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.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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.
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