Hi,
How’s it going?
I hope you’re doing ok.
Today I’m going to talk about the pain of childbirth.
This lady in the gym was telling me about childbirth that’s why I thought of this daily email today.
Anyway, I know, you’re thinking well, what does that have to do with bipolar disorder?
Well, bear with me, and I’ll show you how it does.
In childbirth, there is immediate pain, but then the pain goes away, and in its place is something
very beautiful.
Ask around, and you will not find one single mother who will tell you that the pain was not
worth it.
Well, I’m here to tell you today that recovery from bipolar disorder can be every bit as painful (you already knew that) but is also worth the pain.
In my courses, you learn how to grow and to learn from diagnosis onward, learning how to manage your disorder:
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:
But when talking about childbirth itself, the act of it, the pain of it, that’s called the birth process.
Well, there’s something I call:
THE BIPOLAR PROCESS.
And the Bipolar Process is compared to the birth process.
In the Bipolar Process, you grow in your stability like going from a child into an adult.
You go from low functioning to high functioning.
See, learning to manage bipolar disorder is a process.
It won’t happen overnight.
And it will be painful.
Any process that is worth doing can sometimes involve pain.
You know I work out a lot, so in the gyms I’m always hearing the saying, “No pain, no gain.”
Well, in the Bipolar Process, it’s the same thing. There will be pain.
But it’s like the childbirth process.
Whatever pain there is, will be forgotten in the end, when you are left with something beautiful –
When you become that high functioning person with bipolar disorder.
But it is a process…
And no process happens overnight. Even the birth process takes time.
The mother first has to go through the pregnancy, and that takes nine months.
And for some women, it’s easy.
But for other women, it’s not as easy.
For those women, they get sick a lot.
For some, in the end, they are even bed-ridden.
Then a woman has to go through labor, and sometimes that can take a long time.
For some women, they say their labor was easy.
For other women, they say their labor was very, very hard.
For some women, they say the pain was bearable.
For other women, they say it was the worst pain they ever had to go through in their whole lives.
But again, like I said before…
Ask any one of them about the nine months…
Ask any one of them about the labor…
Ask any one of them about the birth and the pain…
And every one of them will tell you it was all worth it.
In other words, the birth process is all worth it in the end.
So what I’m saying is that everything you have to go through in the Bipolar Process…
Everything you have to go through to become stable…
All the pain… the side effects of medication… the doctor visits… etc.
Will all be worth it in the end, when you are something beautiful.
When you are a high-functioning, happy, productive, STABLE person with bipolar disorder.
Post responses below
Hi Dave,
I am one who had to go through a very, very, VERY painful process of trial and error to become stable. I tried to commit suicide two times with every intent of succeeding. That was very scary! I have been stable going on 5 years now and yes, even though I had a hard time getting diagnosed even, once I got on the right meds and had sufficent therapy to know how to keep myself in a good mood, and out of mania, this life is Worth Living!!! I don’t know if I would want to go through what I had to get better again, so I stay better by staying on my medication even when things are going smoothly, and I feel good. A lot of people think, “Oh, I am feeling good, I don’t need medication!” When the reason they are feeling good and doing good is because they ARE on medication! I am so pleased with my life now. Sure I have limitations, pain, sorrow, grief, and sometimes anger to deal with, but the thing is now I am ABLE to deal with them so they are not a problem like they used to be. This is personal freedom at its best and I wouldn’t trade this for a billion dollars. If I had a billion dollars and no medication, I would spend it all and have nothing to show for it! So I am staying on my meds for life. If they need tweeking, or changing from time to time, I will do that too. What ever it takes to stay stable, I will do it! And Yes, It IS Worth It!!!
Thanks,
Bob
Hi David
When I was first diagnosed with B/P Type II in 2006, I did not realize what an impact it would make on my future. I was a binge drinker at the time, and had no intentions of stopping. Drinking made me HAPPY, not sad. Plus I’d been a drinker for years. Well, within a year of taking different medications for bipolar, I realized I had to quit drinking altogether if I wanted to get better. The drinking was NOT helping, it was interacting negatively with the med’s, and I was getting sick. Long story short, I quit drinking at the beginning of 2007, and haven’t had a drink since. Now my med’s work better and I am more stable. I had to realize my limitations,my triggers, things that always “set me off”, etc. and AVOID those situations. I had to learn to avoid certain people as well, because they were too confrontational, and it brought out the worst in me. I had to stay OUT of shopping malls unless someone accompanied me for one necessary item only, because of my shopaholic habit when hypo-manic. I had to learn to be in bed by 11 every night, up by 8 in the morning. Routine pill taking, routine meal times. Baby steps up a big ladder, but worth it? Hell yes!!! I am much better now. I do not miss drinking, funny enough. I certainly don’t miss the hangovers. But my point is, that since my diagnosis, it has definitely been a PROCESS, full of adjustments that were necessary for survival. Not all of them were easy or pleasant. Just necessary.
I have a question my husband has bipolar and he refuses
to admit he has it and he said he will never take
medication. His sisters, nephews and nieces all have
bipolar, depression, OCD, etc. and no one wants to take
medication. He tells them that I am abusing him and picking on him and they all believe it. What can I do to stay sane? I can’t speak to anyone because they are
all in denial.
What a PROCESS!! I’m sitting here at my computer, looking back on the times I’ve been manic, and trying to figure out HOW I got HERE – a stable, highly-functioning person with bipolar!
I was hospitalized three times in my 20s for full-blowo mania. While I was manic, yeah, it was FUN, but then you “crash and burn,” and THAT’S no fun. Although I didn’t recognize the triggers going into my episodes – this was BEFORE it was called “bipolar disorder” and they knew how to MANAGE the symptoms – I wasn’t aware of the “crash.”
I’ve come a LONG way from those days; I’m 61 now, and have only had about 4 mini-episodes that were handled on an out-patient basis. I’m comfortable in my own skin; I can pretty much do as I please (without any money, it makes it easier!), and I feel HEALTHY. I take my meds religiously, and try to follow a routine bedtime. It is IMPERATIVE that each and every person with bipolar disorder find their OWN “new normal” and stick with the PROCESS. Only then, can you REMAIN stable, and be able to manage your bipolar. Lots of luck to ALL of you!!
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
My comment is directed to Dee Dee. My husband was diagnosed 3 years ago after a month and a half stay in the hospital. That was where I took him when he was in a mania that I didn’t understand. In fact i thought I was going crazy and there was something wrong with me. I guess neither one of us took it all that seriously cause he quit taking his meds shortly after being released. 2 and 1/2 months ago, I realized it was happening again. I tried and tried to get him to go to the doctor. He just wouldn’t. So, I called an ambulance. Unfortunately, until your husband becomes stable on meds, he can’t think properly and therefore won’t believe he needs medication.
The first time this happened to us I had to threaten to leave my husband if he wouldn’t let me take him to the hospital. This time he had much hatred towards me and left me no choice but to take drastic measures. I hope you can convince your husband to get the help he needs.
Dave again a load og rot.
None aho see a “psychiatrist ” have EVER been CURED.
2nd you will never be “High Functioning” if you are, or have been “Treated.”
None function whoth their Brain, Mind Destroyed.
Shut this site down.
You are CAUSING Massive & Irrepairable Damage…
No, TROY,it is YOU that needs to be “shut down”.
Dee Dee, I agree. I don’t know what Troy’s agenda is or what his problem is but he is not contributing anything that could help anyone.
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I have suffered for 3 years since my wife went manic again after many years of relative calm.
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I learnt a few things the hard way. I know that this does not apply to every BP sufferer but it happens to enough to be taken very seriously:
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You cannot reason with a person in BP mania or depression.
.
Many will fight against treatment. Some will even refuse to believe that anything is wrong.
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It is like the worst drug, The “high” is just as addictive. The crash, just as destructive (but they cannot see that coming).
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Even when “level” the BP sufferer still has the condition and unlesss treated, it WILL come back. When the person is stable, is when treatment has to be MOST aggressive as that is a time when you maybe can reason with them. If you stop and “wait until something happens” it may be too late and they maybe in “that place” where they do not see reason or logic.
.
It may take extreme action or a severe event to ge the person out of mania/depression to where they can get treatment.
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Marie, If your husband is manic and will not accept treatment, blames you for what’s happening. Get out now. Especially if you have children. Make FULL acceptance and compliance with treatment a non-negotiable condition for your return. And if he accepts, watch to make sure that the treatment/medication continues even when the “episode” is over – Like I said above, in my opinion that is the most critical time.
.
When a person is in mania/depression, something has to be done to prevent further harm and to get the suffere to a “better place” in their mind. When stable, something HAS to be done to be able to live a normal fulfilled life. If we focus on getting treatment in the ‘tween-episode periods, the “crisis management” may not be necessary.
I guess the logical question is…how many shrinks, psychologists, bad medicine, psychotherapy does one have to endure to finally say, “Enough!”
I feel as though I have tried all the quacks that exist. How these people got licenses is beyond me. I think they may have found their diplomas as a prize in a Quacker Jack Box. They must have eaten all the nuts and left the candy.
These so-called doctors don’t have the slightest clue as to what they are doing. They are altering peoples’ minds and lives. These so-called doctors can’t solve their own problems, much less anyone elses.
The mental health field is a scam, let me tell you. We are just pawns. Don’t believe for a minute that these people are helping you because they are not. They are only helping themselves, financially.
Is Anyone out there having Problems Attaining Stability at all? I sometimes wonder if I EVER WILL! I have Bipolar 1 w/Rapid Cycling & Mixed Episodes. Suffering at least 4 bad episodes a year. I also deal with Hypothyroid,Which makes it more difficult to keep my meds balanced. Also I can’t take Just any meds due to Acid Reflux which upsets my stomach. I’ve had to rely on my faith in “MY MAKER” He Alone Sustains me. And if I didn’t have an AWESOME Christian Therapist I might NOT be here on earth! YES,IT’S TOUGH! Some days I Just want to DIE! I not only have The Bipolar to deal with, BUT, I have a Husband that dosn’t have a Clue about how to be a supporter!I have a Son in Prison ,I can only see one of his children.One Son without a job (due to the Crappy Economy)with a wife and 2 little tots to support.(Yeah,those things weigh on a Mother’s mind too!)My Husband has High Blood pressure and has already had One stroke just a year ago. I have Thousands of $$ in Credit card debt that I ran up years ago from manic episodes that I haven’t been able to pay off due to having to quit my job as a result of my health. Like I said I THANK GOD for MY Therapist. He Always tells me that God works Through Him and I Believe It! He knows Just what to say! If You don’t have a good Dr or Therapist FIND ONE! It Means the World!