Hi,
Hope you’re doing well.
I have to get going because I have a lot of driving to do today.
Anyway, I got this email:
Hi David,
I just read your email and it reminded me of me years ago. I don’t get that way anymore. I have a great psychologist. I have a new pyschiatrist and I think he is a keeper. I really don’t like psychiatrists but I know if I have a good one I will be OK. I have had bipolar for 37 years. I know everything you say is true. I think it is greatthe work you and your staff do. I hope with you and yourstaff that no one else will have to spend 37 years never knowing what tomorrow will bring…”
Sincerely,
sandie
—————————————————————-
Sandie was writing in response to a horrible hate mail (email) I had received, and she said some other stuff, but I just wanted you to get the gist of her email here (I didn’t want it to seem like I was bragging or anything, I wanted to get to the point of my story here).
In the email I had gotten that she wrote about, the guy had gone on and on about what a terrible person I was and how I was ripping people off and how I was so rich off other people and I wasn’t helping anyone, etc. etc. I mean, none of that is true, of course — I’m only saying that so you can maybe understand more what Sandie is talking about.
But that’s the point of my whole email.
This guy who had written me, I believe, was writing all that stuff because he was off his medication. Only someone with bipolar disorder who is off his medication would write that kind of stuff.
See, like Sandie said…
“it reminded me of me years ago. I don’t get that way anymore. I have a great psychologist.”
Sandie is stable now, because she is following at least one part of the Bipolar Stability Equation – getting a (great) psychologist (or psychiatrist and/or therapist).
That’s one of the things I talk about in my courses/systems below:
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
Without following the Bipolar Stability Equation, even the most stable person with bipolar disorder CAN go into a bipolar episode!
So what happened to this man in the other email CAN happen to your loved one, too!
Remember, the most important part of the equation is taking your medication. For that part there is no exception, no room for give or take. Taking medication for bipolar disorder is crucial to stability.
So, if you take medication out of the Bipolar Stability Equation, your loved one CAN go into an episode.
The next thing is therapy. You can choose the TYPE of therapy your loved one takes, but if they do not see a psychiatrist, psychologist (as Sandi said), therapist, or other kind of mental health professional, they CAN go into an episode.
Your loved one should also have a good support system. Of course, they have you, but there should be other people in their support system: family, friends, coworkers (if they still have a job), other volunteer workers (if they do volunteer work), other support group members, a priest or pastor, other people in their church congregation (if they go to church), another caregiver, etc.
If not, your loved one CAN go into an episode.
They should also be taking care of themselves.
This is another part of the Bipolar Stability Equation. This includes things like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and sleeping right (8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night).
These are the most crucial parts of the Bipolar Stability Equation. If any of these things are NOT done, your loved one’s “house of cards” will topple, and they CAN go into a bipolar episode.
However, there are also other things that make up the Bipolar Stability Equation as well, and will help to maintain your loved one’s stability.
They should also have outside activities, and do things that are productive, things that make them feel good about themselves.
One of the things I recommend is a To-Do List. They should start slow, with only a few things on the list, otherwise they will feel overwhelmed. Then they can expand the list. Getting outside and doing things keeps them from being so isolated, which is one of the key triggers to a bipolar episode, so make sure that your loved one does some outside activities as well. Send them on some errands – this will help make them feel useful,
and get them out of the house.
Maybe you even have some suggestions of your own that you can share with other supporters of things that have worked for you?
If so, we’d love to hear them!
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
Hi David and Everybody:
Hope all is fine with you now with everybody who had an episode a couple of days ago. I didn’t want to stir up the mixing pot yesterday about all the negative comments the day before, but it has been my observation and experience that when one has an episode it has an effect on others, sending them into a BP episodes, as well. Hope everybody has themselves back to normal again. Prayers for you all and your well being.
Since subscribing, I read your blogs and emails that I get each day and find them informative and interesting. But, I am not using your courses at the moment because we still have the problem of denial by my daughter. From all that I have read and researched, she probably does have bipolar disorder but it has been a real struggle to even to get her to the GP. She said this was a waste of time. Knows that medication and therapy are necessary but refuses help from both. Anti-depressants and therapy in the past, according to her, have not helped. She is an actress and is convinced that she needs the emotional vulnerability to perform. In the meantime, is not using any part of your equation – the medical help, the diet and rest. She is currently obsessed by trying to earn some money and be financially stable. Working around 50 to 80 hrs a week and little sleep. She says it keeps her focused but adversely is doing something that makes her feel worthless and with little low esteem. So, we are between a rock and a hard place. I fear that it will only be when she has another really bad episode that we may be forced to get her to seek medical help.
Until then, all I can do is keep reading your blogs and messages and learn from them. It is comforting to know that if she has a diagnosis confirmed of bipolar disorder that there is help available but getting her to seek it is going to be a long-term battle.
Thanks for all the hard work and effort you put in to help people.
Hi Dave,
I just wanted to reinforce what you said about medications and psychiatrists and how important they are in recovery. I have had Bipolar Disorder for the at least 10 years,probably longer than that. I have been married 3 times–all failures and I blame myself, I can’t explain my behavior with my former spouses. But I was definitely different once those marriage vows were said. I think the experience of being “in love” kept me high and slightly manic. Once that high was over I would go into a depression. I would say things that just popped out of mouth that were cruel and hurtful. I complained all the time. But what was weird especially during my last marriage- was that it was like my mouth was not connected to my mind and body. I would knowingly say hurtful things and yet I very much felt in love with my husband. I love him to this day–but he left me and has since re-married. I grieve this everyday and hate being alone. But I’m OK being alone, I go to school full-time, have a part-time job. And I’m starting volunteer work this year. I used to be a RN but I had to volunteer to surrender my license or they were going to bring charges against me. Most of it revolved around not charting correctly. Back then I didn’t know I had Bipolar Disorder, I thought it was just a really deep depression and the meds they were giving me were making me sleepy on the job. (I worked nights also) which made the Bipolarism even worse,because I had a hard time sleeping during the day.
But that is all in the past now, I moved to a different city, found a doctor that knew about Bipolarism and am now on the correct medication. I know you’re not working for pharmaceutical companies, you’re just stating it the way it is–you have to be compliant with your medication regime or your Bipolar will take you over again. Good job for getting the info our there and your emails. Blessings to you, your family, and all who are suffering with Bipolar Disorder (sufferers and supporters alike.)
Teri
Thanks Helen I was part of that mix Saturday night. I’m not in episode but was self medication and said some things I’m sorry for. I’m good – at work – not happy but productive
Anyhow, I have the best doctors and as long as I do as they suggest I can do anything. When I’m compliant I am very creative, productive, I exercise so important! eat well, sleep well and get along with family and friends both big supporters
Happy Monday BP’s and Supporters!!!
acg
I have been through three years of worry and upset and your communications have helped me considerably. I think your advice is excellent. AK
My daughter has just benn dianosed with bipolar. She has no insurance. her husband just died, actually sucicide, my brother had bipolar. he took litithum, but preferred beer, so he is dead also. i look forward to you daily messages and have saved most for later use. i really dont know her medicine, she lives in TX and me in AR. I sent her pharmasudical houses list that help people getting their medicine but i need help getting information on insurance. she is 50, has hbp,fibermaligly, she is a 20 year rn.excuse spelling. God Bless.Lucy P
My daughter has just been diagnosed with bipolar. She has no insurance. i’ve read something but c ant seem to get information i need.I look forward to your daily memo and have saved most for later use. We have so much to learn.she does not wish to put all info on web, just telephone # or address. thank you so very much , im encouraged to learn more after this sad news is settling in on our family. hop u can help m e . Lucy Pranger
3
these words r as i feel i dont understand your message
Dave – It’s ALWAYS good to get positive reinforcement! I followed the dialogue over the weekend – Keith and Troy – and was AMAZED at their ANGER. As you say, they probably are bipolar, and are just in denial. Or they are not compliant with their treatment plan, and are ranting on the only avenue they have discovered on bipolar disorder. Either way, I thought they were immensely NEGATIVE, and it DID disrupt the others on the blog. IMO, I think posts like this SHOULD be avoided, as they UPSET the people who are really ill with bipolar disorder…just an opinion.
Your information is ALWAYS well-received and appreciated. I’m just sorry that those with an “ax to grind” get on here and make it annoying for the rest of us. Annie was particularly upset, and I don’t blame her. She HAS apologized for her remarks, and we should leave it at that.
It’s hard enough being a person with bipolar, without having harsh words flung at us. As always, I agree with your Treatment Plan, and attempt to live up to all of the ways to stay “normal” and highly-functional.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
I really liked your e-mails,they help me a lot with my condition. Now I know how to deal with it.
Dear Suzanne:
All I can say is…RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are soooo right in EVERYTHING you said. Those terrible posts really DID upset me a lot. I would certainly rather not see them in the future. I saw this blog as a “safe haven” to discuss bipolar issues and hopefully gain some POSITIVE insight into the disorder and how it affects us and our supporters. Instead, I felt personally assaulted by Keith and Troy.
Thanks for putting in words how I feel/felt.
Kudos to you.
Hi Dave,
I doubt you read this. Since you seem to be a business person, I don’t think its a good idea for you to start talking about your hate mail. As a child my mother told me that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.
I believe your hate mail is a personal things and it
should be kept that way and If its threats, I would advise you contact the law inforcement.
Carol
I think that the blog should remain uncensored, with the exception of threats and extrememe profanity and hatred. I think everyone has the right to their own opinion and if the entries were suppressed by the moderators, we would no longer have freedom. As an American, I expect my rights to be given without being taken away.
To KLE:
Sorry, I am Canadian.
Dave i take my meds every day, every once in a great while i will forget a morning or evening dose but it isn’t very often at all!! i NEVER EVER want to go back to where i was before i started getting help and meds!!
i have been struggling so hard the past few months!! All the emotions i can feel for several months is anxiety, anger and rage which turns into nothingness. I spoke with my psychyatrist that prescribes my meds to me. She explained that one of the meds that i had been on for a long time can cause that when you are on it for a long time, i had been on it for i guess about 2 yrs or so. She switched me to paxil in place of that med which did an amazing job on the anxiety, and also helped some on my social anxiety that i also have. My Bipolar meds remained the same. Forgot she did make me go to an anxiety group, she tried to place me into two different groups at the same time, but i am also an agorophobic and i told her i could not handle it, so i would do one at a time.
I still remain emotionless other than the panic, anger,and rage which turns into nothingness. Although i am finding that the anger and rage i feel is becoming worse and worse, the anger being the worst of it. i do NOT know how to handle this Dave, and i almost don’t want to talk with her about how bad it is for i do not want to be placed in a mental hospital!!! i do feel like beating the crap out of someone, however i wouldn’t do that!! i just want to feel happiness again, i thought i didn’t want to feel sadness or cry ever again, however i know that is not “normal” whatever that may be? The more and longer i think about things the more i know the tears are also apart of what washes us from the inside out. I am almost, well i would say afraid but that’s not the correct term for it either for i actually do not feel fear either, anyway to start crying for i feel as though i may not stop it has been so long since i’ve cried.
i know i must be in depression for i have many of the signs, and it has been a long term enemy of mine. Yet i do not feel sadness, i merely feel numb. i just don’t accomplish much at all!!!
Could it all be the “novacane effect” from so much stress, turmoil, and distraut times over the last year and 1/2, and it’s my body’s way of protecting it’self?
Will i ever feel all my emotions again, or is this life as i’ve come to know it? i can deal with the loss of all my other emotions except for joy and happiness!!
i did find out that i am a grandma on Dec.29th and the little blessing is due to arrive on July 27th, that did make me very excited, so that is positive i know and joy as well correct? There has been so much since then that has occured with the father of the baby that all i feel is anger towards him and i want to hurt him!! i’m trying desperatly to get excited about it again, but i’m finding it extremely difficult!!
i also forgot to mention to You that i am also a Bipolar supporter to my 16 yr old son, that refuses to take his medication. He also suffers serious anger management issues and i am usually his target!! He does not hit me, however he is mentally abusive at times. We also do get into arguments at times as well. He tries very hard to be the one in control, which is not the way things are suppose to be. I try to talk and reason with him, i have had to learn NOT to argue and fight with him it solves nothing!! I have had to learn in these situations to tell him the way that it is and what will be the out come if he choses to act a certain way and stick to it, which hasn’t been the easiest thing for me to do.
He did push me around one morning, then text me later that morning from school apologising telling me how he had no right to talk to me the way he did at all etc. Later we had gotten into it for a different reason and he started throwing a fit ie punching walls, kicking the dryer etc, i told him if he didn’t stop i would call the police on him, he asked why i told him for being incorageable, he told me to go ahead so i grabbed the ph to do so. He grabbed the other ph started ripping ph lines out of the wall grabbed my cell ph off of the computer desk etc. Well he forgot that the main ph and line was in my bedroom and both phs worked off of it so the ph i had still worked and i was on the ph with the police dept and he was trying to get the ph from me and kinda push tackled me to the ground when i was on the ph with them i told them that as well, they sent someone out, and asked if i needed medicle atten. i said no. He did hurt my knee and ankle i didn’t realize how bad it was, i still have trouble with it as it was my knee i had surgery on.
The police came and was real wishy washy with things. They did tell him however that if they had to come out again they would have no choice but to arrest him and take him to the youth facility. Then told him again that it was up to me if he was taken and arrested at that time, i felt that they put me in an ackward position, i really wanted to have him arrested at that time but really didn’t know what to do with the way in which they had acted at that time. my son began begging me not to have him arrested. i looked him right square in the eyes and told him i tell you what boy, if you EVER put your hands on me again for ANY reason you WILL go to jail PERIOD UNDERSTAND??? He has not since laid a hand on me he KNOWS i will!!! He still is disrespectful and rude at times in which i point out to him and tell him he has NO RIGHT to talk nor treat me in such a manor. i feel like at times i am sooooooooo alone as even his shrink won’t make him go to counciling or any group!!!
Any suggestions to all of this Dave?
i’ve written to You before only not nearly this long only about 1/4 of this long and your staff answered it and didn’t even address anything that i was asking, or reply remotely to anything that i said at all!
YOU HAVE NO COME BACK TO MY FACTS. AS FACT IS FACT. YOU PUSH FICTION, FRAUD. YOU ARE WAY OUT OF YOUR DEPTH LITTLE ONE. & AS YOU WILL NOT ENTER EVEN A DEBATE ON THIS FRAUD, YOU SHOULD JUST CRAWL BACK UNDER THAT ROCK FROM WHICH YOU CAME FROM. FOOL.
YOU WILL NOT POST MY INPUT AS IT IS FACT, AND IT PROVES THE TRADE NEEDS REMOVING.
NEED THE FACTS SEE ME, OR ANY OTHER CONSUMER.
You little one are still the same. NOT posting my valuable FACTS, obtained via 35 years with BP & 8 or so with the Disorder. NO debate Nothing.
AS I KNEW YOU ARE AND HAVE NOTHING, A WEAK, MISERABLE LITTLE GREEDY PERSON. A PUPPET FOR THE PSYCH. TRADE. YES LITTLE ONE THE “BELIEFS” OF THESE FRAUDS AE LUCRETIVE, YET HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?
Still PUSHING DECERIBATION. That letter you sent, that “someone” sent you. FICTION.
I have been GIFTED with BP going on 35 Years. over 8 Years ago the GIFT was stolen, replaced with a DISORDER. THE DISORDER IS CAUSED BY THE VILE “MEDICATION” & that unmentionable, the psych.
Professors believe the Disorder & Brain dammage is caused by the “meds” though they cannot find a drug Virgin. Hence their is nothing to study.
I was Deceribated, then Diagnosed. Must be how it isdone. Give them the Disorder, then tell them they have it.
AS I had an IQ of 190, now it’s 133. Medicaly induced Brin dammage. QED. FACT FOOL!
Their is NO Science to back the psych. trade. It is ALL Fraud. When I am on “meds” all see I am worse. I stop ASAP, ALL who know ME tell me I am Much better. The Meds do the exact opp of what they tell you they do. Hence Lilly in court. Remove & treat the lot indefinatly. They are criminaly insane.
Check out “Dr.” Walter J Freeman. The Lobotomist. Look up “the devolopment of electroshock therapy” Their was NONE. It was used to stun Pigs in Rome, before sticking. A sadist seen this, it had been electrocuiting Dogs before with an electrode in the Anus & one in the Mouth. He was disapointed as the Dogs had Heart atttacks & Died, he could no longer Punish them. Yes it is not to do with Science NOR Medicine, it is ALL about Punishment, Power Greed … Hence you can be sentenced to an institution, not Jail. In Jail you get out intact. In hospital, if you get out, you will have nothing. Why do they not sentence folk to a Tropical Island, or to heve their IBS treated? Isee not punishment.
Check out “The Thud Experiment.” By Dr. David….
OK I will tell ALL of the Thud Experiment, for a start.
Dave, believed psychiatry to be Fraud.(He is 100% correct). Dave got a few Hundred Sane Healthy people, & himself, they gathered in a Hall. Dave told them all that at the exact time the next Day they where all to be at their assigned Hospital, ask to see the psych. tell it “I hear a voice which says Thud.” No other lies, be normal..
They where ALL locked up ALL “Medicated” ALL dignosed with different “Disorders” Yes Scitzophrenier, BP, Anxiety, Depression…. HOW DIFFERENT “DISORDER” WHEN ALL HAD THE EXACT SYMPTOM, AT THE SAME TIME? NO SCIENCE. The Dr. was held for over 2 Months.
When they all managed to escape, the Hospitals where let know of the FAILIER of the psychs. Many hospitals wanted to sue the good Dr. One though called him & told him to send more fakes in: “We can tell the Fakes.” Dr. did not for they would recieve the same terrible punishment he & the others had. At the end of the month, the hospital called Dr. to tell him they had found 41 Fakes. The Dr. had sent NONE. Science, PROOF! ALL FRAUD! QED.
THEY WORKED OUT TO GET OUT YOU MUST TELL IT WHAT IT WANTS TO HEAR & RECORD FOR ITS’ PROSPERITY.(They where not too sharp, as one always knows what the psych. wants to hear, wether I tell it or not is a diferent story).
In order to escape YOU MUST SAY: “I WAS IN A BAD WAY… I AM MUCH BETTER NOW YOU & THE MEDS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB….” ALL LIES OF COURSE, THOUGH IT IS BETTER THAN BEING “MEDICATED ‘TILL “CATATONIC” THEN “ELECTROSHOCKTHERAPY. (WHICH IS AGAINST THE GENEVA CONVENTION). tHEY DID A YOUNG WOMAN WHILST I WAS IN. SHE WAS JUST OUT OF IT ON “MEDICATION.” “CATATONIC” I SAT CLOSE & ASKED HER: “HOW ARE YOU?” “I AM JUST REALY SMASHED.” SHE WAS Responsive, and knowing, how Catatonic? QED. Some hate the psych. so much they do not speak to it. Yes we are forced to see it, entertain it. We would be better off seeing the neighbours Dog……
HA! Proof you write your own postings. The one at the top says “Written by David Oliver.” Then you type “Hi Dave hi everybody.” Slip ups like that are why you have no cred.
You’re full of it. “Take Vile deceribating Chemicals, see the QUACK.” If I still did that I would be dead.
The disorder of BP is TOTALY IATROGENIC. I COULD GO ON THOUGH WHY BOTHER YOU DO NOT POST FACT.
THE THUD EXPERIMENT IS GREAT. CHECK IT OUT IT IS ON YOU TUBE.
ALL know THE DRUGS & THE PSYCH R THE DISORDER. PRE PSYCH. BP IS A GREAT GIFT…..
I WONDER IF ANY SUPPORTERS HAVE TRIED IT ALL AND START TO WONDER IF THEY ARE A CO-DEPENDENT. THATS HOW I FEEL, LIKE I AM GOING CRAZY… I AM SICK OF THIS ILLNESS WITH MY SPOUSE AND CANT SEEM TO LIVE STABLE FOR TO LONG. IF HE HAS A GEREAT JOB OR A NEW INDEPENDENT THING TO DO IT ONLY GOES TO HIS HEAD AND THE JOB IS GONE, PEOPLE DONT UNDERSTAND, FEELINGS ARE HURT, EVEN ON HIS MEDS, HE HAS BEEN ON THEM ALL. NOW ITS COURT COMMITMENT INJECTIONS AGAIN AND I AM FINDING THIS IS A REPEAT FROM SEVERAL YRS. AGO. I FOUND MYSELF IN THEROPY SESSIONS AND HAVE PTSD. DUE TO THE DEATH OF MY SON. AND NOW ADHD, IMAGIN ADHD AFTER TURNING 50, I REALLY IDENTIFY WITH ALOT DAVE HAS TO SAY AND WANT THIS BOOK. I ONLY WONDER IF I AM NOT ALONE BEING FED UP WITH THE BIPOLAR ILLNESS AND ITS EFFECTS, FEELING WEIGHED DOWN… DEBBIE
Hi Dave…I’ve been depressed for several weeks now. I can’t afford my anti-depressants. All I can get is klonopin for anxiety plus it helps me sleep. I have a hard time getting to sleep but once I do get to sleep I stay that way until 9 or 10 AM. My cat usually wakes me up cause she wants to be fed! lol…I’m thankful that I have at least a cat to keep me company. My husband works nights and so has to sleep during the day. Sometimes he supports me and sometimes he doesn’t. We’re going to try to get on a budget soon cause our bills are out of control. I am going to a bipolar support group each week as long as we have the gas to get there. Hubby hates the place I go to! I also see a nurse practioner for my meds. She seems to know what she’s doing. She changed my meds around this time so I’m supposed to be taking paxil,elavil, geodon and klonopin. I’m addicted to the geodon which is an anti-psychotic so I can’t run out of it. I want to volunteer at a nursing home but haven’t got up the nerve to go and do it yet. The nursing home is across the street from where I live so I don’t have the excuse of having no gas to go to it.
You need more emails on the bipolar sufferer. Lately they’ve been mostly for the supporter. Thats okay of course don’t get me wrong! I just need more support and encouragement.Thanks for all you try to do for us! 🙂 So take care and God bless…….debbie