I have been looking into service or assistance animals for people who suffer from mental disorders for a while now. This research is for myself and others who suffer illnesses like epilepsy and other disabilities that aren't as visually obvious as seeing and hearing eye dogs.
Some benefits to having a service dog for ie: bipolar disorder is training them to do various tasks like, wake you during an emergency, dial certain phone numbers, remind you to take your medication at certain times and even get it for you as well as a glass of water, help you in public by forcing people to be a certain distance from you and if you become overwhelmed b/c of the crowd he/she can be trained to look like he/she needs to go to the washroom. A service dog will also feel your moods. If your depressed or manic, they can be trained to cuddle you for comfort or inform you of your manic state.
At first I was interested in a dog b/c I was concerned I would wake up at night if there was a fire or an intruder after I took my sleeping pill. Also I'm paranoid of all intruders.
When I lived with my parents a few yrs ago, I became close to there parrots. These to birds helped me tremendously by being there with me and feeling my moods, knowing what to say when I was depressed and playing games with me when I needed my spirit lifted.
A service or assistance dog for seeing or a mental disability has the same legalities. I have been working on increasing the awareness for the need of trainers for service dogs for people with mental disabilities for a while now. If you are interested in some thing like this please let me know, or if you want information I'll be happy to give you what I have. pandora106@hotmail.com
Thursday, December 17, 2009
What Do I Do When It Happens To You?
Over and over again I hear stories of people who have loved ones with the onset of a mental illness and they have no clue what to do. I understand both the point of view of the loved one and the one who is going through this mental turmoil.
The loved one has no idea how to help and is often scared of the others actions while the one who is going through this illness is doubting every one. When some one tries to get close to help, often this person pulls back because of paranoid distrust.
There are many triggers that either make an existing condition or ignite the creation of bipolar disorder become unmanageable. It is hard for the person who has it and other people around them. The first and biggest advise I can give to a loved one of a person suffering from a mental illness is to first understand it. Begin to understand what they are going through by research, joining groups on the web and in your community and talking to people on-line.
Only then can you recommend certain therapies to this person in your life. You will know how to bring it up, and often in the beginning you can't be obvious, understand how your words sound to a person with mental disabilities and what they mean, most importantly to continually be a supportive person on there life's path to become a healthier person.
Being supportive means not pushing them into a phase of recovery or diagram of what you see they should be in instead encouraging their growth by verbal praise while supporting them, not as a perpetual crutch but as a support. Be that person's advocate by finding government and insurance help etc. Be a person that they can feal like their not judged and can talk to about mental difficulties and changes.
Please, if you need some one to talk to about your disability or a loved one's disability, please don't hesitate to mail me. pandora106@hotmail.com
The loved one has no idea how to help and is often scared of the others actions while the one who is going through this illness is doubting every one. When some one tries to get close to help, often this person pulls back because of paranoid distrust.
There are many triggers that either make an existing condition or ignite the creation of bipolar disorder become unmanageable. It is hard for the person who has it and other people around them. The first and biggest advise I can give to a loved one of a person suffering from a mental illness is to first understand it. Begin to understand what they are going through by research, joining groups on the web and in your community and talking to people on-line.
Only then can you recommend certain therapies to this person in your life. You will know how to bring it up, and often in the beginning you can't be obvious, understand how your words sound to a person with mental disabilities and what they mean, most importantly to continually be a supportive person on there life's path to become a healthier person.
Being supportive means not pushing them into a phase of recovery or diagram of what you see they should be in instead encouraging their growth by verbal praise while supporting them, not as a perpetual crutch but as a support. Be that person's advocate by finding government and insurance help etc. Be a person that they can feal like their not judged and can talk to about mental difficulties and changes.
Please, if you need some one to talk to about your disability or a loved one's disability, please don't hesitate to mail me. pandora106@hotmail.com
Friday, November 27, 2009
Two Crazies Don't Make A Right
Have you ever had a friend that seemed down on there luck and just needed a hand to get back on there feet, most often a kind word or a push of encouragement? There's an instinct in us to help others and it often becomes stronger when you need or have needed help yourself, when you can relate to other people in need. This is why a lot of abused women end up helping other abused women or cancer patients bond with each other. We find common ground and want to help each other even if you may not have gone through that particular hurdle in your life, for some it is easy to empathize with them if you have felt another reach out to you.
Before I continue, to any one in a situation who needs help themselves, YOU CAN NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR SELF. Relating to depression and mental disorders, we often need emotional help in one way or another. Until you have been given and have helped yourself in this area you can't help another like you. This is why care givers/parents should make sure they're looked after first. Once you have gotten strength, energy and help from others is when you can be a powerful influence on others lives.
Most of us has had people in our lives with the kind of person that tells you all of there problems and asks for advice but never takes it and you find yourself in the same place you started, listening to the same problems and hearing the same questions being asked. What do you do without being mean? And when you have let it go on so long it makes it that much harder. All they do is drain your energy like a leech.
Every person has a comfort spot, but some are dangerous to others. Some people prey on sympathy of others to feed a need so they can stay in a dark warm hole and no matter what any one does, that worm isn't coming out! The food is your personal empathy and energy and tinstinct takes over like an misbehaved child.
Obviously this is coming from a resent experience. When I tried to cut this friendship off , they kept on pulling on my strings and throwing the rope back in, making me feel bad for not catching it.
If you are suffering from a loss of energy and want more, this includes every day people and regular depression, the following formula will describe the steps needed to produce energy.
Stage 1-
Dream. Look into a future with you in it and imagine your self doing some thing you may never thought possible. Dream that all your wishes came true and think of each one at a time. The more you let your self dream thoughts of what can be, the more energy you will get.
Stage 2 –
Desire. Write down a list of your desires from A – Z. These are things you may have always wanted to do or things you start to think of as you start writing.
Stage 3 –
Goals. Start to write short term goals then long term ones. You have been letting your mind go free and think of possibilities, these should be about those possibilities but achievable. Once you write a goal on paper it's funny, without thinking too much about it, how easy it is to achieve those goals. Start with daily ones that you can see them crossed off at the end of the day then have monthly, yearly, and 5,10 15 yr annually ones.
Stage 4-
Achievement. To achieve each goal this will give you energy. The bigger the goal, often the more energy you will receive. This is why it is good to have daily goals especially when you don't feel good.
Remember to never give energy you don't have. You need energy to create more for yourself.
Before I continue, to any one in a situation who needs help themselves, YOU CAN NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR SELF. Relating to depression and mental disorders, we often need emotional help in one way or another. Until you have been given and have helped yourself in this area you can't help another like you. This is why care givers/parents should make sure they're looked after first. Once you have gotten strength, energy and help from others is when you can be a powerful influence on others lives.
Most of us has had people in our lives with the kind of person that tells you all of there problems and asks for advice but never takes it and you find yourself in the same place you started, listening to the same problems and hearing the same questions being asked. What do you do without being mean? And when you have let it go on so long it makes it that much harder. All they do is drain your energy like a leech.
Every person has a comfort spot, but some are dangerous to others. Some people prey on sympathy of others to feed a need so they can stay in a dark warm hole and no matter what any one does, that worm isn't coming out! The food is your personal empathy and energy and tinstinct takes over like an misbehaved child.
Obviously this is coming from a resent experience. When I tried to cut this friendship off , they kept on pulling on my strings and throwing the rope back in, making me feel bad for not catching it.
If you are suffering from a loss of energy and want more, this includes every day people and regular depression, the following formula will describe the steps needed to produce energy.
Stage 1-
Dream. Look into a future with you in it and imagine your self doing some thing you may never thought possible. Dream that all your wishes came true and think of each one at a time. The more you let your self dream thoughts of what can be, the more energy you will get.
Stage 2 –
Desire. Write down a list of your desires from A – Z. These are things you may have always wanted to do or things you start to think of as you start writing.
Stage 3 –
Goals. Start to write short term goals then long term ones. You have been letting your mind go free and think of possibilities, these should be about those possibilities but achievable. Once you write a goal on paper it's funny, without thinking too much about it, how easy it is to achieve those goals. Start with daily ones that you can see them crossed off at the end of the day then have monthly, yearly, and 5,10 15 yr annually ones.
Stage 4-
Achievement. To achieve each goal this will give you energy. The bigger the goal, often the more energy you will receive. This is why it is good to have daily goals especially when you don't feel good.
Remember to never give energy you don't have. You need energy to create more for yourself.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
No RX's... Natural answers
I have not written any thing about natural forms regarding depression or bipolar disorder. RX drugs are not always the 'end all be all' to solve these disorders. Besides cognitive and other therapy's I'd like to offer up some information on vitamins that may help you. In writing this I express that if you do need to see a Dr. please do. Also some Dr's will help by going through the journey of finding the right combination of vitamins or vitamins and RX drugs.
Food and your style of living has a major part to play in your over well being. A regular schedule of activities, sleep and dietary needs is important. Dietary needs exclude large amounts of sugar and caffeine.
Moving on to vitamins. Keep in mind that vitamins are forms of drugs also and you should be well informed about them before taking high doses or have a Dr. overlooking you. Omega-3 fatty acids.... You can buy this in a capsuale and get it from eating fish. Some companies make a combination of Omega oils that are for depression. In the past I have found it helpful with depression. It is also helpful for bipolor disor, anxiety, post traumatic disorder and others. For more information go to http://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/omegafattyacids.htm
Vitamin D. This is a vitamin you get from the sun and it helps your mood. In some places, during the winter, there isn't a lot of sun. There are a lot of different studies on how much you should take per day of this vitamin. Since it is water soluble, it is safe to take a max amount. The min amount every one should take is 1000-2000 IU. It will also help you with cancer and flu's. You can not get this supplement in your normal diet. For further information go to http://www.naturalnews.com/Vitamin_D.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_Vitamin_D_deficiency_mimic_bipolar_disorder http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/mentalIllness.shtml
5htp, it's like an ati-depressant. It helps the serotonin balance in the brain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan
Vitamin B. It is essential for nerve stimulation and for metabolism of carbohydrates to give brain energy as well as body energy. Deficiency symptoms include mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, night terror etc. http://www.depression-guide.com/b-depression-vitamin.htm
A study that started in the University Of Calgary and is now studied threw out north America is that people with mental illnesses, including depression, lack vitamins. To put these vitamins in the body in extreme high doses, helps the brain function. This company is called True Hope. The main vitamins are A,C and D's. This is what I'm going on right now. I'm lowering my RX drugs as I increase my doses of theirs. They have online help as well as an 1-800 line available. The site is www.truehope.com
If you have had sucsess with a natural way of dealing with your disorder please contact me.
Food and your style of living has a major part to play in your over well being. A regular schedule of activities, sleep and dietary needs is important. Dietary needs exclude large amounts of sugar and caffeine.
Moving on to vitamins. Keep in mind that vitamins are forms of drugs also and you should be well informed about them before taking high doses or have a Dr. overlooking you. Omega-3 fatty acids.... You can buy this in a capsuale and get it from eating fish. Some companies make a combination of Omega oils that are for depression. In the past I have found it helpful with depression. It is also helpful for bipolor disor, anxiety, post traumatic disorder and others. For more information go to http://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/omegafattyacids.htm
Vitamin D. This is a vitamin you get from the sun and it helps your mood. In some places, during the winter, there isn't a lot of sun. There are a lot of different studies on how much you should take per day of this vitamin. Since it is water soluble, it is safe to take a max amount. The min amount every one should take is 1000-2000 IU. It will also help you with cancer and flu's. You can not get this supplement in your normal diet. For further information go to http://www.naturalnews.com/Vitamin_D.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_Vitamin_D_deficiency_mimic_bipolar_disorder http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/mentalIllness.shtml
5htp, it's like an ati-depressant. It helps the serotonin balance in the brain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan
Vitamin B. It is essential for nerve stimulation and for metabolism of carbohydrates to give brain energy as well as body energy. Deficiency symptoms include mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, night terror etc. http://www.depression-guide.com/b-depression-vitamin.htm
A study that started in the University Of Calgary and is now studied threw out north America is that people with mental illnesses, including depression, lack vitamins. To put these vitamins in the body in extreme high doses, helps the brain function. This company is called True Hope. The main vitamins are A,C and D's. This is what I'm going on right now. I'm lowering my RX drugs as I increase my doses of theirs. They have online help as well as an 1-800 line available. The site is www.truehope.com
If you have had sucsess with a natural way of dealing with your disorder please contact me.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Homeless Myths
From my point of view I see some things differently. I get frustrated on how homeless people are viewed and treated. Friends of mine make comments like, 'get a job' and treat them like they are beneath them.
The city I live in has a lot of homeless people I'm ashamed to say. One day thought about this asking the question why. I had to do a little research. Most homeless people have mental disabilities. They may look well and able on the out side to you but there is a lot of other issues going on that disable them from keeping a job and living within our society. Some people see them begging on the street and all they think is, 'they want to get money to buy drugs and alcohol.' Well, that's true! It's self medication and often the only way people survive. If you want, buy them food.
Many view abusing drugs will give you a mental disorder and that may be the case for some but most of the time if some one is abusing, it's the symptom. It's hard in this society, mental disorders are shuned and the symptoms are not common knowledge so it's difficult to know if you have a problem. It's so hard to find help and when you do it may take a while for you to feel better. Drugs have an immediate fix.
You'll never understand how close you are to those look down upon until it's happened to you. Most people live pay check to pay check. A few bad months..... a mental break down... and that's you on the side walk. It pretty much happened to me and thank God I had family that was able to take care of me and support me.
Some one said to me the other day after I shared my views, 'most of them don't want help.' I got so mad. First of all, there is no actual real help out there and how would you know what help is when you have never seen your world any different. My city shut down our main mental institute and the homeless population rose tremendously. I didn't know what normal was until I got help. Mental disorder is a different mental state.
I think it's important for people to be aware of these issues for a number of reasons. Treat every one like a human because you'll never know how one smile or nice word will affect some one. Being empathetic towards a person, making them feel as if you look at them with no judgement can do a world of good. Knowledge about this can be golden. If some one gets help early on it's very easy to treat and a lot less painful. It's like cancer, if you catch it in the early stages you have more options on treatment and a greater survival rate.
The city I live in has a lot of homeless people I'm ashamed to say. One day thought about this asking the question why. I had to do a little research. Most homeless people have mental disabilities. They may look well and able on the out side to you but there is a lot of other issues going on that disable them from keeping a job and living within our society. Some people see them begging on the street and all they think is, 'they want to get money to buy drugs and alcohol.' Well, that's true! It's self medication and often the only way people survive. If you want, buy them food.
Many view abusing drugs will give you a mental disorder and that may be the case for some but most of the time if some one is abusing, it's the symptom. It's hard in this society, mental disorders are shuned and the symptoms are not common knowledge so it's difficult to know if you have a problem. It's so hard to find help and when you do it may take a while for you to feel better. Drugs have an immediate fix.
You'll never understand how close you are to those look down upon until it's happened to you. Most people live pay check to pay check. A few bad months..... a mental break down... and that's you on the side walk. It pretty much happened to me and thank God I had family that was able to take care of me and support me.
Some one said to me the other day after I shared my views, 'most of them don't want help.' I got so mad. First of all, there is no actual real help out there and how would you know what help is when you have never seen your world any different. My city shut down our main mental institute and the homeless population rose tremendously. I didn't know what normal was until I got help. Mental disorder is a different mental state.
I think it's important for people to be aware of these issues for a number of reasons. Treat every one like a human because you'll never know how one smile or nice word will affect some one. Being empathetic towards a person, making them feel as if you look at them with no judgement can do a world of good. Knowledge about this can be golden. If some one gets help early on it's very easy to treat and a lot less painful. It's like cancer, if you catch it in the early stages you have more options on treatment and a greater survival rate.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Skipping Medication
Earlier this week I had the flew. I couldn't keep anything down. I know that some people with mental disorders don't need to take medication but those who do depend on it every day and when the daily dose is missed, that disrupts mental balance for up to a week.
Obviously, not keeping food or fluids down means not being able to take my medication. Fortunately I had a place to stay during this time where I had some one by me if I went into either a manic or depressive episode, they could take care of me. It's important that if this happens to you that you can talk to some one about your situation so they can keep an eye on you, even if it's your Doctor.
I can't express how important it is for you to find a friend, family member or be close to your Doctor for reasons such as these.
Obviously, not keeping food or fluids down means not being able to take my medication. Fortunately I had a place to stay during this time where I had some one by me if I went into either a manic or depressive episode, they could take care of me. It's important that if this happens to you that you can talk to some one about your situation so they can keep an eye on you, even if it's your Doctor.
I can't express how important it is for you to find a friend, family member or be close to your Doctor for reasons such as these.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Some people reading this may not be completely aware of what bipolar disorder is and the effects it has on people who have it and others around them. There are so many people who suffer from mental disorders and don't even know it or are misdiagnosed. When I have to give a quick explanation it's, most people's moods fluctuate up and down within a grey area but when you have bipolar disorder the fluctuation raises above and below that grey line.
Being manic has many stages from feeling like you can do anything like being over confident, or gives a high feeling. When I'm highly manic my mind starts to race and can't hold thoughts for long and I can't concentrate or sleep. Sometimes when I'm in public like a mall, it feels as if everything around me is on fast forward, I can't hold on to a particular thought or event.
The depressive or low feeling comes out in various ways. Often people think depression is a state of not wanting to live. Most depressive people don't have symptoms like that. It feels hard to get out of bed in the morning a feeling of low energy during the day, no motivation, over sleeping or a foggy head, those can be signs of a minor depression.
To go into further details I'll list more of the symptoms...
Manic
-Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
-Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
-Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
-Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
-Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
-Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
-Impaired judgement and impulsiveness
-Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
-Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)
Depressive
-Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
-Irritability
-Inability to experience pleasure
-Fatigue or loss of energy
-Physical and mental sluggishness
-Appetite or weight changes
-Sleep problems
-Concentration and memory problems
-Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
-Thoughts of death or suicide
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
The following web site has a test you can take that will give you an idea if you have bipolar disorder.
http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/bipolarquiz.htm
Often people are afraid of some one with bipolar disorder. This disorder can be treated in various ways so the person's mood stays within that grey area. It can be difficult talking to some one when their mood changes. I suggest when you know a person is manic keep your voice low and if the manic person is over whelmed or stuck on one thing that is causing stress or you know isn't healthy, try changing the conversation to some thing that focuses their attention on a lighter or humorous topic. This will decrease their stress b/c once the mind is in a bad loop of thoughts it's hard to get out of.
Some times when people are depressed they need others to push them out in a strategic way, to do some thing about it. It may just be finding a Dr to go to or other help like getting them out of the house. At my lowest point I needed some one to help me with every day things, taking stress off of me so that I could focus on getting the help I needed. Some of these things were making sure my bills were paid, helping me research options like Drs, counsellors, etc. or even being checked in on to make sure I was going out and knew I had a person I could call and talk to when I needed. It always helps to have a person that knows a little bit about what your going through even if it's only what's researched.
A surrounding environment has a huge effect on people especially some one with bipolar disorder. Friends and family should be aware of this and try to facilitate it. My previous blog entry states some sites to go for further information regarding this subject.
Being manic has many stages from feeling like you can do anything like being over confident, or gives a high feeling. When I'm highly manic my mind starts to race and can't hold thoughts for long and I can't concentrate or sleep. Sometimes when I'm in public like a mall, it feels as if everything around me is on fast forward, I can't hold on to a particular thought or event.
The depressive or low feeling comes out in various ways. Often people think depression is a state of not wanting to live. Most depressive people don't have symptoms like that. It feels hard to get out of bed in the morning a feeling of low energy during the day, no motivation, over sleeping or a foggy head, those can be signs of a minor depression.
To go into further details I'll list more of the symptoms...
Manic
-Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
-Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
-Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
-Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
-Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
-Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
-Impaired judgement and impulsiveness
-Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
-Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)
Depressive
-Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
-Irritability
-Inability to experience pleasure
-Fatigue or loss of energy
-Physical and mental sluggishness
-Appetite or weight changes
-Sleep problems
-Concentration and memory problems
-Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
-Thoughts of death or suicide
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
The following web site has a test you can take that will give you an idea if you have bipolar disorder.
http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/bipolarquiz.htm
Often people are afraid of some one with bipolar disorder. This disorder can be treated in various ways so the person's mood stays within that grey area. It can be difficult talking to some one when their mood changes. I suggest when you know a person is manic keep your voice low and if the manic person is over whelmed or stuck on one thing that is causing stress or you know isn't healthy, try changing the conversation to some thing that focuses their attention on a lighter or humorous topic. This will decrease their stress b/c once the mind is in a bad loop of thoughts it's hard to get out of.
Some times when people are depressed they need others to push them out in a strategic way, to do some thing about it. It may just be finding a Dr to go to or other help like getting them out of the house. At my lowest point I needed some one to help me with every day things, taking stress off of me so that I could focus on getting the help I needed. Some of these things were making sure my bills were paid, helping me research options like Drs, counsellors, etc. or even being checked in on to make sure I was going out and knew I had a person I could call and talk to when I needed. It always helps to have a person that knows a little bit about what your going through even if it's only what's researched.
A surrounding environment has a huge effect on people especially some one with bipolar disorder. Friends and family should be aware of this and try to facilitate it. My previous blog entry states some sites to go for further information regarding this subject.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Effects Of The Enviroment On Bipolar Disorder
I had an interesting conversation today about what causes a mental disorder or where does it come from, specifically bipolar disorder. My view is that all of us are born with a brain that mechanicaly works differently than others, being bipolar or having other conditions like ADD may be natural, God given gifts and it's our society that creates this atmosphere where it becomes the disorder.
I spent some time in Uganda, Africa and society is a lot different there. There isn't the pressure to fit into a mould and success isn't measured by the same standards as we have in our society. I saw people flourish in this environment and not have to struggle through life trying to figure out who they are. What I learnt is to find my own talents and improve on them, not fight against them. I often heard as a kid, 'You can do anything you want to'. No I can't and I really shouldn't try unless I have the burning passion and/or talent needed.
Coming back to my conversation with my friend. He felt that all of us are born with this difference in our brain, normally called a chemical unbalance, and if we were placed in any enviroment from A-Z we would still feel and act the same way as we do now.
The evidence in studies show that nutrition and the home, work or other environments affect a person with bipolar disorder greatly and sujests that ones genes play a part. It is recommended that some one with a mental disorder should have a stable, low stress and scheduled environment. There is a lot of data that referes to the fact that people have triggers when being bipolar. Symptoms you never had can be triggered by a major event leading you to your diagnosis or you can be triggered into having an episode.
If this is true then there is a possibility that when some one with bipolar disorder is in an environment without stress and is eating healthy food, like where I was in Africa, they may not suffer as many or no side effects in which their bipolar disorder wouldn't interfere in their life.
The following are some of the web pages I received my facts from.
http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1713
http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-treatment/how-triggers-affect-bipolar-disorder-gsd/menu-id-67/
http://www.phobias-help.com/bipolar_disorder/Causes_of_Bipolar_Disorder.html
I spent some time in Uganda, Africa and society is a lot different there. There isn't the pressure to fit into a mould and success isn't measured by the same standards as we have in our society. I saw people flourish in this environment and not have to struggle through life trying to figure out who they are. What I learnt is to find my own talents and improve on them, not fight against them. I often heard as a kid, 'You can do anything you want to'. No I can't and I really shouldn't try unless I have the burning passion and/or talent needed.
Coming back to my conversation with my friend. He felt that all of us are born with this difference in our brain, normally called a chemical unbalance, and if we were placed in any enviroment from A-Z we would still feel and act the same way as we do now.
The evidence in studies show that nutrition and the home, work or other environments affect a person with bipolar disorder greatly and sujests that ones genes play a part. It is recommended that some one with a mental disorder should have a stable, low stress and scheduled environment. There is a lot of data that referes to the fact that people have triggers when being bipolar. Symptoms you never had can be triggered by a major event leading you to your diagnosis or you can be triggered into having an episode.
If this is true then there is a possibility that when some one with bipolar disorder is in an environment without stress and is eating healthy food, like where I was in Africa, they may not suffer as many or no side effects in which their bipolar disorder wouldn't interfere in their life.
The following are some of the web pages I received my facts from.
http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1713
http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-treatment/how-triggers-affect-bipolar-disorder-gsd/menu-id-67/
http://www.phobias-help.com/bipolar_disorder/Causes_of_Bipolar_Disorder.html
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Statistics
Recently I posted questions about some stats regarding mental disorders. Even after I put away my notes with the answers to the question, I had a difficult time answering them. I didn't get the right answers. The results are shoking
The correct answers are as follows,
-Over the last 19 yrs, what percentage of North Americans have been diagnosed with a Mood Disorder? 9.5%
-Do cases of Anxiety Disorder quadruple cases of Depression Disorder? Approximately 40 million American adults ages 18 and older, or about 18.1 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. Even though it's close, the answer is no.
-What is the median age of onset for a mood disorder? 30yrs.
In America, the estimation of people that suffer from mood disorders is of 1/4 of the population and has become the leading cause of disability in North America. Recently the awareness has grown a little but we still have a long way to go, especially in the area of acceptance with all parties involved.
In my point of view which is based on stats and logic, it is that acceptance and knowledge is a key towards help. More than 90% of people who commit suicide have a mental disorder so this is a concern we should all have.
I have taken the information from, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml.
The correct answers are as follows,
-Over the last 19 yrs, what percentage of North Americans have been diagnosed with a Mood Disorder? 9.5%
-Do cases of Anxiety Disorder quadruple cases of Depression Disorder? Approximately 40 million American adults ages 18 and older, or about 18.1 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. Even though it's close, the answer is no.
-What is the median age of onset for a mood disorder? 30yrs.
In America, the estimation of people that suffer from mood disorders is of 1/4 of the population and has become the leading cause of disability in North America. Recently the awareness has grown a little but we still have a long way to go, especially in the area of acceptance with all parties involved.
In my point of view which is based on stats and logic, it is that acceptance and knowledge is a key towards help. More than 90% of people who commit suicide have a mental disorder so this is a concern we should all have.
I have taken the information from, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
When Stress Makes Stress
At a point in my life I had to remove myself from anything that caused me stress. Because of my situation this is what I needed to do at the time. It's also a great coping mechanism for any one who feels overwhelmed with the stress of life.
There is a point that it's healthy to remove yourself from 'triggers' or situations that you know will lead you down the path, focusing on stress. Once you have finally learnt how to say NO to all those people that encourage you in the wrong direction, when is it time to even out that pendulum?
I have things in my life that creates stress and most of the time I will put it out of my mind if it's not an initiate matter. Recently I've had excruciating back and neck pains. Long story, short, I had a stressful problem that I couldn't deal with. Without me knowing, internally this creating more stress, enabling me from solving other day-to-day problems and tasks that other wise would be simple.
Once I addressed the original thing that caused all this stress, immediately my neck and back hollered an appreciation.
Most people call this procrastination but it's more than that if you have a mental illness. How do we begin to solve this problem? Do you have a suggestion? So far with most of my inabilities, the most I've learnt is that when I can see what I need to change, that's most of the battle.
There is a point that it's healthy to remove yourself from 'triggers' or situations that you know will lead you down the path, focusing on stress. Once you have finally learnt how to say NO to all those people that encourage you in the wrong direction, when is it time to even out that pendulum?
I have things in my life that creates stress and most of the time I will put it out of my mind if it's not an initiate matter. Recently I've had excruciating back and neck pains. Long story, short, I had a stressful problem that I couldn't deal with. Without me knowing, internally this creating more stress, enabling me from solving other day-to-day problems and tasks that other wise would be simple.
Once I addressed the original thing that caused all this stress, immediately my neck and back hollered an appreciation.
Most people call this procrastination but it's more than that if you have a mental illness. How do we begin to solve this problem? Do you have a suggestion? So far with most of my inabilities, the most I've learnt is that when I can see what I need to change, that's most of the battle.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Coctail Of Heat And Medication
It's been so hot where I live the last little while. A lot of medication that is taken by bipolar people will increase your body heat and make you sweat so it's very important to make sure your drinking enough water. In the summer there are many people that take any kind of medication, being overcome with a bad case of heat stroke.
From magazines, medical reports I've read and my own personal experience, drink at least twice as much water that you would normally drink when the weather is warm.
From magazines, medical reports I've read and my own personal experience, drink at least twice as much water that you would normally drink when the weather is warm.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Confident Passion, Discoouragment Then No Action
Most of the time when I talk to people and even write on this computer, I feel confident about the direction of where my thoughts are taking me. I know I need to stand up for myself and others with this illness so that I won't be caught in a stagnant place.
Often people around me have grown to expect nothing from me, including any growth while learning how to live with Bipolar Disorder. When I'm weak I buy into this. Every thought, goal or passion I had can melt when there is a combination of others discouragement and my moments of weakness.
If your a loved one of some one who has Bipolar Disorder and they show a desire to move forward in life, my suggestion is to constantly be positive even though sometimes you know there ideas aren't that good. Don't be totally fake but find positive things to say and make them feel encouraged. I feel as if I'm alone in my battles, my family is looking out for my best interests but only pointing out why my ideas won't work. I need to do things when I have passion for them or else I won't do it.
It takes 10 positive words to counteract 1 negative one.
Often people around me have grown to expect nothing from me, including any growth while learning how to live with Bipolar Disorder. When I'm weak I buy into this. Every thought, goal or passion I had can melt when there is a combination of others discouragement and my moments of weakness.
If your a loved one of some one who has Bipolar Disorder and they show a desire to move forward in life, my suggestion is to constantly be positive even though sometimes you know there ideas aren't that good. Don't be totally fake but find positive things to say and make them feel encouraged. I feel as if I'm alone in my battles, my family is looking out for my best interests but only pointing out why my ideas won't work. I need to do things when I have passion for them or else I won't do it.
It takes 10 positive words to counteract 1 negative one.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Comments
I want to write a short note about how important it is for readers to comment on my blogs no matter how short or long it is. I like feed back from you answering questions or any comments you may have on how I can improve my blog. It's also good for readers and me to know if some one else out there relates to what ever I'm writing about. If you want to have a discussion or debate on any topic please feel free.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Buffer's
Buffers
A Buffer is a cushion that is used to help in situations that you may not feel comfortable or safe in. Most often they are people but can also be techniques. The most important thing about a buffer is that you put it in place before you need it.
My most used and simple buffer is the wash room. I have a hard time in public so I can get very agitated, emotional as well as all the other feelings that come with Bipolar Disorder. If I feel it's too much for me, I find a bathroom to hide in. I'm able to have 'alone time' and calm down while thinking of what I should do when I come out.
I have a large extended family. We come together a few times a year. This is one of the hardest things for me b/c of my fear of crowds and also b/c of emotional issues with family in my past. I've been able to cope with a little pre planning. I pre arrange a friend I can call during the event to blow off steam. As soon as I arrive, I look for places to escape like a bathroom or bedroom if I need to get away from the crowed. If it's possible I let at least one person I know what my difficulties are so they can help if need.
An escape plan is key. Pre plan a reason why you need to leave early before the event. Last year I went to my cousins wedding. For personal reasons I was having such a hard time with wedding stuff to the point that I saw a pic of her dress and it messed me up. The wedding was for my younger female cousin, all my cousins are older and boys, so I wanted to be there so bad.
For a year I worked on past emotions so I could come to her wedding. The ceremony was difficult for me but I kept it together until almost the end of the reception. This was like the perfect storm for me, a wedding and my family together.
My immediate family knew how hard this was going to be for me so they kept their eye on me. There was a point after dinner and before the cake when I couldn't hold it in any more. I was holding so much in that when the flood gates would open. I went to the wash room and never came back. Thankfully my Mom was thinking of me and got the rest of us together (immediate family) right away. She even physically sheltered me, my red face from sobbing, from other people. It really shocked me not only what my Mom did but how every one who knew, were so understanding.
Another little family gathering one of my Aunts was hitting on a nerve and all my emotions between wrath and sadness were about to blow. We were already starting to get into it but I pulled myself away. I grabbed another Aunt's arm, who was married into the family, and pulled her in the wash room with me. I bitched and balled until I was done. LOL
When I was done my eyes were red but didn't really care. There was a line for the wash room and I found enjoyment in that. My Aunt that went in with me are closer now and each time I go into a situation like this it becomes easier.
Use your Dr as a buffer. If you don't have a good Dr already, it's important to find one that you can talk to on a personal level as well. There is information available to them so they can help guide you to solutions.
The Internet is a well known buffer if your reading this. There is specialised support in the form of group therapy. You can be involved in a 24 hr community dealing with your mental illness.
A Buffer is a cushion that is used to help in situations that you may not feel comfortable or safe in. Most often they are people but can also be techniques. The most important thing about a buffer is that you put it in place before you need it.
My most used and simple buffer is the wash room. I have a hard time in public so I can get very agitated, emotional as well as all the other feelings that come with Bipolar Disorder. If I feel it's too much for me, I find a bathroom to hide in. I'm able to have 'alone time' and calm down while thinking of what I should do when I come out.
I have a large extended family. We come together a few times a year. This is one of the hardest things for me b/c of my fear of crowds and also b/c of emotional issues with family in my past. I've been able to cope with a little pre planning. I pre arrange a friend I can call during the event to blow off steam. As soon as I arrive, I look for places to escape like a bathroom or bedroom if I need to get away from the crowed. If it's possible I let at least one person I know what my difficulties are so they can help if need.
An escape plan is key. Pre plan a reason why you need to leave early before the event. Last year I went to my cousins wedding. For personal reasons I was having such a hard time with wedding stuff to the point that I saw a pic of her dress and it messed me up. The wedding was for my younger female cousin, all my cousins are older and boys, so I wanted to be there so bad.
For a year I worked on past emotions so I could come to her wedding. The ceremony was difficult for me but I kept it together until almost the end of the reception. This was like the perfect storm for me, a wedding and my family together.
My immediate family knew how hard this was going to be for me so they kept their eye on me. There was a point after dinner and before the cake when I couldn't hold it in any more. I was holding so much in that when the flood gates would open. I went to the wash room and never came back. Thankfully my Mom was thinking of me and got the rest of us together (immediate family) right away. She even physically sheltered me, my red face from sobbing, from other people. It really shocked me not only what my Mom did but how every one who knew, were so understanding.
Another little family gathering one of my Aunts was hitting on a nerve and all my emotions between wrath and sadness were about to blow. We were already starting to get into it but I pulled myself away. I grabbed another Aunt's arm, who was married into the family, and pulled her in the wash room with me. I bitched and balled until I was done. LOL
When I was done my eyes were red but didn't really care. There was a line for the wash room and I found enjoyment in that. My Aunt that went in with me are closer now and each time I go into a situation like this it becomes easier.
Use your Dr as a buffer. If you don't have a good Dr already, it's important to find one that you can talk to on a personal level as well. There is information available to them so they can help guide you to solutions.
The Internet is a well known buffer if your reading this. There is specialised support in the form of group therapy. You can be involved in a 24 hr community dealing with your mental illness.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Journal
A whole lot of people suggest journaling especially when you are going through a difficult emotional period in your life. With some people it comes easy and others very difficult. Starting one is easy but to keep it up for more than a few entries can be difficult if it doesn't come naturally but to find the benefits it's important to find a way to keep it up. Let me know if you need some advice
I have always been able to write down my feelings on paper whether it be a letter to some one that I'm mad at, poems, a journal of some sort. I used to keep a diary until when I had trust in the world that no one would read it, and before I was old enough to have a locked safe to put those things in. One night I found my mom reading my diary. Later in life we talked about it and she said, 'How else was I supposed to know what was going on in your life?'
Now my writing is vague. There is no detail of my life that any one but me can decipher. I write the feeling I'm going through or questions I have. I may note a lesson learnt or recipe I like. I write like it's to a person like a best friend that never goes away, doesn't judge and takes nothing from me.
Over time I saw another benefit I got and now don't primarily look at my journal to let my emotions and thoughts out, instead a mark of where I've come from. When I read back the pages, through the years or even months, I laugh and cry about things I've written, but am always astonished to see the progress I've made especially when I feal I've made none.
In the worst of times, when felling as if in that sticky muck not seeing change, when others bring us down, this is a tool that can change that all around.
I have always been able to write down my feelings on paper whether it be a letter to some one that I'm mad at, poems, a journal of some sort. I used to keep a diary until when I had trust in the world that no one would read it, and before I was old enough to have a locked safe to put those things in. One night I found my mom reading my diary. Later in life we talked about it and she said, 'How else was I supposed to know what was going on in your life?'
Now my writing is vague. There is no detail of my life that any one but me can decipher. I write the feeling I'm going through or questions I have. I may note a lesson learnt or recipe I like. I write like it's to a person like a best friend that never goes away, doesn't judge and takes nothing from me.
Over time I saw another benefit I got and now don't primarily look at my journal to let my emotions and thoughts out, instead a mark of where I've come from. When I read back the pages, through the years or even months, I laugh and cry about things I've written, but am always astonished to see the progress I've made especially when I feal I've made none.
In the worst of times, when felling as if in that sticky muck not seeing change, when others bring us down, this is a tool that can change that all around.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I.C.E. Card
It is very important to have an I.C.E card, 'in case of an emergency'. This is a card that will let a Dr. know important information during an emergency or a time when you can't remember important information.
Making this kind of card is easy. It should be the size of your driver's licence preferably laminated. Write or print your name, Dr.(s) information, emergency contact person, allergies, medication your on and any other medical information you think is relevant.
I know in Canada and the USA that Dr's will look for this information in your wallet behind your drivers licence. If you want to add information into your phone, check with your local advisors for that information. I have also found it helpful when I'm seeing another Dr or in a hospital when I have to give them my medical history, especially what RX's I'm taking and the amounts.
One other thing I would like to mention is having Bipolar Disorder or any other kind of mental disorder, we often self medicate our selves with street drugs. Being honest with Dr's is the best thing for every one. They can't tell any one (if your worried ask them first) and they will be able to help yo better. Some time RX drugs can have a bad reaction with other drugs.
Making this kind of card is easy. It should be the size of your driver's licence preferably laminated. Write or print your name, Dr.(s) information, emergency contact person, allergies, medication your on and any other medical information you think is relevant.
I know in Canada and the USA that Dr's will look for this information in your wallet behind your drivers licence. If you want to add information into your phone, check with your local advisors for that information. I have also found it helpful when I'm seeing another Dr or in a hospital when I have to give them my medical history, especially what RX's I'm taking and the amounts.
One other thing I would like to mention is having Bipolar Disorder or any other kind of mental disorder, we often self medicate our selves with street drugs. Being honest with Dr's is the best thing for every one. They can't tell any one (if your worried ask them first) and they will be able to help yo better. Some time RX drugs can have a bad reaction with other drugs.
Stress can depress
It's amazing that one small thing in life that's stressful, when not dealt with can cause so much pain in so many other areas of life.
I've been having back pains the past few months so bad that it wakes me up every few hours. If that doesn't wake me my night mares do. I've had so many other problems and had no idea what to do about it, I was going crazy again not being able to sleep.
Almost two yrs ago I had an accident in a store due to a faulty stool where I fractured my elbow and it took 1 1/2 yrs to heal. When this happened I said to myself that this is something I'm not going to let them get away with like I have with every one in the past. This ended up putting so much pressure on me. Since I couldn't do any thing with the claim at that point I buried my anger so I could get on with my life.
A long time has past and I finally forced myself to start dealing with it by filling the claim. As soon as I did this fog lifted off me. My back cracked with ever move I made and I was able to think so clearly. I couldn't believe how one thing caused all of my problems, some thing that I wouldn't even have thought of. I was making a bigger deal out of this than it really was.
Isn't it true that there are so many times that we procrastinate on doing some thing that it weighs on our head so heavy, it impairs us from doing other stuff in our lives.
I've been having back pains the past few months so bad that it wakes me up every few hours. If that doesn't wake me my night mares do. I've had so many other problems and had no idea what to do about it, I was going crazy again not being able to sleep.
Almost two yrs ago I had an accident in a store due to a faulty stool where I fractured my elbow and it took 1 1/2 yrs to heal. When this happened I said to myself that this is something I'm not going to let them get away with like I have with every one in the past. This ended up putting so much pressure on me. Since I couldn't do any thing with the claim at that point I buried my anger so I could get on with my life.
A long time has past and I finally forced myself to start dealing with it by filling the claim. As soon as I did this fog lifted off me. My back cracked with ever move I made and I was able to think so clearly. I couldn't believe how one thing caused all of my problems, some thing that I wouldn't even have thought of. I was making a bigger deal out of this than it really was.
Isn't it true that there are so many times that we procrastinate on doing some thing that it weighs on our head so heavy, it impairs us from doing other stuff in our lives.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Bipolar, is it a disorder?
This is a short continuation of my previous post. I got this title after hearing the very popular, 'Psychosis Sucks' and keep thinking that we should make an effort to look at some of the positive attributes this disorder may bring.
I know that we all face many challenges especially within this society but I would like to explore the doors that it may open for me and you. 'How do I use this for my advantage' and challenge you to do the same. It's hard to see out of this tornado of emotions and perspectives when it seems I'm usually stuck some where in that wind but I would like to take a step and push forward to find positivity in all of this.
What do you think?
I know that we all face many challenges especially within this society but I would like to explore the doors that it may open for me and you. 'How do I use this for my advantage' and challenge you to do the same. It's hard to see out of this tornado of emotions and perspectives when it seems I'm usually stuck some where in that wind but I would like to take a step and push forward to find positivity in all of this.
What do you think?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Don't be pissed, this may be a gift
When I was diagnosed as mentally ill, I read on the Internet and felt from Dr's that spiritualism is an illusion as well as a lot of other feelings I had been having was only a symptom of my illness. At the time I had no one to tell me any thing different, I questioned my faith and every thing I have believed as truth my whole life.
I started to question myself. Since I was 'mentally ill' I must be the one who's crazy and maybee some of the things around me aren't real. Once I questioned one thing, that lead to another thing and another. That in itself was making me crazy! I doubted my perseption of the whole world. I focused on this and let other people take advantage of my fear and vonerable state.
People with bipolar disorder are unique people and don't fit into the regular mold, similar to someone in school with ADD who learns differently than others. Today's society caiter's to the majority excluding others that can't conform. This society is not set up so that we can live naturally, for ex: our sleeping patterns are different from what comes natural to us, the way we were designed. I could go on.
We who have bipolar disorder are gifted! I'm going to list some of the gifts I have so you can look for them in yourself. I see things in a unique perspective than other people which helps me solve problems and am able to help others to see things in a different way. This can even be an asset in a job. Being artistic comes naturally to me. For me it's painting. Most people would have to do more schooling for things that come naturally to me. I feel I have the gift of feeling and hearing God and the spiritual realm around me. You may relate to some of these examples of my gifts and have some more benefits you can think of and share. I used to read website after site and it brought me down.
Finally I realised, partly with the help of The Icarus Project's site, the link is on my home page, when I stopped struggling within this society to be like every one else and learnt how to exercise my gifts, it often gives me the upper hand, a unique edge.
I will briefly go into something I've learned about people's fear of seeking professional help. This is something I will further go into another time. The majority of fears are that Doctors will give medication that will interfere with a spiritual connection, artistic talent, one's personality and the medication will mess up you brain even more. This doesn't have to be the case. There are so many advances and if you get a referral from your Pd Dr to a good Phyc Dr that you feel comfortable with and voice your concerns and be in charge of the medications you take.
I would also like to mention that not every one with bipolar disorder has to take prescription drugs. There is cognitive therapy and natural ways like vitamins which can help depending on the degree of your illness. I still would suggest seeing your Dr. in any case and go on prescription medication if you are self medicating yourself through street drugs, alcohol, sex etc.
In Canada most one on one and group counseling is covered by the government if your Dr refers you. If you don't have insurance and can't afford any prescription drugs that are for your mental health, your Dr should have a form you can fill out and the government will pay for it. If you have any problems or need help with information on how to get quality free care ask me.
I started to question myself. Since I was 'mentally ill' I must be the one who's crazy and maybee some of the things around me aren't real. Once I questioned one thing, that lead to another thing and another. That in itself was making me crazy! I doubted my perseption of the whole world. I focused on this and let other people take advantage of my fear and vonerable state.
People with bipolar disorder are unique people and don't fit into the regular mold, similar to someone in school with ADD who learns differently than others. Today's society caiter's to the majority excluding others that can't conform. This society is not set up so that we can live naturally, for ex: our sleeping patterns are different from what comes natural to us, the way we were designed. I could go on.
We who have bipolar disorder are gifted! I'm going to list some of the gifts I have so you can look for them in yourself. I see things in a unique perspective than other people which helps me solve problems and am able to help others to see things in a different way. This can even be an asset in a job. Being artistic comes naturally to me. For me it's painting. Most people would have to do more schooling for things that come naturally to me. I feel I have the gift of feeling and hearing God and the spiritual realm around me. You may relate to some of these examples of my gifts and have some more benefits you can think of and share. I used to read website after site and it brought me down.
Finally I realised, partly with the help of The Icarus Project's site, the link is on my home page, when I stopped struggling within this society to be like every one else and learnt how to exercise my gifts, it often gives me the upper hand, a unique edge.
I will briefly go into something I've learned about people's fear of seeking professional help. This is something I will further go into another time. The majority of fears are that Doctors will give medication that will interfere with a spiritual connection, artistic talent, one's personality and the medication will mess up you brain even more. This doesn't have to be the case. There are so many advances and if you get a referral from your Pd Dr to a good Phyc Dr that you feel comfortable with and voice your concerns and be in charge of the medications you take.
I would also like to mention that not every one with bipolar disorder has to take prescription drugs. There is cognitive therapy and natural ways like vitamins which can help depending on the degree of your illness. I still would suggest seeing your Dr. in any case and go on prescription medication if you are self medicating yourself through street drugs, alcohol, sex etc.
In Canada most one on one and group counseling is covered by the government if your Dr refers you. If you don't have insurance and can't afford any prescription drugs that are for your mental health, your Dr should have a form you can fill out and the government will pay for it. If you have any problems or need help with information on how to get quality free care ask me.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Stuck in the mud?
If you've been in a situation of being sick and are stuck for a while, it becomes harder and harder to get back to your old self. Most of the time the longer you wait the harder and scarier it is to change from your routine no matter how hard you want to. Often people around you will either antagonise you to move on or makes you feel that this is where you'll to stay for the rest of your life'. None of that helps or is true!!!!
Bipolar disorder has depression, being manic is a false scene of energy. When I was at my worst I had no energy to even get off the couch or understand what I was watching on the TV. I was on an extreme scale of depression at that time, coming off of a major long term manic episode. I slowly progressed and learned simple and healthy techniques to create energy so I could start my recovery.
The first step in creating a small bit of energy. Create desires and write them down. They don't necessaryly have to be something achievable. For ex, live in a castle, get a job, have a family, fly like in the guy in 'Heroes'. This will give you enough energy to create goals, short term achievable ones and long term possibly achievable ones. Every goal you concur the more energy you'll have to achieve the next one.
Often people get stuck in one place in life because of your illness. You know or may not know that you really can go further that where you are, be like any one else and may exceed them depending on how you look at things. It is a hard hole to climb out of but you can. Write me to let me know what some of your advice.
For me It's especially hard knowing who I was before and what I may be capable of. Feeling as though I lost so many years struggling to become stable. I ignored being bipolar for so long that I just crashed. The movie 'Milk' helped me see that it's never to late to start again and at that moment I allowed myself to think of a future.
I thought of things I could and wanted to do. All those ideas ended up frustrating and depressing me. Then one day I had clarity to organise those ideas in an order of a time line. I wrote them all down and realised what I should be working on first. I had a handful of other projects I put in the category of 'desires'. Hmm it became so much more simple to me. If I only did one or two out of six desires in the future, that would be a great accomplishment!
Most people struggle to some degree with these feelings whether they have a mental illness or not. Share some of your experiences, advice or questions.
Bipolar disorder has depression, being manic is a false scene of energy. When I was at my worst I had no energy to even get off the couch or understand what I was watching on the TV. I was on an extreme scale of depression at that time, coming off of a major long term manic episode. I slowly progressed and learned simple and healthy techniques to create energy so I could start my recovery.
The first step in creating a small bit of energy. Create desires and write them down. They don't necessaryly have to be something achievable. For ex, live in a castle, get a job, have a family, fly like in the guy in 'Heroes'. This will give you enough energy to create goals, short term achievable ones and long term possibly achievable ones. Every goal you concur the more energy you'll have to achieve the next one.
Often people get stuck in one place in life because of your illness. You know or may not know that you really can go further that where you are, be like any one else and may exceed them depending on how you look at things. It is a hard hole to climb out of but you can. Write me to let me know what some of your advice.
For me It's especially hard knowing who I was before and what I may be capable of. Feeling as though I lost so many years struggling to become stable. I ignored being bipolar for so long that I just crashed. The movie 'Milk' helped me see that it's never to late to start again and at that moment I allowed myself to think of a future.
I thought of things I could and wanted to do. All those ideas ended up frustrating and depressing me. Then one day I had clarity to organise those ideas in an order of a time line. I wrote them all down and realised what I should be working on first. I had a handful of other projects I put in the category of 'desires'. Hmm it became so much more simple to me. If I only did one or two out of six desires in the future, that would be a great accomplishment!
Most people struggle to some degree with these feelings whether they have a mental illness or not. Share some of your experiences, advice or questions.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Finnding Your Safe and Happy Place
I had to move back home when I was diagnosed, which is a full days drive. I've gotten a lot better but there's one thing that is holding me back. I don't have any of my old friends here or any familiar places to go that has a good memory attached with it, when I was healthy. What do I do? Move back?
It's hard to create good memories because of a lack of motivation. It's hard to get out there and find new friends when the world, most of all the city I live in doesn't motivate me to be happy. There isn't a prescription drug I can take to make me over come this problem. Do you feel this way?
Now that it's spring and the weather is good, I think I'll try and go to a park. I'll look for a tree I find interesting and read or draw under it. I hope this will be a good step in finding that safe and happy place.
It's hard to create good memories because of a lack of motivation. It's hard to get out there and find new friends when the world, most of all the city I live in doesn't motivate me to be happy. There isn't a prescription drug I can take to make me over come this problem. Do you feel this way?
Now that it's spring and the weather is good, I think I'll try and go to a park. I'll look for a tree I find interesting and read or draw under it. I hope this will be a good step in finding that safe and happy place.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Trusting Youself
I depend on two people in my life that I trust to let me know if I show signs of unbalance where I need to see my Phyc Dr. One is my brother, who is like a best friend and the other is a very close friend who I trust, this partly because his uncle has a mental disorder and he is open minded in many aspects.
I was recently faced with an aggravating skepticism that one of those two people wasn't looking out for my best interest. I questioned my own judgment versus that person's advise on my mental status. I realized he was wrong and was leading me astray. He was going through some of his own problems so he couldn't see mine clearly. He used his position in my life to boast to people how great he helps me and how much he has done for me. To top it all of, he has shared my whole medical history like candy, without my permission.
First of all it's good to have at least two people that your completely honest with and they're educated about your mental illness so if you question one opinion, you can get a second opinion from the other person. Also, don't let people get to you by demeaning you and underestimating your ability to think straight. It takes time after being diagnosed but you can be completely normally or even better than normal again. Some people in my life blame anything and everything I think or do on my bipolar disorder. It's like a letter on my forehead but I have an actual personality, even when I'm taking my prescriptions. It's OK to keep some passion and mood, within the grey area, remember when something interferes with your daily life, that's when you should get help to change it.
Accept help and for it when you need it. Most of all, believe in yourself and your future.
Write back about some of your experiences with your or family's mental illness, especially the problems between other people and you. Let me know of some of your mood swings or any other thing you have on your mind and I'll comment back on it. What are some subjects you would like me to write about?
I was recently faced with an aggravating skepticism that one of those two people wasn't looking out for my best interest. I questioned my own judgment versus that person's advise on my mental status. I realized he was wrong and was leading me astray. He was going through some of his own problems so he couldn't see mine clearly. He used his position in my life to boast to people how great he helps me and how much he has done for me. To top it all of, he has shared my whole medical history like candy, without my permission.
First of all it's good to have at least two people that your completely honest with and they're educated about your mental illness so if you question one opinion, you can get a second opinion from the other person. Also, don't let people get to you by demeaning you and underestimating your ability to think straight. It takes time after being diagnosed but you can be completely normally or even better than normal again. Some people in my life blame anything and everything I think or do on my bipolar disorder. It's like a letter on my forehead but I have an actual personality, even when I'm taking my prescriptions. It's OK to keep some passion and mood, within the grey area, remember when something interferes with your daily life, that's when you should get help to change it.
Accept help and for it when you need it. Most of all, believe in yourself and your future.
Write back about some of your experiences with your or family's mental illness, especially the problems between other people and you. Let me know of some of your mood swings or any other thing you have on your mind and I'll comment back on it. What are some subjects you would like me to write about?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The BIG reveale!!!
How do we tell people that we have the dreaded bipolar disorder? We all go through this with every one in our lives. It seems we are black listed because of the lack of knowledge and understanding that most people have of this disorder.
Do you tell them? Who should and can you tell? When is it a good time? There are no answers for those questions, only suggestions and trial by error. We have no control over other people's reactions, only a hope that our voice, combined with others, might start to break the stigma of mental disorders.
I've told some friends of my disorder soon after I met them, most didn't want to stick around. Then I thought I'd wait until they got to know me before I told them, still most had a hard time with it and they slowly removed themselves from my life. Even my family's reactions was interesting. Most of them have become more supportive now. I think the hardest reaction for me to deal with is when a friend finds out and doesn't pull away but you know they're looking at you differently. Is that a mercy friend or just some one who is trying there best to understand you while keeping that guard up, waiting for you to go crazy?
Yesterday I told an old friend of mine that I have bipolar disorder and briefly went into some other details of my life. He has been a friend for about 15 yrs but we didn't stay in touch for about 10 of those years because I moved away during that time.
I was trying to put off telling him as long as I could. The biggest fear was that I didn't want to lose this friendship, I had no idea how he'd react. In the past, people who I'd never imagine a bad reaction from, surprised me. It got to the point that not telling him would harm our relationship so I rolled the dice.
So far it's all good. :) There is a lot of effort that goes into worrying about what other people will think.
Do you tell them? Who should and can you tell? When is it a good time? There are no answers for those questions, only suggestions and trial by error. We have no control over other people's reactions, only a hope that our voice, combined with others, might start to break the stigma of mental disorders.
I've told some friends of my disorder soon after I met them, most didn't want to stick around. Then I thought I'd wait until they got to know me before I told them, still most had a hard time with it and they slowly removed themselves from my life. Even my family's reactions was interesting. Most of them have become more supportive now. I think the hardest reaction for me to deal with is when a friend finds out and doesn't pull away but you know they're looking at you differently. Is that a mercy friend or just some one who is trying there best to understand you while keeping that guard up, waiting for you to go crazy?
Yesterday I told an old friend of mine that I have bipolar disorder and briefly went into some other details of my life. He has been a friend for about 15 yrs but we didn't stay in touch for about 10 of those years because I moved away during that time.
I was trying to put off telling him as long as I could. The biggest fear was that I didn't want to lose this friendship, I had no idea how he'd react. In the past, people who I'd never imagine a bad reaction from, surprised me. It got to the point that not telling him would harm our relationship so I rolled the dice.
So far it's all good. :) There is a lot of effort that goes into worrying about what other people will think.
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