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Living with Bi-Polar disease
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CopySpecial to The Prairie Post......Part 4
The more serious and recognizable side of this disease for myself and for many others is the depression side. It can range from just feeling "blue" and non-energetic to a deep depression and desperation that leads to suicide. Though there is a big range of how deep the individuals depression may go, in each there are a lot of similarities.
I would say I am probably about in the middle to three-quarters range. I have seasonal bi-polar that seems to attack during the shorter, darker days of winter. I make sure that I am seeing my doctor during this time to try to head it off with medication adjustments, but have not completely succeeded yet. I do know now to go ahead and get to the doctors and start making adjustments to at least shorten the time of the attack, just need to get the timing a little better. It literally seems as if one day I am fine and the next I can't get out of bed, but I know in reality it takes longer than that.
I now know the signs to watch out for in my case at least and I am sure everyone who suffers from this disease has their own "tells", as they would say in poker. The first thing I notice is that I am constantly reading, one book after another. Or I find myself playing on the computer for hours at a time. Both are ways of building a wall around myself so I don't have to relate to those around me. The next thing that happens is the lack of interest in almost anything TV, news, doing everyday things with my family, etc. My sister says she can always tell by the difference by the sound of my voice on the telephone,
I am not a BAD person or a mean one when depressed, just a very disconnected one.
Whatever I can do to distance myself from others (like the reading or game playing) continually. It has caused me to lose friends, job opportunities and created a wedge between myself and those I love the most.
I recently found out that another member of our family has entered counseling. In our case, bi-polarism is very definitely hereditary. There are many reasons and causes besides heredity so never take your mental health for granted. Some of our most popular and successful comedians over the years have become so after being diagnosed because that is their coping mechanism.
All-in all, being bi-polar is a treatable if not curable disease. One need only to be able to recognize the symptoms and that they are in control, So please, from the bottom of my heart, if you get to feeling depressed or out of control of your daily life, don't hide it or take of it yourself. ***
If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day
Copyright 2010 The Prairie Post, White City, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2011 The Prairie Post White City, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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