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March 7, 2006, 10:45 pm PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: tachpa

Everyone thinks they have the worst case in their lives. It is only as bad as you make it. There are programs in many communities for folks with mental illness to work less than 40 hrs. Try volunteering for something. Anything. There is no reason for an outburst of anger, bipolar or not. How long should people have to listen to it? Do something that you can excel at for short periods of time. Look for agencies that can provide help with job search, paid or unpaid. They will give you support and understanding. Using mental illness as an excuse for nasty behavior only promotes the stigma associated with mental illness. Be better than that. Let people see that only the ignorant think the worst. Be a role model for mental health in a positive fashion. You can do it. You live with the crap, now live with the awesome.

That is true about the worst case.
How long have you been diagnosed? What work program has been successful for you?
I was the manager of a theater for a couple of years after college until things REALLY started going south.

This is all after jaunting off to Africa for several months and doing some stupid things.

So, what has worked for your symptoms and such?

I am really having a hard time getting back into working and am really frustrated. School is difficult too, and I feel like an idiot. Even though I was one of the best students in my last logic course, I really have problems looking at the text now and honestly can't remember the valid truth, valid false, invalid truth... argh.

Brain fry.
I am doing a really small part in a community play though.
It is actually good, because I was having a hard time lately- the cognitive effects of my last meds change were hard on me. Plus a bad run of insomnia is still with me. It was so bad that it was suggested I not drive at one point.

I would love to live with the awesome.
I just can't seem to find a way to pull it out of my ass yet.

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bluesun

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March 8, 2006, 6:31 am PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: adoanne

My sister was diagnosed as Manic-Depressed after 20 years of a roller-coaster lifestyle that took her family and friends with her. Truth be told.....it was harder on her family than it was on her. When she was on the straight and narrow, she held a job, lived on her own, and then decided that she was cured and stopped taking her medicine. Then the high..........debts, job loss, weight gain. Then soon after, the inevitable "crash". Regrets, tears, pit of despair. My parents would rush in, clean up her mess and ready the world for her next appearance. She would emerge from the hospital....hopeful, confident and ready to start all over. They would be worn down with worry and financial woes. Then it would start all over!

The major reason for all all this? She would self diagnose and decide on her own that she didn't need the medications. You could ask her if she was taking her medicine and she would look you in the eye and lie every time. As soon as she started laughing too loud, everyone would brace themselves.

From my experience, the family and friends of the "bi-polar" person suffers much more than they ever do.

Though it is an extreme, as many things that are popular tend to be, Electro-boy is a good book if you want to read about the crap from either side.

It is one of my favorite books and I have found that a lot of people have been able to relate to it, simply because the narration is very honest and clear. The writer doesn't try to segregate the audience because he wants people to understand what he experienced, what he did, and what he is doing.

Goes through all the chaos to meds and electro shock and the sensations of psychosis and the social effects of hypomania and the effects of meds and the cognitive dulling and some of the social outcast type feelings...

Again, it is a book written to make money.
I did like it though. And I do recommend it, though it is not indicative of all with bipolar. It does talk about, from the perspective of regrets, responsibility, etc, what families and those who have the disorder deal with.

I heard it is going to be a movie though. And it will probably be made all bizarre and the important logistical information will be taken out so it's a ''rollercoaster ride of emotions''... or something..
so if that happens, read the book first.
With several grains of salt.
and a bag of chips.

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bluesun

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March 8, 2006, 6:37 am PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: skittercat

I wrote about my son-in-laws having electric shock therapy, and noone responded. I just want to know if this is a legitimate treatment. I have my doubts. Please give me some answers.

I was just sort of nervous about posting this url, because I had already pointed someone toward this site [though not this page of it] and I didn't want people to think that I was spamming.
But... this is some people who talk about ECT and there are some discussions about its validity and basic info.
Also info on neuro feedback and light boxes and maybe Vagal Nerve Stimulation. But i am not sure if that is there or somewhere else...
anyway. I thought it might be helpful, but I don't personally know enough info on it.

http://www.crazyboards.org/index.php?showforum=89

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bluesun

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March 8, 2006, 8:04 am PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

There seems to be a good deal of contention between some people who have bipolar disorder and those who are effected by those who have it. And it is really really aggravating.

Not everyone is the same. IN FACT, most of the time, you will not find two people with the exact same set of symptoms, behavioral patterns, personality, eating habits, sleeping habits, annoying little quirks, bastard inhuman betrayals, loving words... well, the list goes on and on.
Generalizations can be cruel.

A personal experience with a mean person does not indicate that all persons are that way.

By the same token, it is unfair to assume that all persons who have not been dx'd with bipolar are incapable of understanding or relating.

There is a huge spectrum of human emotion. And sometimes, imagine it- there are people who care about you enough to listen to what you are saying and are willing to invest the time and emotion into understanding.

Accusing people of what others have done as a first impression is a crap way to start a plan for the future.

Maybe if everyone would stop bickering over the 'my blood bleeds redder than yours does' ribbon, there would be less of this.

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bluesun

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March 8, 2006, 8:23 pm PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: jimispirit

the movies that Denzel Washington and Robert Deniro make are made to entertain and to inspire but what they say in the films have nothing to do with the actual process of auditions and breaking into the entertainment industry - I know this becuase i am an actor myself - just starting out but i have interacted with people who have been at it for a considerable amount of time - if Fred really has an interest in acting and making films he should take his meds, do his therapy and start doing the groundwork necessary to be an actor - go to the library and read the books on acting, watch Inside the Actors Studio on the Bravo network, and start going to auditions in his area - he should also remember that some of the movies may be about real life the reality is that Denzel Washington is involved in a variety of charitable work such as the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund and the Gathering Place - an aids hospice - Deniro is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party - Fred can also follow in their footsteps and get involved with these organizations in some capacity or another charity for that matter - good luck Fred - peace

Wait. Fred is delusional about these people and about Acting/ Celebrity personalities and most things, it seems, having to do with taking on an imaginary role. [or several]

He should probably be discouraged from this and be more encouraged to pursue seperate interests.

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bluesun

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March 9, 2006, 12:00 pm PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: missmouse

I am trying to get motivated to get an IEP done for my son, but haven't! I know I can't homeschool him, one of us would truly go insane! My son also is very bright, his comprehension is two years above his age and his verbal skills almost 3.

Are you able to get SS benefits for your son? Or any help from Social Services?

I would keep trying for the IEP, you may already have this but I have a book called "The Complete IEP Guide" and it helps with the legal issues and resolving disputes.

Good luck to you both. I hope you are able to get the help your son deserves!

Take care,

Victoria

feel free to e-mail me anytime.. scuromom@dc.rr.com

IEP has nothing to do with your IQ.
It sound like so many schools and school systems are being so lazy and it's frustrating.

Being Aspie, BP, ADD made school really frustrating and boring.
Every child deserves the chance to excell, and that is what IEPs are for.
It took forever to get one, but there are many places that will help you.
I am not positive, but NAMI may even have information. If not at the site, than your local chapter may.

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