomplish.

These can be things around the house, outside the house, or errands they can run.

The list doesn’t have to be long, but just something to make them feel a sense of accomplishment.

In my courses/systems below, I talk about To-Do Lists in detail:

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

The difference between activity and productivity is having a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

And that can help your loved one feel better about themselves, increasing their self-esteem.

Being productive will keep your loved one from being bored (one of the triggers to a bipolar episode).

Being productive will also keep your loved one from getting depressed (which could also 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.

The Bipolar Cheater’s Diet

Hi,

Hope you’re having a good day.

Guess what? Today is the day that I measure my body fat for being in NON competitive body building—meaning I do it as a hobby.

So today hopefully I will hit 6.8% and then I am going to eat whatever I want. Today is a total cheat day.

I also am taking ten full days off from the gym and cardio.

What in the world does this have to do with bipolar disorder?’

Something.

Okay I was telling my friend who was a woman about my training program. She said she was on a diet.

Ask any woman if she’s ever been on a diet and she will most probably say yes (in fact, she may even be on one now). In fact, my women (and even men) have been on several different diets over the course of their lives.

The problem with diets (as you probably know) is that they don’t work. And there are so many fad diets out there. What was “in” yesterday is “out” today and vice-versa.

Most people who go on fad diets end up failing and gaining back all the weight they lost and more.

I know a woman, though, who lost 30 pounds over the course of several months, and kept the weight off.

I asked her what diet she was on, and she said, “No specific diet.”

I said, “How did you lose all that weight?”

You’re not going to believe her answer! (Scroll down for the answer)

Keep scrolling…

Are you ready for this?

She said, “I cheated.”

I said, “You did WHAT?”

And she repeated, “I cheated.”

I had to know. Wouldn’t you want to know?

So I asked her to explain.

She said that all week she would watch what she ate and would be pretty strict about it.

As she had said, no specific diet (definitely no fad diet), but she ate good healthy food and exercised.

She still had my curiosity up, and I asked her to continue.

“But what’s your secret?” I asked.

She said that as long as she adhered to a good healthy diet all week, she allowed herself to “cheat” on Sunday.

“Something small,” she said, “but something sweet, because I figure I feel I’ve earned it.”

So her big secret to losing weight was to cheat on purpose? NO.

Her big secret was that if you eat a healthy diet, cheating once in a while is not going to destroy your diet.

In my courses/systems below, I totally advocate eating a healthy diet and exercising:

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

But I also believe you must have a balanced life as well when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder.

If you get obsessive about your loved one’s diet, planning every meal, counting every calorie and fat gram, you’ll lose the whole point of living a healthy lifestyle!

There are other options, too.

For example, you know that I’m a non-competitive body builder, so I’m very conscious how I eat. But I eat 6 smaller meals a day instead of 3 larger meals a day.

Diabetics eat this way as well, for their blood sugar.

Anyway, what my main point about all this and how it relates to bipolar disorder is this:

Don’t be so vigilant about your loved one’s bipolar disorder that you never give them a break – a “cheat” – some breathing room.

They’re not going to have a bipolar episode every day if you don’t keep watch over them.

You can still help your loved one manage their disorder and stick to their treatment plan and not ”watch every single calorie” (speaking figuratively).

Remember to still have fun together – don’t let the disorder rule your life. “Cheat” once in a while on your “bipolar diet”!

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.

Current Bipolar News

Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you are doing well.

Here is today’s news.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews400

People walk for mental illness awareness
DO> Good idea I guess?

Actress Patty Duke speaks about her bipolar disorder
DO> She is always good but younger people don’t know her as well.

Bipolar Disorder Also Lingers In Children, Study Says
DO> This study has been hitting the news really hard, take a look.

Bipolar Disorder and Depression Symptoms
DO> Refresher. Take a look.

Life of the party may be at risk
DO> I totally agree, you?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews400

POST RESPONSES TO THE NEWS HERE

==>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

Your Friend,

Dave

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.

Bipolar? Don’t Let Yesterday or Tomorrow Ruin Today

Hi,

How’s it going today?

I want to start by asking you a question:

Does yesterday help with today when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder?

Another question:

Does tomorrow help with today when you’re dealing with bipolar disorder?

NO. To both questions.

Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn’t here yet. The only day you have is today, and the only thing that’s important is what you do with it.

If your loved one is in therapy (and, hopefully, they are), they should be learning this concept.

So it’s important that you learn it too.

It’s called “mindfulness” – being “in the moment.”

In 12-Step Programs, they call it living “One Day at a Time” – you may already be familiar with this concept.

Living with someone who has bipolar disorder is a very hard thing to do (as you know). Being their supporter, you have some very hard issues to deal with.

One of those issues is that your loved one may tend to live in the past, which, as you know, is no good for either of you.

It’s an issue they should be dealing with in therapy, but one which they may or may not be doing.

And, even if they are, they may be taking it out on you.

You should be dealing with what’s happening now and your thoughts and feelings about it, and how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings.

Now, that’s a pretty hard thing to do if you’re still in yesterday, or worrying about tomorrow.

The way to do it is to let go of yesterday. I know, easier said than done.

You’re probably still angry about things your loved one said or did that made you angry, frustrated, or hurt when they were in their last episode. But you have to let that go. It doesn’t help you to deal with today.

In my courses/systems, I talk about the One Day at a Time ideal, or living in the moment, not living in the past or worrying about the future:

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 need to stop worrying about tomorrow – it isn’t here yet, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. Worrying about it just makes your “today” worse.

Just concentrate on what you have to deal with today.

Today, hopefully, your loved one is stable.

Today, hopefully, you are not dealing with a loved one in a bipolar episode.

Be grateful for that today.

Or your loved one may be experiencing mood swings.

But however your loved one is feeling, you must remain constant. Concentrate on your own thoughts and feelings.

YOU ARE OK. You are NOT the one with bipolar disorder.

Separate yourself from your loved one’s disorder. And separate your loved one from their disorder.

Actually I was volunteering and a speaker said some things that are good for this message.

Let me get my notes.

Okay I am back….

She said:

“Try to keep the peace as much as you can.

Try to make today as good as you can.

Try to live in the moment.

Try to take things One Day at a Time.

Don’t let yesterday or tomorrow ruin your today.”

Know what I mean?

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.

With Bipolar, When You’re Weak, You’re Strong

Hi,

I hope you’re having a great day!

You know, too many people think that supporters of loved ones with bipolar disorder are weak, but I think they are some of the strongest people I know.

Think about it…

To watch your loved one go to hell and back when they’re in a bipolar episode…

To see them feel so bad, so sad, so helpless and hopeless, and you not be able to do anything about it when they’re feeling depressed…

To know that you can’t control what they do when they’re in a manic episode, to have to live with the idea that they’re out there somewhere, doing all kinds of risky behavior, possibly leaving you in financial ruin…

That’s not weakness…

That’s STRENGTH.

A quiet strength. The kind of strength that other people don’t see and can’t understand.

Being a supporter takes strength.

Other people don’t know you or your loved one – they don’t have any idea what you go through on a day-to-day basis, so how can they judge?

They can only imagine how they’d feel, so if they’re thinking you’re weak, well, it’s only because they’re looking at a mirror and that they’d be weak if they were in the same situation, so what does that say for them?

You have a quiet strength that others don’t see – it’s not a weakness.

Not any more than that just because your loved one has a “hidden disorder” makes it any less of a disorder!

In my courses/systems below, I talk about what it takes to be a good supporter, and being weak is certainly NOT one of the characteristics!

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

It takes strength to hold up your head when other people are looking at you and your loved one with judgment in their eyes, and to fight the tendency to defend yourself against that stigma, especially when it’s coming from family and friends.

They just don’t understand – they don’t have to live with bipolar disorder like you do. I’d say that THEY are the weak ones, not you! Because it takes strength to fight this disorder on a daily basis, never knowing if your loved one is going to go into an episode or not.

It takes a LOT of strength to be a supporter, as you know.

But people fear what they don’t understand, and they won’t take the time to read about bipolar disorder so that they will understand your strength in the midst of a powerful illness. So they continue to think you’re weak, when really you’re very strong.

So keep up the good work!

You’re much stronger than you think you are!

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.

Response Blog Post and The Bipolar Train Effect

Hi,

How’s it going?

Hope you are doing well and have a great day.

I want to talk to you today about a concept that I learned from a man named Bill.

I saw this post on my blog and I think Bill’s comment to me a while ago is appropriate.

The post said:

Hi Dave:
just a question if I may. I live in NOva scotia (Halifax) Canada and read your emails all the time. Am dating a man with Bipolar Disorder and care for him very much and we are exceptionally good friends. So I try to learn what I can. One thing you mentioned in today’s email was that your Mom still has episodes.

“The majority of episodes last a few weeks or months. Sometimes they do go on longer. My mom’s has been going on for the last eight months now. If I can handle that, I know you can stand by your loved one, too.”

MY understanding was that when you were properly

medicated and I do know that can change up and down too that episodes don’t occur or the cycling is minimal. My friend adjusts his medications from time to time under the auspices of his Psychiatrist. Can you explain why your Mom would be having episodes for 8 months. I thank you for all of your advice and emails. They have been very helpful in assisting me to understand this illness and my friend better. yours truly and most sincerely,” Lavonne

========================================

So the question is why was my mom’s episode 8 months. It was actually much longer than that.

Here’s the deal.

All my mom’s episodes were not that long through her life. There’s a concept called “catching the episode” that I learned from Bill.

Basically I believe that my mom’s episode went on for so long without proper treatment that it wound up taking a while to stop.

It’s like a train that is running and sees a person in front of it and can’t stop. The train is too big and even if the breaks are hit, it takes a long time to slow down.

I think a lot of this has to do with medications. During an episode like my mom’s, well, her medications got so messed up, it was like her psychiatrist almost had to start all over, and when you have to do that, it takes so long, it’s like playing “catch up.”

Then it takes time for the medications to work, and if some of them don’t work, you have to go “back to the drawing board” and start again with another medication, etc. etc. And all this takes time. So this can go on for months.

Also, her sleep habits were off. So it took time for her sleep to get normal again.

And there were other things that were “off”, too.

In my courses/systems below, I talk about the Bipolar Stability Equation:

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

The Bipolar Stability Equation consists of all the elements needed to keep your loved one stable.

Things like medication, therapy, a good support system, a healthy diet, sleep, exercise, etc.

And if any of these things are out of whack, they can become triggers to a bipolar episode.

In my mother’s case, many of them were out of whack, so her stability fell down like a house of cards, and these things had to be put back into place, which took quite a bit of time.

Some things take longer than others. Some things take less time than others. But they all need to be in place for your loved one to be stable again.

Just like Bill’s train analogy, where the train takes time to slow down and stop, it can take time for your loved one to become stable again after an episode, because all the elements of the Bipolar Stability Equation have to go back into place again.

As long as your loved one continues to take their medication, go to therapy, get the right amount of (uninterrupted) sleep, exercise, eat a healthy diet, live a healthy lifestyle, has a good support system, is productive, and does all the things that keeps them stable, there is the best chance that they will not go into an episode.

And it is partly your job, as well, to watch for signs and symptoms of an episode, watch for triggers and changes in their moods, patterns, etc. to make sure they don’t go into an episode as well.

Sometimes it can’t be helped, though, because remember, you’re still dealing with a chemical imbalance of the brain.

So remember the bipolar train effect if your loved one does go into an 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.

The Snowball Effect and Bipolar Disorder

Hi,

How are you doing?

I hope you are doing well.

I was working hard yesterday. Michele Soloway and my self have come up with so many new incredible ideas it’s going to be amazing.

You’re going to love our new ideas.I will keep you posted.

Yesterday I saw the movie Quarantine.

If you like horror movies you should go see it. You will NEVER guess the ending of it.

Also, yesterday I was reading a new book on Warren Buffett who is said to be the greatest investor of all time.

It’s a great book.

The title is:

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

I won’t ruin what it means in case you want to read it.

But it reminded me of a concept I made up for bipolar disorder.

Today I want to talk to you about

THE SNOWBALL EFFECT

Do you remember when you were little and you made snowballs? Did you ever start off making a small ball and rolling it until it  ot bigger and bigger and bigger until it turned into this big ball? (Usually this was done to make snowmen with).

Well, your thinking can have the same effect.

One of the biggest problems with bipolar disorder is called “racing thoughts,” or thoughts that you just can’t shut off.

Someone with the disorder told me he just calls when that happens “times when my brain won’t turn off. It’s like I’ve lost the off switch.”

Usually it’s the fault of the disorder, but sometimes it can be the fault of the person.

I’ll tell you what I mean.

This is how quickly your negative and insecure thinking can spiral out of control, just like the snowball I was talking about:

Have you ever noticed how nervous and anxious you feel when you’re caught up in your thinking?

You start off with one thought, it jumps to another thought, which leads you to another thought, and it’s just like the old   “Telephone Game” we played as children…

and before you know it, your thoughts are someplace totally different from where you started off.

For example, you could wake up in the middle of the night and then you remember a phone call you need to make the next day.

Then, instead of being glad that you remembered the call, you start thinking, “I hope I remember to make that call.”

Then you start thinking, “What if I forget to make the call?” and “What am I going to say when I make the call?” and “What are they going to say?”

And before you know it, your thoughts are going around and around in a circle, all over that one phone call, and you’re getting more and more agitated.

What’s worse is that after worrying about that phone call so much, then you start on all the other things you have to do tomorrow.

And THE SNOWBALL EFFECT starts to, well, snowball!

One of the things I teach in my courses/systems is to make a To-Do List, and it’s for this very reason. Once you’ve made a To-Do List, you don’t have to worry about all the things you have to do tomorrow. You can have peace, knowing all your tasks are on that list.

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Another thing you can do is to keep a little pad or notebook by the side of your bed in case this does happen to you, and just jot a note to yourself to remind yourself about the call, or whatever it is that you don’t want to forget, and then you can go right back to sleep without the rest of the racing thoughts snowballing.

Now, this doesn’t even have to be a middle of the night thing. I know a woman with bipolar disorder who  keeps lists for  everything so she can manage her disorder and keep her thoughts from spinning out of  control. She always has a small notepad with her in her purse for when she goes out, and several around the house. Her husband always teases her about it, but it’s one of the systems she uses to keep her thoughts from racing, and to keep her bipolar disorder under control.

See, not everything to do with management of your bipolar disorder has to be complicated. You know how I’m always talking about systems. Well, this is one of those systems that’s easy to use, and simple to put in place.

But if you don’t, things can get out of hand pretty quickly, and you can suffer from racing thoughts.

Just remember, you don’t want THE SNOWBALL EFFECT to happen to you!

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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.