Humor and Bipolar Disorder

Hey, y'all --

I'm always reading material on stress management, and I came across something in a book that I wanted to share with you. Take a deep, gentle breath, relax...read this slowly and thoughtfully:

Picture yourself near a stream. Birds are softly chirping in the crisp, cool mountain air. Nothing can bother you here. No one knows this secret place. You are in total seclusion from that place called "the world." The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity. The water is clear. You can easily make out the face of the person whose head you're holding under the water.
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I totally cracked up when I read that last line! It got me good, I'll tell you!

Humor is so important when you've got bipolar disorder. To me, sometimes, if I don't laugh, I'll cry, you know?

But if we keep our sense of humor, it makes it easier to live with the tougher times that this disorder has us go through.

Wishing you peace and stability.

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele

Don't Enable Others

Hey, y'all --

I just wanted to write a quick post on not enabling others.

My son called last night. Now, this is my 18-yr-old who just moved out a short time ago, wouldn't listen to any of my advice, moved in with a couple of friends, is still without a job.

We're getting ready to go to Florida for a couple of weeks, and trying to decide what to do with our dog. It would cost about $175 to board her, but we have a friend who said he would house sit and watch her for free.

Now my son called (desperate-sounding) and asked if he could do it, so we could pay him instead, and that he really needs the money. Now, if we did that, we would be enabling him. My response was, Greg will do it for free, and he (my son) needs to get a job.

I could just let my son do it. I could pay him the money. But what incentive then would he have to get a job? He could just keep putting it off, take my money, and be lazy for another few weeks.

I know I probably sound like a terrible mom, but he's got to get it together.

It's like having a drug addict for a son (not that my son is, I'm definitely not saying that). So he comes to me and asks for money and says it's for food. If I just give him the money, I'm enabling him, because he'll just take the money and buy drugs with it. That's enabling.

On the other hand, I could just take the money and buy him food with it. That's being smart. That's NOT enabling him.

So I don't really want to give my son the money to watch the dog (house sit), because that would be enabling him. He really needs to just get a job.

But this is really hard for me, because I love him, and I hate to see him in this position.

So enabling is harder to do than to talk about. I never said it was easy. Take it from someone who is having to go through it.

Anyway, I wish you peace and stability.

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele

Being Sick When You Have Bipolar Disorder

Hey y'all --

Sorry I haven't written in a few days, but I've been sick.

It brought to mind something I wanted to talk to you about. It's hard to be sick when you've got bipolar disorder. I'll tell you why --

We are already on medication, some of us (like me) on a lot of medication, to keep us stable.

When we get sick, like I've been the past few days, we need to take other medication to make us feel better. Now, I just had some kind of bug or something, but I had to take some other meds besides my BP meds. I had to be real careful that they didn't interfere with my regular meds.

For example, I had to take a medication for my stomache. Luckily for me, I have a PRN (as needed) medication that my regular doctor prescribed for me, that I have on hand. So I was able to take that for my upset stomach. And another for my headache.

But I was worried when I wanted to take Nyquil for my stuffed up head, because it was over-the-counter and I wasn't sure how it would react with my other medication.

In cases like that, you need to call your doctor, psych, or at least check with your pharmacist.

The last thing you want is a bad reaction from combining medications that could cause you to have problems (instability) with your bipolar disorder.

Just wanted you to know.

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele

Taking Things the Wrong Way

Hey, y'all --

Do you ever take something someone says to you the wrong way?

I did, yesterday. I got all upset, supposedly over nothing. But it really bothered me, because I thought I was being criticized, and I took it personally.

I have a problem with that.

My therapist is working with me on that. I know I can be self-centered at times (sorry, I'm working on it), still thinking that everything revolves around me, and I do take things the wrong way, thinking that the simplest of comments, like say something about my work, is directed at me personally. Then I get upset about it.

So I got depressed yesterday, and wasn't good for anything.

Stupid, huh?

The thing is, and this is what I wanted to tell you. You have to separate the comment from your own self and your own personal feelings. To say nothing about the other person, who may or may not necessarily be sensitive to you and your feelings.

Sometimes people say things that aren't meant to hurt our feelings but because we have bipolar disorder, we take them the wrong way, and/or we take them personally, when they were never meant that way. And we shouldn't do this.

Like how I felt depressed yesterday over a stupid comment that wasn't meant personally at all. So I wasted a perfectly good depression over nothing! :)

So the next time someone says something to you, take into consideration the source. Then take into consideration exactly what they are saying. They may not mean what you think they are meaning, and they are most likely not saying it to hurt your feelings at all!

Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele

Don't Panic

Hey, y'all --

Great to see that our little "family" is growing around here! Hope to see some more people posting soon, so that we can all help to encourage each other, because that's what we're here for.

Today I want to talk about not panicking because, of course, this weekend, I did panic. Over money, of all things.

I don't get paid till Thurs., so we're, well, how should I say it? BROKE until then. I mean, counting change broke till then, so of course I start panicking, talking about pawning rings, how am I going to get my medication, we don't even have a loaf of bread...

...until I've practically got myself into an anxiety attack.

And here I am always talking about being so spiritual, right? I should practice what I preach. God always has an answer. We just may not always see it.

Ya know, I really should practice what I preach. I've learned my lesson, believe me.

And all this time that I'm in this state, I'm wondering why hubby is so calm! Why isn't he panicking with me?

Well, he made one phone call to his mom, and borrowed enough money to last us till payday. Nuff said.

She came over yesterday with a bag of groceries and $100 bill.

I was flabbergasted! I didn't know what to say. All my anxiety for nothing. All my panic for nothing! God took care of everything with one phone call.

When I thanked my mother-in-law for the help (in tears of course), she just smiled and said, "That's what Moms are for!"

Boy, did I learn a lesson.

So, next time you're in a tight spot, don't panic! God really does work everything out.

Wishing you peace and stability...
And Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele

Made it Through!

Hey, y'all --

First of all, I'd like to welcome Princess to our family! I hope y'all will welcome her too (she is on the last post, if you want to "see" her).

Well, I made it through my "day surgery" yesterday -- they stuck a needle into my spine through the back of my neck (I know, and yes, it was as bad as it sounds). They think I have a pinched nerve and that's why I've been having all this pain in my right arm. Anyway, it's OVER (I had to be AWAKE for the whole thing!!!!!), and they say it'll take about a week to show results.

But God is good, and I know (I pray) this will turn out well. It has to -- I type for a living! :)

Anyway, I hope y'all are doing well.

Melissa, when is your mom coming again? I hope you're pumping yourself up and doing all the things we talked about. Mostly, watch your stress level and your triggers. Definitely practice your relaxation exercises, ok? You'll be ok, I'm praying hard for you to make it through this.

Well, I'll keep this short but sweet. Have to visit my psych today (get new meds).

I wish you peace and stability,

Remember, God loves you and so do I,
Michele

Made it Through!

Watch Your BP Triggers

Hey, y'all --

Someone reminded me today that we can never get lazy and forget to watch our bipolar triggers!

It's summer, for one thing, and those "lazy, hazy days of summer", for some of us, make us lazy about a bunch of things.

But 2 things we CAN'T get lazy about:
1. Taking our meds.
2. Watching our triggers.

We have to always be vigilant, no matter how long it's been since our last episode.

For another thing, (and this is especially for you, M.)--

If you know you have an especially stressful situation coming up, one that might be a trigger to a BP episode...

1. Make sure your meds are at their right dosages (maybe slightly increased for the situation -- check with your doc).

2. Make sure you check with your inner self -- both emotionally and spiritually -- and that you are ok with your self. If not, get that way! You have to be strong.

3. Check your stress levels. Practice your stress reduction exercises. Now, I am NOT a doctor, therapist, psychiatrist, or mental health professional, etc. But, if necessary, you might want to have your doc prescribe you some PRN (when/if necessary) anti-anxiety medication if you need it during the upcoming situation you are about to face.

4. Practice relaxation exercises. They will, hopefully, keep your stress level down as well. If necessary, during the upcoming family visit (or whatever situation you are facing), excuse yourself from time to time and go off by yourself to work your relaxation exercises. If you can't get physically away, you can always stay right there and do some deep breathing, at least, and that will help some (maybe even fend off that anxiety attack!:))

5. Journal write before, during, and after the visit (or other stressful situation). Prepare yourself mentally as best you can.

6. Watch yourself and ALL your triggers! Stay aware and be prepared! Watch your meds, diet, exercise, and sleep.

7. ALWAYS take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

As always, I wish you peace and stability.

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele