I self-medicated for about 7 years, popping in a Prozac whenever I needed a lift-up. In the beginning, it was prescribed by my psychiatrist but she had asked me for follow-up visits which I did not make. I decided on my own that I didn’t need anymore help and just continued with Prozac. It soon became my pick-me-up drug. My manic episodes which were very few and scattered became much more regular and pronounced. I would always be on the edge of exploding off into recklessness and impulsive behavior accompanied by rage and hyper-sexuality or pummeling down to the worst kind of depression. And all this happened within the blink of an eye. The slightest things would set me off. The switches became more and more frequent and pretty soon I was an unstable freak making life miserable for myself and everyone around me. When I finally got help again, my mild episodes from last time had now become a severe form of Bipolar I – Rapid Cycling. The cycles were so rapid, my mind and body were never at peace. Do not make the mistake I made. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances. Choose a health-care provider wisely, and go back when they call you for follow-up visits. No -they are not minting money off of you, they actually want to see the results of the prescribed medications, which usually need a lot of adjusting to before you reach a state of stability.

What this article fails to mention is that the Internet itself, in addition to computer, cellphones, TV and similar technology, is a HUGE trigger. It can set off or fuel episodes. Especially, if a bipolar has symptoms of becoming MANIC, his/her access to Internet should be limited/monitored as they have a tendency to reel off and as soon as you know, they’re writing long embarrassing emails at 4 AM in the morning or planning a sexual rendezvous at some sleazy dating site. Trust me, I would know!

Education helps and the Internet can be a great asset for finding out more or interacting with other Bipolars for support or to maintain a blog about your cycles.  But computer/Internet is no substitute for participating in one-on-one HUMAN interactions in a need to understand and educate yourself better about the disease. Also, there’s a lot of mis-information out there. Always, rely on your health-care provider for facts and when you get the facts, cross-check them on the Internet, because sadly, not all health-care providers are up-to-date on latest medications and medical advances, especially given the evolving nature of psychiatric medicine as new things keep getting researched every other day. While we’re on the subject, let me clarify that this blog is not meant to replace professional healthcare, not that anyone takes me that seriously, anyway :P

Bipolar is a serious mental illness, of all psychiatric disorders it has the HIGHEST suicide rate. They should at least put a disclaimer on that article, if they’re trying to suggest that an ‘Internet Access’ and ‘Personal Computer’ is all you need for surviving Bipolar. And by the way, I tried commenting on there, something’s up with their comments engine -it won’t let me sign up to comment.

Sound familiar? How many times have you dished out these precious one-liners or had them dished out at you… all for your own good off course.

Platitudes don’t cure shit, Healthy Palace talks more about some of the worst things you can say to someone with Bipolar Disorder: http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/support/worst-things-to-say-to-a-person-with-bipolar-disorder/menu-id-67/

Some reminders for you, in case you find yourself convinced that you are perhaps cured of Bipolar Disorder by somehow ‘dealing with all your issues head-on’:

• Bipolar Disorder is a chronic condition, much like diabetes, one cannot simply ‘snap out of it’ at will or by intention.
• Periods of recovery are common but a relapse almost ALWAYS occurs, if Bipolar is left untreated.
• It is true that the onset of first symptoms may be caused by stressful life events like death in a family, a difficult childhood, child abuse, a chronic illness, relationship or financial troubles or any life-altering changes BUT once the disorder triggers and progresses, it develops a life of its own. Once the cycle begins, psychological and/or biological processes take over and keep the illness active. Therefore, counseling and psycho-therapy, though helpful, cannot completely cure it.
• The greatest risk is the lure of mania, which patients mistake as periods of heightened wellness without recognizing the dangers of extreme recklessness, hyper-sexuality, optimism and the possibility of crashing into an even worst episode of depression.
• Patients skipping their medication are at a much higher risk of falling prey to drug-use, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity and taking irrational steps that may endanger one’s family, career or even life.
• Untreated people start experiencing more frequent and worsened cycles as well as stand a higher risk of suicide, stroke and heart diseases.

It’s very positive to hear someone tell you that you are normal, that you are just like them and that you need no help but the truth is, and you know this better than anyone, that a severe manic or depressive episode is just looming around the corner. Think of all the relationships you have ruined, all the opportunities you have wasted up until now by refusing treatment. By giving up medication, you risk losing ground of any improvement you have made so far. Assure yourself that medication for Bipolar is considered safe and effective and is getting better all the time.

Bipolar Disorder is considered a full-fledged disability in the UK and protection is offered to patients under the Disability Discrimination Act. In the US, you stand eligible to claim social security benefits if your disorder has progressed enough that it interferes with your day-to-day life. Unfortunately, in countries like Pakistan, there are no clear policies regarding mental illnesses and you have to put up with a lot of people calling you a mental or terming you as inept, unsocial and inadequate. It is their knowledge and awareness which is limited. It is a pity that the very same people laud and appreciate books or movies made on these very topics of awareness and yet when the time comes in real life, they exhibit nothing but arrogance.

Don’t forget to appreciate yourself. Don’t give in to those who say that you are not doing enough as this can trigger a depressive episode. The risk of suicide during depressive episodes looms large in the wake of life setbacks experienced as a consequence of repeated episodes.

The WHO estimates Bipolar to be the sixth biggest cause of disability. It is ranked above war, violence and schizophrenia as a cause of lost years of life and health. Off all psychiatric disorders, Bipolar Disorder has the highest suicide rate -So every day you get through, congratulate yourself for not giving up. Stay away from people that make you feel like a failure. They will never understand you. Get used to it, the world is full of them.

Finally, do not wallow in self-pity, there is no reason why you cannot deal with your illness and lead a full normal life, complete with relationships and marriage. But do not, under any circumstance, desert your medication or give up treatment in a bout of false optimism. While medication is one key element in successful treatment of Bipolar Disorder, psychotherapy, support groups, and education about the illness are also essential components of the treatment process. As they say in warfare:

Never underestimate your enemy!

It has become a prisoner of its past.

Source: How to be happy, dammit – A Cynic’s Guide to Spiritual Happiness by Karen Salmansohn

Depiction of the mentally ill in fictional/non-fictional books and movies is very common. It’s almost cliche that in order to win an oscar, you must play a complex twisted and psychotic role. Whether its Russell Crowe’s ‘A Beautiful Mind’ or Angelina Jolie’s performance in ‘Girl Interupted’ or Sean Penn’s ‘I am Sam’ or even the ellusive character of Boo Radley in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, audiences in general, love and appreciate the portrayal of the mentally disturbed.

Quite a few TV series have also been dedicated to the subject. HBO’s drama ‘In Treatment’ is about a psychotherapist Dr. Paul Watson and his weekly sessions with patients. Another TV series which I came across recently is ‘Mental’. Launched in 2009 on FOX, it explores the use of unorthodox methods to prob and treat mental patients.

There are countless other references in various art forms to mental diseases and disorders. The main objective of all these references in books, movies and TV is to create awareness and portray a complex character which helps audiences see their perception of the world and the challenges and problems they face. Sadly, many fall short of this objective.

The portayal is often inaccurate and ends up further strengthening the stereotypes and negative stigmatization of these diseases, which causes an uproar from various organizations advocating awareness about mental health and illness.

1988′s drama ‘Rain Man’ however is an excellent movie which deals with the subject of Autism with wit, and enough sophistication that it offends no one, which is quite an achievement given the sensitive subject it sets out to explore. In fact it recieved critical acclaim from critics everywhere and even earned a Best Actor award for Hoffman at the Oscars. Hoffman’s character was based upon a real-life savant. The story revolves around two brothers, Tom Cruise’s character is a hip car dealer who learns at his father’s death that all the estate has been left to his autistic brother, whom he had no recollection of. From here begins a journey of acceptance and emotional drama that I dare you to watch without shedding a single tear!

Today is ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ and this blog post is dedicated to the patients, loved ones and reasearchers who fight Autism every day.

Learn more about Autism at: http://autism.com/

For Pakistani readers: http://www.autism-pakistan.org/

I came across a really nice article. You can read it here. It discusses the benefits and points to consider when you are seeing a psychiatrist. I hated going to my guy in the beginning, but I realized that I have to get used to it. Its the only way I can become the person I wanna be for the people that I care about. His meds make me better and more bearable. So, its time to say goodbye to feeling dejected and weird, because that’s just the chemicals talking. Stop sending inappropriate emails at like 4 in the morning to someone who doesn’t even give a shit about you or your feelings. It’s a happy normal world out there. Know this, that normal people don’t feel what you feel… they don’t understand your sense of desperation or urgency and so they don’t respond the way you expect them to. A comment is simply a comment for them, meant for people to brush off and move on, its only you who keeps hanging on to everybody’s every single word. No, your childhood wasn’t the easiest -but it wasn’t nearly as bad as you have convinced yourself. Its the chemicals screwing with your brain. You can either give up, give in, pass out and let them take over or you can stand firm and say ‘NO’ and decide to take control of your own life.

So help yourself and visit a trusted psychiatrist. I know I keep stressing this but I really mean it: ‘IT’LL BE THE BEST THING YOU DO!’