We Pray To the Lord - Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder

I do believe that this will be
my last blog entry
in the series on Bipolar Disorder.
I started it quite some time ago
and then never finished up.
But the death of Robin Williams
really shook me up,
more that the readers of this blog
could possibly understand.

I've read and seen so much online
about so many that are so unforgiving
of this wonderful man,
a man who did so much good
and worked so hard
at making people laugh,
bringing joy to folks around the world.
I've read about what people have said
about drugs and alcohol,
yet have read nothing
about dual diagnosis Bipolar Disorder.
Yes, I've read terrible write-ups by people
who haven't got a clue.

And then,
I read about those who would make plans
to picket his funeral.
you know,
that really gets my goat.
It doesn't matter who died.
When there is a death
there are people who will mourn
and they need to be afforded
that time to mourn.
Don't ever take your picket signs
to any funeral.
Don't ever turn a family's day of mourning
into your moment to carry a picket sign.

And then there are those Christian folk
would condemn Robin Williams
because he took his own.
Ironically,
it's usually those who think
that they are already evangelized
that need the most evangelization.

In a previous blog entry
one of the suggestions I made
was to learn more about Bipolar Disorder.
If we learned more about Bipolar Disorder
we wouldn't be condemning a man
that brought joy and laughter into this world
and we certainly would even entertain the thought
of taking pickets signs to his funeral.

Do take the time
to learn more about Bipolar Disorder.
It could make the difference
between the life and death
of someone you love.
Trust me.

You can learn more about Bipolar Disorder
by visiting the following websites.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The Balanced Mind Foundation
Family resources for kids with mood disorders

Bipolar World

Pendulum
A resource for Bipolar and Depression


For Robin Williams,
for all who take their own lives;
We Pray To The Lord.

**********

Part 1 - For Those Who are Ill

Part 2 - For A Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

Part 3 - For A Better Understanding Of The Medications Used To Treat Bipolar Disorder

Part 4 - To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

Part 5 -  For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Part 6 - That We May Learn To Listen To Those With Bipolar Disorder

Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

* Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder

We Pray To The Lord - Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

Here I am
still feeling the loss of the great Robin Williams.
But how many suicides
by people with Bipolar Disorder
are mourned on such a global level?
With this blog entry
I share some ways
you can help the person with Bipolar Disorder.
Please,
do one of them.
Do all of them.
But do something,
please. . . .

*Learn About Bipolar Disorder
Read. Read. Read. Look up information online. Go to the library. Learn what the symptoms of bipolar are and what some of the treatments are. And learn about the side effects medications. Sometimes the side effects are not worth it. We learned this the hard way.

* Listen
Ok. I just said this in a previous blog entry, but it bears repeating.  Listen and listen well. If you don’t have Bipolar Disorder yourself, you really don’t know what the person is going through. Listen.

*Ask The Person With Bipolar Disorder What You Can Do For Them.
Simple tasks can become overwhelming. They might need your help with seemingly simple things like washing the dishes, doing the laundry, or writing a check to pay a bill.  Or just sit and watch a movie on tv could be all they need. Simple, right? Just ask them. This could be all they need at the moment.

* Keep A Journal Of Sorts
Track the symptoms. You will soon start to notice changes and know that an up or a down is coming. Learning these things can make a difference in what treatment the doctor gives.  You don’t need to spy into a person’s life, but if you are close enough to the person you will notice changes.  And when you notice changes you will also begin to know when is the right time to offer your help.

* Find The Right Doctor
Again, I said this in a pervious blog post in this series, but it so bears repeating. Find the right doctor. Find the doctor who will listen and help develop a treatment plan that works. As I said in one of the previous blog posts, we spend more time in this country shopping for a used car than we do for a doctor. If your doctor isn’t doing the job, if your doctor isn't taking the time to answer your questions and listen to your concerns,  fire him and find one who will.

* Stick With The Treatment Plan
When things go well the person with Bipolar Disorder may get a sense of “I’m all better now,” and decide to forego meds. Not a good idea. While it may be true that it may take some time to find the right medication it is important to stick to the treatment plan to make sure all is well. Make sure they see their doctor regularly. And it is also important to know that some medications may take several weeks before they begin to help. It’s easy to get frustrated and think, “this medication isn’t working.” Or once the medication system is in place and all is going well, “I don’t need these meds anymore.” Stick with the treatment plan. Change it if you must, but under a doctor’s supervision.

* Be Truthful With The Doctors And Ask A Myriad Of Questions
That’s what the doctor is there for. Be honest if you think the medication isn’t working or if you see some side effects. (Of course, talk to your loved one about this before the actual doctor visit.) The truth is, some of the Bipolar Meds carry some hefty side effects.  Are the side effects worth it? Ask questions. And then, ask more questions. Write things down. Write things down before you visit the doctor so you don’t forget. And then, write down the things the doctor said so you don’t forget.

* When Things Are Going Well For The Person With Bipolar Disorder Make A Plan Of Action For When Things Aren't Going So Well.
What will you do if the person with Bipolar Disorder is very depressed, maybe suicidal? What is the plan of action? Will you stay with that person until the episode is over? Will you take that person to an emergency room? Will you contact the doctor or family members? Work out a plan of action together. The person with Bipolar must be a part of developing the plan, but don’t make the plan when they are experiencing the downward spiral.

* Pray
But don’t just pray in the solitude of your bedroom with closed door.  Ask for prayers from your local prayer group.  Ask for the sacrament of the sick. And if the person with Bipolar Disorder already had the sacrament least year, ask for it again. And pray with the person. Words have power. I’ve said that often enough in this blog as well. And when those words are connected to prayer, well, the power is infinite. Pray.  And don't just pray for the person with  Bipolar Disorder. Don't just pray for their doctors. Pray that you may learn how to help. Pray that you can help educate others. Pray for people who judge others for having committed suicide. Pray for those who have committed suicide. Pray for family and friends of those who committed suicide.  A rampage of prayer. . . .please.  .  .

That we become help and support
to those with Bipolar Disorder,
We Pray To the Lord.

* * * * * *

Part 1 - For Those Who are Ill

Part 2 - For A Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

Part 3 - For A Better Understanding Of The Medications Used To Treat Bipolar Disorder

Part 4 - To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

Part 5 -  For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Part 6 - That We May Learn To Listen To Those With Bipolar Disorder

* Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder

We Pray to the Lord - Part 5 - For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types of Bipolar Disorder

Hopefully,
in the previous blog entries
you’ve come to understand a little bit
about Bipolar Disorder.

Unfortunately,
Bipolar Disorder
is a VERY complicated illness.
One isn’t simply “Bipolar.”
In fact,
there are five different types
of Bipolar Disorder:
- Bipolar I
- Bipolar II
- Rapid Cycling Bipolar
- Mixed Bipolar
- Cyclothymia
Even Bipolar III is now being diagnosed.

In our household,
we have had to live with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder.

This video gives a brief
yet informative description
of the various types
of Bipolar Disorder.

Hopefully,
by now,
you begin to understand
why in a previous blog entry
I said that if your doctor
isn’t helping you should fire them
and find a doctor who truly cares,
who truly helps.
As I keep stating,
Bipolar Disorder
is a VERY complicated and serious illness.



For those who life with Bipolar Disorder,
We Pray to The Lord.

For a better understanding of Bipolar Disorder,
We Pray to the Lord.

* * * * * *

Part 1 - For Those Who are Ill

Part 2 - For A Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

Part 3 - For A Better Understanding Of The Medications Used To Treat Bipolar Disorder

Part 4 - To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

* Part 5 -  For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Part 6 - That We May Learn To Listen To Those With Bipolar Disorder

Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder

We Pray to the Lord - Part 4: To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

I love this video.
It shows us many famous people
who have,
or may have had Bipolar Disorder.

There is hope.
One of the things I have ALWAYS said
is that Bipolar Disorder
brings out extreme creativity.
The challenge
is to use that creativity
in ways that are productive.

I am inspired by this video.
It shows us that what we once saw as curse,
Bipolar Disorder,
can actually be gift
we if learn to channel that energy.

And isn’t that the challenge
in any of life’s struggle?
The challenge
is always
in learning how to b3 blessed in the struggle.

For those who struggle with Bipolar Disorder,
We pray to the Lord.

God bless the struggle.

       

The people in the video:

00:10 President - Abraham Lincoln
00:17 Musician - Adam Ant
00:25 Actor - Ben Stiller
00:30 Actor - Burgess Meredith
00:34 Astronaut - Buzz Aldrin
00:44 Author - Charles Dickens
00:48 Nurse - Florence Nightingale
00:53 Director - Francis Ford Coppola
00:57 Boxer - Frank Bruno
01:02 Scientist - Isaac Newton
01:06 Actor - Jean Claude Van Damme
01:10 Musician - Jimi Hendrix
01:14 Actor - Linda Hamilton
01:19 Composer - Ludwig Van Beethoven
01:27 Prime Minister - Winston Churchill
01:32 Music Producer - Phil Spector
01:36 Director - Tim Burton
01:41 Actor - Richard Dreyfuss
01:46 Musician - Ray Davies
01:50 Model - Sophie Anderston
01:53 Musician - Sting
02:00 Musician - Kurt Cobain
02:04 Actor - Ned Beatty
02:14 Musician - Ozzy Osbourne
02:18 Actor - Jim Carey
02:22 Actor - Robert Downey, Jr.
02:28 Actor - Robin Williams
02:31 Actor - Spike Milligan
02:36 Actor - Stephen Fry
02:41 Artist - Vincent Van Gogh

* * * * * *

Part 1 - For Those Who are Ill

Part 2 - For A Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

Part 3 - For A Better Understanding Of The Medications Used To Treat Bipolar Disorder

* Part 4 - To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

Part 5 -  For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Part 6 - That We May Learn To Listen To Those With Bipolar Disorder

Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder

We Pray to the Lord - Part 3: For A Better Understanding of Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder

Yes, I’m writing more about Bipolar Disorder in my Liturgy House blog. Liturgy is Life. Life is Liturgy. In my life recently, I’ve really really really been focused on The Prayers of The Faithful, the General Intercessions, as it were.

These are public prayers said at the formal, public liturgy of the Church and should reflect the needs of the community present. And these prayers demand a response, a real viable response. . . and I’m not just talkin, “Lord, here our prayer.” . . . “full, conscious, active participation,” remember that phrase?

I have come to know several people with Bipolar Disorder in recent years, one in particular, that have really helped me to become aware. . .aware of this invisible illness. . . .aware of what is still lacking in our understanding of this illness. . . .aware of how people avoid the subject of this disease. . . . aware of how our recited prayers are sometimes empty. . . .aware of how prayers of action are, at times, well,... nonexistent. . . .and so, I write more on the subject of Bipolar Disorder. This blog entry in particular will touch a little on the medications used to treat those with Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar Disorder (sometimes referred to as Manic Depression) is a real treatable illness that affects the brain.  It can’t be overcome by “snapping out of it.” Asking someone with Bipolar Disorder to “think positive” or to “just snap out of it”  is like asking someone with diabetes to change his or her blood sugar level by simply  thinking about it.

Bipolar Disorder is primarily a biological disorder that occurs in a specific area of the brain and is due to the dysfunction of certain neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, in the brain. These chemicals may involve neurotransmitters like Serotonin and Norepinephrine.

Those who suffer with Bipolar Disorder are often prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). 

SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitter Serotonin in the brain. Changing the balance of Serotonin seems to help brain cells send and receive chemical messages, which in turn, elevates mood. SSRIs are called “selective” because they target serotonin, not other neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Norepinephrine).

Sometimes, however, an SSNRI may be prescribed. As it sounds, SSNRIs target both Serotonin and Norepinephrine.

One of the things I have learned is that ADHD and Schizophrenia are in the same “family” of diseases.  DRIs, or Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors, are often prescribed for those with ADHD or Schizophrenia.
       
Benzodiazepines may also be prescribed. Benzodiazepines, also known as anxiolytics,(antipanic or anti-anxiety agent) help to reduce anxiety. They are often used in the acute stage of a mania, a manic episode, to try and calm a person down, and they can be quite helpful.  People with Bipolar Disorder tend to have racing thoughts and the Benzodiazeprines tend to calm this. They also are used quite frequently in depression with comorbid anxiety to work on the anxiety piece of this disorder.  (Comoborid: the presence of one or more disorders in addition to a primary disease or disorder.)

As you can see, there is a lot to learn about Bipolar Disorder.  There are many pieces of the puzzle that must be put together. It is complicated and so misunderstood. There is so-o-o-o much to learn.

When someone learns they have diabetes or high blood pressure or heart disease they learn all the can about their illness. Bipolar Disorder is no different. When someone has diabetes or heart disease they change their lifestyle, eating habits and more to combat their illness. Bipolar Disorder is no different. Those who live with people with diabetes or high blood pressure often change their diets and lifestyles in support of their loved one. Bipolar Disorder is no different.  When someone has diabetes they check themselves and take necessary medication at specific times of the day. Bipolar Disorder is no different. In fact, those with Bipolar who take Lithium must check their blood regularly.

The big difference is the many myths and misunderstanding of what Bipolar Disorder is and what Bipolar Disorder isn’t. I pray that what I write in the upcoming days may help change that a bit. Because, really, those of us who live with Bipolar Disorder could really use your support.

So please, if someone you know has Bipolar Disorder, please please please don’t tell them to just “snap out if.” You would be way, way, way off the mark. And please, don’t tell them to stop taking their medications. You could be causing them a tremendous amount harm. As people of faith, I would think we would have more heart than that. The best thing you can do is get informed. And then, be a friend and be there.

Bipolar Disorder can take years to get diagnosed. And then it can take seemingly forever to find the right medication.

It would be nice to know that you are there along the way, offering your prayers, your support, your presence. Please, be there.

For those with Bipolar Disorder;
We Pray to The Lord.

For a better understanding of the medications
used to treat Bipolar Disorder;
We Pray to The Lord.

For doctors who treat those
with Bipolar Disorder;
We Pray to the Lord.

For family members living with those
who have Bipolar Disorder;
We Pray to the Lord.

* * * * * *

Part 1 - For Those Who are Ill

Part 2 - For A Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

* Part 3 - For A Better Understanding Of The Medications Used To Treat Bipolar Disorder

Part 4 - To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

Part 5 -  For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Part 6 - That We May Learn To Listen To Those With Bipolar Disorder

Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder

We Pray to the Lord - Part 2: For Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder.
In the past it was known as  manic-depressive illness.

More than a mood disorder,
it is actually a brain disorder
that causes shifts in mood,
shifts in energy and activity levels.
Sometimes it makes it next to impossible
to carry out normal daily life.

Mind you,
these are NOT the normal ups and downs
of day to day living.
Bipolar ups and downs are severe, extreme.

In the severe “Up” state
(the manic or hypo-manic state)
the person can manage on little sleep,
if they sleep at all.
They might do something like start putting laundry away,
then shift to cleaning out the closet. . .
. . and before you know it the whole bedroom is re-arranged,
cleaned from top to bottom. . .maybe even painted. . .
And all this happened when the rest of the house was asleep.
And morning comes,
with no sleep having been had,
but another day with other “projects” begins. . . .

Lack of sleep
may bring about
hypnagogic hallucinations,
which has her own set of problems.
Hypnagogic Hallucinations
is the hearing voices,
but this is due to lack of sleep.
It’s like dreaming while you are awake.
It’s like being half awake
and half asleep.
One hears what one would hear
while dreaming in the full sleep state.

In the manic state,
the person may be extremely chatty
and not quite able to understand
why everyone else is not as busy and productive as they are.
It’s often next to impossible
to interrupt the chattiness
as they have so much to say.
They have a hundred million different thoughts
racing through their head
and are trying to get them all out.
And they have a million projects
going on in their head as well.
They become busy and active
trying to accomplish everything
that is going on in their head.

And then there is the “down” state.
It can happen suddenly, quickly.
One moment the person is active, productive
doing all sorts of works and projects,
and quite literally a moment later
they take a 180 and are down. . .
depressed, sleeping.

The shifts in mood can last several days
or even weeks.
The shift can come with little or no warning at all.

Some with bipolar disorder
experience this 2 or 3 times a year.
Some cycle quickly,
in a matter of weeks.
Our household
has experienced
the Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder
often develops in a person's late teens
or early adult years.
At least half of all cases start before age 25.
Some people have their first symptoms during childhood,
while others may develop symptoms late in life.

Bipolar disorder is not easy to spot when it starts.
The symptoms may seem like separate problems,
not recognized as parts of a larger problem.
Those around a person with Bipolar Disorder
might see the separate events
as occurring after some specific event,
the loss of a job, a relationship break-up,
death of a loved one. . .
and, therefore,
miss the mark.

Sometimes,
the events are not so major.
The person might fail to pay phone bill,
even though they have sufficient funds,
and the phone gets turned off.
Or they fail to put laundry away
and things around the house start to pile up.
The depression, the down side,
is so severe,
that these simple every day tasks
are seemingly impossible to do.

Seeing these events,
both the large and small events,
as separate events that might cause depression,
those around a person with Bipolar Disorder
fail to connect the dots.
And so,
many fail to see
that these are all bits and pieces
of a much larger puzzle.

And because of this
some people suffer for years
before they are properly diagnosed and treated.
Like diabetes or heart disease,
bipolar disorder is a long-term illness
that must be carefully managed
throughout a person's life.

And for goodness sake,
find the right doctor.
We spend more time shopping for a used car
than we do for a good doctor.
If your doctor isn’t answering your questions
or helping in the way you need,
fire him/her
and find a doctor who will.
Seriously,
fire your doctor.
This is too important
not to get the help that is needed.

In my next blog entry
I will discuss a bit
about how the medications work
and what exactly they are prescribed for.

For now, though,
you might glean a little something more
from this video.
It’s brief and very informative.

 
For a better understanding of Bipolar Disorder,
We Pray to the Lord.

For those with Bipolar Disorder,
We Pray to the Lord.

* * * * * *

Part 1 - For Those Who are Ill

* Part 2 - For A Better Understanding of Bipolar Disorder

Part 3 - For A Better Understanding Of The Medications Used To Treat Bipolar Disorder

Part 4 - To Get To Know Others With Bipolar Disorder

Part 5 -  For A Better Understanding Of The Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Part 6 - That We May Learn To Listen To Those With Bipolar Disorder

Part 7 - What Can I Do To Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

Part 8 - To Learn More About Bipolar Disorder