Bipolar Supporter Blog

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews656/

Positive Outlook for the Generic Version of Depakote ER
DO> Some interesting information for you to know.

Case for targeting perfectionism in patients with bipolar disorder
DO> Important study, don’t you agree?

Depression highlighted as nonadherence risk in bipolar patients
DO> Interesting study, don’t you think?

Women with manic depression more vulnerable to alcohol problems
DO> Did you know this about bipolar?

Experts warn of ‘systematic discrimination’ against people with …
DO> These statistics will shock you.

In Bipolar, Women Lean Toward Depression, Men Toward Mania
DO> It’s good to know about these differences.

Soldiers Hospitalized For Mental Illness More Than Any Other Reason
DO> Disturbing study, you might find.

Prospective memory fails bipolar patients
DO> You will find this study interesting.

Golden Gate Bridge jumper shares tale in talk at SUNY Orange
DO> This man’s story will move you.

David Fredette Pens First Poetic Novel, LATENT HEAT
DO> You’ll want to read this book.

Guidance for medication in bipolar depression published
DO> Important information that you should know.

Survey finds one in 10 had mental or substance abuse problems in …
DO> Interesting survey, don’t you agree?

Bipolar suicide characteristics found
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews656/

 

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Do you know about the war in Syria? About what’s going on over there right now? It’s not good, let me tell you, any way you look at it. But let me ask you: Do you agree with it? What do you think we should do? Do you think we should get involved with it? Why or why not? Some people think we shouldn’t get involved because it’s none of our business. Now, I’m not a general or anything…And I don’t even profess to know a great deal about military strategy. But I think we shouldn’t get involved because it would just open up a whole can of worms. And we don’t want to do that. It just wouldn’t make sense. And that’s what it’s all about – Doing what makes sense. Like with bipolar disorder. You just shouldn’t do what doesn’t make sense.

Just like I don’t have to be a great general to figure out that we could get ourselves into trouble if we go bombing Syria…You don’t have to be a great psychiatrist to figure out that if you or your loved one does things that don’t make sense, they are not going to get better.

First, let’s talk about your loved one. The absolute main thing to talk about is that it makes no sense at all for them not to take their medication. If they don’t take their medication, they will surely go into a bipolar episode, and that will just make them worse, not better. So it makes the most sense for them to take their medication.

It also makes sense for them to follow a treatment plan. That means going to see a doctor, psychiatrist, and therapist. They will have to see a doctor not just for their general physical well-being, but also because there are some bipolar medications that require blood tests to check for levels of the medication in the patient’s bloodstream. They will have to see a psychiatrist not just for follow-up of their bipolar disorder, but also for medication prescriptions. Although the general practitioner could also write prescriptions, he generally leaves it up to the psychiatrist to write prescriptions for diagnoses of mental disorders.

They will have to see a therapist for treatment of the ongoing issues surrounding their bipolar disorder. The therapist helps them deal with the day-to-day stress, for example, and can teach them stress management techniques. They may even see other mental health professionals,
according to their individual treatment plan. Some people with bipolar disorder have a social worker who helps them. Some have a case manager. Some who are married go to a marriage counselor, or a family therapist for counseling.

It also makes sense for your loved one to develop a strong support system. Some of these people may even be in their support system, if they choose. Their support system can also include family, friends, coworkers, support group members, church members, clergy, and anyone else they think might be able to help and support them when they need it. But it also makes sense that they tell the people in their support system what they need from them, as these people are not mind-readers. They want to help, but they may not know how, so they will need to be given direction from your loved one or yourself.

Secondly, let’s talk about you as the supporter. You need to do things that make sense as well.
If what you’re doing for your loved one is not working, or no longer working, you need to try something else. Try doing something that you’ve never done before. If that doesn’t work, then try something else. But do something that makes sense.

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/bipolarnews655/

Bipolar patients struggle with emotional distraction
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Teva halts development of Nuvigil in bipolar disorder
DO> Important information for you to know.

Bipolar disorder cases show ‘staggering increase’ Times LIVE
DO> Do you agree with this conclusion?

Exercise may not be ‘one size fits all’ in bipolar patients
DO> This just makes sense, don’t you think?

Simple skin test gains traction as suicide marker
DO> Don’t you think this is an exciting study?

Former U.S. Representative Aims To Break Stigmas About Mental …
DO> He makes some good points you’ll want to check out.

Beverly man pleads guilty to role in park slaying Greenwich Time
DO> Do you think he is guilty?

Missing autistic, bipolar boy, 16, spotted in …
DO> This boy’s story will move you.

Gender warns of bipolar I disorder risks
DO> Important to know the differences, don’t you agree?

Hospital death of ‘over-medicated’ bipolar woman to be investigated
DO> This video will shock you.

Depression highlighted as nonadherence risk in bipolar patients
DO> Some good information for you to know.

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews655/

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: Do you ever feel as if you’re the only one going through what you’re going through right now? The only one who has to deal with the problems that you have to deal with? Would it help you to know that you aren’t the only one? If you have financial problems, well, so do other people. If you have marital problems, well, so do other people. If you have problems with your children, well, so do other people. If you have problems at work, well, so do other people. Maybe you can learn from your problems. Maybe it’s just a matter of learning how to problem solve.

Like in the case of financial problems, you might want to look at getting out of debt. You can talk to a debt counselor about that. You might want to look at where your money is going. You can sit down with your loved one and figure that out, and then develop a budget. Then you have to stick to living within your means. It may take time, but if you do these things, you may no longer have financial problems.

And you must know that you’re not the only person with a loved one who has bipolar disorder.
You can go to just one support group meeting and find other people in the same boat as you are in. You can even get some good advice on dealing with your own loved one from a support group. Unfortunately, in our culture we have become isolated from each other. To the point that we sometimes think we’re the only person with the problems that we have. That makes those problems harder to solve.

Sometimes we get jealous of other people. We think they’ve got it easier than we do. Kind of like “the grass is always greener on the other side” type of thing. But everyone has problems.
Would you even want to trade yours for someone else’s? Think about it. You know the expression, “No matter how bad you’ve got it, someone else has it worse.” That’s true. And remembering that can help you have a more positive attitude. Some people just sit around waiting for “the other shoe to drop.” They expect that they’re going to have more problems than they already have. That’s like you waiting on eggshells for your loved one’s next episode. That’s no way to live. You have to believe in your loved one’s stability. Otherwise, it’s just another unsolvable problem.

No, you are not the only one. Many millions of people right now are struggling with bipolar disorder. The difference between it being a problem or not is how you approach it. Either it controls you, or you control it. What are you doing today to help your loved one get control over their bipolar disorder? Are you being a good supporter and helping them to manage their disorder? Or are you spending too much time worrying…Maybe even feeling sorry for yourself…Thinking that you’re the only one going through what you’re going through?

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/bipolarnews654/

Binge eating might influence another kind of bipolar disorder Post-Bulletin
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Personality may be key to genetics of bipolar disorder
DO> Some important information here, don’t you think?

Blood biomarkers predict suicidality
DO> Important study for you to see.

Heritability of severe mental illness may be underestimated
DO> Good to know, especially if you have children.

Psych Drugs Don’t Raise Death Risk in Mental Illness
DO> Good to know for your loved one’s medications.

Improved pediatric bipolar screen unveiled
DO> You need to know this if you have a child with bipolar.

Bipolar patients struggle with emotional distraction
DO> Did you know this about bipolar?

Dementia risk for bipolar disorder patients
DO> Especially good to know if your loved one is older.

Acute manic episodes linked to increased edema risk
DO> Don’t you think this is important to know?

Bipolar disorder cases show ‘staggering increase’
DO> Interesting study, don’t you think?

For these stories and more, please visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarnews654/

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

Your Friend,

Dave

Hi,

Today’s message is going to be for both bipolar supporters and bipolar survivors, because I think it’s important for both of you to learn this very important concept. I heard a saying the other day which I thought was really neat: “NO is a complete sentence.” Isn’t that cool? I thought so. You see…Too many people do not even have the word “No” in their vocabulary, so they get over-committed, stressed out, and overwhelmed. This can lead to many problems for these people. For someone with bipolar disorder, this can even lead to a bipolar episode.

It’s hard to get your priorities right if you don’t know how to say no to people. It can lead to so many commitments that you just can’t do everything. Then you have to let someone down and you can even feel guilty about it. You may even start avoiding that person. Then it may affect your relationship with them.

How to set priorities is important, especially when it comes to bipolar disorder. For many people, there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done that they want to accomplish just in that day. These people are just TOO busy! Being too busy can lead to too much stress in their lives.
For someone with bipolar disorder, too much stress can lead to a bipolar episode. It’s very important for someone with bipolar disorder to keep their stress levels down. This way, they have a better chance at having a more stable life and of better management of their bipolar disorder.

As a supporter, it’s just as important to keep your stress levels down, so that you can be the best help you can be for your loved one, and so that you don’t face supporter burnout. This way your life can be more stable, too, and you can manage your life better.

Ok, so as far as setting priorities, goes…The most important priority is yourself. Supporter, if you don’t take care of yourself first, you will not be able to take care of your loved one. That means that if your life is too full of “stuff,” you need to get rid of some things. You may have too many obligations. If that’s true, consider getting rid of some of them, and keeping only those that matter the most. There may be too many constraints on your time, and you may be rushing around all the time, trying to get everything done, which could be stressing you out. If so, you may need to consider some time management skill training. You may be wasting a lot of precious time just running around needlessly.

For the bipolar survivor, if you are feeling stressed, consider that it may be because you have too many obligations in your life. If you are still working a full-time job outside the home, you may have to consider leaving it. It may be too hard for you to handle, considering your bipolar disorder. It is more important for you to have less stress in your life than to have that job. You also, like your supporter, need to prioritize your obligations and responsibilities. Keep those that are most important and consider getting rid of some of the others.

Remember that “No” is a complete sentence. Say “No” to new commitments. Don’t take on more than you can handle. The stress just isn’t worth it. Keep in mind that stability with your bipolar disorder is the most important thing for you. And remember, both of you, to make sure to leave time for each other.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

 

Hi,

Remember what is commonly called the Serenity Prayer? “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.”

Well, today I want to talk about the “accept the things I cannot change” part. That’s important when it comes to coping and dealing with bipolar disorder. It’s trying to change the things you CAN’T change that leads to stress and anxiety, and that’s what’s bad when it comes to bipolar disorder. Stress leads to depression, and sometimes physical problems as well, even fatal ones. In someone with bipolar disorder, stress can lead to a bipolar episode.

There are some things you CAN change, but there are other things you CAN’T change. You can’t change other people. It’s up to them to change themselves. And that’s only if they want to – you can’t do it for them. You can’t always change the situation around you (although sometimes you can, and I’ll talk about that in a minute). You can’t change the world, as much as you might like to sometimes. You can’t change the place you’re in, usually. Especially in this economy. Most of us are lucky to be holding on to our homes these days, and couldn’t afford another house even if we wanted to. You can’t change things. Things just are the way they are. For example, you just can’t change the fact that your loved one has bipolar disorder. It’s just a fact. You may not like it, but you also can’t change it. The only thing you can do about things you can’t change is to accept them.

A friend of mine told me this quote from one of her daily readings, and I think it applies here:

“Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.”

I think that’s what it’s all about. Finding serenity, or peace of mind, in whatever situation you’re in right now. In other words, accepting what you can’t change. If you can come to the place where you can accept that your loved one has bipolar disorder and you can’t change that fact, then you can do something about it – You can start learning how to cope with it.

Remember the old expression, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Well, this is sort of the same thing. You can work with what you have, if you accept it. If you don’t, it won’t get you anywhere, anyway. And it might make you sicker, trying to change what you can’t change, getting all stressed out and, like I said, getting stressed out can lead to depression and other things. And that is something you DON’T want!

For supporters, you won’t go into an episode like your loved one with bipolar disorder might, but the stress can make you not as good a supporter as you can be, if you don’t accept the things you can’t change. The main point I’m trying to make is to accept the things you can’t change, and work with the things you CAN change, and you’ll be much more able to manage your loved one’s bipolar disorder, and to be a better supporter.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

Hi,

What’s new? Hope you are doing well.

To read this week’s news visit:

Treatment service use disparities found in bipolar patients
DO> Interesting study, don’t you agree?

Preview: New Wave star Adam Ant returns to Pittsburgh
DO> This interview will interest you.

Substance abuse linked to bipolar suicide risk T
DO> Important study, don’t you think?

Bipolar disorder or depression? Researchers may have discovered … Sun News Network
DO> Can you tell the difference?

Brain scans to diagnose bipolar disorder Medical News Today
DO> Don’t you think this would be exciting?

Michigan says mental health courts making difference Oakland Press
DO> Do you think these could work where you are?

Binge eating might influence another kind of bipolar disorder Post-Bulletin
DO> Don’t you think this is important information?

Impulsivity may be vulnerability marker for bipolar disorder
DO> Don’t you agree that this is an interesting study?

Several Factors Linked to Premature Deaths in Bipolar Patients
DO> Did you know this about bipolar?

Personality may be key to genetics of bipolar disorder
DO> Good information for you to know.

Blood biomarkers predict suicidality
DO> Important information you will want to know.

Heritability of severe mental illness may be underestimated
DO> You need to know this if you have children.

Psych Drugs Don’t Raise Death Risk in Mental Illness
DO> This will help you not to worry about your loved one.

Patients with mental illness face high mortality risk in drug trials
DO> You might want to watch this with your loved one.

For these stories and more, please visit:

POST RESPONSES TO THE NEWS HERE

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 want to tell you about a woman I read about recently. This woman was so obsessed with perfection that she literally made herself sick. The problem was, in her eyes, that her body was fat. Every time she looked in the mirror, she saw herself as fat. Now, that didn’t make it true, it’s just the way she saw herself. She would read magazines and want to be as thin and perfect as the models in the magazines. She wanted a perfect body. So she practically starved herself to get one.

There is such a thing as losing too much weight, however, and/or losing it in the wrong way.

Instead of simply eating a healthy diet and losing weight slowly like she should have, she just stopped eating almost altogether. She did drink water, however, and lots of it. The water only flushed out needed nutrients, though. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital with an almost fatal blood pressure and loss of electrolytes in her body. She was down to 95 pounds. But she still thought she was fat. In the hospital, they had to give her several bags of fluids to get her blood pressure back up. She was very weak, and very sick. The problem was not in her body, though – It was in her mind. She wanted to be perfect, and almost died in the process.

———————————————————————————————————————

Imperfection is a fact of life. It’s hard to accept our own imperfections, much less someone else’s.

This woman became obsessed with having a perfect body. You know I work out a lot, and I see men all the time who are trying to do the same thing. Instead of just accepting that they aren’t Superman, they try and try to “buff up” not for healthy reasons, but for personal reasons. Like this woman, they are unhappy with their bodies. They think that if they just work out enough, they will have “six-pack abs” and all the rest, and then their life will be perfect. That’s the wrong way to approach it, though. It’s one thing to try to improve yourself. It’s quite another thing if your motivation is to be perfect.

Sometimes it’s hard for a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder to accept their own limitations. They want to be the perfect supporter. But all you can do is be the best supporter you can be, and accept that you’re not going to be perfect. No one is. If you’re looking for the magic formula that tells you how to be the perfect supporter, you won’t find one. But if you can accept your own imperfections, it will be easier to accept your loved one’s imperfections. No matter how much they try or what they do, your loved one will never be the perfect bipolar survivor, either.

There’s an expression that says: “It’s ok to strive for perfection, as long as you accept that you will never arrive there.” If you accept your loved one as they are, understanding that they are trying their best to recover, things will be much easier for you. Just don’t expect them to be perfect. And don’t expect yourself to be perfect, either.

Well, I have to go!

 

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

Hi,

I’ve been noticing all the things you can buy for a college dorm room in the stores lately. It’s amazing, really. Even mini-refrigerators! And all kinds of space savers. So it made me think about these students. Some of them are going to college for the first time. But others are going to college to further their education. They are trying to better themselves.

Well, you may not be going back to college, but let me ask you this: Are you continuing to better yourself? Everybody has gifts and talents – Things that they are good at doing. A teacher, for example – Not everyone can be one, and you remember the ones that were really good for the rest of your life. If you have children, you want them to have the best education possible, so naturally you want a teacher who has a talent and a gift for teaching. Well, teachers always have to work on bettering themselves. They have to go for what’s called CEU’s (Continuing Education Units) so they can improve themselves as teachers.

People in general should try to better themselves, too. But a supporter particularly – You need to better yourself not just as a supporter, though, because that’s only part of who you are. But you need to continually better yourself as a person, too. Your whole life should not be revolving around your loved one’s bipolar disorder. Otherwise it just might overwhelm you. You should have outside interests as well. You need to examine yourself and ask yourself: “Am I bettering myself?” Then ask yourself: “How can I better myself today?”

When you better yourself, you can reach further goals. You can enrich your life. You will grow as a person. What do you enjoy doing? You can start there. It can even help you and your loved one financially. Many bipolar supporters (as well as survivors) start their own home businesses.

It helps with the cost of bipolar disorder, if nothing else. Do you like dogs? Maybe you can become a dog walker. Are you good with children? Maybe you can start a home babysitting or day care service. What are you interested in? Do you like to read? Join a reading club at your local library. Do you like to help other people? Maybe you can volunteer your services to help others. Or maybe you would like to go to (or go back to) college to take a course or two.

All of these are ways that you can better yourself. Bettering yourself is a way to increase your self-esteem as well. People who do this are always growing. And that’s definitely an advantage if you’re supporting a loved one with bipolar disorder.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave