Hi,<\/p>\n
Let me ask you a question: Have you ever belly laughed? I mean, laughed so hard that you cried? Laughed so much that it made your stomach hurt? Laughed until you didn\u2019t think you could laugh another drop? (and then laughed some more?) That\u2019s the kind of laughing I\u2019m talking about.<\/p>\n
You know, we don\u2019t do too much of that when we\u2019re dealing with bipolar disorder. Everything is so serious so much of the time. It\u2019s like we\u2019ve either forgotten how to laugh, or we\u2019re<\/p>\n
just plain afraid to laugh! Like if we were to laugh, we should feel guilty about it or something, because when you\u2019re dealing with bipolar disorder, laughter isn\u2019t something you\u2019re supposed to do.<\/p>\n
Hmmmm\u2026. Let\u2019s think about that.<\/p>\n
Laughter is one of the most natural things we could do in response to something. Think about a child. Think about how naturally they laugh at things. It seems like so much makes them laugh.<\/p>\n
And they laugh so easily, too!<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t believe me? Just play a game of peek-a-boo with a child and you\u2019ll see what I mean.<\/p>\n
Laughter is a gift. And it is a gift that is necessary when you\u2019re dealing with a loved one with bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
I knew a bipolar supporter. And every time I saw her, she was smiling, and had such a positive way about her. It wasn\u2019t a visit with her if she didn\u2019t tell me a joke or two! I asked her one time how she could be that way, you know, joking around and all, when she had a husband who had bipolar disorder, such a serious mental illness. And this is what she told me: \u201cDave, I have to be this way. If I didn\u2019t laugh, I\u2019d cry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wow. That blew me away. But it taught me a lesson, too. That you need to deal with things realistically. Well, realistically can sometimes mean with a sense of humor.<\/p>\n
For a lot of people, it\u2019s what keeps them going. Like that one supporter I was telling you about.<\/p>\n
Now, I\u2019m not saying that you have to go around telling jokes all the time, or ignore the seriousness of your loved one\u2019s disorder\u2026 I\u2019m just saying to lighten up a little bit\u2026 Have some fun once in a while\u2026 Enjoy yourself when you can\u2026 Learn to laugh again (if you\u2019ve forgotten, or if it\u2019s been a long time since you\u2019ve done it)\u2026 Think about some things that have made you laugh in the past, and maybe repeat them. Maybe just the memory will be enough to make you<\/p>\n
laugh again. Just thinking about some silly things you\u2019ve done in the past may be enough to get the ball rolling. Or things that your children did when they were younger.<\/p>\n
If nothing else, treat yourself to a comedyfest! Rent some of the funniest movies you\u2019ve ever seen, and just enjoy yourself! You know, movies like Young Frankenstein, or Monty Python and the Holy Grail or Ghostbusters \u2013 it doesn\u2019t even have to be a new movie. Any movie that makes you laugh counts.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s another idea: Take out your old photo albums. Write one-line captions under your favorite pictures. That way, you don\u2019t just have a ha-ha for now, you\u2019ve got one for any time you feel blue \u2013 just take out that old photo album for a good laugh or two!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure you can come up with your own ideas if you try.<\/p>\n
Humor is one of the most important tools we have in fighting this dreaded disorder called bipolar. We need to use it more!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Let me ask you a question: Have you ever belly laughed? I mean, laughed so hard that you cried? Laughed so much that it made your stomach hurt? Laughed until you didn\u2019t think you could laugh another drop? (and then laughed some more?) That\u2019s the kind of laughing I\u2019m talking about.<\/p>\n
You know, we don\u2019t do too much of that when we\u2019re dealing with bipolar disorder. Everything is so serious so much of the time.<\/p>\n