Bipolar Supporter Blog

Hi,

I saw this child in the grocery store the other day with his mother. Now, this kid couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5. Usually, kids that age are tugging on their Mama’s sleeve, wanting this or that, screaming or yelling, and causing general havoc to everyone around them.

What made this child different was that he was just walking down each aisle looking at everything like he was amazed, like everything was brand new to him – like he was seeing everything for the very first time!

When I go to the grocery store, I just go in and get what I need, and leave, don’t you? I’ve been there so many times, that it’s just a chore for me. How could anyone possibly find it exciting and new?

But remember, now, I’m an adult, and things like grocery stores no longer hold any allure for me.
Maybe I’m just getting old… LOL

But I kept thinking about this child even as I left the grocery store and went on with my errands.
For some reason, he had left a big impression upon me.

I asked myself, What if we could all stay like that child? What if we still looked at life that way?
Like everything was still new and exciting…Like there was wonder and awe in little things… New things to still explore and delight in…Instead of being “adult” and “mature” about everything, so grown-up that we forget how to be a child and just enjoy life?

What does this have to do with bipolar disorder? Well, I think we can all learn a lesson from this
child. Just because your loved one has bipolar disorder doesn’t mean you have to lose the perspective of a child.

Just because they have bipolar disorder doesn’t mean you can’t still be happy. Just because they have bipolar disorder doesn’t mean you have to go around like you have this chip on your shoulder all the time.

Having bipolar disorder isn’t the end of your life. You can still have a “normal” life between
episodes. In fact, you should be living as normal a life as possible so that stability becomes a reality and there are fewer episodes in your loved one’s life.

I’m not saying to go bungie-jumping or anything just to have excitement in your life, but there are other things you can do to make your life enjoyable in spite of the bipolar disorder. It’s all in your attitude!

Think about that child in the grocery store. What made him different than other kids his age? His wonderment at the things around him! You can have that same wonderment again.

Try to see the beauty in the things around you. Enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Be grateful each day that your loved one is not in an episode. Do things together that you both enjoy. These things don’t have to be complicated, extravagant, or expensive.

I know a couple who both have bipolar disorder. And one of the things they both enjoy doing
is playing board games together, like backgammon. They enjoy just being together and talking. About “everything” and “nothing,” they say.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is simple companionship. Having family around you. Going through old photographs. Watching the birds in your backyard. Seeing a movie together. Reading books side by side.

Cooking a meal together. Going on a date (no matter how long you’ve been together). Watching the rain fall outside your window.

Take a lesson from the child in the grocery store. Try to see the world from a child’s perspective
again, and you’ll be much happier. Don’t let bipolar disorder steal your joy!

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/bipolarnews738/

Violent Air Canada passenger declared not criminally responsible
DO> Do you see how strong bipolar can be?

Online training can teach psychotherapists evidence-based treatments, study finds
DO> This study makes a good point.

Emotion regulation differs among patients with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Bipolar Man Murders Parents In Virgin Islands, Mikhail Young’s Lawyer Says Arrest Was Illegal
DO> Do you think this is right?

Woman gets life without mercy for St. Albans stabbing
DO> Do you think this woman got what she deserved?

Documentary: Bipolar Marilyn Monroe Died as a Result of ‘Medical Negligence’
DO> This documentary might surprise you.

Antipsychotic Drug And Gestational Diabetes Link May Be Largely Overstated: Study
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews738/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Did you ever have a time in your life when things were going along a certain way, but then all of a sudden things changed?

For example: You had plans for a certain career, but then found yourself in a totally different career than the one you had foreseen yourself in? Or…Had you imagined marrying a certain type of person, but found yourself instead married to a completely different type of person than the one you imagined you would marry?

These are just examples. But you get what I mean. The thing is, we can’t plan for every eventuality in life. Sometimes, no matter what we do, the unexpected happens. Things change.
And there’s nothing we can do to help that.

There’s something important you need to know about bipolar disorder, in case your doctor didn’t tell you. Bipolar disorder can change.

There are different kinds of bipolar disorder. And you can be diagnosed with one type of bipolar
disorder, but as you get older, you can actually end up with a different type of bipolar.

Here’s a case study:

Sylvia had bipolar disorder for most of her life, but wasn’t diagnosed with it until she was older. When she went into bipolar episodes, she always went into manic episodes, though. She never experienced the bipolar depressions she heard so much about.

However, when she was well into her 60’s, Sylvia experienced a bipolar depressive episode that thoroughly confused her, since she had never had one before. It was a particularly bad one, where she couldn’t even get out of bed for three weeks.

When she eventually came out of it, she asked her psychiatrist about it, and he said that since she was older now, her bipolar disorder had changed. They went over her triggers and found out that, in fact, her age did have something to do with her depression.

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

Here’s the thing about aging and bipolar disorder. As you get older, there are other issues that affect you other than just your bipolar disorder, but that can contribute to a bipolar episode.

For one thing…You’ve heard of “senior moments,” right? Where you start to have memory problems as you get older? Some people do get depressed over that issue.

Another thing that can lead to depression in older adults is not being able to do the things they used to do just because of the aging process itself.

At first there can be a sense of denial, and they might still try to do those things, but then get frustrated when they find that they can no longer do them. There might even be some anger before there is the inevitable acceptance. Or they might experience depression, especially if they have bipolar disorder.

The “Empty Nest Syndrome” can contribute to a bipolar depressive episode, too. As children get older and leave home, your role changes, and that can cause problems, even making you depressed if it’s hard for you to accept the new change and the fact that your children (and you) are getting older.

Physical illnesses beset older people more frequently as well, and that can be a cause for depression. There are normal things like high blood pressure and high cholesterol that older people have to contend with, but there is also the fear of stroke and heart attack as well.

All these things can combine to give a person with bipolar disorder the risk of having a bipolar depressive episode even if they’ve never had one before.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Hi,

I’m lucky. My workers are all virtual. That means that they work from home in other places –
they don’t actually work in an office with me here. So I don’t have to listen to complaints like other employers do.

Some employers even put up a Suggestion Box. Unfortunately, most of the time they don’t really get suggestions they can use. The business owners I have talked to tell me that the Suggestion Box is pretty much useless, actually.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t ask for suggestions from the people that work for me. Oh no…
On the contrary. I’m constantly asking them for suggestions on how we can improve things.

And I respect their suggestions, because I respect them. Because they’re not complainers. See…
That’s the thing. You have to know how to effectively state your complaint. Actually, you have to be able to state your NEED.

You wouldn’t like it if all your loved one did was complain all the time, would you? Well…
They sure won’t like that coming from you, either. So you have to do what’s EFFECTIVE. And what’s effective is stating your need instead.

If you state your need instead of just complaining, that will be more effective, and most likely will not lead to a fight.

For example: Say you feel frustrated. And part of that frustration is coming from the fact that you’re around your loved one so much that you feel like their bipolar disorder is smothering you (a common feeling for a bipolar supporter to feel).

So you want some time to yourself. Instead of complaining: “I never get any time to myself!”
You can say: “I’d really like to have some time to myself. I think that would really help me. Would that be possible?”

Do you see the difference? If you were to do it the first way, you would not only be complaining, but you could come off as being argumentative. This could make your loved one feel defensive.
And could very well lead to a fight.

But in the second case, you are just stating your feelings and stating your need. You are actually even asking for their help. This changes things. It actually involves your loved one. It makes them want to help you. And should not lead to a fight.

You can also use this method in reverse. When your loved one says something that comes off as complaining, try to look past the complaint to see what their real need is.

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/bipolarnews737/

Norway study links mental illness to drugs
DO> This study makes an important point.

Owens found competent for trial in Fiesta Island mishap
DO> Do you agree with this decision?

North Buffalo woman admits killing 7-year-old son
DO> Do you think this is reasonable?

Bipolar disorder impacts life expectancy in the young
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Emotion regulation deficits specific to bipolar I disorder
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Disabled woman forced back to NJ
DO> Do you think this is fair?

Violent Air Canada passenger declared not criminally responsible
DO> Do you agree with this ruling?

‘Fuzzy thinking’ in depression and bipolar disorder: New research finds effect is real
DO> This study reveals something very interesting.

Online training can teach psychotherapists evidence-based treatments, study finds
DO> Good study, wouldn’t you say?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews737/

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/bipolarnews736/

Man gets 18 years for abduction and rape
DO> Do you think this was a fair sentence?

J&K: 11-year-old rape victim suffers from ‘bipolar mooddisorder’
DO> You will be shocked by this girl’s story.

Death sentence reduced to life in 2009 officer’s slaying
DO> Do you agree with this decision?

Fiesta Island crash driver fit to stand trial
DO> Do you think her bipolar is at fault?

Norway study links mental illness to drugs
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

North Buffalo woman admits killing 7-year-old son
DO> This woman’s story will shock and disturb you.

Smoking alleviates psychiatric symptoms
DO> These studies reveal some startling information.

Grieving parents say hospital failed their mentally ill, drug-addicted son
DO> This man’s story is tragic, don’t you think?

Bipolar disorder impacts life expectancy in the young
DO> This study makes an important point.

Emotion regulation deficits specific to bipolar I disorder
DO> Important study, wouldn’t you say?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews736/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

You know, we usually think of supporters as having a certain special characteristic –
COMPASSION. We think of them 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’s when you have sympathy for other people. 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. You have to educate other people on bipolar disorder because they aren’t going to learn it on their own.

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!  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. When you see that your loved one is struggling about something and it tugs at your heartstrings, that’s compassion. Then the action part is what you do about it.

You can go to them and ask how you can help them. You can just be there for them. You can be supportive in any number of ways. You can simply be a good listener for them.

Maybe there are specific ways in which they need your help. Maybe there are certain things you can do for them.

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/bipolarnews735/

Psychotropic Meds Prescribed for Medicaid Preschoolers
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Patients can suffer from multiple mental disorders
DO> This man makes an important point.

Randy Regan, 23-Year-Old Charged With Viciously Attacking Woman, Asks If Bipolar Disorder Can …
DO> Do you think he should be able to claim insanity?

Author Jane Thompson releases her new book: “Applied Biology: A Novel ofBipolar Disorder”
DO> This sounds like a book you might like to read.

Man gets 18 years for abduction and rape
DO> Do you think the sentence is enough?

New method for reducing aggression in children
DO> This study reveals something very interesting.

Tal Medical raises $14M Series B for device that repurposes MRI tech to treat – not diagnose …
DO> This treatment might help your loved one.

Personalizing bipolar disorder treatment
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews735/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Many people follow the newspaper every day. Are you one of those people? Some people say they just can’t seem to start their day without it. Others say it just wouldn’t be the same without
their daily “fix” of the news.

Did you know that some people even get that “fix” on their computers now? They don’t even have to wait until the newspaper is delivered to their door!

One of the advantages of getting your news online is that it provides a daily review of the news.
So that anytime during the day, it provides a sort of running commentary, or a review of that day’s most pertinent headlines.

That way, by following the daily review, you can read about what you’re most interested in. So you can keep up with things. So you can be on top of things, so to speak. Being on top of things is important to all of us.

It’s especially important when it comes to bipolar disorder. I mean, you wouldn’t do a daily review like the newspaper does, but you can do a sort of daily review in another way that might help your loved one (and you).

What I’m talking about is keeping a daily mood chart or diary. This can be an important tool in managing your loved one’s bipolar disorder.

A mood chart or diary can track things like changes in mood. This can be useful, because it can help you to see if your loved one is heading toward a bipolar episode before it happens.

Different mood charts keep track of different things, but most of them chart at least these basic things:

1. Date
2. Mood
3. Comments

The mood section should have a range that goes from manic to depressed, and everything in between, like anxious and irritable or agitated, etc. Again, this is useful to note patterns, which can help you to see if there might be an oncoming bipolar episode.

You can also track how long your loved one has been in this same mood without change. And you can also see when their mood changes, and track that as well.

Many have a place where you can put what medications your loved one is on, as that can affect how they’re feeling, too. You can note there when there has been a medication change, which can be important. Then, in the comment section, you can note any reactions to the new medication.

Many mood charts also have a place to note number of hours slept. This is important, because sleep changes can indicate an oncoming bipolar episode. Loss of sleep can indicate a manic episode. While too much sleep can indicate a depressive episode.

The comments section is important, because it gives you a chance to indicate what might be responsible for mood changes you have indicated, or anything else of note that day.

For example: You may note that something happened that day that was responsible for a “down” mood that was only situational, and not an indication of a possible bipolar depressive episode.
This would be important, as there is a difference.

Mood charts can be kept online or in a mood chart diary offline. The important thing is that you maintain it consistently. Then it can be printed out when it is time for your loved one to see their doctor or psychiatrist (or you can bring it to show them) so they can see what has been happening to your loved one since their last visit.

Do you see how a daily mood chart can be an important daily review in helping to manage your loved one’s bipolar disorder?

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/bipolarnews734/

Illinois mulls expanded disease list for marijuana program
DO> Do you think bipolar disorder should be added to this list?

Lithium Still Best Medication for Preventing Bipolar Relapse
DO> This study makes an important point.

Scientists find molecular trigger of schizophrenia-like behaviors and brain changes
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

‘Special K’ May Ward Off Depression, Bipolar Disorder
Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire believe that the illegal substance sometimes referred to as “Special K” may hold the power to fight off …
DO> What do you think of this controversial treatment?

Booker had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Hazim said, and had been prescribed medications. At one point, Hazim said, he
DO> Do you think if he would have been taking his medications the outcome would have been different?

Targeting Teenage Depression
From the first year, we surveyed the students’ knowledge about depression andbipolar disorder and their attitudes about seeking help or encouraging …
DO> Don’t you agree this program can help teenagers?

Courage To Come Back: Mental Health recipient stamps out stigma
DO> This woman’s story will inspire you.

Her employer investigated the situation and — despite Wills’ doctor stating that while Wills suffered from bipolar disorder she wouldn’t endanger her …
DO> Do you think this is fair?

Country singer Jason DeShaw shares stories of mental illness on tour
Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a … a disease like Alzheimer’s and bipolar disorder might not at first be apparent, …
DO> Don’t you think he is doing a good thing?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews734/

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

Your Friend,

Dave