Bipolar Supporter Blog

Hi,

How’s it going? Hope you are doing well. I am running late. Sorry. I had a late night yesterday. I was out with Anna my Goddaughter and her mom and dad in a charity walk/run.

We got back really late. We didn’t do much walking or running because Anna didn’t want to be in the stroller.

So I wound up playing with a talking Sunflower and a cow that talked to. I was pretty entertaining if I do say so myself.

Okay, enough with the stories from me. One more thing. Hey many people do not know about my site
www.bipolarcentral.com
which has lots of f.ree things to help you with bipolar disorder.

Take a look as soon as you can.

Here’s the current bipolar news.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews387

Here are some of this week’s headlines:

After B.ankruptcy M.ortgage Refinance is a Very Real Possibility
DO> Take a look at this article by me.

Living with bipolar disorder
DO> Interesting article.

The Bipolar Buddha
DO> Strange huh?

Is Bipolar Disorder an Excuse for Wretched Behavior?
DO> NO WAY jose, what do you think? We just wrote about this. Interesting.

Bipolar not unfamiliar to politics
DO> Hmm. What do you think?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews387

==>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.

Hey,

How’s it going?

Hope you are doing well.

I am going to wind up get tons of hate mail about what I am going to say concerning bipolar disorder today.

Actually before I jump into that, I wanted to tell you something.

Last night, I started getting tons of phone calls again late at night. It’s really annoying. 3:00am phone calls.

I actually have an emergency line that I have to keep open for one of my businesses and I guess someone found the number and gave it to a bunch of people.

I actually picked up and was not happy. The person was shocked that I wasn’t super excited to talk about bipolar disorder at 3:17am EST.

If you have my numbers use your head and PLEASE don’t call late.

I must say as this grows bigger and bigger and bigger it’s hard to control. My lists increases up to 2000 people in a day. There are lots of things to consider.

The organization is virtual. No one understands a 100% virtual organization so it’s hard talking to lawyers, accountants, etc about everything. It gives me a headache. Especially when people find out it’s in mental health and I have lots of people working for me with one or more mental illnesses like bipolar disorder.

I HATE spending 45 minutes of a 1 hour meeting defending that it has worked and can continue to work. I know all these “professional” people are looking out for me but it’s still annoying.

Soon I am going to be posting a new job for an administrative assistant. We are working on a ew hiring process. This job is going to be really important and critical to the future grow.

There is no way I can continue to handle all that I have been handling.

I will keep you posted.

Guess what happened to me? I was volunteering the other day.

This man was totally out of control. He was talking loud. Interrupting. Walking around. He was scaring people. Circling around them.

He came over to me. And said all kinds of things to me. It was really making me mad.

Then I just looked away. I saw several people walk out.

I thought that this person might attack me. I actually prepared for it in my head.

At the end, I went up to the other members. I complained to them that this person should not be there.

They said, “Well he is a good member normally.”

I said, “That’s great. You can’t let manic people disrupt the meetings like this, for their own safety and the other people’s safety.”

The person running the meeting said, “Dave it’s not worth the fight.”

I was like, “And you are supposed to be a facilitator with that kind of attitude?”

I told him that there should be someone who should have stopped this man from doing that kind of behavior.

And it seemed like I was the only person who was, like, scared of this guy, you know?

Everyone else just acted like this was NORMAL!

I tried to reason with people, but I finally gave up.

Sometimes you can’t reason with unreasonable people.

If they couldn’t see anything wrong with letting a manic person “run the show,” no amount of my complaining was going to do any good. Even if I was right.

Let me tell you something:

Bipolar disorder does NOT give you a pass on bad behavior.

Remember that.

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

there are cases when people did all kinds of crazy things.

And supporters just stood by.

They didn’t know what to do.

They were embarrassed.

They didn’t want to fight with a person with the disorder.

The person got fired or suffered other dramatic consequences.

Supporters were made to look like fools.

But it’s your duty as a supporter to step in and get your loved one into treatment.

Don’t be like the people at that meeting I went to.

Don’t let your loved one be the manic person who goes crazy acting out and just doing whatever they want to just because there’s no one to stop them.

Just remember that bipolar is NOT a pass on bad behavior.

I know people are going to say, “Dave you don’t understand, I can’t control my bipolar disorder.”

That’s NOT true. If you can’t control it, get a better treatment plan and don’t go out into public. If your loved one is not stable, do NOT bring them out to say and do things to people. That’s dumb.

My mom said to me, “If I am ever manic you have my permission to stop me from making myself look like a fool.”

What annoys me the most is the people who go in and out of episodes all the time and say and do crazy things and then say, “oh, it’s my bipolar disorder, feel bad for me, I can’t help it. Deal with it.”

I am super mad at the person that did this at the meeting. He should know better. The people at the meeting should be ashamed of themselves for allowing it as well.

You know what? I bet 80% of the people at the meeting will NOT come back.

Think I am too hard on this person or being “mean”?

Let me know. Hey I have to run. Catch you later

Oh, later today, I am going on a charity run/walk with my Goddaughter Anna who is 7 months old. She is not going to be doing any walking or running J

I am going to be pushing the stroller. I can’t wait until she can walk and talk. Since I know nothing about babies I am not sure when that is going to be? I have ask someone or look it up online J

Okay catch you later. Have a great day and let me know about today’s email. Okay?

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 are you?

Hope you have a great day today. I wanted to get this out to you really quick because I have to get going with a very busy day.

Really quick. Have you gotten my f.ree book yet. I hope so. I worked hard on it and it’s totally free. It’s an overview of mental disorders. Took me more than one year of really hard work.

Get it here:

http://www.bipolarcentral.com/overview_of_mental_disorders/

Enjoy.

One thing you hear me talk a lot about is creativity and bipolar disorder.

That’s probably because I really do believe that the two things go hand in hand.

I think one of the symptoms of having the disorder is increased creativity. at least that’s shown itself to be true in my life.

My mom is one of the most creative people I know. And you know, if you’ve read my emails for any length of time, that I always brag on my staff because half of them have the disorder and they are VERY creative!

What that means, for one thing, is that when there is a problem that needs solving, they always seem to find a solution that people who don’t have bipolar disorder weren’t able to see.

I even talk about creativity and bipolar disorder 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

I know of a book on bipolar disorder that’s a sort of question and answer book on the disorder, and someone even asked the question, “Is there a connection between creativity and bipolar disorder?”

The answer surprised me, because at the time I didn’t know that creativity and bipolar disorder were linked. So maybe the answer will surprise you, too.

But the answer was, “The truth is there is a connection between creativity of all sorts and bipolar disorder.”

What was really cool about the book, though, was that it went on to list some very famous people who had or have bipolar disorder.

It was able to do that, because it said that these celebrities chose to publically come out and disclose their own struggles with bipolar disorder, so you know it’s true.

The first one to admit she had bipolar disorder was Patty Duke. In 1987, she wrote an autobiography called Call Me Anna about her bipolar disorder.

Other famous people include:

• Ned Beatty
• Dick Cavett
• Carrie Fisher
• Linda Hamilton
• Mariette Hartle
• Red Sox baseball player Jimmy Piersall
• Bipolar expert Kay Redfield Jamison (who has a whole list of famous people in her book called Touched with Fire)
• TV host Jane Pauley

Supposedly, the famous poet Lord Byron, composer Robert Schumann, painter Vincent van Gogh, and Winston Churchill also had bipolar disorder (only it was called manic depression back then).

If you want to know any other famous people with bipolar disorder, you can go on the internet, or read Touched With Fire by Kay Refield Jamison, who is an expert on bipolar disorder (and has a whole list in her book).

Okay I have to run. I will see you tomorrow.

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.

Hi,

How’s it going?

I hope you are doing well.

Hope you have a great day today.

Yesterday I got into a big argument with someone that basically said, “oh poor me, I have bipolar disorder my life is a nightmare….You don’t understand what it’s like Dave. It’s impossible to do anything.”

I disagreed of course and tried to explain that bipolar disorder has many advantages.

Think I am out of my mind?

Do you think there are any advantages to bipolar disorder?

I DO!!

I try to get people to see the positive side to things all the time, because I’m a pretty positive person to begin with, but this is a pretty hard topic to get people to see the positive side of.

But at least I try to get people to see the good and the bad side to the worst of things, even a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which is some- thing I go over 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

With that being said, I know you live with bipolar disorder every day, so you experience the bad side of it. But let’s try to see if there are any advantages to it.

I talked to Bill and Michele about it, because they’re married, and they both have the disorder, so they both see it from being survivors AND supporters.

They said in their opinion, there ARE some advantages:

They were diagnosed in the first place because they were really stressed out in the workplace, so these are some of the things they now see as advantages:

1. They are out of the workplace.
2. They have less stress.
3. They live a simpler life-style.
4. They get to spend more time together.
5. They are more creative with their time together (ex. They go on a date night every Friday, even though they’re married).
6. They are closer to each other now (fighting the disorder together).

The main thing is that dealing with bipolar disorder is not a death sentence, for one thing. although there is no cure, there at least is treatment.

And with treatment, as you just read about with Bill and Michele, you can live a pretty good life.

The thing is, that good life depends on a good attitude. If you have a negative attitude, you’re going to be focused on the disadvantages of the disorder.

But if you have a positive attitude, you can be focused on the advantages of the disorder, like the examples above  There are other advantages that I came up with, too:

• Increased creativity.
• Learning to manage the disorder
• Learning to manage stress
• Learning to manage time

Can you think of some more?

Hey I have to run. Catch you tomorrow. Have a great day!

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 hope you are doing well.

What a long day yesterday. That 10 mile hike was really tiring.

I will be posting some pictures really soon.

Anyway, I wanted to talk about anger and bipolar disorder today.

I know that anger is a huge problem for people dealing with bipolar disorder. How do I know? Not just because I’m a supporter myself or because my mom has it, but because I get TONS of emails on just this subject.

You wouldn’t believe how many people are dealing with anger these days – whether they have bipolar disorder or not. (Well, yes you would, because you’re probably one of them.)

That’s why, in my courses/systems, I have whole sections devoted just to anger management:

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

Well, Robert Allan PhD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, wrote a whole book on anger, called Getting Control of Your Anger.

In Dr. Allan’s book, he talks about a 3-step process for taming rage:

1. Identify the hook (trigger) that feeds your anger.

Just by knowing that there is a trigger that sets your anger off can be liberating in itself. It’s the first step toward changing your reaction to your anger and not allowing yourself to directly express that anger by yelling or getting physical.

2. Step back or remove yourself from the situation causing your anger.

By doing this, you can figure out WHY you need the anger. Then you can try some relaxation or deep- breathing exercises to try to get back some of your self-control.

He also suggests developing an OBSERVING self, a mini-version of yourself who you visualize sitting on your shoulder viewing the big picture and warning you not to take the anger bait (hook or trigger).

Dr. Allan says that when we get angry, the feeling is usually fueled by the need for respect or the need not to have our territory breached, or both. (What about you? Do you agree with that?)

3. Fill the need without expressing anger directly. Instead, ASK for what you need.

Now, that last point would take a whole email in itself to talk about!

What about some of YOUR ideas? How do YOU think you fulfill that third point?

How do YOU handle YOUR anger?

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 have to go super fast today. I am going on a 10 mile hike. It’s going to take a while to complete.

I was thinking about joining this hiking club that’s by me. Well it’s not that close that’s the problem. It’s 60 minutes away and the hikes are like 5 hours which means that it would take almost the entire day. I am not sure yet.  Back to the place I am going today.

Actually way at the top of the mountain of where I am going is where I came up with the idea to hire people who have bipolar disorder to work in the organization. That’s was a great decision if I do say so myself because many of the people I hired have helped advanced everything way beyond what I could have done.

Anyway, yesterday I was at a Strongman competition with my friend Rob. He actually took 2^nd place and now qualified for Nationals.

He is doing really well. Just wanted to let you know J

Anyway, let’s get into today’s topic. Did you know that certain odors can have a profound effect on your memory, energy and even your mood swings? Even on your overall health in general?

As far as memory, think about it. For example, think about the smell of baby powder. If you have grown children, and you smell baby powder, doesn’t it automatically trigger memories of your children when they were babies?   Or if you smell chlorine, don’t you associate it with a swimming pool? An ocean breeze with the beach? The smell of roses with a romantic evening?

Just a whiff of a special scent can trigger a happy, magical memory.

But today, neuroscientists are learning that our sense of smell is worth more than just remembering pleasant memories.

What does this have to do with bipolar disorder?

New research shows that it can lower our stress levels and even help with insomnia, both of which are problems for people who have bipolar disorder. There is even some research that shows that our sense of smell can help us lose weight, and many people with bipolar disorder struggle with weight because of some bipolar medications which make you gain weight.

Now, some people accuse me of being against natural remedies for bipolar disorder, and my stand is pretty sure.

I am against natural CURES, since there is NO cure for bipolar disorder. I am pretty protective of the people who read my courses and materials, website material and emails, so I always try to make sure they know the truth. Just be careful to read the small print.

Natural herbs and remedies, etc., like fragrances, are ok, if they help you (always IN ADDITION TO medication).

In fact, in my courses/systems, I talk about natural herbs and remedies and alternative forms of therapy such as aromatherapy:

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 process is complex. But researchers recently discovered how a particular fragrance can change your mood.

In a brand-new study from Ohio State University, they exposed subjects to two fragrances – lavender, which is known to have a calming effect, and lemon – which many studies have shown to be invigorating.

Subjects were then told to sniff these fragrances before and after a mildly stressful event (in this case, after putting a foot in freezing water).  In the tests that followed, scientists uncovered ‘robust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood.’

In fact, blood levels of an energizing hormone, norepinephrine, spiked and stayed high for the subjects who smelled the lemony scent, while the subjects who smelled the lavender got no boost.

In an Austrian study, researchers had some participants smell oranges while others smelled lavender. The two groups felt less anxious, more positive, and calmer when compared with participants who were exposed to no fragrance at all.

Aromatherapy is a big deal these days, making all kinds of claims about lowering stress levels. I’m not a scientist or anything, but if it helps, let me know!

Hey, I have to go and get to my starting point.

I am going to post some photos tomorrow. 2 weeks ago I saw a bear. I have pictures but can’t figure out how to get them out of my phone to post so you can see them. I will in the next few days.

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,

We usually think of supporters as having compassion, since they are supporters, after all. But today I want to talk to both supporters and people who have bipolar disorder as well, as everyone should have compassion, don’t you think?

Some people I think are just born with compassion. And some people are more compassionate than others. But then some people just have to learn how to be compassionate. One way to do that is to practice compassion, whether you feel it or not. And nothing helps us build our character more than developing compassion for others.

Compassion is a sympathetic feeling. It can just start with willingness. If you just have the willingness to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you’ll take the focus off yourself and you can imagine what it’s like to feel like them, experience what they experience, struggle with what they struggle with, have the problems they have.

So what does this have to do with bipolar disorder?

Try to imagine those people who you don’t think understand what you’re going through. Maybe you don’t think they have much compassion toward you. They probably don’t, because they haven’t imagined what it’s like to be in your shoes, go through what you go through, experience your problems and struggles, etc.

It’s up to you to educate them. That’s what I teach in my courses/systems. You have to educate other people on bipolar disorder because they aren’t going to learn it on their own.

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

They need to be willing, too, to take the focus off themselves and to imagine what it’s like to be someone who has bipolar disorder, and to feel compassion for that person.

Compassion can be learned. It’s the recognition that other people’s problems, their frustration and pain, are every bit as real as our own – and many times even worse. It means stopping being selfish.

Compassion is something you can develop with practice. You get better with it over time.

If you have it in your heart, it will come out in your actions. Like me, for example. I’m not bragging, believe me, really, I’m not. I’m just using myself as an example. I mean, I sure don’t do what I do for the money, because I’m no millionaire! J

But I do care about people who have bipolar disorder. So I have compassion toward people with the disorder. So I volunteer at several bipolar support groups. That’s the action part.

Being compassionate is who you are. Having compassion is what you do about it.

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.