Bipolar Supporter Blog

Hi,

You know I like to go hiking, right? It’s my main hobby (besides non-competitive bodybuilding), and I do it as often as I can. Hiking helps me balance out the hard work that I do, and helps me stay de-stressed. That’s what a hobby is for, and I think everyone should have at least one, and the experts agree with me.

Anyway…For my hikes, I like to pick spots that have the most beautiful surroundings, so that when I take my breaks, I can enjoy them. Makes sense, right?

So I was thinking about this…Have you ever noticed the trees? How they seem to bend in the wind but not break? And how strong their roots are? That’s what keeps them firmly planted, so that they can stand against the wind and not be blown over.

So that’s what I was thinking about, how we could learn a lesson on bipolar disorder from the trees. I was thinking about how when they bend in the wind, they’re being flexible… And how you need to be too…Sometimes.

And how when they’re being firmly planted, so that they can stand against the wind and not be blown over…That’s how you need to be against the adversity that comes into your life…Even if it comes from your loved one…At other times.

Adversity, or stress, can come from your loved one in the form of being depressed or manic
at times, especially when they’re in an episode.

So, like I was saying…There are some things you need to be flexible about. For example…It won’t kill you to be flexible about what you watch on TV. Seriously, I’ve known couples who’ve gotten into verbal battles over just what to watch on TV! And you’ve got to ask yourself, is it worth it? To fight over something so seemingly trivial?

But to these people…Hey, they’re willing to go to battle over their right to each watch what they want! Well… I agree with their rights, but…I also believe that you should, as they say, “pick
your fights.” There are some things worth fighting over, and some things that just aren’t, in my opinion. Like the TV and what you watch on it, I don’t think that’s worth a knock-down-drag-out fight, do you?

Or…Say the fight is over your teenager’s curfew time. What’s the difference if it’s 10 pm or midnight? Is it worth fighting over? Some say it is, some say it isn’t.

The point is…This might be a place where you can be flexible, like the tree bending in the wind.
You might be willing to give in to the two hours curfew time just to save the peace and your relationship with your teen.

There are some things you would be firmly planted about, of course…Like who they hang around with…Or how they are in school…Or how they act at home…And getting their chores done, etc. And meeting their responsibilities.

But on other things you can be flexible. It’s the same in your relationship with your loved
one with bipolar disorder. There are some things you will stand firmly planted on, of course, and other things you can be flexible about.

For example…You will not stand for unacceptable behavior. Like the impulsive behavior they exhibit when they’re in a bipolar manic episode.

Like risky sexual behavior, risky driving, shoplifting, excessive spending, fighting, or even substance abuse, and other unacceptable behavior that hurts them or you (or others) or has consequences in whatever way.

That’s when you put your foot down, saying that you won’t tolerate the behavior. Or at least that you will reinforce the consequences of their behavior. That’s you “being the tree,” and “not bending in the wind.”

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

I read a poem the other day, and I thought it was really beautiful. Here it is:

Life is like a rose.
In order to partake of its beauty
You must also suffer the pain of
Its thorns

——————————————————————————————————————–

Now, that may be a good statement about life in general, but I’ll tell you what it has to do with
bipolar disorder. It was written by someone who has bipolar disorder herself — Michele, who works for me. So let’s talk about what she says, and how it does relate to bipolar disorder.

We’d all like our loved one’s bipolar disorder to go along without a hitch. We’d love it if they were medication complaint, stuck with their treatment plan, had no more episodes, always saw their doctors, therapists, etc., without complaining…

We’d love it if they would always take care of themselves (so we wouldn’t have to)…Stick to a good diet (and never cheat)…Exercise (and not get lazy)…And sleep right (never staying up too late to watch those late movies or TV shows).

We’d love it if we had a stress-free life as a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder. Yes, we’d love those things. But that’s not reality, is it? The reality is like what Michele wrote about
the rose. You have to take the bad with the good.

A rose is very beautiful. But it also has its thorns. Just like bipolar disorder. It has its good days.
But it also has its bad days too, doesn’t it?

What a beautiful life it would be if we didn’t have to deal with bipolar disorder…NOT TRUE!
We’d still have to deal with life itself. And, like the poem, which was NOT about bipolar disorder, by the way, it was about LIFE…No life is perfect.

You’d still have to deal with many of the same problems you’re having to deal with that you are
now with your loved one’s bipolar disorder. So what I’m trying to say is…Don’t feel sorry for yourself when times get bad, because they would get bad sometimes with or without having to deal with bipolar disorder in your life. That’s just life itself.

If you have communication problems with your loved one who has bipolar disorder, you would
probably have communication problems with them even if they didn’t have bipolar disorder.

If you have problems with expressing your thoughts and feelings, and/or you tend to “stuff” them now, you probably would anyway, and that would still be a problem.

If you feel distant from your loved one at times, you would probably feel distant from them even if they didn’t have bipolar disorder.

If you tend to get stressed and anxious, you would probably still get stressed and anxious whether your loved one had bipolar disorder or not.

If you are short-tempered and tend to get angry easily, it is probably not because of your loved one’s bipolar disorder – it just may be the way you are.

What I’m saying is that you can’t blame all your problems on your loved one’s bipolar disorder.
Some of your problems would still be there whether your loved one had bipolar disorder or not.
Learn from the Lesson of the Rose.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews758/

Woman spared jail after attack at Padstow’s Obby Oss celebrations
DO> Do you think she would have done it if she didn’t have bipolar?

Heather Yakin: Carpino’s mental illness key issue in murder case
DO> Do you agree that bipolar is the key issue?

Scientists discover biological markers for bipolar disorder
DO> Interesting study, don’t you think?

Lawsuit alleges Kansas City airline pilot lost job after misdiagnosis for mentaldisorder
DO> Do you believe what happened to him was fair?

Man accused of insulting UAE online suffers from mental health issues, lawyer argues
DO> Do you think he should be held accountable?

Marlene Pinnock punched by patrol officer detained on same LA freeway
DO> This video will shock you.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews758/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews757/

Man who stabbed workmate has sentence reduced
DO> Do you think this was fair?

Woman sentenced following Crewe fire
DO> Do you think this would have happened if she would have taken her medication?

Woman spared jail after attack at Padstow’s Obby Oss celebrations
DO> Do you think her bipolar was at fault?

Haley, DSS chief agree to increase protections for children in foster care
DO> This lawsuit will make a big impact.

Heather Yakin: Carpino’s mental illness key issue in murder case
DO> Do you think he got away with it?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews757/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews756/

Risk for Psychopathology High in Kids of Mentally Ill Parents
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

There is a Genetic Link Found Between Mental Illness & Creativity
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Human Nature Limits Good Medication Adherence in Bipolar Patients, Jamison Says
DO> She makes some good points in her remarks.

Antidepressants can increase depression, mood cycling in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder patients
DO> This study makes an important point.

Antipsychotic nonadherence may be more common in bipolar disorder, MDD than schizophrenia
DO> An important discovery was made in this study.

FDA approves new drug to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
DO> Maybe this drug could help your loved one.

Frank Bruno readmitted to hospital after suffering bipolar disorder relapse
DO> Maybe now this man can get some help.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews756/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews755/

Ann Patton, who was of killing her multi-millionaire Wall Street husband in lavish jungle mansion …
DO> Do you think she should have been acquitted?

Psychedelic drugs might help treat mental health disordersstudy says
DO> Do you think this could be a viable treatment for bipolar?

Risk for Psychopathology High in Kids of Mentally Ill Parents
DO> This study makes some good points.

Indigent children with mental disorders benefit unevenly from federal disability program, study says
DO> Interesting report, don’t you think?

Natasha McKenna: Police release video of fatal encounter between officers and mentally ill inmate
DO> This video will shock you.

Kamilah Brock: Sent to a Mental Hospital For Asking For Her BMW Back
DO> Do you think what happened to her was fair?

Antidepressants shown to worsen depression in patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder
DO> Important study, don’t you agree?

Antipsychotic nonadherence may be more common in bipolar disorder, MDD than schizophrenia
DO> Don’t you think this is an interesting study?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews755/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews754/

A bipolar schizophrenic awaiting his transfer to mental health facility dies in despair
DO> You’ll find this man’s story disturbing.

Risky And Impulsive Behavior Could Indicate Suicidal Tendencies In The Depressed: Study
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Research shows higher mortality among individuals with severe mental illness, addiction
DO> This study makes an important point.

New report highlights need for accurate diagnosis and management of bipolar Idisorder
DO> This report highlights some interesting things.

San Jose inmate death: Victim wrote poetry, had ‘the best smile,’ but struggled with bipolar disorder
DO> Do you think this man’s treatment could have been avoided?

Psychedelic drugs might help treat mental health disordersstudy says
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Risk for Psychopathology High in Kids of Mentally Ill Parents
DO> Don’t you think this is an important study?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews754/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Let me ask you something: Have you ever known a workaholic? Or even been one yourself?
Well, it’s one thing to work hard. That’s commendable. But to work so hard that it gets you stressed out is NOT a good thing.

Here’s another question for you: How many people do you know who love their work? Probably no one, right? (or very few people).

As children, we are encouraged to follow our dreams (even though some of them aren’t very
realistic, like becoming the president). We are encouraged by our parents and other people,
like guidance counselors, to use the gifts and talents we have to think of a career that we want to work in.

But too many people actually end up hating their jobs. If you are one of them, I encourage you not to let this keep going on. I know the economy is tight. That’s why so many people are holding onto their jobs, even if they hate them. Or are even working a second job. Or a third one!

But eventually, it will eat away at you, believe me. I know one woman who hated her job so much that she had an anxiety attack on the way to work every day. That’s no way to live! And definitely no way to take care of yourself.

You might want to consider starting a home business. Or consider working only part-time, if you can afford it.

But remember back to the beginning of this post. You should be working in a field that supports
your gifts and talents. A job that you enjoy. One that makes you feel good about yourself. One that you look forward to going to.

Unfortunately, too many people don’t do that. They just take whatever they can get. I know one man who is a certified car mechanic, but can’t find a job in his field. So he started a home business just fixing cars in his driveway for now.

And he does very well for himself, and is basically stress-free, because he is his own boss. Also, he can set his own hours. He also determines how much money he is going to make. So he is doing what he is trained to do…What he loves to do…The way he wants to do it.

Some people are stuck at dead-end jobs – They can’t go any further up the ladder. Then what do you do? There are so few jobs out there at this point, because the economy is still so bad (even though we’re told that it’s improving). So many people are even being let go from their jobs.
And the competition for the jobs that are out there is fierce.

But not if you start your own business, like the car mechanic I was telling you about. He is very happy doing what he’s doing.

Maybe you should consider starting your own home business? Many people with bipolar disorder do it because of the flexibility of it and because it works around their disorder. And because the business can still work even if they get sick.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews752/

Escarcega family exploring legal options
DO> Do you agree that he was treated unfairly?

Researchers report biomarkers and apps that predict risk of suicide
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Hamilton child abductor Dakota Hart ordered to stay at psychiatric hospital
DO> Don’t you think he should stay in the hospital?

Witnesses: 20 officers beat bipolar black inmate to death — and none of them have been punished
DO> What do you think of these accusations?

Bipolar disorder apps fall far short on safety & evidence-based practices
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Research provides recommended approaches for treating bipolar disorderduring pregnancy
DO> This study makes an important point.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews752/

Check out all my resources, programs and information for all aspects of bipolar disorder by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentralcatalog.com

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

I heard a funny expression recently that I wanted to share with you (we just can’t be serious all the time, you know?) It goes: “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” Isn’t that cute? I thought it was (then again, you might think I’m a little bit crazy lol).

But it kind of has to do with what I wanted to talk to you about today. See…There are some people who are worriers. You know what I’m talking about? Maybe you know someone like that.

And these people are going to worry about things no matter what happens. No matter what you say to them. They’re just going to worry, because that’s what they do. All the time. They’re just worriers. That makes them very negative people.

These type of people get sicker than other people. Did you know that? It’s true. Oh, not just the hypochondriacs who worry that they’re sick (when usually they aren’t, they’re just worried that they are).

But people who worry are generally more stressed than people who don’t worry. But people who don’t worry are less stressed. That’s because they’re generally more positive than the people who worry.

It’s like what I talk about – about how you need to have a positive attitude when you’re
dealing with a loved one with bipolar disorder, because you’ll do better.

But people who worry live in fear. And that’s the bottom line. I don’t want you to live in fear.
I mean…Yes, you fight a battle. And bipolar disorder is a very serious thing. It can even be fatal.

But if you worry about it…If you live in fear of it…You’ll just worry yourself sick. Really – You could seriously make yourself sick over it. Because worry can bring stress.

And stress has been known to bring illness on people. Stress can even cause heart attacks and strokes. Yes, stress can be deadly. So you want to be as stress-free as you can. Not just for your loved one, but for yourself as well.

Because what good are you going to be to your loved one if you’re no good to yourself? You can’t take care of them if you’re first not taking care of yourself.

I know, I know. I harp on that a lot. I do, because I want you to listen to it. You are a very important person. Not just an important person in your loved one’s life, but a very important person in life itself.

And you do need to take care of yourself. You don’t need to worry. And you don’t need to live in fear. You need to live life the best way I know how: “One Day at a Time.” Just do the best you can, with a positive attitude, one day at a time.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave