Staying Focused

Staying Focused

The importance of staying focused in daily  Bipolar Living cannot be stressed enough. Living Bipolar means watching for stressors, keeping an eye on your mood, diet, and sleep patterns. Having self awareness and honestly assessing your mood even when feeling good leads to healthy living which is the goal for every person with a mental illness.

Self empowerment comes along with a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle consists of diet and weight, emotional health, exercise and fitness, memory, and relationships, healthy eating and sleeping. All of these things helps with managing Bipolar disorder long with coping skills to prevent relapses.

You can bring your life into balance. Your mind is like a fine tuned car, with the proper maintenance you can prevent and ease future moodswings. Medication alone cannot do the entire job of living with Bipolar disorder, in order to be a happier you you must be a healthier you mentally,  emotionally and physically. By being in control of you emotions and behavior you can handle life's daily stressors and challenges and lead a productive, fulfilling life.

Improving emotional fitness as well as physical fitness takes work but the rewards of fewer, less severe moodswings are worth the effort. Committing to building emotional health means fewer hospital stays and a more balanced quality of life.

Healthy choices which strengthen your life while having a mental disorder leads to feeling better about yourself and this will lead to fewer depressions.

Helping your medication work with healthy daily living habits is important when dealing with a mental illness.  Living with a chronic illness is never simple and addressing practical issues by having a plan of action which will go into effect if you are not capable of making decisions should be considered.

Accepting, learning and adapting to your moodswings begins the process of recovery.  Managing your illness as a part of your life and knowing your illness gives you the tools that are needed to make the situation less frightening.  You need to understand and recognize what happens in your body when you experience an episode. There are resources on the web that contains the whats, whys, and hows of mental illnesses


Organizing your daily routine and improving your self awareness will help you and our treatment team to find what works best for you.  Finding a support group online an help immensely.  The ey to treatment is to be realistic and patient, give the medication time to work, you ma have to try different drugs in order to find the right one.  Help your medication do its job by keeping healthy habits in daily life.

Staying Focused

The importance of staying focused in daily  Bipolar Living cannot be stressed enough. Living Bipolar means watching for stressors, keeping an eye on your mood, diet, and sleep patterns. Having self awareness and honestly assessing your mood even when feeling good leads to healthy living which is the goal for every person with a mental illness.

Self empowerment comes along with a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle consists of diet and weight, emotional health, exercise and fitness, memory, and relationships, healthy eating and sleeping. All of these things helps with managing Bipolar disorder long with coping skills to prevent relapses.

You can bring your life into balance. Your mind is like a fine tuned car, with the proper maintenance you can prevent and ease future moodswings. Medication alone cannot do the entire job of living with Bipolar disorder, in order to be a happier you you must be a healthier you mentally,  emotionally and physically. By being in control of you emotions and behavior you can handle life's daily stressors and challenges and lead a productive, fulfilling life.

Improving emotional fitness as well as physical fitness takes work but the rewards of fewer, less severe moodswings are worth the effort. Committing to building emotional health means fewer hospital stays and a more balanced quality of life.

Healthy choices which strengthen your life while having a mental disorder leads to feeling better about yourself and this will lead to fewer depressions. 

Helping your medication work with healthy daily living habits is important when dealing with a mental illness.  Living with a chronic illness is never simple and addressing practical issues by having a plan of action which will go into effect if you are not capable of making decisions should be considered.

Accepting, learning and adapting to your moodswings begins the process of recovery.  Managing your illness as a part of your life and knowing your illness gives you the tools that are needed to make the situation less frightening.  You need to understand and recognize what happens in your body when you experience an episode. There are resources on the web that contains the whats, whys, and hows of mental illnesses

Organizing your daily routine and improving your self awareness will help you and our treatment team to find what works best for you.  Finding a support group online an help immensely.  The ey to treatment is to be realistic and patient, give the medication time to work, you ma have to try different drugs in order to find the right one.  Help your medication do its job by keeping healthy habits in daily life.

Of Genius and Madness

There is a link between genius and madness. but where this gift comes from and why is unknown. People with Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder are more frequently found to be highly gifted people. There have been numerous studies that have proven link.

Studies in Sweden done on 16-year-olds showed that the more intelligent teenagers were more likely to develop these mental disorders.


A study of Swedish men whose intelligence was measured during their military careers has found a significant link between high intelligence and hospitalization for Bipolar disorder .

A study of adults showed that those who scored top  grades at school were four times more likely to develop bipolar disorder than those with average grades.


The link was strongest among those who studied music or literature, the where genius and madness are most often connected in people in historical records.  Mania may improve intellectual and academic performance, people with mild mania are often witty and inventive. They tend to have exaggerated emotional responses which shows as  their talent in art, literature or music. In a manic state individuals have a higher capacity for sustained concentration.

More men than in women are shown to be linked with this gift but the difference was not
significant.


Numerous wellknown people have been linked to Bipolar disorder. There have been
lists compiled to show that mental illness can strike anyone at anytime.

Among the famous who have been associated with Bipolar disorder are Richard Dreyfuss, Patty Duke, Carrie Fisher, Linda Hamilton, Margot Kidder, Vivien Leigh.

Singers Charley Pride, Rosemary Clooney, Connie Francis, and Charley Pride have been linked to this illness as are astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Art Buchwald, television host Dick Cavett, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.


There are rumors about of many famous people of the past like Vincent Van Gogh, who  throughout his life showed signs of mental instability. Van Gogh has been described as suffering from epilepsy, depression,  psychosis, delusions, and bipolar disorder.



The influential persons whose lives have been studied for extreme, and debilitating, moodswings with Bipolar or Unipolar symptoms are Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill.






Many writers have been associated with mental illnesses and others have been the victims of hospitalizations and or suicide some of them were: Hans Christian Andersen, Honore de Balzac, William Faulkner,  F. Scott Fitzgerald ,  Nikolai Gogl,  Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Joseph Conrad , Charles Dickins, Isak Dinesen , Ralph Waldo Emerson,  Herman Melville, Mary Shelley , Robert Louis Stevenson , Leo Tolstoy , Tennessee Williams,  Mary Wollstonecraft, Virginia Woolf , Emile Zola.

Mental Illness and Creativity

People who are creative are thought to suffer from mental illnesses, more often than the average person. Illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are found in artists and scientists.

Recently researchers have found that families with a family history of Bipolar and Schizophrenia were more likely to have children who are evolved in the arts and sciences.

The researchers looked at the records of patients and their relatives and found that certain mental illness are more common among artists and scientists. Writers in particular were stricken with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and substance abuse and they also were more likely to have family members being treated for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anorexia and autism.

New studies show hat a genetic differences in creative people and those with psychoses may be an answer to a link between creativity and mental illnesses.

The idea of a link between insanity and genius dates back to the Ancient Greeks who believed that creativity came from the Gods.
The viewpoint and imagination of psychotic people differs from the normal functioning mind and it is said that they can see things that others cannot.

People are at a creative peak when they are in a positive mood, such as mania in Bipolar Disorder, and during a depressive episode this creativity is suppressed. Adverse problems with poverty, persecution, stress and environmental factors which may contribute to the development of a mental illness.

Bipolar disorder with flight of ideas, delusions and hallucinations a heightened response to audio and visual stimuli associated with the mania and the psychotic symptoms, seen in Bipolar I disorder can contribute to the creativity which can be seen in these individuals. people with bipolar disorder may feel powerful emotions during both depressive and manic phases, mania decreases inhibitions and the persons behavior is often dramatic and unconventional.






It is interesting that many notable individuals have a history or mental illness in their family makeup; James Joyce's daughter was schizophrenic and Albert Einstein's son also suffered with schizophrenia.

Bipolar disorder is found more in people with artistic or scientific professions, such as dancers, researchers, photographers and were more likely to commit suicide than the general population.

These studies are not conclusive evidence that mental illness causes creativity however some diagnoses done posthumously on noted individuals such as Sylvia Plath, Virginia Wolf, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway and Michelangelo offer interesting insights into the idea that creativity and genius often is linked with mental illness.

Online Support Groups

With a chronic disease there often comes the feeling of loneliness and isolation. Most people faced with a mental disorder diagnosis were active and healthy before symptoms started. These diseases are capable of taking the life we know away within months. Friends and family don't always understand what we are going through. Changes in our daily functioning may limit us from working and it becomes very easy to feel isolated and trapped.

 

 

With the changes in our world there are places where we can find hope and can interact with like minded people. The internet offers users living with a chronic disease help in learning about the disease and allow us to take the steps to adjust to living with a chronic condition. In a support group, you'll find people with problems similar to yours. Members of a support group typically share their personal experiences and offer one another emotional comfort and moral support.

 

 

These online support groups offer a haven for so many suffering from a chronic disease. An online support group is a valuable tool for dealing with chronic illness and adjusting to a new life. When symptoms start finding others suffering from the same symptoms and experiences assures us that it is real and not just in our head. The loss of function that can come with a serious mental disorder can leave us without much hope for a real life again talking to others can make you realized that we have ups and downs and not all days are bad.

 

 

Support groups become an invaluable place to turn to ask for advice about medications prescribed or changes many of the people online may have taken these medications and will have tips, and experiences with side effects and taking of the medication can be made easier  because you know what to expect.

 

 

As new people arrive and ask questions, you will be able to offer advice and support which is in turn therapeutic. Online support groups can become one of your most important methods of therapy in dealing with a mental disorder.

 

 

The benefits of these support systems are immediate and anonymous offering an outlet for people with multiple conditions; users can talk to others who know exactly what they're going through.

They are accessible from home, which is helpful for those who live in rural places or when needed at odd hours of the day. If you're facing a major illness or stressful life change, you may want to consider going online.

 

Bipolar Disorder and Living Bipolar

Bipolar disorder lasts a lifetime, the disruptive mood swings cause havoc in a person's life and impacts every part of normal life. The need to Live Bipolar can take years to develop but there hope for a life with as few upheavals as possible. Learning to recognize the danger signs and with determination your quality of life can improve.

Periods of illness can require time off work. Depression symptoms and the lack of inhibition, which often occurs during manic episodes, can lead to decisions that are not in your best interest. Uncertainty about the future and worries about another episode has a profound impact on you but is part of Living Bipolar.

There are strategies that can help with these problems and you can minimize the impact of the illness on your life.

A chronic illness can often prevent you from being able to hold down a job or pursue a career.

The structure and routine that work provides often helps when dealing with Bipolar disorder however, it does seem to offer protection against future episodes. It can be difficult to work and avoid stress which is a number one trigger for both manic and depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is a serious illness. A period of time off from working may be needed following an episode.

Mental illness is common, there is still a great deal of ignorance about Bipolar disorder and mental illness in general. Some organizations are reluctant to to employ somebody with mental health problems. 

Bipolar disorder is made worse by stress. Finding  ways of keeping your stress under control, and asking your employer to review your tasks may help to ensure it doesn't contribute. Time off from work can sometimes help prevent a longer episode of illness from developing and leading to a prolonged absence. If necessary inform your employer of the chance that this could be a possibility.

Involving family members and friends can lessen the need for hospitalization in bipolar disorder and help manage crisis situations; and the most independent of us need someone who they can depend on in case they cannot make the decisions needed. Educating others about your illness may improve your relationships because sometimes family members and friends can feel helpless.

Living Bipolar is challenging but you can successeed in living a productive fulfilling life. Learning that you have a disability is difficult but does not need to be devestating and in the event that you need to cease working completely there are organizations that can help. Enlist the aid of a professionall disability lawyer in the event that benefits are needed and continue to Live Bipolar.

Bipolar Disorder and Social Security

 

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that involves changes in a person's mood. Bipolar individuals have alternating depressive and manic periods ; Bipolar disorder used to be called Manic Depression.

 

The cyclic periods of extreme euphoria and activity (mania), most often followed by periods of extreme depression; these moods are up and down for most people, and differ from normal mood swings or traditional depression, the patient must experience four or five symptoms of mania for at least a week.

 

There are classifications of bipolar disorder, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Bipolar NOS, and Cyclothymia.

 

Rapid cycling, is diagnosed when the moods of mania and depression cycle back and forth more than 4 times a year. Many people also suffer from mixed mood episodes, or mixed states, which includes depression and mania, shown as anger, belligerence, delusional behavior, insomnia, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, and many other behavioral symptoms.

 

Symptoms of mania can include quickened speech, short attention span, sleeplessness, racing thoughts, impaired judgment, and unusual behavior. When people are experiencing mania, they may engage in increased and unsafe sexual activity, and display aggressiveness and grandiose, delusional ideas about themselves .

 

Symptoms of depression can include deep sadness, fatigue, isolation, guilt, hopelessness, and anxiety. Depression may also cause a loss of sleep, sexual drive, interest in normal activities, and appetite; accompanied by social anxiety, and lack of motivation. Those experiencing depression may become suicidal and psychotic.

 

Symptoms of bipolar disorder typically first occur in childhood or early adulthood and is diagnosed after other illnesses are ruled out. Counseling, therapy, and medications such as antipsychotic medications or mood stabilizers are used to treat the disorder.

 

Bipolar disorder is a disability in the Social Security administration's impairment manual. People with bipolar can automatically win disability benefits by satisfying the criteria in the bipolar depression listing. They can prove they can't perform their past work or even any other unskilled work.

Social Security's disability requires that you have had severe episodes of both depression and mania.

 

To qualify as mania, you have to had experienced during a manic episode: high energy and activity; rapidly changing thoughts; fast, frenzied talking; decreased sleep; high self-esteem ; easy distractibility; risk-taking behavior, or paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations.

 

 

As depression you need to have had decreased energy or activity; loss of interest or pleasure in activities; difficulty concentrating or thinking; poor appetite or weight gain; too much sleep or too little sleep; guilty or worthless feelings; suicidal thoughts, or paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations.

 

You need to have had recurrent, episodes of worsening bipolar symptoms or serious problems with social functioning, focusing or in daily living.

 

If you don't currently have the above symptoms, you could qualify for benefits if your disorder is being managed with medication, support, and/or assisted living, but still limits your ability to work because of the likelihood that a change in environment or job stress could cause you to relapse.

.

If your condition isn't severe enough to meet the requirements for bipolar disorder, Social Security considers whether you can do unskilled work with your symptoms. If your symptoms effect your ability to follow instructions, remember details, or focus, the Social Security administration will grant you disability under a Medical-Vocational benefit.

 

It can be difficult to get a Medical-Vocational for bipolar disorder.

 

To determine bipolar disorder disability, the Social Security administration uses medical-vocational rules, which vary according to age. They review the age, education, work experience and physical/mental condition of the person to determine what other work the person can perform,

If a person is: under age 50 and, as a result of the symptoms of Bipolar disorder, unable to, due to the Bipolar disorder disability, limited to performing sedentary work, but has no work-related skills that allow him to do so or, age 55 or older and, due to the disability, limited to performing light work, but has no work-related skills; over age 60 and, due to the Bipolar disorder disability, unable to perform any of the jobs he performed in the last 15 years; any age and, because of Bipolar disorder, has a psychological impairment that prevents even simple, unskilled work.

 

The strict guidelines of the Social Security administration often are complicated and sometimes requires the aid of a professional. There are lawyers who are skilled in getting benefits for a person for a fee; there are also government offices who an aid the person seeking entitlements. The decision to apply for disability benefits is difficult and unpleasant but if it is needed there is help.

Bipolar Disorder and Eating Disorders

There is much new research being done on the relationship between Bipolar disorder and Eating disorders.  Some evidence supports the theory that Eating disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa, and Anorexia Nervosa are strongly connected to the Bipolar community.

Those mostly connected are Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa and Binge eating. 


The links between them are characterized by the problems associated with Bipolar disorder:  eating irregularities, weight problems, and impulsive actions and rash behavior. Compulsive behavior and the tendency to cycle also are noted.

Researchers have found that the severity of the Bipolar disorder influences the development and severity of the Eating disorder.

The difficulty in the treatment of these illnesses when they cooccur is compounded by the side effects of the medications.  Antidepressants are often used to treat Eating disorders but cannot be used with a Bipolar patient because of the tendency that they have to induce mania.  The new Antipsychotics are inclined to cause weight gain and can trigger binge eating episodes.  Psychotherapy is beneficial in treating eating disorders but more research is needed in order to help a person with Bipolar disorder control this added feature to the illness.

While the studies are still being done and the evidence is not conclusive; there may be an answer one day for the treatment of both these illnesses when they cooccur.

Sleep and Bipolar Disorder

Do you find yourself sleeping 12 or 14 hours straight or being active for 20 hours or more? Changing the way you sleep might significantly improve your condition.

Studies have found that 25% to 65% of bipolar patients who had a manic episode had experienced a social rhythm disruption prior to the episode. A Social rhythm disruption is a disturbance in routine affecting the sleep cycle. When a person has becomes manic and feels the need for less sleep and, stays awake 20 or more hours a day, it actually contributes to making the mania worse.

Some scientists have concluded that the incidence of Bipolar disorder's rising in our present day society is connected to the development of artificial light; In the past most people's sleep cycles were regulated by the sun before the development of electricity.  Now it is more likely that people who have a genetic predisposition for Bipolar disorder will develop the condition according to this theory.

Approximately 85% of patients with unipolar depression report that they suffer from insomnia, although most bipolar patients experience hypersomnia during depressive episodes. Hypersomnia is also a characteristic of SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder , there is also a decreased quality of sleep, which is also found in depressive patients,. Poor sleep can lead to fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder.  Depressed patients and those with fibromyalgia are often treated with antidepressants, and when combined with regulating sleep habits is an effective form of treatment. 

Insomniacs should not stay in bed if they can't sleep. Persons with hypersomnia are advised to reduce the amount of time spent sleeping to a normal amount.  Treatment-resistant rapid cycling bipolar disorder patients can benefit from a regulating of sleep habits. 

If you suffer from any type of mood disorder, pay attention to the sleeping pattern. If insomnia, hypersomnia, poor sleep or reduced need for sleep are present, it should be brought to a doctor's attention right away.

Nightmares occur frequently in bipolar disorder.  Researchers found that dreams of bipolar depressed patients have more anxiety than those of unipolar patients. This is particulary true of Rapid Cyclers. 

Bipolar children frequently suffer from nightmares with dreams of explicit violence, 

Nightmares occur frequently in bipolar disorder.  Researchers found that dreams of bipolar depressed patients have more anxiety than those of unipolar patients. This is particularly true of Rapid Cyclers. 

Bipolar children frequently suffer from nightmares with dreams of explicit violence, and bloody death. Most children sleep and dream and have a nightmare or bad dream once in a while, many children with bipolar disorder may endure hour after hour of night terrors.

Night terrors and sleepwalking, restless leg syndrome, teeth grinding make up are a group of disorders called Parasomnia. Night terrors are not dreams, and occur either during deep sleep or in a state between deep and dreaming sleep.

People who experience night terrors appear to awaken, recognize no one, and have symptoms of extreme fear, screaming,and have been know to actually flee, running from the room. 

Night terrors are rare in adults, however bipolar disorder and depression with anxiety were the most common factors associated with adults who reported night terrors.

Whatever is the cause of disrupted sleep patterns they should be addressed by seeking help from a professional they may have an underling physical condition.  Treatment of sleeping disorders when they are caused by a mood disorder is often uncomplicated with favorable results.  Lack of sleep can cause numerous problems for a person with Bipolar disorder and the benefits to treatment can be a turning point in the course of the illness.  Many persons are stabilized once they have the sleeping problem treated.

Who Pays?

There is a shortage of psychiatrists in most of the hospitals serving American vets in much of the country's VA hospitals. According to information released by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Montana veterans wait an average of five weeks to begin counseling. Experts report that the effects of war show an increase of Post Traumatic Syndrome since 2000.

The VA has at least a 20% shortage of psychiatrists in hospital in the Northwest, Southern states and California.

It is difficult to attract psychiatrists to rural areas and states in which the cost of living is high is a problem which persists even in private hospitals. The VA relies on psychiatric nurses or physician assistants in VA hospitals. Veterans who start therapy at nearly a third of VA hospitals wait longer 14 days to receive treatment by psychiatrists. Some of the longest wait times for one-on-one psychiatric can be on an average 37 days such as in some hospitals in Alabama and parts of Florida.

There is a national shortage of psychiatrists fewer medical school students have applied for psychiatry residencies and the majority of practicing psychiatrists are 55 or older. In psychiatry nearly 55% are in this age bracket, making it the second oldest group of physicians. The low rate of medical school graduates choosing psychiatry is partly to blame for this fact.

There is a need for ways to attract young medical students to the field of psychiatry to meet patients’ mental health needs. Patients are relying on their primary care doctors for treatment of disorders b est treated by a professional in the field; these doctors are not adequately trained for treating disorders of the mind.

With the number of people with mental disorders seeking treatment and others who are mandated by the courts the need for specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders has become critical. It is virtually impossible to predict when or who a mental illness will strike critical care occurs and often the only resort family or law enforcement persons has is a trip to the local emergency room and/or hospitalization. Often the person ends up in a homeless shelter or jail. With the dire need for treatment many patients are being misdiagnosed or medicated incorrectly due to the shortage of trained personnel.

Everyone has the right to prompt and adequate care without psychiatrists the gaps in relieving the symptoms of a major mental disorder is being denied to everyone in need and on the whole society pays.

The Journey from the Unknown bywena: The Journey from the Unknown bywena: The Allure of the World of Mythology

The Journey from the Unknown bywena: The Journey from the Unknown bywena: The Allure of the World of Mythology

Anxiety and Bipolar Disorders

Most people feel anxious at times and have their ups and downs. It is natural for a mood to change or anxiety level to rise when a stressful event occurs. But some people experience feelings of anxiety or depression or experience mood swings that are so severe and that they interfere with personal relationships, job responsibilities, and daily functioning. These people may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or both.

Someone with an anxiety disorder may also suffer from bipolar disorder. Many people with bipolar disorder will suffer from at least one anxiety disorder at some point. The disorders are treatable separately and
together.


Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, which causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and ability to function.
The mood episodes associated with the disorder persist from days to weeks or longer, and can be dramatic, with periods of being overly highor irritable to periods of persistent sadness and hopelessness.
Severe changes in behavior go along with the mood changes. These episodes of mania and depression, are distinct episodes recurring over time, or they may occur together in a mixed state. Often people with bipolar disorder experience periods of normal mood in between mood episodes.

These disorders are treatable on even if they  coexist and the chances for a complete recovery is possible.  It is not necessary to suffer and with medications and the correct diagnosis the prognosis for anxiety disorder and or Bipolar disorder is promising.

Natural Remedies for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

If you are considering taking a natural or vitamin supplement to treat Bipolar Disorder or Depression or to reduce the symptoms these common uses and side effects may be useful.

Many studies are being done with natural remedies for Depression and Bipolar disorder.  Some of these show promising results and when used either in combination with traditional medications there may be an improvement of the symptoms of these disorders.  

The role of natural supplements in the treatment of Bipolar disorder and Depression is being investigated presently and although there the treatment is just being discovered the outlook looks promosing. People with Bipolar disorder and depression, with the use of herbs, vitamins and supplements, may find some help and relief. Natural therapy using nutritional supplements are being researched to find whether or not these treatments are effective in the reduction of symptoms and/or recovery from these serious mental disorders.

Always consult your doctor before using any of these treatments.  In addition to these facts there is research being done on the relationship of smoking with people with Bipolar disorder.  People who smoke and have Bipolar disorder seem to have a higher risk of suicide attempts and suicidal behavior. 

People with Bipolar disorder and depression, with the use of herbs, vitamins and supplements, may find some help and relief. Natural therapy using nutritional supplements are being researched to find whether or not these treatments are effective in the reduction of symptoms and/or recovery from these serious mental disorders.

Omega-3 fatty acids  The symptoms of Bipolar disorder the cycling from depression and mania have been linked possible to the higher ammounts of omega-3 fatty acids and the shortages.  Suppliments may help decrease the symptoms.  Each person differs so that it is know how much is required or what doses  are required to be proven beneficial

Exercise has been proven to be one of the best natural remedies for depression and can improve mood.Aerobic exercise can release mood elavating chemical in the brain while decreasing stress. A quick walk in the morning is a great way of beating the blues.

Light Therapy is very effective in relieving the symptoms of SAD disorder which occurs during the changes of the seasons. Exposure to light helps the sleep wake cycle and enables it to work properly. Serotin a chemical which influences the mood is released during morning hours with the coming of light. Serotin levels can drop during the winter months when there is less sunlight. Waling in the morning can raise the serotin levels. There are special lights which can be found to simulate natural sunlight studies have found that they can be effective in alieviating the symptoms of depression.When used for 20-30 minutes a day positive results can be found.

St. John's Wort has been used as natural medicine as a remidy for sadness nervousnessm and poor sleep. The results of 20 studies has found that St. John's wort is as effective as antidepressants with patients with mild depression with fewer side effects. Although it has been useful in mild depression it does not seem to be of use with major clinical depression. St. John's Wort should not be used in conjunction with other prescription or over the counter medications. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing with children people with Bipolar disorder, kicney, liver disease.

SAM-e is a chemical found in the human body naturally and is believed to increase the level of seritin and dopamine in the brain. SAM-e is available as a supplement in health stores and drug stores. It is more expensive than other supplements and does have some side effects such as nausea and constipation. It is still believed to have positive effects on depression.

5HTP is naturally produced in the body and \helps make serotonin, however, the evidence that shows that it theorectically should increase the serotionin levels it has not been proven to do so. It should not be combined with antidepressants also the safety of 5-HTP has not been determined.

Diet plays a large part in maintaining balace of mood. The reduction of sugar and avoiding caffine and alchohol can be beneficial. Although sweets and caffine boots energy and alchohol may relax us the effects are not long lasting and can worsen mood swings, anxiety and insomnia. When these drugs are avoided the stability of mood are enhanced.

Vitamin B6 produces mood enhancer of the transmitters serotonin and dopamine. B6 vitamin deficiency is not common taking oral contraceptives and certain drugs may occur.

Magnesium incorporated into the diet also aids in the production of serotonin. Sources of magnesium are beans, nuts, whole grains and green vegetables. Stress depletes magnesium in the body and is needed for the production of serotonin.

St John's Wort and Depression

St John's Wort is an herb which is commonly know to treat some forms of depression. The mild forms of depression are thought to be alleviated by supplementing your diet with the herb which is distributed in the form of pills, liquid or ground form as a tea.

In different parts of the world it is used as a herbal treatment for depression usually in the case of mild depression in children and teenagers.

St John's Wort has at times been shown to be as effective as antidepressants and has fewer side effects. St John's Wort dies not appear to be useful in certain chronic forms of depression.

Conflicting reports on the use in patients with major depression have been found and it is not seen to be as effective as a traditional antidepressants.

There have been reports of some side effects, stomach irritation, dizziness, confusion, fatigue and excess sedation. There have been no overdoses. In schizophrenic patients it it does cause a worsening to psychosis.

There are numerous medications which different interactions including serious, life threatening interactions In animals there are reports of serious side effects with the ingestion of St Johns Wort including Foot and Mouth disease.

The benefits of St John's Wort needs further studies and at the present time such studies are being done.

If the beneficial effects of St John's Wort can be found St John's Wort will prove to be an affordable asset to medication which would make the prognosis for depressed patients who suffer from depression.  

Self Esteem and Depression

Everyone has one of the I never should have gotten out of bed days. When you find yourself at the far end of an emotional spectrum. When you lose your inner balance and find that you cannot return to it that is the time to take action. Most people feel bad about themselves from time to time. Low self esteem can be triggered by an incident in the recent past or by the judgment which you may have of yourself. You deserve to feel good about yourself. It is not easy when you are under the stress if having symptoms that are difficult or impossible to manage or when you have a disability. The episodes in life draw you into a downward spiral leading to lower and lower self esteem. The negative self thoughts make you feel so bad about yourself and you may do something that could only make you feel even worse.

Low self esteem is a symptom of depression.

Manic episodes produce irrational ideas which seem to be absolutely possible and will lead to great success and rewards and the contagious optimism where life is limitless and so along with it

your energy. Then a clearer picture of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life and those around you shows the devastating crash of depression which the maxed out credit cards can not fix.

Suddenly you find yourself at the point of the realization that life is not all that rosy and the nightmare will continue to pursue you until you fear your own self. he past seems to loam over your head and you reach the end of the infectious high and sink deeper and deeper into a depressive state. All seems lost and hopeless, bleak and dismal. You look at the past few days, weeks, months of the high and you see that it was filled with bad decisions and expectations. You wonder how you ever thought of yourself as anything other than a loser, a person who could never and would never do anything productive and if it was it would be mediocre and not even impress your own mother. Life was filled with half started attempts at things that you were never able to achieve or even worthy of achieving. You think of your High School prom and how you were never cheerleader material, never the valedictorian of your class, never an honor student. Incapable of anything worthwhile you wonder where life will lead you and why.

Before you go off the deep end losing all to the depression.

Think of the chocolate cakes that you consumed, all the cups of dark and sweet coffee that you deluged your body with craving quarts of ice cream and candy.

Processed sugar is addictive and contributes to depression

Junk food, foods containing a lot of sugar need to be avoided. Taking good care of yourself and working at taking good care of yourself will make you feel better about yourself. Eat healthy vegetables and fruit; whole grain foods and protein foods can lift your self esteem in time when added to a constructive exercise routine. Do things that make use of your talents and abilities it may be studying a language, playing an instrument creativity builds self confidence and thereby lifting a sagging self esteem. One way to boost your self esteem is learn something new or improve your skills at something you may already do.

Pay attention to your own needs and wants; get in tune with your body if you are tired of sitting stand for a while or take a short walk, a moving body helps to make you feel better and improves you opinion of yourself. Make a point of treating yourself well everyday.

There are probably a lot of negative messages passing through your mind about yourself. Many people have these thoughts, these are learned messages many come from prejudice and the stigma about mental disorders in our society. These negative thoughts make you feel bad about yourself and contribute to low self esteem. Become aware of the negative messages and develop positive statements to replace them.

Self esteem is like Bipolar disorder in that what goes down can go up and learning to balance your self esteem leads to a balance in your life overall. Lifting self esteem gives you the confidence to actively approach your mental disorder and face it in an objective and hopeful way. To those struggling with bipolar disorder or any other mental disorder the road to recovery need not be hopeless the chances that a medication treatment is positive and the prognosis is becoming better as the new medications are discovered. Life with a mental disorder need not be an end to life but can be the beginning of a new way of living.

Testing your self worth

I got in after a long day at the Library and I just sat at the computer to relax for a while. Of course I was thinking of a new topic to write about and decided to randomly put some questions on Google to see what I could learn about.  I idly put the question of testing your self worth into the browser and came across this article.  It is a test of your own self worth and proves to be interesting I decided to put it into this blog and hope to hear what you think of this test.  Accurate, enlightening or just something to think about incorporating into your assessment of your disorder or someone you may know.  I hope to receive comments on this site or just to see the traffic it brings I think that it does have some value.

Self-Esteem Test - Self Tests by Psychology Today

psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3207

Cycles of Insanity by wena: From the Reality of Unreality

Cycles of Insanity by wena: From the Reality of Unreality

Dare We Hope?

Is there a place in this world of ours for an unstable psychotic Bipolar?   When he voices and pressure of speech become unbearable or the depth of depression become more than just a low and your perception of life unravels all that you have to achieve.  When you question the reality of what you are experiencing, felling and actual doing.


These uncontrollable and painful question are asked by some of us who are not stabilized by medications and puzzle the doctors .  What should we try next an addition to the medication a reduction when the dose is too high or just try and comfort our tortured soul and help us to manage our highs and lows the best we can.


My story is short and at the point where I cannot trust my own mind and I wonder what happens next.  Where will my that lead me?  These blogs are the only thing in my life that I can control yet when the last article is written and the pageviews fall will I still be at peace?  Will the relentless moodswings subside or will I become worse with the passing of time?


There is no answer for me 


Dare I hope

The Effectiveness of Newer Medications in the Treatment of Psychosis

 New antipsychotic drugs known as atypical antipsychotics have been used since 1990and have been shown to be more effective than older antipsychotics, but the possibility of severe side effects still exist.  One of these side effects is a loss of the white blood cells and requires monitoring with blood tests every one or two weeks.

Newer antipsychotic drugs are safer with lower incidences of movement related side effects, known as tardive dyskinesia and they do not have the same risk of lowering the white blood cells. Many of the atypical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as weight gain; people with schizophrenia are often overweight or obese. Obesity increases these patients’ risk for cardiovascular disease. Excessive weight and obesity can have important effects on an individual’s adjustment in the community, inability to participate in rehabilitation and are less likely to participate in a treatment plan along with poor self-image.

The increasing reports of Diabetes in people with schizophrenia are more than twice higher than in the general population. There have been numerous case reports, studies, and investigations into this disease to show that certain of these medications may be associated with a greater risk of Diabetes than others.

The older antipsychotic drugs are effective in treating some symptoms of schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions; however these drugs may not be as helpful with other symptoms commonly experienced such as reduced motivation and flattened affect or emotional expressiveness. The older antipsychotics medicines like Haldol or Thorazine may even mimic the side effects that are similar to the symptoms of this disorder. It has been seen that lowering the dose may reduce these side effects; the newer medicines have been shown to be less likely to cause this problem.

The use if these medications that are highly effective in the treatment of psychosis the  benefits of such medications still has to investigated to find he best treatment plan with the least chance of side effects. 

Atypical Antipsychotic

 New antipsychotic drugs known as atypical antipsychotics have been used since 1990and have been shown to be more effective than older antipsychotics, but the possibility of severe side effects still exist.  One of these side effects is a loss of the white blood cells and requires monitoring with blood tests every one or two weeks.

Newer antipsychotic drugs are safer with lower incidences of movement related side effects, known as tardive dyskinesia and they do not have the same risk of lowering the white blood cells. Many of the atypical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as weight gain; people with schizophrenia are often overweight or obese. Obesity increases these patients’ risk for cardiovascular disease. Excessive weight and obesity can have important effects on an individual’s adjustment in the community, inability to participate in rehabilitation and are less likely to participate in a treatment plan along with poor self-image.

The increasing reports of Diabetes in people with schizophrenia are more than twice higher than in the general population. There have been numerous case reports, studies, and investigations into this disease to show that certain of these medications may be associated with a greater risk of Diabetes than others.

 The older antipsychotic drugs are effective in treating some symptoms of schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions; however these drugs may not be as helpful with other symptoms commonly experienced such as reduced motivation and flattened affect or emotional expressiveness. The older antipsychotics medicines like Haldol or Thorazine may even mimic the side effects that are similar to the symptoms of this disorder. It has been seen that lowering the dose may reduce these side effects; the newer medicines have been shown to be less likely to cause this problem.

The use if these medications that are highly effective in the treatment of psychosis the  benefits of such medications still has to investigated to find he best treatment plan with the least chance of side effects.

We are People with a mental Illness

We are what we are a person we differ from the majority of the population we at times have difficulties but then so do you.  We are no different when it comes to intelligence or violent behavior. We differ in only in the unplanned and uncontrollable behavior and thoughts. When it comes to creativity and productivity we may even surpass the average PERSON.  We do not plan or desire to have what is considered to be a defect or flaw in us. There is no choice or decision in having a mental disorder.  We are the same as a person with a major physical condition.

Throughout the ages there has been much hidden about the mentally ill.  We have been ridiculed, punished and hidden But we are a major part of society We are real and even though society tries to suppress and conceal the fat that we are life in the world we do exist in the families in the political offices and although we may not make up  the larger part of mankind we are living among the peoples of the world

Why condemn the one who can be your on family member maybe your mother or  father we ask only to be given the basic rights and to live a full life and not be condemned for something  that is not in our power to control and may be a result of genetic history and why do you place he blame on us A gift from God at times for some of a curse from the Devil at others We are real and we try to coexist in the world around us and some of us can reach the potential of  n average person We have our limitations but then most people do

All that we ask for is empathy, an understanding and for not to be feared by others.  

Love to Hate: Love to Hate: Master of Irony: I'm ok

Love to Hate: Love to Hate: Master of Irony: I'm ok

I am going to post some interesting and hopefully useful sites which have personal experiences with being Bipolar Hopefully the can be of use to the readers of my blogs

Mental Health Realities: The Fine Line Between Being Over ...

mentalhealthrealities.blogspot.com/.../fine-line-between-being-over-...

Jul 15, 2011 – So there is a fine line we tread on, between being under-medicated, finding the right balance, and being over-medicated. It often takes a long ...

<a title="Free Backlinks" href="http://freebacklinks.host22.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://freebacklinks.host22.com/freebacklinks.gif" alt="Free Backlinks" border="0" /></a>

This is a very informative and helpful website that I was fortunate to find.  

New NCCBH 'Health Is Mental' Infographic*–and Some Ideas for ...

candidaabrahamson.wordpress.com/.../see-new-nami-health-is-...

HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

www.healthyplace.com/blogs

If anyone is interested in the "Diary" type blog there are some on the internet that run along that theme some are on tumblir

This Is Bipolar - Tumblr

thisisbipolar.tumblr.com/

Bipolar Planet

bipolar-planet.blogspot.com/