Shocking Bipolar Update About David Oliver’s Mom

Hi,

First, sorry I didn’t write yesterday. I had so much
going on, I just didn’t have the time. I hope you
got the message from Jen letting you know what is
going on with me.

If you are new to this list, there will be a link
below to get caught up on everything. In the meantime,
please bare with me.

I have been telling you how my mom went into a
major something again. I say something because
I didn’t know what it was until yesterday.

According to her doctor, she went into another
episode again. Okay, she is doing okay now, but
there is so much for you to learn that I am
going to try to get to you as fast as possible.

Let me reexplain some things now. Okay, as you
know, around in 2004, my mom started going into
a MAJOR episode.

This story is documented in my courses/systems
here:

SUPPORTING AN ADULT
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net

Okay, so after my mom was stable, she was doing
great. Meaning, she has almost paid off her $30,000
of d.ebt, has a job, has friends, is going to the
doctor when she is suppose to, taking her medication,
following the same system for those with bipolar disorder
here: http://www.survivebipolar.net

So, everything is TOTALLY FINE. Okay, just get that point.
TOTALLY FINE. So, just think now in your head, my mom
is doing great and then….

SOMETHING BAD HAPPEN

I noticed my mom didn’t look the same, act the same
and in 7 days my mom went from the above description
of DOING GREAT, TOTALLY FINE, not being able to
work, add, subtract, screaming, yelling, foaming
at the mouth, attacking people, telling dozens if
not 100 CONVINCING lies to anyone that would listen,
looking almost like a homeless person (DEAD SERIOUS)
ALL WHILE TAKING HER MEDICATION.

I REPEAT, she WAS taking her medication–FOR SURE!

You might be thinking, “Dave, how the heck does
this happen.” Okay, I am not going to get into that
today because, quite frankly, I am still investigating
that myself. I am pretty sure that I know. I am
going to detail this.

But for now, I want you to get some key points.

1. If a person has bipolar disorder and is stable
he/she can unfortunately become unstable very quickly.

2. Supporters have to step in and take MASSIVE and
IMMEDIATE action to turn things around.

Let me tell you, over 7 days, I lost EVERY SINGLE
battle against my mom’s bipolar disorder. If you do
like I teach in my supporter course, you separate the
person from the illness. Once you do that, you can
be at war with bipolar disorder NOT the person.

So to me, I am in a long war against bipolar disorder.
In that war, there are battles. Let me tell you,
I lost all the battles in 7 days.

The bipolar disorder steam rolled right over my
dad. He called in reinforcements (me), and I
was defeated for 7 straight days. My dad was shocked.
He was worried. He told me yesterday he didn’t
know what to do because normally I figure out what
to do and he never saw me not know what to do.

BUT, I didn’t give up. I didn’t go in the corner
and start crying. I didn’t find some person
to blame and get all mad like some people do on
my newsletter list.

What did I do? I took my material, went to the library.
I read through it again. I also, and you are going to
think I am totally crazy, read a book on Cold War
strategy.

I then outlined a total counter attack against my
mom’s bipolar disorder using ALL techniques and strategies
that I knew. All the stuff in my material I have.

After I did this, I won the battle for the day. The
first major battle for me was getting around
the doctor and therapist telling me they couldn’t
talk to me about my mom’s condition.

You might be thinking, “Dave, what the heck, you
preach to us to make sure the releases are signed
so doctors and therapists can speak to supporters.”

YOU ARE TOTALLY RIGHT. I do preach that. BUT, my mom
UNDID the releases. Meaning she changed them in a way
that made it almost impossible for the doctors or
therapists to know what was truly going on.

I countered with the techniques I teach in the report
“How to get around the dreaded Hippa law.” My strategy
worked and I was able to communicate with the doctor
and therapist.

Yesterday my mom went to the doctor, her medication was
changed and within a very short period of times, she
start becoming stable again. I don’t know about this
morning. But I will go over and see how she is doing.

If you are reading this and find yourself losing battle
after battle day after day, there is hope. It wasn’t
looking good for me and I turned things around. You can
too. Just hang in there.

GOOD THINGS
First there are several good things that happen. First
I proved that my system does work. Secondly, my dad
realizes the importance of having a clue and knowing
what to do. For the first time ever he actually read
some of my material and was “surprised” that it had
stuff in it that “made sense” to do.

Secondly, my system for protecting money worked 100%.
My mom tried to spend money but the system prevented it.
That makes me really, really, really happy because
I am tired of losing money from bipolar disorder. So
my mom and dad’s finances were protected in this most
recent episode.

BAD THINGS

-Some how this happened even though my mom was taking
her medication. I will be figuring out why over the
coming days.

-My mom undid some things that I put in place to
help and protect her.

-My mom did a ton of damage to the last remaining
family members, her friends and my dad. Her sister
is really mad at her. My mom told her sister a
huge lie and now she is really mad. Like not going
to talk to her again kind of mad. Right now my
brother doesn’t talk to my mom anymore. It’s been
more than a year. Several of her friends are really
mad.

The only thing we can do is learn, create new systems
and try to prevent this again.

HERE’S WHAT I AM GOING TO BE DOING

I am going to be detailing what happen, how I think it
happened (I will never know for 100%), and how
to prevent it in the future. Right now, I can tell
you vigilance is the key. You have to be vigilant
even if your loved one is totally stable.

If you have bipolar disorder and you think this isn’t
fair or really stinks that you could go into an episode
even when you are doing everything right, the counter
to this is to have a good support circle. If my mom
didn’t have one, she really could have lost it all.
BUT she didn’t.

THE HUGE TOLL ON ME

This has taken a huge toll on me. I lost 11 pounds.
I have gotten very little sleep. It’s been super
stressful. I have forgotten several important
business meetings and this will wind up costing
me a whole lot of money unless I can convince
the people to give me another chance.

Oh well, there will be other business meetings.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I must say this, I think that the greatest difficult
with bipolar disorder is preventing the next episode
after the last big episode. I am going to be coming
out with lots to say about this really soon.

Information is the key to success with this
disorder. Without it, you will most likely fail. Whether
you have bipolar disorder or you are a supporter. This
is the brutal truth.

One last thing. People notice that I have typos and
stuff in my material. I am a math person not a English
person. BUT, the interesting thing is this. In the
midst of my mom screaming, yelling threatening,
she too my manual on schizophrenia I have been working
on for a year, and edited the entire thing and made
some suggestions. Strange, huh?

The one thing about my mom is this. She can edit
even if she is in the worst episodes. She can’t add
or subtract but she can edit. Michele Soloway (a
writer of mine) can do this as well.

So for all of you out there who think maybe I have
bipolar disorder because I have typos in my emails,
you need to reread the signs and symptoms of bipolar.
There isn’t wone that talks about grammar and typos
:).

POST RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL HERE

Your Friend,

Dave

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.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

  1. Would you like someone to proofread your messages before you send them out – or do you not mind the errors you cite?

  2. I hope today finds everyone as well as possible, in body and mind.
    VERY sorry about your mom. Our neice had a similar relapse, as her psychiatrist helped us to help her even he says this kind of thing can just happen. Everything going smoothly and “snap”. Keeping a backup of support from UNDERSTANDING loved ones, friends and family (if they can take it, many can not as you know)
    Bad rainy day in NJ can give some the blues. Keep the “faith” and be courageous! Since there is only treatment and not cure, encouragment hope and strength will sustain our BP loved ones as well as ourselves.
    Meantime, I could care less how you type, phrase and edit your emails. What you are doing each and every day is awesome!

  3. I am sorry to hear about your mom,but fortunately you are strong and things are getting better. Please let me know when you get out more about schizophrenia. For a long time, we thought my son was bi-polar but now it is possible that he is paranoid schizophrenic. He is 15 and just recently had a major breakdown and is in treatment…unfortunately for me, no insurance and I make too much for the state to step in..not sure what I am going to do yet but as long as he is getting treatment, I will worry about the rest later. God will provide!! Take care and continue providing your invaluable service. As for typos, who cares??? Obviously some people do but as long as you get said what needs to be said and it is understood, that is all that is important.

  4. David:

    Your mom is so fortunate to have you helping her. I read all of your letters and I bought your course because I do have bipolar disorder and I don’t even have a clue about it. All I know is that it has affected me, my friends and family for a very long time. I recently had an episode where I finally realized and accepted that I AM Bipolar. I am taking medicine now and am getting stable. I cried when I read about how hard you worked to help your mom and I am scared that I do not have a support system at all. I am baffled about the lying as my ex boyfriend told me I did this too and I still am unaware of the lying. Everything seemed real to me. That is scary! I am sad today about being bipolar. I hate it. I have a good life, a good job, great family(who doesn’t understand bipolar and are not interested in finding out about it) I love them. People have told me how I acted in the past prior to me getting stable and I am embarrassed. I can’t take that back and it’s stuck in their minds now. Thank you for all that you do David. I appreciate you.

  5. I have never posted here before. I have been married for 23 years. My husband is bipolar and has been for 12 years. He has had several severe manic episodes. He has always taken his medicine. He does well until something in our life upsets him either good or bad. Right now even on his meds he is doing poorly because his mother passed away two months ago. His doctor is very receptive to talking to me and changes his meds to help during these times, but let me tell you even the strongest person who is a supporter is thrown during these times. David I will be praying for you and your mother.

  6. Dear David,
    First and foremost I am sorry to hear about your Mom and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I KNOW exactly what you are going thru because I go thru it with my fiancee Dan.
    I have learned so much thru all the knowledge you have bestowed upon us supporters etc. and am always prepared to the best of my ability to deal with these situations as they arise although it is NEVER easy.
    Take care of yourself so you can continue on doing what you have been so blessed to do for everyone dealing with bipolar disease. We need you!
    Love and blessings,
    Pattie

  7. Take care of yourself. If you are ” on empty” you can’t help others or yourself. You need to get sleep. Your body tells us what our minds sometimes block out. Your immune system weakens, you get weak. Isnt there someone who can” take on one of your shifts?”

  8. David, I pray that you and your mother have a better day today then it’s been in this last week. I’m going thru the same thing with my children’s father, 2 years ago we found out that he has bipolar 1, but being that he’s 28 years old, and never had support on this matter, he won’t take this disorder seriously, and because of it I put him out in February of this year. He medicate’s himself for a month, then he stops, and it’s been like that for too long, causing nothing but problems for me as well as himself, his mother is in denial over it, and her father was also bipolar, as well as she is. He’s always in an episode, and that took a toll on me because he could treat himself but he doesn’t, his Doctor’s won’t talk to me, it’s like I don’t exist, and I’m the one he lives with, he abandon’s his job for days at a time, he’s always telling lies, I really felt that helpless that I put him out of the house, at that point I felt there was nothing else I could do, I feel hopeless David, and reading your email’s let me know that I’m not alone in this matter of supporting, or in my case trying to support someone with this kind of illness, I love him, but I can’t sit around and take the abuse of his lies, and seeing him cry all the time over nothing, I feel hopeless, and at this point it’s like I watch him pass away, although he’s still alive. Your mother is truly blessed t ohave you as her son as well as her supporter, God Bless you David…

  9. david,
    forget the petty stuff…as anyone who has loved a person with ANY type of terrible illnes will attest, there are days that we are lucky to remember our own name…Stay focused…You are not alone….you are loved…you are reaching out to others in an ongoing battle with a cagey enemy that has no sense.

  10. i appreciate your email and cant wait to find out more on your mom, i am going through the same thing with my 9 year old daughter, she just short of foaming at the mouth, i have no support from anyone, i just have your emails ,so please, keep writing, and i too am sorry to hear about your mom, i know all too well what you are going through, i dop this alone evryday

  11. Dear David,

    Thank you for all that you do for individuals living with bipolar disorder and the loved ones supporting them. You materials and e-mails help me continually. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She is so blessed to have such a dedicated and determined son. You’re absolutely right, this is a war and we need to fight each battle to the best of our abilities. Thank you for the inspiration you provide all of us. You, your mom, and dad are in my prayers. Sincerely, Elizabeth

  12. Dave,
    First let me say again how great it is that your mom has you in her corner.
    As someone who suffers from bipolar disorder and a college student at the age of 39 I laughed outloud at the reference to the typos and your mom correcting your info on schizophrenia. I correct your typos as I read…cannot help it. I can be in the middle of hypomania or depression and still proofread, so you got a good chuckle out of me. I would be more than happy to proofread your emails. I do that already. 😉 I’ll apply for the position of email proofreader as soon as you post the position.
    On another note,
    Medication, therapy, mood charts, backups, etc cannot allocate for everything that might or might not happen. Sometimes things just happen. I do not have support in the sense that your mom does, but I work hard to provide my own support. Because I am my own backup support system things sometimes go array, and I have to work a little harder to get back on track, but each time I learn something from it.
    This occurrence helped you learn that no matter how prepared you are, how much backup you have, sometimes it isn’t enough, so you have to have a backup for your backup.
    Good luck with your research, and I’m glad that your mom is doing better.

  13. Dear Dave: Very sorry to hear/read about your Mom’s relapse – it had to have been very scary for all concerned. As it’s my first time posting here, I apologize ahead of time if I’m out of line by asking if you are completely satisfied with all of the available information currently available about bipolar disorders . . . though I have absolutely NO ‘medical/psychiatric credentials’, I wonder [strongly] if there’s ‘cognizant dissonance’ in many cases. What do YOU think?

  14. Dear Dave, Sounds as if you are heading for a burnout yourself. Please take some quick down time to rejuvenate yourself. Try to remember to not get to hungry, tired, lonely, or tired (HALT). I am part of a support group of family and friends of another lifelong disease. One of the first things I learned was that I needed to take care of myself first, before I could help anyone else. I just recently started receiving your newsletters for your information. However, I had some concerns because you seemed so engulfed. You are a valuable asset to the Bipolar community. And have a vast resource of information and experience. But please take care of yourself. This can be very difficult during a crisis….but absolutely necessary in order to proceed with what needs to be accomplished. Even if it is just some quick nap..or quick time out to do something that is enjoyable and relaxing.
    All the knowledge and information in the world is of no use, if we are not feeling well enough ourselves to ue it.
    Some things are out of our control. That is life for everyone. As you say…it is all a learning experience. Thank you for sharing your eperiences.

  15. Ok, Dave, I’m gonna tell you some more information that you probably will ignore, just like all of the other things I say. I am a high functioning person with BiPolar and haven’t had an episode in 17 years by managing my illness. Maybe you don’t believe that can be done, but it can. I am living, breathing truth of that fact.

    First of all, medications can have a “poop out” effect. I know this doesn’t sound scientific, but that is how one of the doctors that I have seen described it to me.

    Ask a good doctor about the “poop out” effect that medications have. I have been through this with meds many times and it is true. The meds stop working. Plain and simple, the body builds up a tolerance to the meds and they don’t work anymore.

    Secondly, if your mother was truly being closely monitored by all those around her, she would not have gone stark-raving mad because of the “poop-out” effect.

    I know you don’t want to hear that, but I am here to tell you as a living witness and someone who has been episode free for the past seventeen of twenty five years that this is the God’s honest truth. Simply because you have issues with your mother being a liar does not make all people with bipolar liars.

    For one thing, the therapist should have notified you that the paperwork was being changed. The day that your mother requested it, the therapist should have notified you.

    For another thing, someone does not, and I repeat, does not go from peachy keen to stark raving mad in the period of a few hours. There are signs and symptoms that were being denied and or covered up before all of your mom’s required drama ensued.

    So, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

    So, Dave, you may not have bi-polar, but you need to listen and do things differently.

    Like I have said to you before and you choose to ignore, not believing that I have not had an episode in 17 years, it is like managing diabetes or heart failure. You can have the drama and end up with a heart attack or a diabetic coma by mismanaging yourself or your loved one, or you can stay out of the hospital. Your choice, the sick person’s choice.

    The way you choose to represent this illness as something completely out of the control of anyone is criminal, Dave, dear, because I am here to tell you that I have not had an episode in 17 years, and yes, I do still have bipolar.

  16. I just wanted to say hello, and that I’m very new to this bipolar thing, I have a new girl friend and she is bipolar…I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about bipolar, and your web site is a God send of information (Thanks) my girl friend had a episode last night while I was at work, she was swinging up and she wanted to go dancing and have some fun…WE know what that meant, she did say some things that hurt a little, and it was very hard not to take them personal, but this morning she phoned me and siad that I was the most understanding person she has been with and she was sorry for the things she siad to me, I told her that there was nothing to be sorry about and that i love her, I have learned so much from reading and your site thank you David, my thoughts are with you and your Mom, TTYL

  17. all i can say dave, after reading your recent email about your mom’s episode is that you are truly an amazing man. totally awesome human being. i hope someday i can be able to detach my emotions that i feel when my boyfriend is acting out. but it is hard when he hasn’t been diagnosed and it has not really been discussed that he has a disorder of any kind. i don’t know how to let him know or get him to a doctor because i cannot be the person to tell him. who should talk to him? i can’t tell his family because i think they are the cause; i believe he was physically and emotionally abused as a child. what do i do? please help me. i’m ready to run away; i can’t take much more of this without any support. nobody knows what i’m going through or waht it’s like to live with a person who has BPD, which is what i suspect, with a topping of narcisissm and sexual addiction leeza

  18. Sorry about your mom. My husband just went through another unexpected bount too and I feel for you. My husbands doctor incressed his med’s and thinks that will help. I am not totally convinced that is the right answer. Call me stpticel. I don’t think once a month is often enough for him to see his shrink. I don’t believe he tells her much at all. Compared to what I see every day. He hides the truth from her and she don’t get it. We’ve been married 25 years. Why won’t doctors ever get some feedback from family. Too help them, help their patiants. Lorriane44@sy

  19. I am sorry to hear about your mother. She is very blessed to have you to take care of her. I wish I had someone. You will be rewarded for honoring you mom.

  20. Hi Dave…Since there is no cure for Bi-polar disorder a relapse can happen. It is true that sometimes the medication just stops working or needs to be increased or changed. I have had Bi-polar for over twenty years now and have had several hospitalizations even though I take my medication faithfully. Luckily, I have not had any hospitalizations for over five years now. But in my case, I become Manic and it CAN happen in a matter of hours with little warning. I know this because sometimes that is how it happens for me. Not all the time…sometimes there are warning signs like not sleeping, agitated state, etc. But there have been times when there were no warning signs at all. Well, take care and I hope everything works out for you and your mom. ~Sher

  21. Dearest David,

    Awesome job and I find myself waiting in suspense and good hope for your next email informing us of your mom’s status.

    My doctor may reduce or cut out my anti-depressents if I complain to him of mania symptoms as well as increasing or adding an anti-psychotic like Haldol. But as you have stated, each manic depressive requires their own unique formula for episodes. I just wanted to share with you what works for me and my psychiatrist with great effect.

    Keep us posted friend. I can’t wait to know that your mom is just fine.

    Ahmed

  22. Dave, Thank you so much for sharing EVERYTHING about you , your Mom and family.I’m sorry to hear about your Mom but I truly believe that All things work together for those who love the Lord.I don’t know if you are a believer, but going to your Lord and Savior really would also help you alot.
    As far as this turning into good, just think of the other people you are helping by your sharing about this new episode happening and by your research on how to help in times like this.
    You are amazing!
    I also want to tell you that I don’t care about your typo’s.I can make out what you mean.In reading your emails, I just feel,”WOW, how does he even have time to share with us everything that is going on in his life!” I am very impressed that you take the time to clue us in. That makes me feel important,it also shows, you really care about others who are going thru this kind of life. What you have to say is way too important than to worry about typo’s when reading your posts.
    Keep the emails coming because they sure help me and don’t worry about the critics.
    I have an on diagnised grown daughter with Bi-polar and you really have helped me tremendously.
    I will keep on praying for you,your Mom and family!
    Karen Seelow
    karenseelow@yahoo.com

  23. I wish you and your family the best during this trying time.

    Bipolar is something else isn’t it? Episodes just sneak up on you, SURPRISE!!! Currently, my husband is in the middle of a prolonged relapse. This time he only took out 2000.00 in loans so we aren’t doing too poorly.

    Having an effective system in place is absolutely necessary for the sufferer and their close associates.

    Best of luck to you.

  24. When you live with somebody diagnosed as Bipolar, who has been given medication but refuses to accept the diagnosis or continue with medication, you lose hope and faith. I am now the one to blame, the one with fault, the one who has mood swings, who should be taking his medication – bottom line – I am the cause for all his unhappiness as ‘this has never happened to me before’. I take the ‘before’ as before meeting me (6 years ago), but what I have gone through in those six years I would not document in a book – it may be banned. Yes, I am now depressed because there is nobody to back me up. We are in a new country with no close family. I am too scared to make friends to bring them home – he has a major problem with alcohol (I believe he is an alcoholic – but that is my fault as well!) and when he starts, he cannot stop. His crude language increases with the increase of alcohol and when he goes into a ‘hyperactive’ mood, I cringe and try to stay in the background because if I try to control him, things only get worse. Apparently his doctor has told him to stop taking the tablets to see whether there is a difference and he has only been taking it for about a month! Now my husband says that he feels ‘clearer’ without the medication and does not need it.
    I feel for you Dave and am so sorry about this ‘pothole’ along your family’s road in life with your Mum. I wish I had the same dedication to my husband as you have to your Mum. I have lost faith and am only surviving from moment to moment. My husband is very strong willed and determined and if he believes that nothing is wrong with him (even if there is), he will not go for any further help.
    Being twelve years older than my husband as well does not help me much! When I should be looking forward to relaxing with somebody to share activities in and around the house, having hobbies (I have loads but he picks one up only to drop it a month or so later), I now wonder how I am going to make it when I have to retire (still some years to go!) because I can just not see me staying the course under these circumstances. And going back to my country is not an option, even though my family are there as I would certainly struglle to get into a decent job.
    This is like sitting between a fire and a hot stove ;o}
    Wishing you and your family well.
    Kind regards

  25. It is amazing how a biplar disorder episode can slip through one’s fingers–even Dave’s. It is a lesson for all of us who live in the bipolar world. I am SO glad that it worked out for the best. We will eagerly await your analysis of what transpired with your mom.
    RE: spelling and grammar…who cares? I read for content, not spelllling ‘o da grammar. A learned person gets his information from the CONTEXT of the message. The emails I receive aren’t marked up with a red pen. I read for communications and information, not for an opportunity to criticize. We as readers are not “grading papers” as the academics do. I speak to this idea as a retired associate professor. In fact I know a fellow with a PHd who has worse spelling and poorer grammar than Dave! …and he’s an educator (?)
    As for your critics, you seem to attract them. I think it’s time for those of us who APPRECIATE the work that you do–to voice our support and affirmations. Let’s Rock ‘N Roll. Go Dave!

  26. Hi Dave, I just received “What you need to know about marrying someone who has bipolar” and found it very useful, I also appreciate the “softer” tone you have been using lately in your daily emails. Good luck with your mom.
    SV

  27. David,
    I’ve written so Many messages to you here and lost almost every one,only because I forgot how to post. Ever since I read anything from you, I’ve wanted to speak to you directly. I am very involved and interested in this subject, I am bipolar. I am and have been on meds for 16 years,I’m functioning quite well, and I’ve even gotten requests from your other site to write or be interviewed as a “success” story. At first, I was leery of writing,I am and have been EXTREMELY busy lately, as busy as you are. Things you’ve said, always make me want to reply. And when your Mom had this new episode or Start of one, I just Really DID want to convey my empathy and I wrote a VERY long message that was also lost. I think I told you how wonderful you were, but also how SHE must feel. I think I mentioned how scary it must be for her to think she’s ok and then suddenly out of nowhere,,,,NOTHING is ok anymore and when that happens,,,it FEELS like it won’t EVER be OK AGAIN !!!
    [I’m sorry if that was an outburst,I was only trying to convey how awful that feels.]These things don’t even happen to me anymore,,I have a good memory. BUT,I DID definitely say how Lucky she is to have YOU, too !

    I said above that I’ve even gotten requests from another “department” of yours, for lack of a better word. A “success” story. Well, if I’m convinced that WILL be helpful,I never said NO, but what was requested of me there,,I think a history of ME and my case,,was something I wasn’t prepared to do and didn’t have enough TIME to do properly, then.
    I don’t seem to have many ways to contact you, and I do feel somewhat odd writing about myself in this public forum. I don’t want to HIDE anything at all.It’s only that certain things that I HAVE experienced might appear gradiose unless You first document them as being true.
    Right now, I’m wishing You luck with Mom and Everybody else who might read this,,,,,,with their own
    ,,,,,,,,,tulip

  28. I’m reading some posts and re-thinking about the helping part [meaning that I’m feeling More inclined to],,,I DO do that at another site, it has NOTHING to do with “our” subject–it’s Really a place to have FUN,and I USED to there,,,but for the past few months,, when certain individuals display signs of well,,,what I consider depression and even bipolarity, I can’t HELP but get involved [and the sad ones seem to instinctively KNOW that I’ll be there for them,it’s a little strange, and not always FUN for me !] the thing is,,,I’m older, I’ve had very sad times,,and I don’t want anybody else to be sadder than they HAVE to be,,,,I noticed 2 names in particular who posted in here and almost spoke to them, I MEANT I would like to speak to them, and HELP, but maybe in HERE that isn’t appropriate,,

  29. not quite sure what to put in this just looking for help please.i did not know about bipolar until two weeks agomyself and partner attended her fathers funeralher mum died about six years ago. we were told that she had been treated for bipolar.We have a 21 year old sonwho has allways been classed as disruptive, from primary school age exclusions special school did not finish school left at 14 .any way to cut a long story shortover the last 3 years his behavour got worse he would argue he got involved in drugs ,he would think people were laughing at him ,he would not sign any forms .we went out one night a few months ago and when we got home he had taken the batteries out of every thing mobiles clocks cameras basically anything with battery broken the land line. he said people were watching and listening he was becoming more abusive and verging on violent, he would say things to you that made no sense whatsoever ,when you said i dont understand what you are saying this just made him more angry then his frustration would break and he would startbreaking things in the house. over the last six months we have had to call the police to him several timesto get him out of the housebecuase we felt threatend we have contacted everyone over the last two years doctors, social services, his solicitor, the probation service ,the courts just trying to get him some help for him, about six weeks ago we had another flare up with him this resulted in us calling the police and again he was removed from the premises we allways spend one night away when this happens so its calm the next day hopefully. only this time it all went badly wrong he went and got some petrol and set fire to our house destroying all the contents inside we were not insured he is now in prison not recieving treatment and comes up to crown court next month, i have to go to the doctors on monday when i am going to ask him/tell i think he is bipolar can anyone give me advice what to say please over the last six months i have had to be awke upto twenty hours a day just looking after him,we love our son and do not want him to spend years in prison when we believe he did not even know what he was doing at the time iam sorry but we are still deeply traumitised by the whole issue ANYONE HELP PLEASE!!!!

  30. Hi Dave,

    I think you have a lot of good information to offer others, and it is of course because of your struggle with your mom. I am wondering, do you think she has a pretty serious case of bipolar disorder and that is why she relapsed while on meds?

  31. I have been procrastinating on having my husband sign the power of attorney for just this reason. He manipulated the system so well last episode (on medication and work related) that I know the first thing he would do is negate it. He had them convinced we were divorced last time. I probably will do it. My lawyer recommends conservatorship but my husband would never, and I can’t blame him.

    Please do not take offense here Dave. When I read the email in which you were blaming everything on your printer, I wondered if your Mother had anything to do with that part of the business. If so, that was one of your signs.

    I don’t know if I could accept being told that I had bipolar and there is no cure. That I HAD to take medicine, but it probably won’t always work. That the way I see things is not the same as everyone else. That I had to rely on someone else to tell me what was real. Can you imagine? For some reason I can and that is why I have to help my husband for the rest of our lives. It is hard not to overly analyze sometimes but I guess he has to take the bad with the good.

    I counted 3 buts when I reread this. Sorry. My husband hates that I always say but…but there is always the other side. 4 LOL

  32. Just a quick comment. Many times I have been on meds that work and then gradually they just stop working. One thought I have had is that our body chemistry changes and another thought is after awhile we become immune to the meds. One of my students has to constantly switch meds because of the way he metabolizes. I don’t know all the facts but this is his fourth round of different meds and he is maxed out and will have to change again soon. I have no medical training but being bipolar and being who I am, I think a lot about why and what is happening to me. Just some thoughts!

  33. David,

    I am reletavely new to your newsletter and free course. I stumbled accross you a few months ago. After reading about your experience, I immediately signed up.

    I was diagnosed with bipola one, about 11 years ago, but was told that I have had it since my teens. I am 63 now. I am on disability because of Lupis and Spinal Nerve Damage. Having Bipolar on top of this does not help, but I manage to remain stable most of the time.

    Over the past 11 years, I have learned much about this disorder, However, I am learning even more from you.

    I am very compulsive and delete my emails just as soon as I either print them off or have read and am finished with them.

    That is what I did with your Thursday, November 29th Newsletter where you talked about your sucessful meeting in New York.

    The reason I am telling you this is; After deleating it, I read it. I am very interested in particapating in the program you mentioned that you wanted to start around February. I live in Texas, suffer from bipolar, am presently in treatment, and have a CareGiver (Husband)who refuses to learn about the disorder and consideres me cured as long as I keep taking my medication.

    In the past three years I have had two very major maniac setbacks that required hospolization. When released and sent home, he was positive that my little eposodes were now cured.

    He is otherwise a great man and wonderful care giver for my other illnesses, but considers bipola as one would a simple cold.

    This is why I am so grateful I found you

    May the Creater bless you and yours with all his love and support!

    Jaye Sevenhawks
    Commerce TX
    jayesevenhawks@yahoo.com

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