Is this true about David Oliver and Bipolar Disorder?
Hi,
How's it going?
I actually have to head off to the gym.
I am doing cardio this morning because
I am going to be missing some of it next
week.
Anyway, I wanted to drop you a quick email
about something.
Oh I almost forgot something. I have
this Special Offer that ends tonight.
You can check it out here:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarbusiness2
The strange thing is, I can't post the words
that describe it because of the darn s.pam
filters. So I figured that I would just
post the link.
Anyway, back to what I was saying...
It (what I was going to talk about) was something
that I was going to ask you the
other day but something else came up.
Someone posted the following post on my blog.
BabyJ87 said...
I would like to know why you are only really
posting success storys. There are so many people
out here including me who aren't success storys,
and get sick and tired of hearing how well others
who have help are doing. Some of us can't get help
and don't like to hear only success storys.
Sometimes it helps to show people what can happen
when you don't do the things you need to to gain
control over bipolar disorder. Which brings me to m
y next question. Is there anyone out there who
can give me advice on how to deal with
bipolar disorder during pregnancy?
I can't really take meds, and if I could
I wouldn't be able to get them anyway.
============================
I actually scheduled a meeting with my key
people that work for me that have bipolar
disorder and read this post to them and
asked what they thought.
The question is, "should I post negative
or "so and so isn't doing well stories"
on an ongoing basis?"
What do you think?
Please post responses on my blog below.
I will tell you, here is what I think.
There are TONS of negative stories out
there. Just type in murder and bipolar
or suicide and bipolar or homicide and
bipolar or killed and bipolar into
any search engine and you'll find a ton
of non success stories.
When I first started this, I use to get
serious hate mail from people saying
that my Friday news was way too negative
and that I was being negative. If you've
been on my list for years, you might
remember me defending myself and posting
a letter saying that:
I don't make the news
I don't create the news
I don't filter the news
I simply post the bipolar news. After
that, I started getting a lot less
hate mail and death threats on this
subject.
But, when I started this, I quickly
found out that many people with bipolar
disorder do VERY well. They can be your
lawyer, your boss, your best sales person,
or someone else really smart, creative
and doing well--you just don't know it.
Why? Well because they don't have a marker
on them that says, "bipolar." With that
said, my goal was to find people who
weren't a success and became a success
and then talk about them. Ask them questions.
Find out what they are doing. Let others
learn from them.
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
You'll find that I went out and found
all kinds of success stories. These
are:
people with bipolar disorder that were
previously not doing well and now are
doing well
people who were supporting adults with
bipolar disorder that were previously
not doing well and now are doing well
People who are supporting children
less than 18 years old that were not
doing well and now are doing well.
With that said, my goal was to always
find people and then figure out what
they are doing and then teach everyone.
Then it's up to you, to model their
success. What the heck does that mean?
It means that you look at them and simply
start to do what they are doing so you
can get the same results.
Here's the deal. If you are struggling with
bipolar disorder whether you are a supporter
or a person with the disorder and you are
struggling over an extended period of time,
it's because your plan or strategy is not
working well.
What do you do? Do you get super mad and
then run off and hide in a corner? No. Do
you simply just throws your hands up in the
air and say "this is not fair, I hate life."
No. Do you keep doing the same thing over
and over and hoping for a different result?
No.
What you do is change your strategy. You
do this by finding a different one. Where
do you find a different one? You either
invent it yourself or learn from someone else
and them model the person.
I know that people don't have the time to
take off a year from work like I did. So I go
out and find the success stories and talk about
them so you can learn.
The alternative would be to find non success stories
and talk about them. If I did that, what would be the
point? Would it be so people could model failure?
Now these are all my opinions, you may think
otherwise.
Please post your thoughts. BUT, please do not
attack the woman that made that blog post. She
is asking a legitimate question and no one
should attack her personally. Okay?
Well I have to head to the gym. Catch you tomorrow
morning.
Your Friend,
Dave
===>> Great Resources For You <===
Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter
Want your own copy of these daily bipolar
emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3
Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
Don't forget to take a look through the
different programs I've put together... each
one is designed to help you with a different
area of bipolar disorder whether you have it or
you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE
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/
Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE
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
posted by David Oliver @ 8:59 AM
103 comments
103 Comments:
Positive perpetuates postive; negative perpetuates negative. This lady needs help getting the help she deserves. It sounds like she thinks that help is not available to her and others because they cannot financially afford it. I would hope that help is available through her State Department of Social Services and/or other community-based mental health programs. It will take some work and time, and I believe (hope) the help is there if it is sought. Perhaps a loved one could help her through the process. Best regards,
Mellen, a bipolar supporter
i would like to talk with this lady about her bi-polar. I too have bi-polar maybe I can be of some help. It also might just help to have someone who really understands the symptoms. I wouldn't mind having someone who I could talk to.
Dear Dave,
sometimes when all you hear are success stories and you have not been one, it can make you feel that it is your fault. Although you try your best, failure is also a part of life. Sometimes when this happens, somewhere you feel it is your fault you could not help your loved one in spite of all attempts. Everyone could get it right except you.
This is a tough one to handle. It makes you feel totally helpless and useless. You need to be able to handle failure as well. This is one issue that you have not adressed, and it is very important for supporters.
I must say, I feel badly for the lady who wrote you the letter, re: not all success stories.
I am new to 'learning' as my (adult) daughter has been recently diagnosed, and so forgive my ignorance and simplistic approach.
I suspect, that given the right day and doctor, I too could be diagnosed bipolar, but that is another topic. (!? I know very dark depression, and how 'nothing is right, will work, or be better, even if it could be.')
What I have observed is that we just want to know what to do (to help - feel better).
Fortunately, the Canadian health care system, allows us the freedom to get sick and get cared for without re-mortgaging our homes.
The lady who wrote seems to have the added burden of 'cost to treat' and that cannot be helping her to feel better.
It may help to tell of roadblocks where the detours are marked, so knowing where to go, or what to do next are more clear...?
And, forgive me, perhaps you already do. Remember, I am a new reader.
Let me tell of this....Last year I quit smoking. I joined an on-line help group (put together by the Canadian Cancer Society). Reading of the "slips" and how they got on track again was as positive as it was negative. On the one hand, it gave me ideas on how to get through that "I just want ONE smoke!" moment, but it also made me feel that I 'could' have just one and get back on track again. Then I even felt angry jealousy at the writers for 'getting to slip'...
It was interesting to say the least, to see how it felt at different moments (forget 'days', it was 'moments'!) It gave me almost permission to wallow...to slip...And I did. (have failed at the quit)
Does that make sense?
Sorry if I have babbled, or if you feel I used a "less" example to describe, but it was what came to mind as I read her letter.
Take care of You. Lori
Carnation here
David,
I think that the suggestion about success verses none success is needed to be addressed. I think the answer here is really to have people who have been unsuccessful share how they became successful and what they have done to make this happen. First hand experience is the key to success. Like anything else in the world sharing your failures and turning them into successful steps is a win win situation.
We want to learn from those who have made mistakes. This is indeed the only way that we learn.
It seems to me that eposodes are brought on my emotional pain. Disappointments and life threatening events. It is important to have people in your life that can understand how these things trigger and upset you. If you have people who have overcome these problems and have things in place then sharing their coping mechanisms is very bennificial to us all.
So Let us not report the negative in sad stories. Let us report how sad stories found solutions to their problem and overcame the negative. So what we want to hear from his your Mother herself.
The Bi-polar people in your office who can share their stories and how and what has helped them. The Psychiatrist who has Bi-Polar is indeed someone who could be such a help to us as he has both ends of the spectrum to help us.
Also who in Vancouver, B. C. is an expert on this. Finding out people or Doctors who are really up on this in our areas would be helpful.
Bring in the medical profession to give talks to us first hand via your Blog would be benificial. Not that you aren't. You are helpful. The internet has a great capacity to aid us who are still in hiding and want to come out but havent' got there yet and are suffering.
Hello Dave,
About your post today, the lady wondering about why you do not tell about non success stories.
I understand your point of view, but I also can understand the ladies.
My thought is, yes learning from the success stories is great, but maybe, if you do post some of the negative, with a reply site, with responses from others who are doing well,and their tips on what helped them, may help the people who are still struggling,and they will see first hand that they are not alone, and others are here to help the best that we can.
I have my ups and downs, recently, I was in a very low state,I have been talking with a man on one of the dating sites, even though, I told him alot about my life, ( family issues, and that I am Bipolar), he is still here for me,We talk he gives me good advice, and listens. I haven't scared him away, with all my troubles,he said he doesn't scare that easy.
When I get really down, I try to write down what I am feeling. then go back after a while and read it, it seems so simple then, to figure out how to make changes to help change how you are feeling. My friend, said he was here for me, but also told me that I should go for professional help.
In Sussex County when you are on disability, getting professional help, needs to be at the hospital's mental health department. They do not have enough therapists to help everyone, I did call, and was told, they have a very long waiting list for therapist and that there is always the hot line.
I guess somewhere out there , there are support groups for bipolar disorder, but like me, I am sure there are others who could benefit from them, but has no means of transportation, to go.
Also, I struggle everyday with this idea, I look for the good things, and try to not focus on the negatives. for instance, my oldest son is severely handicapped, he has been sick alot recently, and he gets bronchitis or pneumonia alot. I have to look to the fact he is now 31 yrs old, and has pulled through worst things, ( he wasn't suppose to live the night he was born.)Trust me, looking for the good things when you are really down, is not easy and does take alot to consciously staying focused but in the long run, it is better than the alternative, of feeling so bad, u just want a way out completely.
i, personally, would like to hear the positive stories. i am currently in a relationship with a man who has bipolar symptoms and is still struggling with the diagnosis. part of me believes that he will fully accept his condition and learn how to deal with it successfully. but another part of me wonders if i am the fool for sticking around, loving and supporting him while he goes through this. there are enough negative stories and people saying that people with bipolar disorder are a disaster and that people like me should just run the other way, as fast as possible. i need to hear the stories of people with bipolar disorder who manage to become successful and have healthy relationships.
david, keep doing what you're doing. it is deeply valuable and inspirational.
Avoid stress, be calm, relax, positive mind. No long journey.
Do find someone you can share your problem with.
Phone/talk therapy could help. Massage your body with Relaxing aromatherapy oils. Do take supplement eg calcium, folic acid and B complex.
Do Exercise and listen to soft music like instrumental piano.
Cool colours like sea blue, violet, purple and pink might help you relax too.
I had experienced unsuccessful pregnancy since no doctor diagnosed me with this illness. You're lucky for knowing it earlier. I understand how you feel.Situation could be worse due to hormon changes. I experience this whenever menstruation period.
Best regards, Jbhisyam, a bipolar, having a bipolar father and bipolar mother-in-law.
Mellen - Don't know if you know or not but state funded progroms (like MHMR - Mental Health and Mental Retardation) is just like County Hospitals, they want to get you in and out as fast as possible. My Counselor has been out sick for over a month and because I have not had anyone to talk to I had a Manic Episode where I kicked my door in and ramed my van into the back of my husbands van. I do stupid shit like this but do you think they care? NO. I have requested, through a supervisor, a new counselor but I have not gotten any answers back (mind you that everytime I call a Supervisor I only get Voice Mail). State funded facilities just don't care, there are there to just get paid.
I know how this lady feels, although I'm not bipolar, I faced many challenges and obstacles earlier in my life. I was raising 2 children alone, was homeless at times and worked fulltime and went to college fulltime! I felt so depressed at times and berated myself for being homeless, etc.
I also support a bipolar son and he has recently had some legal problems which landed him in jail. However, during both my earlier life and this latest episode with my son, I benefitted from the positive interactions I had with people. I've also concentrated on getting my son to think about solutions, rather than focus on what he did wrong. I have encouraged him to go talk to his counselor and see the doctor about getting back on his medication. I made sure he followed through by having him call and going wtih him to the appointments.
We human beings naturally focus on the negative aspects of our lives, so I think we to look at the positive side of things and hear/read positive stories as much as we can.
My son receives SSI and Medicaid, so getting his medication isn't a problem, thank goodness and he gets free counseling at the local Native American center, we're Sioux Indian, so that helps him alot.
This lady just needs to reach out to others and keep reaching out until she finds someone she can feel comfortable with and I know it can be difficult when you are in the middle of trouble. She did take a positive step in contacting David and asking her questions.
Never be afraid to ask questions, there is never a stupid or bad question.
I encourage her to keep reading and respond to anyone who offers help. We are all in life together and need to encourage and support one another in bad, as well as good times.
Sioux Eaglewoman, a supporter
To needlemore,
If both of you could accept and understand each other, it will be no problem. You should observe what type of person he is. His personality, how this bipolar came to his life.
A person who accepts his/her illness is much easier to manage. In my case, I am very lucky enough to have a very supportive husband. We agree not to have kids since both of us have bipolar parents. We are in a long distance marriage as well. You must know details of his family before a commitment. Positive people will succeed though their life is a battle.They inspire us with their courage and determination. Do read an unquiet mind by Prof Jamison to have better understanding.
I haven't read the DaVinci methods yet, stories about succesful and famous bipolar.You should understand that people with bipolar have mood disorder due to the manic and depressive state. If you could accept the ups and downs in sexual relationships,in his motivation, there won't be a BIG problem. For us, we are a very close friend who is legally married. His career is stressful and demand a lot of his time. I, on the other hand, has lived independently since 13 years old. We married at a later age too. I had thought of getting divorce few times. But he never allow me to mention this and I know there is no point of me to think about it too. In a real love you want the other person good. In romantic love, you want the other person. If there is no conditions, no strings attached to your love - proceed!
Good luck.
Please try to refrain from posting the negatives. If anyone is interested in negativity or for comparison stories of their current Bipolar qualms they should seek the Bipolar support groups on Yahoo. They are so negative!! And anyone who wants to vomit their emotions are welcome to do so on that site.
Personally, I couldn't take that site. I lasted only two days with reading posts in the BP Yahoo group. I am moving forward with my illness and the negativity brings me back down. That site is never in want for misery. Boy! Don't I know that "misery loves company".
I want to be healthy and stay healthy if this site turns into a negative story fest I will no longer read the emails for my own sanity sake.
I have 3 children. The best way to cope is to keep close to your doctor and let them know all your symptoms and weigh all your options. At the very least they could recommend some alternatives that will help you. Even a pharmacist could guide you with OTC Supplements that may be beneficial and non harmful to the fetus. Just be sure you take the advice of a professional!!!
I can sympathize with the pregnant lady. I went through the depression end with each of three pregnancies, one of which I was hospitalized with major depression. I was not diagnosed with bipolar until my oldest was 19 years old. The way I made it through was with major support from my support network, part of which was my obstetrician.
Dave, keep telling the positive side. I, and I imagine alot of bipolar sufferers, don't deal well with negative news. I avoid the evening news for that reason. Keep giving the helpful hints tht may suggest ways out of negative reactions/situations. Thanks for all of the time that you spend each day.
lori-anne
I was just wonderig if you think you may have bi-polar, how will you be able to help your daughter if your not in treatment yourself?
I'm not trying to be rude, so please don't take it that way. You see I have bi-polar and I have been in treatment for 18 years and I grew up with a mother who probably had bi-polar or maybe even something worse . She was never treated and never diagnosed. I don't know if she even realiizes how awful she is to deal with on a daily basis. Sadly, I no longer speaak to her because I can't put myself in the position to be abused by her anymore. I can't even imagine that I would still be alive if it weren't for the treatment I've received. In short what I am saying is if yoou think you may have a mental illness, you should seek treatment. It can tear your family apart if you don't, and if your daughter is in treatment you can learn together. That way atleast something good would come from the illness.
bpserenity
It seems to me that everyone wants to be healthy. Your right it does seem that misery loves company. However, I don't think anyone was trying to invite you or anyone else into their misery. Maybe you should try another saying "live and let live" Iknow if it was who was reaching out for help that you'd feel differently. I'm glad that your doing well. You don't have to read all the blogs. My advice would be stop reading it if
it bothers you. You can choose what you read and people can choose what they share.
I have bipolar and I find myself becomming irritated about some of the stigma. Yes suicide is an issue with me, but I have never caused my family to go into financial ruin. Also I have not found an effective treatment that works for me. I commented before, I was diagnosed after my second child was born and had to stop nursing due to the medication.
Here are a few of my concerns, I am allergic to some of the more effective meds used for treatment, also I gained 30 lbs after I had a child due to the meds. I have always been petite and this was too much for me to handle. I would like to have more children, but apparently it is an absolute NO NO to stop your meds. I stopped my meds in November 07 because they made my entire body hurt. I have had a few episodes being a ripid cycler, so I started taking prozac, increasing my anxiety, but making me easier to live with. Wow long story short? Don't be negative but Pregnancy is an issue I would like to see addresed, also possible natural alternatives, I am taking omega 3 (by the way I lost 20 lbs after stopping my meds and Birth control,which seems to add to my mania).
wendyma
I know from my other blogs it might not seem like it but I'm looking for someone to relate to.
I only said that to Lori-anne to try help her avoid some of the sme problems I've had. However, her situation might not be anything like mine. I'd just hate to see bi-polar wreck another family if I could even just share my story and help someone. As for my other blog ,well it spoke for itself.
I can identify with you more than any of the others, from what you wrote. If you'd like to e-mail me and keep in contact I'd be up for that. It is so very ha ard to be bi-polar. Most of the time I don't even want to leave the house. My friends call,but I avoid the phonebecause I just want stay home. I've had alot go on this past year and right now home is probaably the best place. If your interested in e-mailing me let me know so I don't have to put all my personal info for the world. oh,and I don't want to run people off that can't handle negativity
wendyma
I know from my other blogs it might not seem like it but I'm looking for someone to relate to.
I only said that to Lori-anne to try help her avoid some of the sme problems I've had. However, her situation might not be anything like mine. I'd just hate to see bi-polar wreck another family if I could even just share my story and help someone. As for my other blog ,well it spoke for itself.
I can identify with you more than any of the others, from what you wrote. If you'd like to e-mail me and keep in contact I'd be up for that. It is so very ha ard to be bi-polar. Most of the time I don't even want to leave the house. My friends call,but I avoid the phonebecause I just want stay home. I've had alot go on this past year and right now home is probaably the best place. If your interested in e-mailing me let me know so I don't have to put all my personal info for the world. oh,and I don't want to run people off that can't handle negativity
Hi Dave, I actually did respond to Baby J's email. I can say we talk alot, she is amazing, she will no dought be a sucess story one day. I believe I was the only one contacted her, she was worried no one would. She is pregnant and dealing with the hormone change as well. We stay positive. All I can say is It is a pleasure talking with her everday. Thanks Dave, Karen
there are plenty of negative stories just go to the Yahoo support groups
Dear Iva:
I don't always read the blogs, so I don't know any of the things you've said in the past. But when you said that you don't leave the house and don't talk on the phone, it really rang a bell with me. I've always been that way to some degree - avoid social situations. But right now I'm having a bad depressive episode; I don't go out, I've turned the ringer off on my phones, and all I really want to do is go to bed and stay there 24/7. My biggest problem is my relationship with my adult sons. If you identify with me, post a note with your e-mail address and I'll get back to you at some point. Right now I'm emotionally wiped out and can't even do too much on the internet, but maybe we could change ideas?
Sue
What I think happens sometimes is when we are in dire need of finding resources, help, or information etc... regardless of what our situation may be such as; bipolar, bipolar supporter, parents of teens whom are out of control acting out horribly, or in need of information in how to deal with other issues that can leave one paralyzed on a day to day basis of living in crisis desperately seeking help. We can find the information, or go out and purchase books about it and read all the information and the what to do's and how to change this or that and what not to do etc...and the results should be "problem solved", or "a plan in the works". Well that isn't the case some of the time. You did everything the book said or the doctor said and your outcome wasn't the end result as the book said or what your doctor said it would be. So I think that is what she meant when she said all the posts are regarding success stories. What works for some may not work for others. I know this because I experienced this myself. When I was in dire need of some parenting resources and help during crisis I would say well I did that and this like I was told or read and nothings changed. Sometimes books don't take you further and tell you what to do if what they are saying doesn't work for you. or doctors don't tell you what to do if what they recommend doesn't work for you. Trying to survive being bipolar while pregnant I would think would no doubt bring up some issues which may not have been addressed much or at all. All we can do is learn from one another and when we are struggling and nothing we are doing seems to be helping is try something different and keep communicating and finding answers til we can finally find success in what we need.
I think that you answered this question in a very good manner and as two others answered ( mellen ) " negative perpetuates negative " and as ( aparna ) said that you have not addressed the issue of failure , and she probably meant " how to be able to handle and OVERCOME failure " and that you Dave have not addressed this yet , it is all good !
I think you do a truly wonderful service for bi-polar people who speak English , and that actually covers quite a large part of the planets population if you include those people who speak English as a second language , but to add a little to " Daves bi- polar " as I call it , I wonder Dave if it is at all possible for you to put up on your site , permenantly , a list of openable titles concerning different bi-polar topics that would more readily give bi-polar people access to particular information that they might just need a little more quickly than usual .
One more small item , merely an observation and to be in no way manner or form taken as a complaint , if Dave you did have some form of indexed list of the information you have already been sharing on this site then for you also it would mean more time for yourself and less time repeating things you have written about previously , all with dates and other readers comments , just a thought , is it do-able ?
dear dave iam doing fine thank you for careing mary
I am not a doctor, but I am a mother, and a kindergarten teacher. I am also bipolar. I believe that the first thing that you can do is get your doctor on your side. While I know you cannot take your meds while pregnant, I know that keeping your routine the same is very important, and keeping your mood journal, so you can talk to your doctor or therapist. Get someone on your side, like some of the others have said.
By stating your concern about your pregnancy, I know that you want what is best for your child. I wish you well. Perhaps someday, I will see your child in Kindergarten, and I will know that you did your best to take care of your child and showed them that they are loved. Not every successful child has the perfect family, they have a family that works and does their best for the child, they love their child. Thank you for recognizing that your child is important in this picture too!!! I wish you well in all of this.
Honestly, I believe that being positive and looking at things in a positive light gives a person hope. Remember, even small successes are something to 'celebrate.' Each small success heads towards a bigger success, we sometimes experience failure, which is an opportunity to learn. Keep trying!!!
I don't have bipolar, but I have have tried to support two people who do in my family by getting as much information as possible to help me become a better supporter. It is a challenge for anyone involved with bipolar in close intimate relationships.
I believe there are many ways to describe the words success and failure and a huge range to try and identify as to what is a success and a failure where bipolar is involved. Even bipolar has its ranges and diversities in both wellness and illness. Not every thing works for everyone, but most things work for most people and that's a good, positive variable. Listening to good, positive, helpful advice and then applying it -- trying it is a good step in the right direction.
I think consistency is a good answer for most and at least takes you to a new and different experience. Giving up only leaves you where you were before and maybe worse.
I personally would rather live in more gray, shadowy, middle-of-the-road areas than at the top or bottom of any spectrum and maybe that is just as successful for me than being able to check-off all the boxes that are listed in books and forms. Gray is okay and maybe okay is a success.
We are humans and very diverse humans at that. But the important things that we all need as humans are love, care, and respect for whatever is real in our lives bipolar or not. These blog sites provide an opportunity for people to connect and share what is real, good or bad, and it is through these connections that help is often received.
Keep talking and connecting. When the student is ready ..... the teacher appears.
Hi, I would never want to attack someone who needs help, I can relate to her, I felt the same way at one time or another. I have trust issues so I do sometimes feel alone and seeing someone with the same problems I have succeeding makes me feel well out of place and you are right David, my program must not be working right and maybe I need to do some adjusting in my plan. I also don't have the best laid out strategy since I am the one who has to be able to see if something is going wrong. I can rely on my daughter but she is so young and I don't feel right putting that kind of weight on her shoulders. You would love to meet this young lady, she is solid and like a comforting rock to me. I sometimes forget how young she is. I want to have her grow up on her terms though not so fast as she has in recent times because she knew I needed her. I don't know if you understand where I am coming from but anyway she is a great person with a great personality and she works and takes care of me and her 3 year old daughter, also wonderful.
susandrn,
I knopw how you feel. Sometimes it's hard to even make it to the bathroom as ridiculous as that sounds. Ibet you know the feeling,like your body is made of lead. I to have been in a depressed state lately. I use to suffer on the depressed side alot more often. I know iI still suffer from depression,but I mean like the kind your going through now. I hope you feel a little bettersoon. Most of the time I'm manic, but I find it so hard to function alot of the time.You know
make yourself presentable and go visiting. I'd be glad to chat with you when your feeling up to it. Try to bring yourself around susan. I've found that you have to rely on pushing yourself to stay in the game. My e-mail is Carnation@localnet.com Oh and this is the first day I've posted here. Please confirm that you got my e-mail chat with you soon Iva
Pregnant Moms:
I'm 29 yrs old and i just had my third baby. I didn't find out i was bipolar until i turned 27 yrs old. The doctors told me when i went off my meds that mt pregnancy hormones would level me out, and they did. Sometimes success stories can bring you down.The only thing you have to do is PERSEVERE. Oh and another thing TAKE YOUR MEDS AS SOON AS YOU HAVE THE BABY!!!! Otherwise you'll be slammed into dysfunction. I'm suffering a manic state while trying to run my own business. It's hard but i must always PERSEVERE. Good luck!!
needlemore
There alot of successful people who manage all kinds of illnesses.Your boyfriend may very well be one of them. I don't know you from adam but, just reading what you have to say almost sickens me. You say you love this man. If that is true ,why are you letting people run him down? It is very obvious that you are because you said that people told you that someone like you should run from him. If you are even cionsidering running from him, that's not love. I'm not saying itis anyones responsibility to take on someeone elses illness. However, having bi-polar myself it really makes me angry to hear someone use love and run in the same sentence. Your boyfriend is sick,it is possible for his illness to be managed. He will need support from YOU. iF YOU CAN'T BE THERE FOR A LIFELONG ILLNESS THAT HAS UPS AND DOWNS YOUSHOULD BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND HIM NOW. i HAVE A VERY SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND AND IF HE WERE TALKING BEHIND MY BACK SAYING HE THOUGHT HE SHOULD RUN, WELL THAT ALONE WOULD RUIN ANY TRUST i HAD IN HIM. iF YOUR BOYFRIEND CAN'T TALK TO YOU INCONFIDENCE AND TRUST THAT YOUR THERE FOR HIM,HE'LL TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE AND THEN YOU BE BOTHERED WITH A SICK PERSON ANYMORE
i'VE NEVER WRITTEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO ANYONE BUT YOU NEED TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND STOP FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF. bECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHENALL YOU WANT TO HEAR IS GOOD THINGS DO YOU WANT TO BE EDUCATED OR SHELTERED
iva
sorry to have incited such an emotional reaction in you by my post. my comments were not directed to you personally or anyone else on this list who has bipolar illness. i was merely commenting on david oliver's question about whether or not he should continue to talk about bipolar success stories. from my point of view, it is very helpful and inspiring to hear success stories, because i have seen and heard the negative side. i have no ideal why that would have anything to do with me needing to "wake up and smell the roses".
you are jumping to alot of conclusions about me based on my comment. yes, supporting anyone dealing with an illness has its challenges. and learning how to support someone dealing with bipolar, when they have not fully come to terms with their illness and how to manage it, is even more challenging. i think anyone in my position would wonder what they should do in this situation, and it doesn't mean that i love my boyfriend any less.
i'm not sure how you came to the assumption that i am "letting people run him down". most people, besides my immediate family, don't even know that he is bipolar because i don't discuss it. and that is one of the reasons i have come to online communities to get more support and understanding about this illness. supporters need support too! (and i don't need to use capital letters to say it.)
in any case, i just wanted to try to clear up a few of the misunderstandings that you had about my comments. like i said before, my initial comment was only in response to david oliver's question. sorry you took offense.
enjoy the rest of your day.
David, tell me - do you get the death threats from people with BP of their supporters?!
But seriously -of course it;s right to carry good news stories because this demonstrates that all is not lost, that there is some hope even for those who think things ARE hopeless. I mean, this message isn't just for those with BP. (If you hit us with a good news story when we're depressed, it won't make a bit of difference anyway!) It's probably even more a positive message for the supporters.
That said, perhaps we all must consider what our definition of success actually is. Being a CEO of a company? Earning loads of $$$'s? Or, may be it's being able to keep a job for 12 months? May be it's keeping a job for 12 months AND not having taken a day off sick? Perhaps it's going a month without a BP episode? Maybe it's a success just to say at the end of the year, "Well, I'm still alive - the bast@rd BP hasn't got me yet." May be your definition of success ought to be transparently variable, as those examples mentioned above. I mean, being a CEO isn't achievable for the average Joe even if s/he's not got BP! Having a job at all where there may be 1 in 4 unemployment is a success even if the job is cleaning toilets.
For me ... I see BP as being out to get me, to make me surrender my life up to its demands, one way or another. So, success for me IS staying alive. Anything else is a bonus.
Mellen,
I am not from the USA but I have heard numerous accounts from people with BP in the US who find themselves caught between not having the funds to pay for their meds, yet having too many assets to get MediAid (?)
hi dave,
by nature i am a very negative person and usually in every day life i am very pessimistic!but i have been diagnosed with bp a month but have been getting your mails longer than that and have to say that because i knew a lot of the facts beforehand about bp which are bad...ie manic/depressed states its balanced with the positive stories which would usually make me made but i have made a concious decision to read through and take something from them each day.even if i am at the lowest of the low its good if a bit hard to read about others successes as i hope i will be the person in the mails one day on the other side of this!!!as for that lady my heart goes out to her...i am petrified about starting a family and coming off of meds but i have very bad pcos,already lost one baby and may not be able to concieve but even from her mail i am going to look at it as her having bp like myself but i too one day will have three beautiful gifts/babies while living with bp
David,
I like success stories. But I also like reality. I think you also ask the tough questions of supporters, like "when is enough, enough?" How much can you help someone who is not accepting of their diagnosis? And won't see a doctor or take meds? I think you can love a person and decide that you cannot help them anymore. That might not be a "bipolar success" story but it seems like a bipolar reality story for lots of people.
Babies and BP... I had my children before I was diagnosed with BP. Eventually it happened and I now realise that BP is inherited. Had I known this before, I am not sure I would have chosen to have children because I should not wish the worst I've been through visited on anyone, least of all my progeny. I wonder, what does everyone else think?
I don't know what to say... a couple of days ago I would have said "right on honey"... but today I feel better... I feel there is some hope for the future. I could be absolutely wrong. I want to be right though... I believe that God is going to save me from this disorder and make me whole again. I believe that ther is hope for me.
There is hope for you too... for us all...
Lucy
I was afraid someone would bring up not having children. I know I have had BP since about age 7 but only now was diagnosed 20 years later. BP can be inherited but isn't always. My parents have 8 children, so far as we know I'm the only one who suffers from the illness. (My maternal grandfather, and Paternal Grandmother are both possible BP sufferers)
Everyone has challenges, living with BP or with someone who has BP, so many other things, I have a mentally handicapped sister...Off track but everyone has to deal with their own challenges. Do you decide not to have children because of these challenges you face? I honestly don't think so. I had two beautiful girls, then found out about about the bp, it has not changed the fact that I have two wonderful children and my husband and I want a couple more. I suffer more severe symptoms while pregnant, but am able to get through it knowing I have a perfect little life inside me. Anyway my two cents.
Uh,Oh - here goes a "negative" entry. I have been doing pretty OK for a looong time now; it's just that "situational" negatives have been piling up on me, and I am entering a mini-depressive mood.
I don't know how my "supporters" can help me. My therapist caused me to be hostile and defensive by "pushing my buttons" at our last meeting. Normally, I am NOT that kind of person, but I am overwhelmed by harsh reality right now, and don't need any b**s coming my way.
I have a humongous IRS debt that some tax attorney in CA is supposed to be handling for me; but I haven't heard from him in over 2 weeks. My "savings account" that is supposed to cover my mortgage, is gradually running out, and I may have to sell my condo at below-going rates.
My therapist told me there were 700people on a waiting list for subsidized housing, and to "rent until your name comes up." Duh. If I could afford $800/month for rent, I could afford my mortgage!
And then, there's the physical side of my problems. I swallow into my windpipe. This is "weird," and I need to undergo some more tests - but can't. My PCP is on vacation in Argentina riding the Pampas, and won't be back until next week. Also, there is the persistant pain in my lower right abdomen (as well as my chronic back pain, which the surgical procedure failed to fix).
I know Dave wants success stories. BUT - bipolar disorder can have one change their moods OVERNIGHT regardless of what safeguards are put in place.
I was up at 3 this morning, after hearing a very AUDIBLE voice say, "the cats are starving." They weren't, but I couldn't get back to sleep. By the time my boyfriend left at 3, I threw up all the chips&dip I had eaten, and fell asleep until 8:30 tonight. I KNOW I'm protecting myself through depression from coping with all that is "on my plate," but how do I counteract it? AND - what can I do to prevent a full-blown manic or depressive episode? I'm completely lost here...
Please save a little prayer for me tonight; I could use it.
Hi Sarah,
My case is different. I didn't mean to encourage other people not to have children too.
It depends on your lifestyle and your past expereience. You are lucky to have your husband around. We are living apart because of my husband work contract. Asians are favoured by international companies to work at the middle east, lower pay and less benefits are the factors. It is very common for us to live apart though our husband are professional.I was not allowed to accompany my husband,they live in the camp.And I do not know for how long I would have to live like this since the company is getting more projects overseas; middle east and africa.I am 38 now. Our lifestyle is different. As the eldest my husband is financially responsible for his family. Both parents are not working, they have no pension plan yet still have son studying.
Only my husband and my mum understand me well. My mum is suffering from elderly depression. In short, my life is miserable. Seen the exorcism of emily rose? People avoid me because of this.I suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder as well. I had conceived twice and didn't survive. Being bipolar is not the only reason.
I have been a supportive spouse of a person with bipolar disorder and have seen many friends diagnosed over the years. I believe that it is only the positive daily influences that can assist those with and those supporting those with the disorder.Success stories do not have to be big success stories. Getting through an hour of anxiety attacks or manic episodes is a success in my book!
Positive re-inforcement provides hope.
I agree with the post of HOPEFUL. We learn from the failure of others, not to discourage but to realize that the method shared in such sad stories are not working out. We should present information on a positive attitude.
I am the wife of a spouse with bipolar... and I will tell you THANK YOU for your daily input. Yes, some I may delete, but most I have kept. Do I want to hear all the negatives... NO... your rpositive upbeat approach is wonderful... how to help is what I need...
As far as success stories, this doesn't mean they are out of being bipolar... it means they have struggled daily and still struggle with daily problems. I am so happy when my husband actually has a "successful" hour or two during the day... that's a success story... but then, turn around and the other 22 hours could be rough...
The way through life is one step in front of the other... and hearing "good job", "well done", "let me help you", "reach out and touch (speak) to someone. This not only holds true for those with bipolar...but to us who do not have bipolar....
I suggest for those who want to hear the worst, contact a professional, friend or family member for help.
But to everyone, God Bless You!
If leaving someone with BP to get on with it, I think you can actually look at this as a "success story" for a supporter, but it depends on your needs - both BP and supporter - and how far you can achieve them. For example...
1. When a supporter is helping someone with BP to maintain stability, or at least, some measure of stability, that is a mark of success for them both. Or at least it is IF doing this is what the supporter wants to do, so ....
2. ...if supporting the person with BP is binding for the supporter, is done in a sense of obligation, not because they want to help, then while this scenario may be a success for the person with BP (because they are helped to remain stable) it is a failure for the supporter because they are no longer in charge of their own destiny. (Ha! As if they ever were! How to make God laugh - tell Him your future plans.)
3. When the person with BP is out of control, because they won't accept their illness or won't take the meds, that's probably failure for them AND for the supporter. (I say "probably" because we always assume that someone who is ill wants to get better, to be cured or, in our case, establish stability and may be even go into remission. However, this is no always the case. Regardless, even prior to the BP, there are some people who, for whatever reason, are tired of life and want to die. They may be unhappy about their lives anyway, or they may have had enough of the Chinese water torture of Dysthymia, or some other chronic illness, like arthritis. But they are fearful of doing away with themselves. So, they are "happy" when something pops along that will do the job for them, relieving them of personal responsibility of the act. E.g. "I have cancer, which G gave me. The cancer will kill me, so it;s God that's taking me, not me killing myself." Twisted logic? Maybe, but that is precisely how some people think. For them, staying alive is the failure, and they will do nothing to save themselves lest this prolongs their agony that is their "illness" and of life itself.) Of course, their is a failure for the supporter who wants to make a difference for the person with BP but can't, as it is also a failure for the person who DOESN'T really want to help because they want their life back, not have it tied to "the nutter" who's out of control.
Forgive me for saying this, but such a scenario can be when supporters complain about people with BP not "helping themselves", blaming the sick person for their sickness gives them, the supporter, an excuse for getting out of the relationship. Relationships break down because of or in spite of one partner is BP. But when "divorce" occurs, folk always look for a reason to excuse themselves of blame even when there is none, even when there is no reason at all. I'm not saying this is usually the case, just that it can be! After all, we often hear "... they choose not to help themselves ..." where supporters ignore the blindingly obvious reasons WHY someone with BP may not be helping themselves, e.g.
a) because their illness is so severe they don't believe there is anything wrong with themselves, or
b) because the meds are worse than the illness, or make the illness feel worse.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out those reasons for refusing medication. I have and I'm not particularly clever - my IQ is little more than average. (It's to be expected - having got BP, my brain is supposed to be shrinking, hurting my powers of reason, according to the scientists at Edinburgh university!) Yet we frequently hear plenty of intelligent people complaining how their husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend is "not helping themselves". (I'm not pointing fingers at any one person. I just suggest the supporters for whom this IS true could show more honesty, please . It's not as if there is anything to be ashamed of in admitting to not liking someone even if they have BP, brain damage, half a leg and no arms, stuck in a wheel chair, dying. Any of the factors may be valid reasons for no loner liking someone, just as they can be completely irrelevant, that you may just grow apart anyway, or find they are not as nice a person as you thought they were (etc.) You don't have to make excuses because it's never the fault of the supporter if their BP person HAS BP, nor their fault for what the BP person may do in the future because of the BP. It's never the fault of the supporter, it's the damned illness. Never mind what you think others may think of you for walking out - THEY don't have to live in your shoes, they are not you, they can never know what it feels like to be you and the agonies you feel or why you feel them. Just go, and to hell with what other people think. Get your life back if that is what you want to do.)
needlemore
I'm sorry if I said anything that offended you. Without getting too personal, I'll just say you struck a nerve with me. It doesn't matter how,I understand now that this is probably a site just to go to for inspiration. So, I'll keep logging in from time to time. I just need to find another one that deals with reality. I'm not looking for negativity,just honesty .Good Luck
and once again I'm sorry
Sarah, I agree Life is always full of challenges and we can choose to be challenged, too. That's not my point. Is it fair for us to impose challenges of the BP kind (or any other inhereted illness) on the unborn? If you have known what it is like to be in the pits and agnony of a deep depression, to want and try to kill yourself, or be gripped by the even worse agony of a mixed episode, or suffer the delusions or murderous aggression of mania, should we willingly, knowingly bring into this world a child who may have to go through this?
Iva
Honesty is never wrong! Express yourself as you feel you must - this isn't a blog for the Peoples' Republic of China! ((smile))
Well it may be interesting to hear non-success stories in the sense that we could here why they were not a success, what they tried that did not work, and did they try all the resources available to them, we may learn from that what we must to in order to not be a non-success!
Dear Dave,
I agree with you and the positive messages. We do have enough negative in our world on a daily basis...And I know from experience that the more positive I am on a daily basis with every aspect of our lives, my husband is much more positive as well. He is less stressed, and not so worried about things, and just makes him feel better when I am giving him a positive attitude and talk with him about positive things! It also makes it easier for him to get through his daily struggles if I leave him with a good positive feeling. However maybe just taking one not-so-positive story once a week, and posting it for those struggling, and needing to feel that they are not alone, and give them a little extra push wouldn't be such a bad idea. Just as some people consider Wednesday "Hump Day" you could title this particular day you choose and go with it. Just my thought... Have a great day!
Melissa If all youv'e ever learned from others mistakes is how to make more then I guess your right,
you should only hear the positive
side of everthing in your life. As for myself I don't have to live with my head in the sand hiding from everything negative. You see people don't learn how to be unsuccessful from hearing others mistakes. What your going to make of your life has alot to do with
choices and maybe just alittle to do with luck. I've never heared of anyone being unsuccessful in their life because of what they read on internet. I'm sure I misunderstood your comment, but if I didn't please disregard my blogs I'd hate to think that I shared anything with you that would teach you how to be unsuccessful.
I have to disagree with you David.
I think negative news wakes up our society and makes positive changes occur. It takes far more negative news than positive to wake up our government. We all know OUR CURRENT SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK and far too many people fall in between the cracks.
My friend's son, who is 27 is a prime example. He still lives at home, makes enough money to pay the bills and has no medical insurance. His mother manages his money to make sure everything gets payed on time, which leaves him with $50 for the week. Since he has no money for medication he now self medicates with alcohol. Last year he was shooting up and has been on Meth. Educating people and sharing success stories are one thing and our national healthcare crises is another. Medical coverage and programs for the mentally ill and elderly are always being cut. What about all of those people? It may be too depressing to talk about but it is many people's reality!
The way I see it, unless you have some type of medical insurance with this illness you are pretty much screwed because most people do not qualify for medicaid, medicare or disability!
Melissa.
Don't forget the adage that every mistake is an opportunity to learn. Every success may be an inspiration for us but they don't necessarily teach us how to avoid the pitfalls into which we may, and probably will, fall!
In my opinion, success can be what is learnt from a failure ... an achievment won as a consequence of that learning is not THE success but the cherry on the top of the cake. But we must be realistic to realise the circumstances which allow some people success will not be the same as those experienced by others because THEIR circumstances will be different. Thence, what will work for one may well not work for someone else.
Club Organizer.
I take your point well, but isn't this a mater of balance? Success stories can give people hope, people who really need hope! Without hope what does anyone with BP have left except eternal sleep? To quote Shakespears's Hamlet,
"To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to.."
Hope is not just important for someone with BP, it's essential for their survival.
So, good news stories of success ARE necessary for us.
But bad news stories CAN offer opportunities to learn. That said, bad news stories can exacerbate depression.
"The World is such a mess, I am such a mess - what point is their in surviving to live a life in this wretched World...?"
Yup, I've heard that one. Even said it myself before now.
So, good news/bad news, it's got to be a balance ...
But someone like David O has the impossible task of trying to set the balance right ... because the right balance will be different for everyone with BP! "Just right.." for me" may be too optimistic for someone else, and totally depressing for another! The best David can do in this situation is go for what he, and especially his BP staff, feel is the right balance for them ... and hope it matches the needs of most of his mail readers. But it is inevitable that it won't suit everyone. (I think David knows that only too well, right mate?!)
I am dealing with two children with bipolar, my daughter who is 17 and is doing very well, she had been being treated for ADHD since age 5, and bipolar since age 15, also my son who is 16 and was recently diagnosed although I should of probably seen it sooner but I guess I just kept figuring he is a boy and he is starting to act like his dad, possibly I didn't want to see it because I didn't want to have both my children have bipolar. As many of you know if you have children or loved ones how difficult it can be, my mother is also bipolar and dealing with her most of the time is so difficult. Like I said my daughter is now doing great, but my son being just diagnosed and just starting treatment is really hard for him as well as me and other family members. Somedays I am not sure how I will make it through this althoug I know I will, and I want to do everything to help him, but it really emotionally drains you. Watching your child being so unhappy, and miserable, barely talking, or when he does it usually in an angry manner. Pulling stunts such as not coming home, or drinking/drugs etc. is so hard especially when you have been doing everything in your power to help him, to be there for him, to understand him so on and so forth, I am sure many of you understand, for me it is great actually to just get this out in writing, because I feel guilty, overwhelmed, sad, and helpless. The guilt of course comes feeling like I somewhow caused this, overwhelmed because sometimes it just seems to be too much, sad and helpless because it makes me sad to see him like this and helpless because it seems as though nothing seems to help, I guess in a sense I feel like a failure as well since both my kids are diagnosed with mental health disorders, although I realize it is not my fault, its hard for a mother not to feel she failed in someway! Well I would appreciate any feedback or anyone that wants to just discuss the difficulties of raising children with bipolar you can email me at mphelps38@yahoo.com.
Iva,
I do believe you misunderstood my comment, or maybe I guess I just did not write it correctly. I just feel that hearing of stories of people that were not successful and why they were not and if not what resources did they use. Everyone is different and different things help different people, so for some that are not getting help from one resource may be able to relate to someone else in the same situation that eventually did get better using a different resource. I am not really saying that we can learn by mistakes because I don't really feel a person with bipolar that doesn't benefit from a certain resource of help is making a mistake but with bipolar sometimes it is trial and error because everyone's minds and bodies react different to different types of treatments. I definately want to hear the success stories because that is what gives us hope, but sometimes we need to hear what some people have been through that did not help them. I hope I made myself more clear this time and thanks for taking the time to respond!
jbhisyam,
I was not referring to your comment, I was responding to Graham N. My husband is gone a lot too, and I understand what you are saying.
I think I did a good job of explaining my position. If the odds are one in eight that your children will have BP...Look at David, he is normal and healthy. The odds are one in four that my husband and I (who both have brown eyes) will have a blue eyed child...we have two out of two? who knows. Please don't minimize my condition, I know despair etc. I believe we are put here to experience and overcome.
I have been learning that yes I may have an illness but I still have a choice, a choice to be positive! I am very lucky to have a wonderful support group. This blog is for Supporters, but it is really difficult to find a site that is positive for people with BP. That is why I come here. Because I have BP it can be frustrating to see all the generalizations.
I didn't get to this yesterday because of my daughter going into a manic episode and definitely had and still has all of my attention but right now she is sleeping and I am in a "state of waiting and anticipation" of what today will be. You will always find negativity no matter what you do. It is kind of like a balancing act. Because of the successful people who control whatever their condition is there are as many or more who are not in control and will probably never be. I know this from my experiences with BPD. And after reading the symptoms and the other information made available to us from you, I believe that I have a mild form of BPD rather than the constant depression I always assumed was my problem. I have and still do reckless (although not as often as I used to because most of the things I used to do make me physically ill) and irresponsible things such as drinking to get smashed, well you know the BPD story as well as I do. So I don't have to say anymore because I am not proud of some of the things I have done in the past and do not want my husband to know about as he has only known me for 7 years. I know the me before that, the craziness, the successful business woman and now the woman who can no longer work at a regular job because of the toll on my health of some of the insane things I have done in the past and still fight off the urge to participate in today. Sometimes I still lose the battle. But now, and I have noticed that every prescription my Psych gives me is used to treat BPD, I win the battle more often than not, but it is still a battle. I am so happy that I have found you and all the information you provide because knowledge is the key to help win the battle. I have tried so hard to get my daughter involved with this blog and your emails, but the BPD wins and now she will soon be in a hospital (today when she wakes up) and this is so hard on me that all I can do is Pray that the battle doesn't take over me. Thank you for all the info you provide. I believe it helps everybody who receives it, whether they are negative or positive about it. I know it has been a great help to me and the first thing I do when I log onto the web is check for your emails because I always find more helpful info. Thank you! Sorry for any typos it's hard to see thru tears and my heart is breaking for my daughter today.
SUSANDRN, I HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER TODAY. I'M FEELING OKAY . I HAVE TO GO TO MY COUSELER. sHE IS AVERY NICE LADY AND SHE SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP. THEY GET PAID FOR THAT THOUGH DON'T THEY? SHE SEEMS SINCERE. I'M SURE SHE DOES WANT TO HELP TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH,
BUT I'M KINDA STUCK AT MANIC MOST OF THE TIME WITH A LITTLE SPRINKLE OF DEPRESSED JUST FOR FUN. I'VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH MOST OF MY SYMPTOMS.. I HAVE A FEW NEW ONES NOW THAT I DIDN'T USE TO HAVE. I'D REALLY LIKE TO DISCUSS THEM WITH YOU AND SEE IF YOU CAN RELATE. MAYBE YOUV'E BEEN THROUGH WHAT I'M JUST NOW EXPERIENCING OR VICE VERSA I'D LIKE TO HELP IF I CAN. HECK, BY NOW I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A PHD.IN SOME WAYS. YOU KNOW I'M SURE WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT STORIES,BUT I BET WE HAVE ALOT IN COMMON TOO. SO,SUSANDRN GET OUT OF BED, I DON'T BITE AND I KNOW FROM BEING THERE THAT 24/7 BEING IN BED WILL NOT HELP YOU AT ALL. IF YOU NEED A FRIEND JUST E-MAIL ME, I'M HERE. I HATE KNOWING THAT YOUR PROBABLY IN BED FEELING HOPELESS.
THERE IS HOPE SUSAN AND IF I CAN GET UP EVERYDAY I THINK YOU CAN TOO. iF I'M WRONG AND YOUR OUT OF BED LET ME KNOW I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT YOU EVERY SINCE YOU
SENT ME THE BLOG AND SAID YOU WERE
BED BOUND.
melissa, now i just feel like a jerk! I thought you were being a smartelic. I took you completely wrong. Also, I read your blog about your children and it made me feel badly about what you are going through. I can relate to feeling bad for your children. I guess I need to slow down and get to know people and how they express themselves before i respond.
Iva,
It's okay I am new to this so I probably just need to learn better ways in saying what I am trying to say, I am just glad I found somewhere I can talk about this with people who understand. Most people have no idea what people with or people supporting others with bipolar go through. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone, I am grateful that my daughter is doing so well, although Im always afraid of a downfall, I stick with the fact that TODAY she is doing well and for that I am grateful, and it also gives me hope that soon we will get my son in the same position, but at the same time have to realize that this is a lifelong condition and try to be prepared for what will happen next!