Instant Oatmeal and Bipolar Disorder

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12584731.post-67107484861528497862008-05-04T22:12:00.003-05:002008-05-05T08:35:02.118-05:00Instant Oatmeal and Bipolar Disorder=>PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES <= Hi, You know, sometimes I get my topics from the weirdest places. Like today, I was just making my oatmeal, and it gave me an idea for today's topic. Well, my oatmeal tastes terrible, because it's NOT cooked and in water. It's part of my very sad and bland diet this week. It took me time to get used to eating a certain way. I was thinking about this and then thinking about instant oatmeal and how it took me time to be able to eat like this. I was thinking about how some people want instant success with bipolar disorder and want to figure it out all right away. It takes time to learn how to manage bipolar disorder and to be a good supporter. Yet some still want instant success. Maybe it's because society itself is spoiled and pushes instant everything: We live in an "instant" society: We have instant drink mix. We have instant lottery (scratch-off cards). We have instant pictures (from cell phones). We have instant cash (from ATMs). We even have instant weddings (from drive-through wedding chapels)! The whole country's young people have been raised in an "instant", have-it-now society. Bipolar disorder is normally diagnosed between the ages of 17-21. So is it any wonder that these newly diagnosed people want to have instant stability and success as easily as my instant oatmeal (bland though it might be?) I teach that nothing concerning bipolar disorder is easy – you have to have systems in place – it all takes time and effort. That's what my courses/systems are all about: SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER? Visit: <a href="http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11">http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11</a> SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER? Visit: <a href="http://www.bipolarparenting.com">http://www.bipolarparenting.com</a> HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER? Visit: <a href="http://www.survivebipolar.net">http://www.survivebipolar.net</a> The point is that nothing is easy. You just don't get instant success with bipolar disorder. You have to work at managing the disorder, and it takes time to learn everything you have to learn, to practice the systems you have to develop, to work through the issues surrounding your bipolar disorder, etc. You don't just fly through the medications, expecting nothing to go wrong, to find the right doctor right away, to get stable in just a couple weeks, to expect the bipolar disorder to go away on its own without any effort or time on your part. That just isn't feasible, no matter how deep the impression of "instant" anything is in your brain! You need to retrain yourself to believe that nothing is easy in life, especially when it comes to bipolar disorder. You have to take the time to learn everything you can about the disorder. You have to take the time to get your medications right, especially if you have side effects from them. You need to work with your doctor on dosages and sometimes have to switch medications to find the ones that are right for you. If you are supporting a loved one with the disorder, you don't just jump right in and expect them to be better overnight, thinking that all you have to do is be there if they need you. You have a very active part in the management of their disorder, and in whether they get better sooner rather than later. You help them with their medications. You help them get to their appointments. You be supportive, understanding and caring. If they do go through an episode, you have to help guide them back to stability. That alone takes a lot out of you. That most certainly is NOT instant. You have to watch for patterns, watch for triggers that might set off a bipolar episode. You have to do quite a bit. And you still have to take care of yourself in the process. Because if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of your loved one. So, in this society of "instant oatmeal," you have to remember that some things take time. Like recovery from bipolar disorder. That takes time, and a lot of patience. But it's worth it, if it leads to long- term stability. Your Friend, Dave ===>> Great Resources For You <=== Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter Want your own copy of these daily bipolar emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit: <a href="http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3">http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3</a> Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder Don't forget to take a look through the different programs I've put together... each one is designed to help you with a different area of bipolar disorder whether you have it or you are supporting someone with it. You can see them all and get the details by visiting: <a href="http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp">http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp</a> View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails that I have sent in the past and lots of great information for you: <a href="http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/">http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/</a> Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give mini seminars designed to teach you information you can't learn anywhere else. <a href="http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com">http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com</a>David Olivernoreply@blogger.com