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Echoes my own experience and learning over the last 35 years. I like your comment that mindfulness is the ultimate mood stabiliser - something I have discovered quite recently.
All we have to do now is make sure others will allow us to be well.
See: http://bipolarperceptions.wordpress.com/
You might like to spread the quote by Nassir Ghaemi.
Nick
hey, got me thinking....should the community here take John's and GJ's insights to compile the "Rules of Life"? As I noted above, John and GJ's principles apply to everybody....
So, I'll add one: Eat Smart. Food should be a pleasure, and a moment to savor. Take the time to feed your body, and your soul. Don't eat junk; share with friends; eat "slow"; eat local. You might want to start here, with John's great ideas:
http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/action-plans-2110-143.html
and then, try this: www.foodfit.com
How about some McMan's Depression and Bipolar Report's about non-drug and non-psychotherapry treatments for those people for which neither have been effective.
Examples include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS and rTMS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), (Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (MST -people receiving MRIs have shown improvement in mood and cognition), Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Light Therapy (new light boxes use more light in the blue spectrum and show improved results(and the small handheld devices that supposedly deliver a low amperage current to the earlobes.
TMS is showing efficacy comparable to ECT without the side effects and potential dangers at much lower cost than ECT. It is used in Canada, Europe, Costa Rica, and other countries, but our FDA has not approved it, to the detriment of the people that need help now.
Let's hear some information on these therapies, especially TMS, without so much emphasis on drugs.
John
Have you ever thought of dividing your eight-fold path into factors which are hygiene in nature and those which are core or direct mind changing factors. I believe this is key.
My interpretation is that GJ's coping strategies are all in fact hygiene factors.
Nutrition, drinking plenty of water, taking exercise, having purpose etc are all "good living" good hygiene practices that help anyone stay well and live well.
Essential to "we who have mind problems" is the issue of mindfulness and staying in the present - which, as you say is the very best mood stabilier.
It is training in the latter skills (see MBSR, Mindfulness Based Stress [and Mania] Reduction) which is key to staying well and effective. My indication so far is that this can be done AND keep the benefits we have of huge creativity. Allow the engine to rev hard ... but go back to tick over - rather than being stuck at 4000rpm. That way, I believe, we bipolar people can have our cake and eat it.
Nick
Hi John
What do all your "professional" contacts think of this approach ? Will they go along ? Will they conduct the studies to demonstrate that this approach works ?
I have a potential new mechanism to effect the physiological changes on the brain ... easily - just takes a bit of time each day. I will share this shortly ...
Greg and John's posts are a great reminder that we can affect how we live with this dis-ease. It takes some time to gather all this info. and put it in practice.
I don't agree with the people who are suggesting that we can use alternative methods to control our disease. We still need the meds. to correct the brain chemistry that is imbalanced.
I have found that Dr. Bernie Siegel's Guided Imagery and Meditation tapes are VERY helpful, but I would never toss my meds. in the trash. We can use our minds to help us heal, but as diabetics know, they need their insulin or pills, because the chemistry in the pancreas is not working. Yes, we can encourage our pancreas to produce and process insulin, but the meds. are still necessary.
Looking forward to the book on eating properly. We've been reading labels and making most of our meals ourselves for some years. Low fat, low sodium, no chemicals(guaranteed migraine) and food sweetened with Splenda.
It's taken me years to learn how to manage this illness, but it's been worth the effort. I've been more stable than I ever was, years ago.
Blessings to all,
Margaret
I just got a letter from my new boss...yea right..
anyway I do have Bipolar II and in our first get to know you better meeting blah blah,,I told him that I had bipolar and his comment was his brother has it and it is managed by medications so I shouldn't have any trouble!!! what an idiot...
I have had to take off LWOP many times last year due to stress at work...well,,,get this my new boss..he have me a discipline letter about all the LWOP I had used BEFORE I WAS UNDER HIS SUPERVISION!
Plus, he included the 4 days that I took off for my fathers death on the 28th Nov 07!!! The had the nerve to give me that nasty letter on the 18 Dec 07..... I am so mad right now...
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John,
Good posts. In dealing with my bp issues over the last 10 years, I have used all of the practices you noted.
Jed