Comments for Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Comment on Bipolar Disorder and Staying Well: Going to a Funeral by Mondo

Mondo — Fri, 04 May 2018 17:19:22 +0000

I’m bipolar one and recently experienced a manic attack at my mother’s funeral. No, the funeral was not a particularly sad affair. She lived quite happily into her 90’s and then went down fairly quickly. I had to give a short speech at graveside. Suddenly I noticed that I was beginning to experience the colorful, sparkling, powerful, hyper-auditory prodrome of a major manic attack. It was one of those “feet don’t leave me now” moments. I tried to force myself down the pinnacle I was unwittingly climbing. It worked. How did I do it? I don’t know and I likely couldn’t do it again but I think, because of the extremely colorful nature of this kind of attack, I recognized it very early and was able, mentally, to cut ‘it’ off at the pass. Surrounded by family and friends–it could have wrecked my own mother’s funeral. I choked it down.

Ordinarily, when I begin to experience the prodrome, the consequences [at the time, at least] don’t seem nearly so negative. The rush is so amazing is that, if it could be replicated by a mind-altering drug, I suspect everyone would become addicted. In any event, when it happens I make little mental or physiologic effort to hold it down. For awhile, the world is pure glittering color where all my senses are enhanced–Magic. When it’s over, and see the damage I’ve sometimes done, I very much regret it–until the next time.

By the way, most of my manic and hypomanic attacks do NOT have a colorful prodrome nor a ‘colorful’ presentation. It simply comes. The same is true of depression. This is usually preceded by a negative event or, perhaps more likely, I’m already embedded in depression and my depression finds something to obsess on.

Comment on Chris Cornell: When Suicide Doesn’t Make Sense by sherry vosburgh

sherry vosburgh — Fri, 19 May 2017 11:09:46 +0000

Fascinating article! I once had suicidal thoughts on Prozac. And I am afraid to go out on my balconies. The voice telling me to jump is too strong so I hardly ever go out there.

The Times Square driver says he heard voices… The brussels metro system was almost brought to a halt the other day by someone who had apparently thrown himself/herself onto the tracks. And I said “How selfish!” to other passengers. I once read rthat people who had had a difficult birth have an urge to have a violent death… Suicide can be an angry, vengeful act against society or a bid for attention (“going out with a bang/ 30 minutes of fame”…

Comment on Chris Cornell: When Suicide Doesn’t Make Sense by Mandy

Mandy — Fri, 19 May 2017 03:12:54 +0000

God bless you, Julie, for writing this!

This is something that needed to be written. I think there is a huge misconception that only miserable people commit suicide. I have bipolar disorder, and my moods constantly swing back and forth. I am currently trying to get my meds all balanced out, but it is completely exhausting to deal with something that others can’t see and doesn’t make any sense to me in the first place.

I know I’m sick, and there have been times when I was deeply depressed that I have felt so helpless and hopeless that I thought it would be so nice to just go and be with the Lord. But, I never tried to commit suicide, thank God. Still, there have been other times when I have thought about the illness itself and how it has affected my life, and sometimes I have thought it would be better to not have to deal with this at all and how nice it would be to not have to ever again. All I can recommend is to make sure, as you mentioned, to know your triggers, research all you can about your mental illness, have a good support group (at least one person who knows you well enough to notice something is off) and keep your appointments with your doctor to get med adjustments if needed.

Comment on Chris Cornell: When Suicide Doesn’t Make Sense by Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 19 May 2017 00:59:28 +0000

Thank you for writing this. I needed it. I am not suicidal, nor do I struggle with any suicidal ideation, but I am married to a bipolar man and my children all exhibit depressive or anxious behavior or illness. So the terrifying thought of ever losing one of them to suicide is my constant companion. When I woke up this morning and heard about Chris Cornell, my first thought was, “I hope it wasn’t suicide, I mean, it’s sad no matter why, but please don’t let it be suicide.” Only to find out later that it was. I was in tears. Helpless feeling. Your writing touched me and helped me understand just a little bit more. Thank you.

Comment on Parent of a Young Child with a Mental Health Disorder? by Pixie

Pixie — Thu, 18 May 2017 13:05:55 +0000

I am also a patient of Bipolar Disorder. I have gone through overwhelming pain before I was diagnosed a Bipolar Patient. Now the disorder is under control. Thus I have written a novel about a dear friend of mine, who also has the same disorder. We met at our rehab centre. Please check out my blogs at http://ruchirasengan.blogspot.com and comment.

Comment on Bipolar Disorder and Sleep:Euphoric Mania vs. Insomnia by Brenda

Brenda — Tue, 16 May 2017 20:43:32 +0000

In reply to Ana. Hi, I know this is old but it's very important to take k2 if your taking vit D.Almost everyone now is deficient Olin D it's very common.