I just got back from speaking at a day treatment center for people with mental illness. I do it for the In Our Own Voice program from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). I love doing these presentations, because they give me as much hope as they give the people listening to me.
If there's one thing I'm about, it's recovery. I cherish it like I would cherish a diamond.
When I talk for IOOV, I go back to my "dark days" up to what's happening now in my life and what I'm looking forward to in my future. It's a story with a happy ending, although at one point it was as far from that as earth is from mars. I was a "throwaway." They wanted to lock me up forever. I could just never get better, going from bipolar episode to bipolar episode, including several (5) suicide attempts and many years of substance abuse.
But I was lucky. My life is a miracle from God, because it's a miracle I survived it!
I like telling my story, because it gives people hope for recovery. And if I can help even one person, then it's worth it.
I know a lot of people don't talk about their bipolar disorder. They either try to pretend it's not there, or they acknowledge it, but don't tell other people they have it.
Now, I'm not saying to go broadcasting that you have bipolar disorder (it can backfire on you in some cases, like with stigma), but use your discretion. If you're talking to someone who tells you that they have bipolar disorder, you have a precious gift to give them. The story of your recovery. To them it will be like living water.
I also like doing these presentations because I'm putting a face on mental illness. I love it when I see the looks on people's faces, when they had been visiting with me before the presentation and then go in to it, only to find out that I'm the speaker! Some of them are pretty surprised, and have told me so.
In fact, I had one person say, "But you're so...normal!" That's how recovery is for me. I live almost as normal a life as anyone who doesn't have the disorder. Yes, I do have to make concessions, like taking medication every day, but otherwise my life is a normal, happy one.
I love it when people tell me they would never know I have bipolar disorder if I hadn't told them. That's what stability is. And stability, as hard as it is to fight for, is worth every minute if you can come out on the other side to recovery.
Now, I'm not downplaying the seriousness of the disorder. And in no way am I saying that it's easy to attain stability - I'm just saying that it's worth the effort.
Then you, too, can be talking to someone one day and sharing about your recovery from this incurable mental illness, and give them hope that they may not have had before. Now, THAT is worth it for sure. If you can help one person with bipolar disorder, then it's worth the sharing.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Can You Have Bipolar and Still Be Happy?
There is no disputing the seriousness of bipolar disorder. The statistics are staggering - that 20% (1 in 5) people with the disorder will kill themselves. However, that applies mostly to untreated bipolar disorder.
As long as your disorder is being treated properly, you have every chance for happiness that someone without the disorder has.
If you take your medication, adhere to a good sleep schedule, eat right, exercise, have a strong support system, and do things that you enjoy doing, there is no reason you can't be happy in spite of having bipolar disorder.
What I'm talking about is YOU being in control of your bipolar, instead of the other way around. You do NOT have to be one of the statistics!
I believe that happiness is a state of mind. I'm not talking about the excessive joy of mania, but that there is room for happiness in your life. You just have to work for it.
At its simplest, happiness is the absence of depression. Realistically speaking, you will still have setbacks on your way to stability, which will affect your state of happiness, but one bad bipolar day does not an episode make. And you will be happy again.
It helps if you have a positive attitude. When I was a negative thinker (or doubter, at best), I had many more episodes than if I had not been.
Today I am stable and happy, in spite of having bipolar disorder, so I know that it is possible.
I'm not saying that it won't be a struggle in the beginning, because it will be, but you can overcome it.
When you reach stability and have good things in your life, do things that you enjoy, be a positive person, and surround yourself with people who love you, that equation can add up to happiness for you.
I can't lie - I still have bad bipolar days. But I always keep in mind that, in general, my life is a happy one, and I will get that back once the mood has passed. And it WILL pass (there's my positive thinking in action).
If you are struggling with your bipolar disorder right now, I would encourage you NOT to lose hope! Your life can be happy again.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
As long as your disorder is being treated properly, you have every chance for happiness that someone without the disorder has.
If you take your medication, adhere to a good sleep schedule, eat right, exercise, have a strong support system, and do things that you enjoy doing, there is no reason you can't be happy in spite of having bipolar disorder.
What I'm talking about is YOU being in control of your bipolar, instead of the other way around. You do NOT have to be one of the statistics!
I believe that happiness is a state of mind. I'm not talking about the excessive joy of mania, but that there is room for happiness in your life. You just have to work for it.
At its simplest, happiness is the absence of depression. Realistically speaking, you will still have setbacks on your way to stability, which will affect your state of happiness, but one bad bipolar day does not an episode make. And you will be happy again.
It helps if you have a positive attitude. When I was a negative thinker (or doubter, at best), I had many more episodes than if I had not been.
Today I am stable and happy, in spite of having bipolar disorder, so I know that it is possible.
I'm not saying that it won't be a struggle in the beginning, because it will be, but you can overcome it.
When you reach stability and have good things in your life, do things that you enjoy, be a positive person, and surround yourself with people who love you, that equation can add up to happiness for you.
I can't lie - I still have bad bipolar days. But I always keep in mind that, in general, my life is a happy one, and I will get that back once the mood has passed. And it WILL pass (there's my positive thinking in action).
If you are struggling with your bipolar disorder right now, I would encourage you NOT to lose hope! Your life can be happy again.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Just Another Day in Bipolar Paradise
I was just thinking that if anyone else were to read my daily journal, they would probably think I had the most boring life of all. Well, today is just another day in bipolar paradise! Meaning that, yet again, nothing exciting is happening.
I prefer it that way, though. I would rather have my mundane, routine, organized life of stability with my BP than to go through the rollercoaster ride I used to be on all the time.
If no one else has told you, then I will tell you - it's OK to have a "regular day!" An ok day. A normal day.
Some people with bipolar disorder miss their manic highs, but I don't. They caused me to do things I wouldn't normally do - like get married twice during the year I was 19.
Now my life is settled. I have been with my best friend for 10 years and married to him for 3 years (almost). He has bipolar disorder, too, so he feels the same way as I do.
Someone else might think our lives are boring, and/or that stability means boredom, but we don't agree.
Because we're stable, we are responsible, and we know what we're doing! We have Date Night every Friday (even tho we're married), we go out to eat, shopping (normal shopping!), etc.
The point is, your life with bipolar disorder is what you make it. If you want stability to equal boredom, then you won't do anything. But if you want stability to be the freedom to do what you want and go where you want without fear of a bipolar episode around the next bend, then you can have that instead.
I don't care if other people find my life boring. I would choose boring any day over the chaos and drama that used to rule my world before I got diagnosed with BP.
To me, I do live in a bipolar paradise. I'm no longer having (bipolar) blackouts, I'm no longer suicidal, and I don't have to deal with the awful BP mood swings... all because I am stable.
I like that I am in control of my disorder, because I can help people who are struggling with their bipolar disorder, who are struggling with stability. I would hope that they would get the message that if I can recover, so can they.
A stable bipolar life does NOT have to be boring! It's all up to you.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
I prefer it that way, though. I would rather have my mundane, routine, organized life of stability with my BP than to go through the rollercoaster ride I used to be on all the time.
If no one else has told you, then I will tell you - it's OK to have a "regular day!" An ok day. A normal day.
Some people with bipolar disorder miss their manic highs, but I don't. They caused me to do things I wouldn't normally do - like get married twice during the year I was 19.
Now my life is settled. I have been with my best friend for 10 years and married to him for 3 years (almost). He has bipolar disorder, too, so he feels the same way as I do.
Someone else might think our lives are boring, and/or that stability means boredom, but we don't agree.
Because we're stable, we are responsible, and we know what we're doing! We have Date Night every Friday (even tho we're married), we go out to eat, shopping (normal shopping!), etc.
The point is, your life with bipolar disorder is what you make it. If you want stability to equal boredom, then you won't do anything. But if you want stability to be the freedom to do what you want and go where you want without fear of a bipolar episode around the next bend, then you can have that instead.
I don't care if other people find my life boring. I would choose boring any day over the chaos and drama that used to rule my world before I got diagnosed with BP.
To me, I do live in a bipolar paradise. I'm no longer having (bipolar) blackouts, I'm no longer suicidal, and I don't have to deal with the awful BP mood swings... all because I am stable.
I like that I am in control of my disorder, because I can help people who are struggling with their bipolar disorder, who are struggling with stability. I would hope that they would get the message that if I can recover, so can they.
A stable bipolar life does NOT have to be boring! It's all up to you.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
Friday, September 4, 2009
Bipolar Disorder and Peace of Mind
Hey, y'all --
I was just thinking about my bipolar disorder, and all the wreckage it has caused in my life. The peace I have now was fought hard for. But I'm here to tell you that you CAN have peace and bipolar disorder at the same time.
Many people, especially when first diagnosed, are under the misconception that you will just go from episode to episode, but that's not true. Bipolar disorder can be managed to the point that you have peace in your life (i.e., relief from episodes).
You just have to do certain things to maintain your stability.
Definitely avoid stress and anxiety, which can come from many places and destroy your peace of mind.
Avoid toxic people, places, and things - anything that will take away your peace.
I know you care about other people, but sometimes if you take their problems on yourself (instead of just listening), you will lose your peace.
My medication is of prime importance to my stability. Even though it took awhile to get it right, my "sanity cocktail" works very well at keeping me stable, and helping me to keep my peace of mind.
Having a routine helps me a lot as well. I go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. I eat at the same time every day. I have my regular appointments with my doctor, psychiatrist and therapist. It helps my peace of mind to know that some things are predictable.
And when something (or someone) does threaten my peace of mind, I pray until I get that peace of mind back. Because without peace, my bipolar disorder will take control of me, instead of the other way around.
You don't have to go from episode to episode, always worried when the next one will hit if you have peace. You can make the most of your normal periods which, with peace, should be fewer and farther between.
I live a very simple life. I know it would be too stressful for me to work outside the home again, so I love my job writing for www.bipolarcentral.com. This way, I can work from home, make some money, and keep my peace.
I don't have a lot of friends, but those I do have are close. When they have problems, I listen to them, and give advice if it's asked for, but I don't take their problems on myself. I know from experience that that only leads to more stress for me, and stress leads to episodes. I've found out it's ok to say "I don't know" when it comes to giving advice. It helps not to own other people's problems.
I have a wonderful supporter, my husband. He will notice even usually before me whether my peace has been interrupted, or if I'm showing symptoms of a bipolar episode. And he helps me get back on track.
When I have problems, I ask myself two questions:
1. Is there anything I can do about it?
2. Is there anything I can do about it RIGHT NOW?
Those help me to keep things in perspective. If there's nothing I can do about it right now, I have to let it go and not worry about it. It's just too stressful otherwise.
Never underestimate the power of prayer when it comes to having peace. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I pray, and ask God to help me. It helps to know that I'm not alone.
Yes, peace can coincide with bipolar disorder, but that peace has to come from within, and you have to work at it.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
I was just thinking about my bipolar disorder, and all the wreckage it has caused in my life. The peace I have now was fought hard for. But I'm here to tell you that you CAN have peace and bipolar disorder at the same time.
Many people, especially when first diagnosed, are under the misconception that you will just go from episode to episode, but that's not true. Bipolar disorder can be managed to the point that you have peace in your life (i.e., relief from episodes).
You just have to do certain things to maintain your stability.
Definitely avoid stress and anxiety, which can come from many places and destroy your peace of mind.
Avoid toxic people, places, and things - anything that will take away your peace.
I know you care about other people, but sometimes if you take their problems on yourself (instead of just listening), you will lose your peace.
My medication is of prime importance to my stability. Even though it took awhile to get it right, my "sanity cocktail" works very well at keeping me stable, and helping me to keep my peace of mind.
Having a routine helps me a lot as well. I go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. I eat at the same time every day. I have my regular appointments with my doctor, psychiatrist and therapist. It helps my peace of mind to know that some things are predictable.
And when something (or someone) does threaten my peace of mind, I pray until I get that peace of mind back. Because without peace, my bipolar disorder will take control of me, instead of the other way around.
You don't have to go from episode to episode, always worried when the next one will hit if you have peace. You can make the most of your normal periods which, with peace, should be fewer and farther between.
I live a very simple life. I know it would be too stressful for me to work outside the home again, so I love my job writing for www.bipolarcentral.com. This way, I can work from home, make some money, and keep my peace.
I don't have a lot of friends, but those I do have are close. When they have problems, I listen to them, and give advice if it's asked for, but I don't take their problems on myself. I know from experience that that only leads to more stress for me, and stress leads to episodes. I've found out it's ok to say "I don't know" when it comes to giving advice. It helps not to own other people's problems.
I have a wonderful supporter, my husband. He will notice even usually before me whether my peace has been interrupted, or if I'm showing symptoms of a bipolar episode. And he helps me get back on track.
When I have problems, I ask myself two questions:
1. Is there anything I can do about it?
2. Is there anything I can do about it RIGHT NOW?
Those help me to keep things in perspective. If there's nothing I can do about it right now, I have to let it go and not worry about it. It's just too stressful otherwise.
Never underestimate the power of prayer when it comes to having peace. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I pray, and ask God to help me. It helps to know that I'm not alone.
Yes, peace can coincide with bipolar disorder, but that peace has to come from within, and you have to work at it.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
