Hi,<\/p>\n
How’s it going? I have something really
important to tell you about bipolar
disorder. I was reminded about this important
concept from a strange source–Paris
Hilton.<\/p>\n
If you remember correctly,
last week or so, Paris Hilton got out of
jail. I am not interested in Paris Hilton
but everyone was talking about it so I
wound up thinking about it.<\/p>\n
Anyway, I was at the gym doing some cardio
because I had missed my morning session. And
50% of the TVs were showing the Paris Hilton
interview with Larry King. Larry King is
the guy on Cnn that wears those goofy
suspenders.<\/p>\n
Anyway, I was kind of forced to read the
interview (it was transcribed on all the
TVs in front of me). <\/p>\n
I was kind of annoyed because I am not
into celebrity gossip. BUT, the good news
is, this interview reminded me of something
that is SUPER important with bipolar disorder.
Not only bipolar disorder but other things
as well.<\/p>\n
As I was watching the interview started
to go around to, why she was in jail.
I guess she was in jail because she drove
on a suspended license. Then Larry King
asked her why she did this and that’s
when…<\/p>\n
THIS SUPER IMPORTANT CONCEPT THAT YOU
MUST LEARN FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER HIT ME<\/p>\n
She said it was because her attorney
said her license was okay to drive on
and she just took his word and that’s
how the problem started.<\/p>\n
Then it hit me. The problem of the bipolar
expert that has no clue or has a clue
but say some things wrong.<\/p>\n
Let me explain. I have found, especially
with bipolar disorder, the people who you would
think are experts really have no idea what
they are talking about. Or they know what
they are talking about in specific area of
bipolar disorder but not other areas. The
problem is, people listen to them in all
areas and get themselves into trouble.<\/p>\n
Let me give you some examples. Psychiatrists
are smart people generally. They know about
medicine for bipolar disorder primarily.
BUT I have seen people ask questions on:<\/p>\n
-How to get a job with bipolar disorder
-How to get a loved one into treatment if he\/she
doesn’t want to go
-How to live with someone with bipolar disorder
-How to marry and stay married to someone with
bipolar disorder
-How to stop a loved one with bipolar disorder from
getting a divorce because they are unstable
-How to afford medication<\/p>\n
The list goes on and on. Many times I have seen
doctors answer questions outside of their area
of expertise and guess what? People actually listen
because they are an expert. This is deadly.<\/p>\n
Look at what happen to Paris Hilton. Her attorney,
or her expert told her she could drive with her
license but it was suspended. She should have called
and checked herself.<\/p>\n
With bipolar disorder, in my opinion, you have
to have your own knowledge about bipolar disorder.
Then you have to seek out experts and ask questions
in their area or ask them if they have knowledge
in a certain area that you have questions about.<\/p>\n
HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART<\/p>\n
You have to take what the expert says against your
bank of knowledge in your own head and make a decision
as to if you should follow the advice or listen to
the expert.<\/p>\n
I have found with bipolar disorder so many disturbing
things related to experts in mental health having
no clue at all.<\/p>\n
Let me give you another example. Okay my mom is on
disability as you probably know. First she can’t
work full time because it will cause her to go
into an episode. When you are on disability you
can’t make more than a certain amount of money
per month or you get knocked off of disability.<\/p>\n
So my mom is told by someone that she can two
part time jobs and it will be okay. Even good
for her. My mom starts believing it until
I ask her a million questions like:<\/p>\n
Mom, two part time jobs equals a full time job.
That’s too much according to your doctor, right?<\/p>\n
How are you going to be able to make this much
money and stay on disability?<\/p>\n
Aren’t you going to wind up making yourself worse
when all the extra stress?<\/p>\n
My mom thought about it and agreed. I asked
her why in the world she even considered this?
She said it’s because so and so is an expert
with bipolar disorder and jobs so she thought
this person was correct.<\/p>\n
Imagine my mom would have listened and\/or I didn’t
say anything, it would have been a disaster.<\/p>\n
There are so many experts in mental health that
have no idea what they are talking about. They
disseminate information that is half wrong or
all wrong. I don’t think many of these people
are bad people rather simply just don’t know
or are too lazy to find out answers to things
and as a result give bad information out. <\/p>\n
People follow because the people have titles
and feel they should know what they are talking
about.<\/p>\n
You have to have information in your head and then
check everything. For example, when you read my
stuff, you should think about it and say things
like, “Does David’s stuff make sense? Hmm let
me think.” Don’t take what I say as the gospel,
think.<\/p>\n
BUT, you will find that I say is dead right. Why?
Because I am dealing with this everyday. I live
it. I am not a person write how to supporter someone
with bipolar disorder theoretically.<\/p>\n
I have noticed with doctors that most have never
lived with someone with a mental illness. It’s much
easier to treat someone you see for 15 minutes than
live with someone for a couple of months, years or
decades.<\/p>\n
I am not knocking doctors because you know I feel
they are so important only pointing out the reality.
The reality is, they are great with medication
but most can’t help with things out side of that. It’s
other experts who can. BUT with all experts in the
area of mental health you have to double check
what they are saying to you. You can’t just blindly
follow.<\/p>\n
The reason why I put together all my courses\/systems<\/p>\n
SUPPORTING AN ADULT?
Visit:
http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/report11<\/p>\n
SUPPORTING A CHILD\/TEEN?
Visit:
http:\/\/www.bipolarparenting.com<\/p>\n
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http:\/\/www.survivebipolar.net<\/p>\n
Was because I saw a HUGE and I mean a HUGE gap
of what people needed to know outside things like
medication and bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
Well I have to run. I must say, this email
is super important. Some will read it and think,
“Dave, what the heck? Why are you making such
a big deal about this?” <\/p>\n
The world is filled with people following experts
that have no idea what they are talking about and
mental health is one of those areas. Keep in mind
that the mental health field has very few checks
and balances. Very few people get continuing
education. The field pays people very low wages.
As a result it produces people who are supposedly
experts giving out wrong information. And I didn\u2019t
even mention those that are so darn lazy they
just say anything to make you go away.<\/p>\n
Beware of these people. Hey I have to run.
Catch you later.<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n
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>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
How’s it going? I have something really
important to tell you about bipolar
disorder. I was reminded about this important
concept from a strange source–Paris
Hilton.<\/p>\n
If you remember correctly,
last week or so, Paris Hilton got out of
jail. I am not interested in Paris Hilton
but everyone was talking about it so I
wound up thinking about it.<\/p>\n
Anyway,<\/p>\n