==>>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
Hey,
How’s it going? I wanted to tell you something
super important today but before I do, I want
to update you on some stuff.
This past week I set a record for myself. I
read 18 books. I am working on two problems–
one lowering the cost of my advertising
which is out of this world. The cost of bringing
in new people to my mailing list is really,
really high. Some of you know how much and
you have been “amazed.”
The second problem I have been working on
is a way to help people who can’t afford
medication for a mental illness. Now I know
there are these programs where you can get
bipolar medication at a reduced cost but
many people can’t figure out how to qualify
or simply don’t qualify.
It’s such a big problem for people on my
list that I am working on a f.ree system
to help people in need. I almost have it
all together.
It’s going to be great and will cover
all situations. I find that the reduced
medication programs simply don’t seem
to work too well with people like I said
before.
I am going to be asking for volunteers
to get and go through my system for fr.ee
and give me feedback to make sure it makes
sense and will work. I then will launch
it worldwide 100% free of charge to help
society. It’s kind of complicated to set
it up but it will be simple to use.
The idea I came up with has forced me to
do tons of research hence why I read 18
books in a week. I have about another 25
to go. I am going to read them over the next
two weeks.
Keep your eyes opens for an email over the next
month asking for volunteers to go through
my system.
Okay let’s jump into today’s topic.
I was over my parents house and I was
talking to my dad. First he told me
my mom was having trouble sleeping
but before it got out of control
and went into a major bipolar episode,
she called her doctor and therapist
and they came up with a change
to her bipolar treatment plan to help
her sleep.
Sleep is a huge thing with bipolar
disorder. Very few people even mention
it. If you or your loved one has problems
sleeping, call the doctor/therapist as soon
as possible. Lack of sleep leads to bipolar
episodes.
Anyway, I was happy my mom was proactive.
So then I told my dad that I kind of knew this
would happen…he looked at me confused
and said, “how did you know?” I said,
“umm remember those worksheets I gave
you from my bipolar supporter course
that I filled out for you that explained
the signs and symptoms for mom and also
went through historical data?”
He was like, “ummm, well yea that’s right.”
I could tell he had no idea what I was
talking about. Then he said to me, “well
it’s great your mother was proactive. I
am keeping my fingers crossed that she
doesn’t go into an episode.”
I was like, “you are keeping your fingers
crossed?” He was like, “yea, that’s what I
am doing.” I looked at him like he was
crazy.
NOTE-If you are in a country where people
don’t do this and you don’t know what “keeping ones
fingers crossed” means, it’s like…hmm
how do I explain it. People do this
so that they can prevent bad things or
bad luck from happening.
I said, “Dad what kind of system is that? You’re
fingers crossed? What do you think stability
is, like a lottery?” He looked at me puzzled
and then I reminded him all the stuff in my
bipolar supporter course on bipolar success
course on what it takes to be stable.
I said, “dad, when I set all this up, the goal
was a system that mom could use that gave her
the power to manage her bipolar disorder. This
system has worked incredibly well for her and
tens of thousands of other people all over the world,
and it’s not based on a lottery type of approach.”
He said, “well, you’re right, she will follow
your material.” Then he went back to watching
the news.
In my head, I realized that my dad seriously
thinks my mom’s stability is based on “luck”
or like a lottery. He thinks she has kind of
gotten lucky. It’s not skill or a system
and this is totally wrong.
There are many on my list that think this
way. I am here to tell you…well first
let’s take a break and say the old disclaimer…
I am not a doctor, lawyer, insurance agent
therapist, or other kind of professional.
I am not offering medical or legal advice.
I am offering my opinion.
Oh and I am not a circus worker. Someone asked
me if I worked in a circus out west in the USA.
I had to laugh.
Okay back to the point. Stability with bipolar
disorder is done through a system and I firmly
believe that anyone can learn the system
to managing bipolar disorder.
It’s not a lottery at all.
AS a matter of fact, I was interviewing a woman
today and she is one of the biggest success stories
I have ever come across. She spent years, and years
going to hospitals for bipolar disorder. She was
doing really, really bad. She had really violent
thoughts. She couldn’t keep any kind of job.
Eventually she learned how to manage bipolar her
bipolar disorder through a new system and new
techniques and methods. She has remained stable
for 17 years and not been to the hospital. She also
has held the same job for the last 17 years.
So here is a lady who has stability based on
almost luck or a lottery and then goes on
to manage her bipolar and control it instead
of it controlling her. It’s through
a system.
She is just one example that bipolar can
be managed. Look at my mom, same thing.
She used to go into so many bipolar episodes
every year. Today she manages her bipolar
disorder and “catches” the episodes before they
get out of control.
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 talk about how to prevent episodes and what
to do if episodes occur whether you have bipolar disorder
or you are supporting an adult or child.
There are ways to manage bipolar disorder.
You may feel that I keep repeating the
same point in this email but I really want
to drive it home before it’s so important.
Bipolar supporters and bipolar survivors
have to realize that you can manage bipolar
disorder. I sent an email yesterday talking
about the importance of belief and bipolar
disorder. This goes along with belief. You have
to believe that you or your loved one can
manage bipolar disorder.
If you think it’s based on luck or a lottery
than it’s going to be really difficult to maintain
stability.
Well I have to run and head off to the library
to do some research. I will catch you tomorrow.
Your Friend,
Dave
P.S. Don’t forget to take a look through the
different programs I’ve put together… each one is designed
to help you with a different area of bipolar disorder whether
you have it or you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
P.P.S. Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
P.P.P.S Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can’t learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com
Hi Dave,
My brother lives in another state with his wife and two young daughters. He was diagnosed bipolar a couple of years ago. With him living so far away, our only contact is through emails and by phone. I’m really unsure exactly what is a bipolar “episode”. Could you please explain? Thanks.
I have read some of the things you say, I am not sure if it is part of my bipolar but I cant keep on track of all that reading. I think if you are going to help you need to write shorter “stories” I get lost and dont want to read all that
I receive your emails and find them very interesting. I have also posted some of them onto my MSN forum for bipolar disorder. If you are interest please visit http://www.msnusers.com/Bipolarsupport2 . I had set up this group to help with my son who is bipolar and have had lots of help there. A great network of friends and personal experience.
Tammy
I feel as if everyday is lottery day I never know how I will feel or what I will do at times it is scary and very frustrating
Dear Dave,
I am on Disability, with Medicare and a Supplemental HMO with Rx coverage…but they refuse to give me the medicine that has prevented so many episodes for me, and helps me sleep (clonazepam). It’s not on their “Formulary”! And they’ve changed my Depakote pills, because of their expense, to generic Valproic Acid liquid: Half the time I throw it up because it FEELS like drinking acid! This is a level I need to maintain in my blood to keep me stable. It would be a blessing to me and so many others if you could get help for us with our prescriptions.
God Bless You.
Barb in Long Island
Dave, thank you so much for your great work, and all the research. I can tell you as a bi-polar I sufferer myself that the illness truly is managable. Since I have been on my medication since 1999.
Without any major manic episodes.
What you are doing for all of us is so helpful, and I pray that others will get on board and help.
Too many families are suffering in silence and are being destroied, by the monster that this illness is. Without medication, and education so many thousands of lives will literilly be lost to suicide, and violent crimes, that are needless!! Please keep educating America, Dave before it’s too late. And tell the people who suffer that they have a right to file for disability if they are unable to work because of phyical and mental disabilities. They call it a dual diagnosis, that is what mine is. And though I am only 50 years old I am on medicare and medicaid which pays for my medication. Otherwise at approx. $1600. every 3 months I could not afford it. God help the people just like me who do not have the coverage that I have gotten. God Bless you one and all!
Linda Silverio
Marketing:
I very much respect all the presentations given by The Learning Annex. Given that you are so close to New York, you might want to see if you can give some classes.
You also have great advice on how to organize complex information and the value of planning for positive outcomes. Those would make good topics, too.
ALSO, please stop putting dots in your words, like “f.ree.” It is so way tacky and does not keep you out of spam.
Marketing Tip: You are going into spam because your email provider keeps changeing your “sent from” name in hopes that you won’t be caught. Consequently, people can’t easily ask their email readers to put your email into their inbox because the rule keeps changing.
Tip 2: The spam filters know “f.ree” and “m.oney” and all that tacky stuff. Seeing it in your newsletters really reduces the quality of your otherwise great service.
pizza58ok, so I’ve just been having a really rough month with feeling like things are getting more and more out of control. Talked with daughter’s psychiatrist who calmed me a little by saying “cutting is an attempt to get control when someone feels like they have none and often our bipolar family and friends have lost much.. their home, their job, we’re buying their food, doing their laundry, etc. etc. It is NOT really an attempt to harm or suicide.” Well that was a huge relief.
And then he said “Let her go. She badly wants to move into her own place and has an appliation into public housing who is mandating she do treatment and have proof of an assessment and doing so, so really no point in my being involved.” Big deep sigh of relief.
So two messages… stop trying so hard to help her so she can gain that control of her life back at her own pace. And really really recognize that the natural consequences probably won’t be as bad as I think they will… no fingers crossed >G< So copied off the letter today for a client i have as well as my daughter… ok, i couldn’t resist, i know, i KNOW, dangit.. but its just such a good idea… “Take control of your life and then other people won’t feel the need to do so” . My own slightly twisted reaction 🙂 Do please forgive me, Dave .. lol
Dear Dave,
For years I have known that I am different from other people and used to think there was something wrong with me. When I learned that developing strength from learning how to cope was beneficial, well, life got better.
When you are ready to have a person who loves to gather information as well as be part of the solution, I hope you will contact me! I am so underemployed right now I can hardly believe that I’m thankful for my position, but I am!
Please call or email me when you are ready to pay someone to help you! I would consider it a privilege and an honor. And oh, by the way, I have bi-polar disorder.
Terry Chandler
Phone: 828.288.2937
Email: tersplace2003@yahoo.com
Dave – I read your emails everyday. I totally believe how important consistent sleep patterns are. Recently, it has been brought to my attention the connection between sleep apnea and depression and bipolar disorder. Is there anyone else out there who has experienced the connection?
Dave – As you know, I read your emails every day, and try to say something meaningful in response. You are an anchor in my dealing with bipolar disorder, and I bless and thank you. Keep up the good work – you are an angel for those of us sufferers and supporters. Wish I could proofread your daily emails, but you ARE getting better lol..
I DON’T have trouble sleeping – I choose to take all-nighters when I’m afraid I won’t wake up to the alarms (I have 2). I only do it once a week; sometimes, I’ll do it, and then get four hours sleep on another day. I find I function soooo much better on little sleep, which, unfortunately, is a symptom/problem with bipolar disorder. My therapist advises me that as long as I keep an “ebb and flow” about it – catch up on my sleep on those days I don’t get much – I will be all right. I kinda believe her. I haven’t even reached a hypermanic state as yet, but know if I start feeling anywhere NEAR mania, I will stop.
To MICKI: A bipolar “episode” can be either a “manic episode” or a “depressive” episode. In a manic episode, the person is highly euphoric (“high,” “happy,” “blissed out”), and has boundless energy so that they have very little need for sleep, and can go DAYS without sleeping. These episodes can/do include delusions of grandeur (they receive messages from God, they ARE God, etc.), and say and do irrational things and alienate their families and close friends with their words/actions.
A “depressive” episode is one where the person stays in bed for DAYS, doesn’t eat right, has no interest in things they once loved to do, cry, and are unhappy for no apparent reason. These people are in a highly suggestive “suicidal” mood, and have to be watched closely.
If your brother acts like either one (or both) of these ways, he is going through an “episode” and needs medical/psychiatric evaluation before he hurts himself or anyone else.
I hope the above will help you. I am sooo sorry your brother has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but I hope you will continue to love him and treat him normally and with kindness.
BIG HUGS to all bipolars, and the ones who love them. God loves you, and so do I.
Hi Dave, this is really not directed to this email, but I am reminded of a teacher that I team teach with. She is soft spoken, gentle, (wouldn’t you want your child in her class?) in this room, there is respect for the teacher, each other. It is certainly a safe place to be. She has actually had parents upset with her because she does not yell at the kids in her class. Yes, this is true and has happened on more than one occasion. I guess as wonderful as this teacher is, and she is a wonderful teacher. There is a message here, you can not please all of the people all of the time. The lady who asked you not to send her the emails anymore should just hit unsubscribe. Yes you advertise a lot in your emails, but you need to make money too. (would it not be wonderful if you were independantly wealthy and could provide all of this stuff for free?) Dave, keep writing, and keep helping in your own way. Thank you for all of your time and information.
Ann
Thanks Dave for all that you do for all of us. I am a bipolar sufferer and have been for more years than I care to even think about.
Your information has been extremely helpful to me. Keep up the great work…
Sharon
My boyfriend who i love dearly is bypolar and everyday is unpredictable. I am currently mad at his father for waiting around until it is too late to get my boyfriend some help. My boyfriend’s father is either in denial or just deeply disapointed that his son has this illness. His dad leaves all the responsibity to his mom and gets very angry with her when treatments or something is not working. My boyfriend needs to go to the psychtrist to find another way of treating himself or needs to be hosptalized. It saddens me to see my boyfriend falling apart and his uspport system will not help him.
Hi Dave,
This is a huge problem trying to pay for medications. My daughter is 34 and bipolar along with several other medical problems. She is on disability which does not cover a fraction of her meds which run in the $100’s. As retirees we are footing the rest of the bills. Drug companies consider her unqualified for assistance because she has a medicine program(which does not include her current meds)Is there any help out there for this situation? Thanx Rosi
My son Charles A. Alexander
6271 south Sunnyvale ct.
Gilbert AZ 85297 could really use
you new program you are developing
for free medication for bipolar disorder. He is trying to go to college and has no medical insurance. He is sometime in denial
and sometime wants help.
Your thoughts about the meds really hit home. We just recently discovered that if my DH stays on his current meds, it will cost us $900/month with our newly-improved-for-the-new-year health insurance.
And I think we really have it good because I am stable and working and we HAVE insurance. I can’t imagine what others are going through who don’t have that “luxury”.
http://bipolarhubby.blogspot.com