What’s it take to live successfully with bipolar disorder?

=>PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES <=
Hi,

What’s new?

Today I have a challenge for you!

I’m just curious.

Answer this question:

What does “living successfully with
bipolar disorder mean to you?”

Ok, I’ll even give you a hint, and
I’ll tell you my answer, how about
that?

To me, it’s when taking medication,
going to all appointments (doctor,
therapist, psychiatrist, etc.), following
treatment plan, etc., all becomes a
lifestyle instead of a chore.

It’s when you have a positive
attitude instead of a negative one –
where you have totally accepted
bipolar disorder instead of
resenting it (since there’s nothing
you can do about it anyway).

It’s when you have mastered the
disorder instead of it mastering
you.

I could go on and on, but I
think you get the idea.

Now, how about you?

I’ve talked all about this
in my courses, so some of you
might even cheat!!

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

Ok, but all teasing aside, for those
who haven’t gotten my courses and
can’t cheat —

I’ll give you another hint –
It has to do with setting goals and
achieving them. Realistic goals.

And since we’re talking about
success, obviously, I think I need
to throw in here that we’re talking
about how each person has to define
their own success.

Now, I’m not trying to be a male
chauvinist pig or anything –
I think women and men are the
same here, really I do. So don’t
send me any hate mail! J

But I think it would be interesting
to see in the responses how men
define success against how women
define success. Maybe there is a
difference, I don’t know.

Especially as it regards bipolar
disorder. Maybe bipolar makes
it so that there isn’t a difference
at all. What do you think?

Your friend,

Dave

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  1. Success is not having mood swings. Being able to laugh with family and friends. To not living in a deep dark well with out any hope. Or going for days without sleep and spending money without thinking about the future consiquenses. Going to support groups and talking to like people who understand.

    Of course staying on meds (the right ones) seeing the doc and talking to my good couselor is all part of it.

    And doing small goals but accomplishing them and making more.

  2. I have gotten a lot out of your blogs. I am unable to purchase your course. I may be able to in about 6 months. I am so tired of walking on eggshells. This last blog is so true. My spouse who has been diagnosed with bipolar would only accept it and move on would be much better off. He slips into depression so easy.

  3. Seeing your Pdoc, therapist, and soliciting support/observance from family members who are informed about your particular *signs* of episodic behavior as they vary from person to person (as all brains are unique :)Those who are in contact with you daily or weekly are more apt to notice abnormalities. Getting on the right combo of meds for your needs; GETTING SLEEP. Research in this area is very interesting.

    Success is keeping toxic people and habits out of your life. That might even mean television, as it pertains to me. I would rather read.

    In other words,living with BP is a constant individualized vigil (that should not be viewed as a nuisance; all humans are limited to some degree…) over the factors that promote positive thinking in your life with the help of a medical and family support system. I have not had a need for it, but I hear that CBT is great for changing negative thinking patterns in BP patients.

    I have BP1, so my vigil is hyper-tuned. But I have reaped the so called *benefits* of the ‘disorder’ because I accept it, and work with its many postive gifts. To me, that is success.

  4. David, you ask, “What does “living successfully with bipolar disorder mean to you?”

    For me, it is reaching miles stones of achievments that I did not target in terms of “I will do this by …” but targets that I fee are desirable and indicative of reaching a kind of life that is as near normal (whatever normal is!) as is possible. For me, “normal” will be getting back into full time employment, although I am realistic enough to know I won’t get my old job back an I’d be setting myself up for another fall if I took a similar one. Associated with this will be a milestone for getting back to working 1.5 days voluntary work at the local school, which I was doing but had to back off the half day when things went awry in December last.

    Success will be completing a course I am taking so I may be a qualified Teaching Assistant.

    Success for me is also managing to cope looking after my boys for half the year (and my Mum for all the year!) without falling behind with the household chore or letting either stress me too much. (I’m not doing very well here but it’s a hard one and I reassure myself that this is a goal I cannot expect to achieve – success here is to do the best I can.

    But the bottom line is staying alive. What is it, 1 in 4 of us attempt suicide? So, staying alive where others fall is one hellava success, and one that I believe the least successful with BP should hang on to because it is true. I’ve stayed alive through some unbearable times, and I regard that as a huge success, showing me just how strong I am, rather than weak for having BP. Every time I have an episode is a race; every time I reach the finish line is winning.

    Success is also seeing mood swings level off from the extremes we have encountered prior to medication, or post a change in medication.

    Success is having fewer episodes.

    But I DON’T regard “controlling” BP is a success, except in so far as we can avoid some episodes by avoiding the triggers that explode the BP upon us. But we have to be realistic. If BP had a mind and could speak, it would show us rather like a Pit Bull Terrier on a leash, “I let you control me for as long as I want you to control me. When I decide to take the lead from you, I will!” And so it will at some time or other. This may be caused by a stressor over which we have no control, or it may simply be because the BP dragon just wakes up of its own accord and decides to flame us. That’s when the episodes “break through”. That’s where the pre-planned strategies and procedures can come into play so that the BP is not controlled, because, ultimately it is in charge, but so we can defend ourselves from a BP onslaught and … survive it.

  5. Hi Dave,
    I wish you a very happy weekend 🙂
    For me successfully dealing with bi-polarizm means dealing with the cards dealt us daily in life, taking my meds. and doing so with a sensible and realistic attitude of this is what is helpful (I Never Miss).
    As the son of a manic depressant (remember that term?)I feel medicines , family and support are very important in maintaining a good and happy lifestyle also.
    Thanks for your wise words daily, it means a lot to read your e-mails ;^)

  6. For me, success is finding a life worth living by creating meaning in my life. To no longer dwell on existential questions but rather live in the moment, embrace what is in front of me.

    Success is realizing that I am not alone in this, that I am not defined by my disorders.

    Success is finding joy, helping someone in need, loving yourself.

  7. Hi Dave,
    Well now that I have went there and let bipo do as much damage as i will stand for, it is time for me to work my way back and be sucessfull again. I have went to Western Career College, took the test and I start school april 7th, I am going to do a nine month course, Mon.- Thurs. 8-12:30 and become a medical asst. Once I can take care of myself and my family again I know I will feel better. That is my plan, and I can make it happen.
    Thank you Dave,
    Karen

  8. HI AGAIN DAVE,

    I’M LINDA B.’S COUSIN FROM NY.

    I THINK MEN & WOMEN ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT & MENTALLY EXPRESS THEIR PROBLEMS EVEN MORE DIFFERENTLY.

    ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ON LI?

    SUZAN

  9. Apparently I have achieved a fairly successful life without knowing I was a Bi-polar. I thought that my racing thoughts were panic attacks and depression has been my best friend most of my life. I keep peace in my family of now 4 Bi-polars and 2 kids, who are most likely bi-polar as well, hopefully the 4th BPD and the 2 kids are a temp situation, but I will maintain as I have always and anybody gets out of hand (except the youngins, of course) gets a nice 1/2 MG of Clonazepam (Generic Klonopin) or more because I believe in taking control of precarious situations when things are starting to go south, especially since my daughter’s manic episode escalated to the point of hospitalization (you can bet I will not tarry again if she shows signs of another manic episode that I can’t bring her out of again). Thank you so very much David for the info you provide to us everyday and I Pray that you will take your own mental/physical health seriously too. I sent you a personal email yesterday and I didn’t mean for it to sound demeaning to you, but rather to enlighten you. I have no idea how old you are but you really need a primary care physician that you trust, never mind the office personnel, the Doctor is the most important issue here and you need a yearly physical the same as every one else. I say this because I care and there is another greedier aspect to this, who will take your place if you get sick??? Who will send us all the info you send us each day??? It is a good to have screenings for this or that available but they should be advising you that these screenings do not take the place of an annual physical so do yourself a favor and slow down a step or forty and get a physical done as well as what I said in the personal email I sent yesterday. With the highest of regards, concern, and the utmost of thankfulness to you:
    HelenM

  10. Living with Bipolarism is what i have been living with for 5 yrs. I have alot of friends that are supportive and while i have been taking medicine, there a key to taking medicine and that is when you have that funny feeling that one or all are not working then you need to talk with your docter as soon as possible. I have lived with it and worked a regular job for 4 yrs. while i had it. Before I had it, I never knew about this other world. A world were there is so much understanding and love, that sometimes I think I got this illness because of how my life would turn out. My life is great, i wake up ever morning blessed to be here. I don’t take advantage of no one. You need some kind of confidence in you to live with Bipolar and def. a close circle of friends that will support you. Also what it takes to live successfully with Bipolar disorder is you have to accept that will most likely not be cured and don’t try to beat your self up for having it, just move on with your life and makle the best of it. Love Art

  11. Lynn here, and Ilive w/bipolar depression, MRE depressed. Aside from the things you alreadymentioned, I think acceptance of what you cannot change,is key. Meds are key. Being aware of your moods and mood changes are key. Keeping all appts., even if you don’t ‘FEEL’ like it, and committments w/friends and counselors, too.
    Thanks Dave, for all the good stuff you send our way. I have a folder for your emails, in case Iever want to go back and read them. Keep on keepin’ on!

  12. Dave,
    Thanks for the valuable service and support you provide all of us.
    I feel like “success” with Bipolar Disorder, is surviving. Whatever definition of surviving you would like to use. To me, Bipolar type 1 rapid cycling, it’s still being alive after some of the things that I have been through.
    I think I can break down my survival by using the acronym, NEET. N-nutrition, E=education, E=exercise, T=treatment, including medication and cognitive therapy.
    Maybe this will help others to keep there lives on course, just thinking as simply as possible.
    Thank you again for your support and listening.

  13. Dear David & Dear All,

    I cannot add much more to all that you’ve said, except that for me success meant staying on meds, staying well, keeping family and friends in spite of my ups and downs, and changing countries successfully – I’ve made my new home on the other side of the ocean and I’m totally a part of it.
    Success is also trying to communicate with a partner without blaming them for your ups and downs (after all, these ups and downs are just OUR response to life circumstances as bipolars).

    And last but not least, success means not feeling like a victim and realising that there are, have been and there will be bipolars that have positively changed literature, the arts, politics, science, etc., and that have transcended their disorder in more than one way… As well as the people that surrounded them and accepted them.

    Success is hinged upon acceptance; there can be no success if there is no acceptance.

    Thank you all for being there,
    Dolores

  14. To live successfully with bipolar disorder, a supportive network of people is the first step to take. Whether it be family, friends, counselors, or complete strangers, a network of supportive people makes the largest difference. A person can set goals all day long. A person can dream of what it is like to live differently, but without people supporting those goals and decisions, there may not be hope for some. Falling backward happens without recognition sometimes, and that is not an acceptable feature with bipolar disorder. Sufferers with bipolar need the support team not to tell them what they are doing wrong, but to reinforce what they are doing right.

  15. Men and women are equal but different! They are good at different things and have a different approach to life. Everyone should be able to develop their own talents, whatever they are. If I can get my book published I will feel successful as I have accomplished something I have dreamed about for many years. Being settled and “at home” would also be a great achievement for me personally. I have moved more often than most people I know have had the “proverbial hot dinners” and usually through fate and circumstance, not choice. Success also means different things to different people and hasn’t necessarily to do with money. Having your own worth recognised by others is success. Being appreciated and having love and friendship in life is success. Many successful artists, writers, actors and musicians (are believed to) have bipolar disorder and they can be an inspiration to all of us.

    “Life may not be the party we have hoped for, but while we are here we may as well dance.”

  16. To me, living successfully with bipolar disorder is all of the above! No, seriously, it’s accepting the dis-ease and doing EVERYTHING you can to see that it doesn’t “creep” up on you and take you totally by surprise. It’s recognizing your triggers and getting help before they take over your mood.

    It’s being able to talk about it with friends AND strangers; nothing to be ashamed of. If you had diabetes, would you be “ashamed” of it? Just because we have an illness that affects our mood swings shouldn’t hinder our interpersonal relationships or even “self-love.” NO – I’m NOT proud of being bipolar, but at least with the amount of knowledge that I’ve gained over 40 years of living with it, I can ACCEPT that there are certain limitations to what I can, and can’t do because of it.

    When I am in a hypomanic (or even manic) episode, I AM more creative. During my first “nervous breakdown,” I did something I never thought I could even DO – I sketched with charcoals and did portraits that absolutely CAUGHT the personality of the person I was sketching. BUT – when I’m stable – I CAN’T! Perhaps it’s because I am in a hospital psych ward and have the TIME to devote to this talent; there’s nobody telling me I CAN’T.

    I have always thought that the times I was hospitalized for mania that the Lord was taking me out of dangerous situations and times, and giving me a “retreat” from the outside world. Before hospitalization, I was sleeping around randomly, not even remembering the faces or names. Now – THAT is a dangerous situation, what with HIV and AIDS, and all manner of STDs out there. And – I was much TOO friendly with strangers. I.e., one time, at about midnight in Washington,D.C., I was waiting for a bus, when a carful of black men pulled up and offered me a ride. I was standing there with an older woman, and we BOTH got in! Fortunately, they dropped me off where I wanted to go, and nothing happened. Can you imagine such a scenario today??!! (For point of reference, this was in 1968). So, you see, I have been hospitalized THREE times when LIFE itself had become dangerous for me. I DID NOT make wise choices; I DID NOT have good judgment. I like to think in the last 31 years I have attained SOME wisdom in how to act/be stable, and partially “normal” (whatever THAT is!).

    So – “living successfully with bipolar disorder” means, not a life without trials and tribulations, but a life presenting challenges and choices that you CAN overcome and, with the proper medications and therapy, present yourself to society as a highly-functioning bipolar. Perhaps you could even be an example to others with bipolar, and learn and teach them with YOUR experiences.

    Life with bipolar does not have to be a DEATH sentence; it CAN be a LIFE sentence with benefits. No one gets out of this world alive, but at least we can try and enjoy the Lord’s blessings even with a dis-ease we didn’t ask for.

    BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. Please pray for Susie, as she is going through a VERY rough time right now. And save a little prayer for me as I navigate the financial, physical and emotional trials that I’m going through at this time.

  17. Hello, David!

    Being the eldest of four siblings, I’ve always been competative and could climb trees and fight better than most boys! I’ve also been bright and won a scholarship to ‘Howell’s’ school, in Cardiff (where the famous Welsh singer, ‘Charlotte Church’ was educated), achieving 96%, the highest score out of all the applicants within South Glamorgan.

    Whilst I was studying for 4 ‘Advanced Level’ subjects, I also found time to model swimwear, lingerie and sexy dresses for an expensive, exclusive magazine based in London, plus sell advertising space on a local Paper.

    Then I became a ‘pioneer’ by being the youngest PERSON, not just female, to enter the ‘Insurance Industry’ at the age of eighteen, instead of the normal age back then of twenty-five. I worked extremely hard, ‘cold-calling’ both via telephone and by physically knocking doors, quickly achieving “high-flyer” status. I soon became “head-hunted” by bigger companies with more financial products to sell and better training facilities.

    Contrary to other pretty females moaning about their looks getting in the way, I found being naturally blonde and attractive but bubbly, didn’t interfere in my success at all. Whenever I was dealing with a couple, I always spent more time explaining stuff to the woman to make her feel special and important, realising that if she felt threatened by me at all then she would ensure any policy “sold” during the meeting would soon be cancelled afterwards. I’ve made long-standing friends out of many of my clients.

    Back in the 1980’s, the Insurance Industry was still mainly a male dominated place and I got used to the disgruntled remarks that I was obviously “sleeping around” to sell so well by the losers, who used to spend countless hours every day moaning and failing to cold-call or ask for ‘referrals’ from existing clients. In order to sell even a bog-standard policy, I had to know ten times more about the product than men, as I was relentlessly tested. I soon realised that I needed to specialise in a niche market, so picked on the very subjects that most of the other men stayed clear of – ‘Trusts, Wills and Taxes’!

    I made a lot of money, which back then symbolised SUCCESS, but in hindsight it was merely a ‘learning curve’. When the hot fat from the chip pan blew up all over me and one of my Tenants managed to drag me screaming up the stairs into a cold shower, whilst she went back down to put the fire out, I remember thinking that I’d lost my looks, as I shakily put my hand on my nose and felt skin peeling off in slivers, but I strangely found that I didn’t care because I was STILL “Me”!

    As I’ve mentioned in a past blog, I eventually lost everything of material value, but losing my own pets to new homes killed me the most. It’s taken a long time, but I’ve remarkably been left with little physical scarring and my will to thrive and make a success of my life still prevails.

    I currently spend a lot of time on local committees and doing volunteer work for an Animal Charity. My deaf Doberman and Border Collie work twice weekly as “Pets As Therapy Dogs” over a local hospital. I’m quietly taking my time to learn as much as I can before I launch the biggest intergenerational Charity that Wales has ever seen and secretly “recruiting” people in my mind that I feel will most likely be suitable towards helping me. (I’m learning from past mistakes!)

    I agree with the other writers on this current blog of their views of success, because I too take my medications on time; eat often and healthily; rest a lot; visit my fantastic team of Doctor; Therapist, Nurse and Psychiatrist regularly and generally spend time attempting to help others. I laugh a lot, as I’ve always had a broad sense of humour and when times have been hard, I’ve often looked up to the sky and said, “Very funny!” to whomever’s listening, as I reckon that our ‘Maker’ plays the game of “Chess” with us for fun, sometimes.

    Life IS like a Chess game and SUCCESS is either ‘Stalemate’ or better still, actually ‘Checkmate’! Whenever LIFE is getting one down (often via Depression), try to always be thinking of the next positive ‘move’ on the Chessboard to win, not lose. I believe that ‘God’ lets us win if we try hard enough, as the intention is to teach us lessons, NOT to totally destroy us.

    I’ve been “kicked in the teeth” so many times that I know what I’m writing about. The utter despair, enveloping gloom and total panic of not seeing ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ has caused me to attempt suicide on three occasions. However, I WAS mis-diagnosed at the time, NOT on medication and didn’t have the Medical-Team back-up that I have at present.

    My heart goes out to all those suffering far worse than myself. Why not try my ‘Chess Game’ analogy and see if it helps a little? It’s given me strength.

    Take care,

    Sue and all the animals. x

  18. Nightlady said, “Many successful artists, writers, actors and musicians (are believed to) have bipolar disorder and they can be an inspiration to all of us.”

    What makes me think a little harder about this is that the people often quoted as being famous artists, writers, composers, etc. were of times then there was no treatment for BP! Stephen Fry, a modern day actor, writer and comedian, deliberately avoids treat because he feels he would not be so inspired without his hypomanic episodes. So, I wonder if all those famous people would have achieved anything like they did if they had received medication.

    So, maybe for someone with a creative bent, treatment is a double-edged sword?

  19. well Dave, success as the supporter of an 8 year old child means being able to stay in class. Being able to get along with others, including the teachers. Not having to see my child in a 6 hour rage, destroying toys, walls, and getting hurt in the process. Medicine and good doctors have made all this possible. Having only short outburst. even shorter sad times. No chronic crying until she falls asleep then waking up to start it all again. Or not having the emotionl roller coaster never knowing what mood will show up next. Learning about triggers and the help of medication and behavior management Psychologist. Having a great school system with people who understand her need to plan her day. Sudden changes in schedule are a big no – no with her. We are currently on level ground. But I know that she has many changes to endure. I am comfortable and happy being her grand mom and supporter. Our goal up next is to help her to become more organized and try to build her since of self. She needs a since of I can do. Not an I can’t since about her self. People like you. Plus what I have learned from life experiences keep me from hate, and anger of the kind that distroys the relationship I have with this child. I made many mistakes with my grown daughter and sons. I am sure I will make some again. But I am much more knowledgeable than when I first had to live with BPD. We have even found solutions for lost sleep nights. Soft music and helping her to relax. We have learned about going to her favorite happy place in her mind and thinking about everything there to help calm a bad moment. We are working together. Love makes it all easier.

  20. I am the wife and supporter of a 50year old man living successfully with bipolar. In the past he (we) have suffered from rapid cycling mania. I would define our success as the willingness to find and participate in an appropriate treatment plan. For regular sleep and allowing ourselves to take, and enjoy “down time” which as you know, is very difficult for a person suffering with mania. If you are in the Cape Cod Ma area and are looking for treatment check out The Cape Cod phyciatric center in Hyannis. My husband has been on a combination of Lamictal and Aderal for 14 months. It took about three months for him to stabilize. Since then our life together has improved drastically

  21. Thank you. Today my x who has bi-polar and is waiting to go to a treatment facility, said” I just want to go where I can get a cure” and because I had read your email, I was prepared to tell him, there is no cure, there is only a successful outcome when you co-exist with your bipolar and manage it as a way of life…. today, he really seemed like he “got it”. Thanks again. Kat
    PS. I was wondering about the doomsday course… is it a stand alone or contained in your supporter course? Can you use one without the other? April is a tight month with taxes so I have to choose wisely. Please advise.

  22. How to be successful with BP? I’m not sure since I haven’t reached that point yet. I think it means a few things: not getting fired from jobs or quitting when you’re depressed and don’t “feel like” doing anything, maintaining relationships, not sinking into a black hole every now and then and cancelling appointments and everything else, or being up all night a nervous wreck. It means not shopping and eating to numb feelings, and it means looking forward to each new day. I need to know how to achieve these things, because right now I’m struggling. Please share your thoughts. tderkos@emich.edu I could use some help!

  23. Hi! This is my first writing. I have an 18 year old who is BP and has had raging issues. He does not have clear manic episodes, but seems to have an addiction to the computer, which keeps him awake half the night and occupies him most of the day, spends money faster than he makes it, can not seem to keep a job, wants to move out on his own, but does not understand that he needs money for that, can not finish simple tasks around the house, etc. We have dealt with this for 5 years. With all the counseling we have had and reading this web site, I as his mother know how to react to him in order to avoid an argument. Is the addiction and money spending part of BP? He is such a great kid and use to have friends around, but now it is just they computer that he communicates with people through games like the Sims and Runescape, bartering things back and forth.
    I just needed to vent and see if anyone else has seen this and if there is anything I can do to help him.
    Thanks,
    Janet

  24. Janet,
    Rages are often a symptom of mania, or hypomania. Mania and hypomania are not always happy affairs for someone with BP! In my own experience, extreme irritabiity usually comes when I’m going thru a mixed episode, esp. if it’s rapid cycling. This may or may not be the case with your son – if I were he/you, I’d consult the pDoc – s/he needs to know about this, esp if its something that never used to occur.

  25. I was wondering when I will know if I have accepted the bi-polar disorder. I was also wondering if the medications abilify15mg and seroquel are a proper combination of meds for my bi-polar. thanx much jon

  26. To my previous comment I dont know if I have accepted it. About a week ago I had a manic episode which brought me to another state out of contact with everyone. I had gone 3 months without missing one day of my meds,then I ran out and this manic happened to me about a week after I ran out. In the short time of a week of running out I destroyed everything every thing I had worked so hard for. I guess I am just posting this because I am confused with all this and I dont know how else to express myself with out feeling like I am a week person. So many thoughts so little time, if you have any advice or questions for me just let me know.
    thanx for listening,
    jonny boy

  27. jonnyboy

    First, just because you missed your meds and screwed up your life,as you see it, that doe not make you a weak person. You are not yourself when you are in an episode. You take on the character, and all its failing, of BP. This isn’t you and you should not define yourself by what you do when you are in a BP episode. On the face of it, it sounds like you are actually bright – you express yourself well, self aware and sensitive – you appreciate the effect the BP has on you and others. All of these are fine qualities. It’s just this bastard BP that gets in your way, like it does for so many (too many) of us. There actually is a “silver” side to this current dark cloud which you can build on and then begin rebuilding what the BP has smashed up. What? You now appreciate, and you ADMIT, what happens when you don’t take your meds. Now, admitting this, shows you ARE ACCEPTING your illness! Do to you realise just how many people with BP don’t are in denial? I read (I forget where) that more don’t than do, which may explain why so many of us end up dead. You are not one of them, obviously! You are a survivor, which makes YOU STRONG, not weak.

    So, start rebuilding on the strong foundation of that realisation, which is: NEVER stop taking your medication!! Do that and the way can only be UP. Go there! I know you can do it BECAUSE you know what caused your last episode, you know how much damage a bad episode can cause, and you know (I know and am telling you this as one BP person to another) you are a survivor already! You are further up the road to riding the BP dragon, and not falling off, that most because you know all these things and because you are still alive.

  28. This is to John Boy: You need to realize at some point that no medication means distruction of your hard work. Every time you forget and allow yourself to run out of medication you are inviting another episode. I know that you want to be free of medication and live life without it. But I have been taking medication for another reason for many years. Without it I will die or be crippled for the remainder of my life. You did not ask for BPD any more than I asked to be ill. The only way to survive without serious consequences is to take medication. David has said this over and over again. If you forget the lesson, Then maybe it is worth going without meds and taking your chances with self distruction. Some people repeat this until there are no more chances. I enjoy my life and want to live. How about you? It is your call and you have complete control over what you choose to do. Medicate or not medicate. If your medication isn’t working, get to the Doctor and tell him truthfully what you feel. He is there to listen and help. Not to make you a Zombie on medication. Try truth and honesty. Give the doctors a chance to do good for you. He can only do so much. The the rest is up to you. When we make mistakes there are always consequences. Don’t pay with your life. You only get one.

  29. For jonny boy:
    I just wanted to let you know that Abilify and Seroquel are 2 of the many meds used to treat Bi-polar Disorder, but they may or may not be the right ones for you. I take Seroquel, Lamictal, Trileptal, and Clonazepam. Sometimes you get lucky and get the right combination of meds right away, sometimes it takes a while because no 2 people are the same. My daughter, for now anyways, takes Seroquel and Lithium but she has taken many combinations of meds throughout the past 8 years. This might be the right combo for her or might not be, it’s a try and see game, unfortunately. As far as knowing when you have accepted the fact that you have BPD, for me it was admitting to myself that I have this disorder, there is no cure for it so I must keep my app’ts with my Psych, be as honest as possible with him, and make sure I take my meds at the same times everyday as prescribed. And I do a lot of Praying for myself and my family and for all who posts to this blog because I am a person with BPD who supports 2 others with BPD regularly and now my step-daughter (who also has BPD) and her 2 kids are living with us and if I go into a manic episode there will be nobody to pull the others back from their manic episodes, sort of like the domino effect. The stress is on me to keep my family going as best as I can and I use this blog to help me, like a therapist would, between my Psych visits. As I have stated before: David Oliver, with his emails and news and this blog, is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Use this blog and all the info from David to your advantage, it really has made a giant positive difference in my life. Good Luck to you and Prayers for you all.

  30. Success is living your life as close to the way you want to as possible. With bipolar illness there are so many meds, dealing with pharmacists, doctors, coping with people and so many other areas of stress, that I think that when that is all done, if you could do whatever you want, that is
    success. For me it is having a beautiful, organized home that I can come to and feel the love I feel for myself with my little kitty purring and letting me know whe knows me and likes me. It would be nice to have some friends, but I find that very difficut. Most people work. I can’t work. I have no way of meeting people. I am going to a support group starting next week and hoping I can meet someone that way. I go to the gym three times a week, see my therapist twice a week and my psychopharmacologist every week. That takes up a lot of my time. So, my home, my kitty and my books are my best friends.
    Dana

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