http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co
I can B a winner,
Letting go is Loving,
B responsible, Relax,
2 B loved, I must Love,
Success is 2 B enjoyed,
I can handle all the changes that come my way,
Smile & let others in on the secret,
There is nothing I can not handle,
I am my best friend that I have,
I have solved problems,
I can handle this,
I am a capable human being,
I deserve 2 love & 2 B loved!!
BP Road of Challenge, Adversity, & Obstacles:
This journey called Bipolar disorder is NO
typical journey that just anyone takes; yes a lot of people have it a lot
worse, in their lives and some a lot better. But I speak of the journey we are
all taking together. This journey is complex ,and challenging, yet a learning
experience, it can ruin relationships, marriages, careers, and one self-worth,
and zap us of our inner strength.
At times it is overwhelming all-consuming and
we preserve each day. Yes, it will knock us down, beat us up, rob us and threaten us. And attempt to destroy us after time. But we preserve each day, we may fall down, but we get up again, and again. This is survival at its best!!
They say you cannot pick your relatives but you can pick your friends. Friendships are something you can’t buy in a store or wish for. They are special bonds woven through similar experiences, struggles, challenges, heart aches, as well as success, and unforgettable memories. We need to treasure our friends they can be our support life savers when family just doesn’t understand. Friends listen, never judge, or tell u that they don’t care!
WE all need friends just as we need air to breath.
You will have a better tomorrow if only you think about today. You will not have a good day if you just sit around, and think of yesterday. Our BP journey is like a Domino effect. We get through yesterday, put that day in the past, move on, through today, and work through it. Tomorrow what it can bring to us is fresh, and new, and the beginning of the days of possibilities. Always look forward to tomorrow, and what it may bring us as u travel through the peaks and valleys and when you reach that peak hang on, because the view at the top is much brighter.
When sadness knocks at your doors don’t answer it, It will leave, and when happiness knocks answer it, and bring it into your life. Do not be frightened when it leaves when you least expect it, it shall return. The journey continues to walk the road of challenge adversity, and obstacles. Even when the odds are against us we continue to go on with complete effort!
Never stop trying, and we will never feel there is no chance to win!
And if we face the right direction on this road that has been given to us we have to keep going, no matter how difficult this road may be, we may feel despair, loneliness, and be afraid but we will not falter and we may not be there yet but we are much closer as of yesterday and what we get by reaching our destination is not nearly as vital of what we will find, and whom we may become when we do!
http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co
Another sleepless night has come upon me,
which takes me round and round
playing this crazy hide and seek again,
while in the darkness of my home
another lonely spirit wanders by.
She’s dressed in clouds of ethereal smoke,
she gazes timidly my way, as if to ask,
“Are you the remnant of my kind?”
No time to fear nor mourn
the image has eloped.
And while at last I find my rest in bed,
her breathing wakes me up,
as if to say, “Wake-up! let’s play again!”
I distinctly hear her breath,
but there’s no fear in me.
Who knows?
Perhaps, I am the ghost,
who keeps her company.
When Life is Done;
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one,
I’d like to leave a after glow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways.
of happy times, and laughing times, and bright, and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry the sun of happy memories
that I leave ….
When life is done.
http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co
A shell of myself
I embrace the good
Happiness flows within me,
Pouring out
Ruining me.
I snap.
Others are too much.
From euthanasia to rage,
Then back.
The glee leaks out
Leaving an empty shell.
These are my remains,
Sad and bitter.
Hatred for others
Now turned to me.
Former arrogance is now loathing,
Thanks for Life is now hope for Death.
I screw it up inside.
My body scared with secrets.
I lie there, waiting
And it begins again…
http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co
When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure….
Without self trust you believe the snide whispers of perfectionism and get stuck
without self trust it is hard to be active….
On of the best things I have learned to include in my daily writing helped me further develop
clarity and trust in myself….
The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even touched they must come from the heart….
It is in our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light….
Find a place inside where there is joy, and the joy will burn out the pain….
Life is about enjoying yourself and having a good time….
Let the insight that the journey brought you pervade your day to day experience….
http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co
Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by exposure to artificial light. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time each year, usually in the fall or winter.
During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.
Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders and other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.
Why it’s done
By Mayo Clinic Staff
You may want to try light therapy for a number of reasons:
•It’s a proven seasonal affective disorder treatment.
•You have another condition, such as non seasonal depression or insomnia, and your doctor recommends it.
•You want to try treatment that is safe and has few side effects.
•You want to increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medication or mental health counseling (psychotherapy).
•You need to avoid antidepressant medications during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
•It may allow you to take a lower dose of antidepressant medication.
Light therapy for conditions other than SAD
In addition to seasonal affective disorder, light therapy is used as a treatment for other conditions, including:
•Types of depression that don’t occur seasonally
•Jet lag
•Sleep disorders
•Adjusting to a nighttime work schedule
•Dementia
Light therapy is also used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis. However, this is different from the type of light therapy used for SAD and the other conditions above. Light therapy for skin disorders uses a lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) light. This type of light is filtered out in light therapy boxes because it can damage the eyes and skin.
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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic Staff
To help diagnose seasonal affective disorder, your doctor or mental health provider will do a thorough evaluation, which generally includes:
•Detailed questions. Your doctor or mental health provider will ask about your mood and seasonal changes in your thoughts and behavior. He or she may also ask questions about your sleeping and eating patterns, relationships, job, or other questions about your life. You may be asked to answer questions on a psychological questionnaire.
•Physical exam. Your doctor or mental health provider may do a physical examination to check for any underlying physical issues that could be linked to your depression.
•Medical tests. There’s no medical test for seasonal affective disorder, but if your doctor suspects a physical condition may be causing or worsening your depression, you may need blood tests or other tests to rule out an underlying problem.
Seasonal affective disorder is considered a subtype of depression or bipolar disorder. Even with a thorough evaluation, it can sometimes be difficult for your doctor or mental health provider to diagnose seasonal affective disorder because other types of depression or other mental health conditions can cause similar symptoms.
To be diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, you must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
The following criteria must be met for a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder:
•You’ve experienced depression and other symptoms for at least two consecutive years, during the same season every year.
•The periods of depression have been followed by periods without depression.
•There are no other explanations for the changes in your mood or behavior.
TREATMENTS & DRUGS
Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder may include light therapy, medications and psychotherapy. If you have bipolar disorder, your doctor will be careful when prescribing light therapy or an antidepressant. Both treatments can potentially trigger a manic episode.
Light therapy
In light therapy, also called phototherapy, you sit a few feet from a specialized light therapy box so that you’re exposed to bright light. Light therapy mimics outdoor light and appears to cause a change in brain chemicals linked to mood.
Light therapy is one of the first line treatments for seasonal affective disorder. It generally starts working in two to four days and causes few side effects. Research on light therapy is limited, but it appears to be effective for most people in relieving seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
Before you purchase a light therapy box or consider light therapy, talk to your doctor or mental health provider to make sure it’s a good idea and to make sure you’re getting a high-quality light therapy box.
Medications
Some people with seasonal affective disorder benefit from antidepressant treatment, especially if symptoms are severe.
Antidepressants commonly used to treat seasonal affective disorder include paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
An extended-release version of the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin XL) may help prevent depressive episodes in people with a history of seasonal affective disorder.
Your doctor may recommend starting treatment with an antidepressant before your symptoms typically begin each year. He or she may also recommend that you continue to take antidepressant medication beyond the time your symptoms normally go away.
Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to notice full benefits from an antidepressant. In addition, you may have to try different medications before you find one that works well for you and has the fewest side effects.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is another option to treat seasonal affective disorder. Although seasonal affective disorder is thought to be related to brain chemistry, your mood and behavior also can add to symptoms. Psychotherapy can help you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that may be making you feel worse. You can also learn healthy ways to cope with seasonal affective disorder and manage stress.
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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic Staff
You’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor or primary care provider. Or, you may start by seeing a mental health provider such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Because appointments can be brief and there’s often a lot of ground to cover, it’s a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do:
•Record your symptoms so that you can tell your doctor or mental health provider exactly what they are (feeling down or having a lack of energy, for example).
•Write down information about your depression patterns, such as when your depression starts and what seems to make it better or worse.
•Make a note of any other mental or physical health problems you have. Both can affect mood.
•Write down any major stressors or life changes you’ve had recently.
•Make a list of all medications you’re taking, including vitamins or supplements.
•Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For seasonal affective disorder, some basic questions to ask include:
•Are my symptoms most likely caused by seasonal affective disorder, or could they be due to something else?
•What else could be causing or worsening my symptoms of depression?
•What are the best treatment options?
•Are there any restrictions that I need to follow or steps I should take to help improve my mood?
•Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover seeing a specialist?
•Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing me?
•Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask questions at any time during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
•What are your symptoms?
•When did you first begin having symptoms?
•Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
•How severe are your symptoms?
•What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
•What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
•Do you have any other physical or mental health conditions?
•Are you taking any medications, supplements or herbal remedies?
•Do you use alcohol or drugs?
•Do any of your blood relatives have seasonal affective disorder or another mental health condition?
Your doctor may also ask other questions depending on your individual situation.
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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Factors that may increase your risk of seasonal affective disorder include:
•Being female. Seasonal affective disorder is diagnosed more often in women than in men, but men may have symptoms that are more severe.
•Living far from the equator. Seasonal affective disorder appears to be more common among people who live far north or south of the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the winter, and longer days during the summer months.
•Family history. As with other types of depression, those with seasonal affective disorder may be more likely to have blood relatives with the condition.
•Having clinical depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms of depression may worsen seasonally if you have one of these conditions.
Complications
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Take signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder seriously. As with other types of depression, seasonal affective disorder can get worse and lead to problems if it’s not treated. These can include:
•Suicidal thoughts or behavior
•Social withdrawal
•School or work problems
•Substance abuse
Treatment can help prevent complications, especially if seasonal affective disorder is diagnosed and treated before symptoms get bad.
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