Teen Bipolar Advocate

How to Manage your Bipolar Disorder Daily

2011-10-21T23:41:00.000-04:00

This series is in response to a question from a reader. She wanted to know how to get through the day living with untreated bipolar disorder. Normally I would suggest looking into medication to go along with self coping techniques, but because in this case that is not possible I’m going to give you some tips on coping with bipolar disorder on your own. Which I know can be very hard to do especially if you don’t know where to start. Think of this as your road map to a successful day. All you have to do is follow it.

Count Some Sheep

2011-10-21T23:39:00.000-04:00

1 sheep…. 2 sheep….. 3 sheep….. Getting enough sleep is vital for anyone with Bipolar Disorder. Too little sleep and you could cycle into mania and too much sleep can trigger depression so a balance is needed. Eight to nine hours of sleep is the amount you need to function properly throughout the day. Losing just an hour or two of that time has a big impact on your day and your mood. Think of it like the difference between the grouch and the tooth fairy. The grouch is moody and quite honestly scary (sort of like me before my coffee) the tooth fairy is upbeat and full of energy (little too perky for me but that’s just my opinion) It helps to follow a routine with your sleep. Going to sleep the same time every night and waking up the same time every day will get your body used to that schedule and make it easier to go to sleep and wake up. If you have trouble sleeping avoid drinking caffeine late into the day. Yes that means putting down the mountain dew you’re having after dinner, and picking up the water or if you like flavor tea is good too. With the hundreds of different flavors out there your bound to never run our of options. I find peppermint tea before bed helps. If you have trouble with racing thoughts at night it’s also helpful to turn off the TV an hour before you go to bed, because studies have proven that watching TV right before heading to bed makes falling asleep harder, and turning it off an hour in advance gives your mind enough time to process all your thoughts from the show before heading to the land of darkness. And of course if necessary start counting those little sheep in your head. (Not to be confused with the little voice inside your head)

Eating Healthy

2011-10-21T23:07:00.002-04:00

My mother always said that the quickest way to a man’s heart is through food, and the reason that is true is because everyone (girls included) loves food. Out of the 7 Billion people on the planet 7 Billion of us love food. You do the math on what percentage that is. However just because we like food doesn’t mean it’s good for us. Not just for our waistline but for our mood as well. Sometimes it can be hard to eat healthy. Especially when we see all the bad foods that tastes so good. The mood a person with bipolar has can depend on what type of food they put in there body. Chocolate may be the best food men have ever discovered in my opinion (this coming from a self proclaimed chocoholic), but if you eat a lot of chocolate your going to be sluggish. However if you eat a lot of fruit you’re going to have a higher energy level. The best mood enhancing foods are fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Adding in those foods can help bring your mood up. Try starting off the day with a fruit smoothie or oatmeal with fresh strawberries instead of sugar filled cereal or take some fruit for snacks throughout the day. They can be just as tasty as and more satisfying than the most appealing junk food. It’s also better to eat several smaller meals throughout the day so your blood sugar levels don’t drop. I know first hand as the sibling of a boy who acts like Grumpy from Snow White whenever he doesn’t eat and I can assure you it isn’t fun. (Not sure who it’s worse for him or me) Keeping a balanced diet is a necessary part of life, and the sooner you start the sooner you reap the benefits.

Gold Star for Brandon and the Bipolar Bear

2011-03-17T14:07:00.002-04:00

Brandon and the Bipolar Bear won the award it deserved, and as the grateful daughter of an amazing author I would like to thank each and every one of you who voted for your support. It wasn't easy and it took a lot of work, but thankfuly perseverence won out. Now the book will be recognized as the Favorite Special Needs Childrens Book. Thank you and goodnight. (Like my Grammy Speech? Hey you never know when you might need it)

And the nominee is.....Brandon and the Bipolar Bear

2011-02-18T12:04:00.002-05:00

Every parent who has a child with bipolar disorder has read them the book Brandon and the Bipolar Bear, and if you haven't pick up a copy right now and read it to them because it's an amazing book. And I'm not just saying that because my mother wrote it (I'm not biased at all, I swear)I'm saying it because it's true. For the first time Brandon and the Bipolar Bear has been nominated for the Favorite Special- Needs Children's Book on About.com We are all very excited, but since it's a contest for which book is the people's favorite (although I thought it was obvious)the people have to choose. The site that's having the contests is About.com here's the link http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2011/02/11/vote-for-favorite-special-needs-childrens-book.htmvote for the very first one Brandon and the Bipolar Bear so a very special writer, advocate, and parent, who has helped countless people understand bipolar disorder and how to cope with it, can win a very special award that it deserves.

Bipolar Disorder and Season Changes

2011-02-18T12:03:00.001-05:00

There are many things that affect the moods of people with bipolar disorder. One of them is the changing of the seasons. It sounds weird but its true different times of the year have different effects on people with Bipolar Disorder. The most drastic months are fall and spring. This next segment talks about the changes and side effects this can cause.

Autumn

2011-02-18T12:02:00.000-05:00

The months of fall are tough months for people with depressive tendencies. The change of weather, lack of a bright sunny atmosphere, and excessive amounts of dull and dreary days often causes a mood shift. (Just writing about it is making me depressed) It can take someone from a happy mood, (or at least not too grumpy) to sad and depressed. October has always been a hard month for me personally. The transition from summer to fall often puts me, and others, into a more depressed state. I usually need a temporary medicine change to get me through those months. If you are into alternative methods or natural remedies I also take something called Omega 3 it’s an all natural fish oil that boosts your mood, reduces anxiety, and helps you feel better. It has been amazing for me. It helps not only my moods from bipolar but also my anxiety I can tell a difference when I miss a dose automatically. However in interest of full disclosure there are a small percentage of people who take it that it sends into a more manic state. So if you’re going to try it start out with one and if you feel good then you can take more. You can find it at any store that sells vitamins it’s just concentrated Omega 3s and Fish oil.

Warning Signs of Seasonal Depression

2011-02-18T12:00:00.003-05:00

Lack of Enjoyment- A person may lose interest in things they previously enjoyed. They may start something and then suddenly lose interest and stop. A person may not want to do anything at all. Low Energy- A lack of energy may make the most insignificant tasks difficult. The person may not feel like they have the strength to get out of bed. Change in Sleep Pattern- A person may sleep more often and for longer periods of time. Excessive sleeping can make it hard for a person to get up for school or work in the morning and may cause some school absences. Changes in Eating- A person may start overeating or eating more comfort foods and carbohydrates, which can cause weight gain. Difficulty Concentrating- A person may have trouble concentrating on a task they’ve been assigned or may forget what they just read easily, which can cause problems in school or work.

Why Does This Happen?

2011-02-18T12:00:00.001-05:00

Experts believe that seasonal depression is triggered by the decrease of daylight. Nobody knows for sure why this happens, but scientists theorize that sunlight may play a role in making some of the brains hormones. With less sunlight less of one hormone is made and more of another so those hormones are unbalanced, (which is a lot like bipolar disorder itself.) The decreased hormone is called serotonin and the increased hormone is called melatonin. Melatonin is what the body produces when it’s dark to make you sleepy so if it’s darker longer then it makes more melatonin which is what makes you have a lack of energy, sleepy and moody. (Bonus points for anyone who can name the other 5 of the 7 dwarfs) All these variables combined is what makes a higher risk of depression.

And the nominee is.....Brandon and the Bipolar Bear

2011-02-15T22:47:00.012-05:00

Every parent who has a child with bipolar disorder has read them the book Brandon and the Bipolar Bear, and if you haven't pick up a copy right now and read it to them because it's an amazing book. And I'm not just saying that because my mother wrote it (I'm not biased at all, I swear)I'm saying it because it's true. For the first time Brandon and the Bipolar Bear has been nominated for the Favorite Special- Needs Children's Book on About.com We are all very excited, but since it's a contest for which book is the people's favorite (although I thought it was obvious)the people have to choose. The site that's having the contests is About.com here's the link http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2011/02/11/vote-for-favorite-special-needs-childrens-book.htm vote for the very first one Brandon and the Bipolar Bear so a very special writer, advocate, and parent, who has helped countless people understand bipolar disorder and how to cope with it, can win a very special award that it deserves.

A New Year

2011-02-15T22:38:00.002-05:00

The turning of a new year means accomplishment. We must have done something right the year before to still be here. So pat yourself on the back for that. Some think it means another year of challenges, dissapointments, and heartache. I say stop thinking that right now! Instead think another year of happy moments, new learning experiences, and successful life. Take each day one at a time and you'll make it through with a smile.(ok at least a half smile) I wanted to share with you one of my favorit quotes. It inspires me I hope it does the same to you. "When life gives you a hundred reasons to break down and cry, show life you have a million reasons to smile and laugh!"

We Won!

2011-02-15T22:36:00.003-05:00

I'm glad to announce that the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation won the grant funding. Now there starting a new program that will help children with Bipolar Disorder be able to succeed. Thank you for your support and your voting.

Zealous for Support

2010-11-22T22:26:00.002-05:00

I informed my readers in my previous blog about the exciting contest pepsi is running, and I’m not the only one who is zealously advocating this. There are many other people in the bipolar community who have shown their support by voting everyday, and even getting other people to vote too. Their help has gained us much support. I know it has been a long month, and you may be starting to lose some of your zeal. However it is more important now than ever that you continue to vote, and spread the word. The end of the month and contest is fast approaching. Now is the time for all of us to band together and take a stand for what is right. Because winning this contest is something that is right. It is something that needs to be done, and it is something all of us should be cheering and voting for! (Insert crowd standing up and applauding here) For more information visit www.bpkids.org/pepsi To remember to vote just think there's no place like voting, there's no place like voting, there's no place like voting, and we'll win!

Help CABF Win Contest (Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation)

2010-11-10T21:07:00.003-05:00

Pepsi Refresh is running a contest for great ideas. The cause with the most votes gets 250,000 in funding money. I’m asking you to vote for my favorite cause the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation. All you have to do is vote every day through the end of November. You can vote three ways every day. (Just remember Lays Potato chips and think “can’t vote just once”) You can text your vote by texting Pepsi at (73774) with the voting number (104174) once a day. You can also vote on facebook. All you have to do is go to http://tiny.cc/votecabf and click the button that says vote. The last way you can vote is online at Pepsi website just go to http://pep.si/votecabf. CABF is an excellent organization that has helped countless people by educating and supporting families and teens with bipolar disorder. If that’s not enough of a motivator, if you sign up for their daily email reminder you are put in a drawing for a free iPad if CABF wins (Insert crowd screaming with excitement here). With your help this foundation will win and continue their much needed work.

Why You Should Vote

2010-11-10T20:49:00.001-05:00

I know some of you reading this are bored and uninterested and probably thinking, “So what big deal,” (Hopefully not by my blog writing because that would kill my ego) but there are a lot of reasons to be supporting this cause. I know what you’re thinking and CABF isn’t just another organization wanting money. It is an organization that has helped raise awareness of teenage bipolar disorder, and helped teens like you and me get the help they need. (In my opinion that alone should be enough to give a standing ovation). We should all be interested and even dedicated to this organization no matter if it’s you, your friend, or family member that has Bipolar Disorder, because this will make a world of difference in your life as well as theirs (Especially for those whose hair has started to thin from constantly pulling it out trying to find information on bipolar disorder). One teen set the example we should all follow when she went a step further than just voting. 17- year-old Hillary Tilles, who has a friend with Bipolar Disorder, set out on mission to help CABF when she found out about the contest. She got her entire school involved. She talked to her teachers who had her pass out flyers with the information to give to the class for homework. She also talked to her resource counselor who passed it out to the parents. That shows how important it is to her. I know it is to me too. (Disclaimer: I’m not asking you to go buck wild and tattoo it on your chest) I’m asking you to give your support to a more than worthy cause and spread the message as well. Visit http://www.bpkids.org/pepsi to get more ideas for spreading the message. My name is Ciara and I approve this message.

Side Effects

2010-08-15T09:58:00.001-04:00

Side effects are the pesky things that come with feeling better. Some people get them worse than others. In fact some people don’t get them at all it just depends on how you react to the medicine. Tell your doctor about any side effects you’re having. Your doctor may change the dose of your medicine or add on a medicine that’s meant to help get rid of the side effects. I had to do that with mine, which was good because I stayed stable and minimized the side effects. Always consider the pros and cons of the effect your medicine is having on you. If the pros out way the cons then you should consider staying on your medicine if the side effects are livable. Never stop taking your medicine without your doctors approval Only your doctor should change anything that has to do with your medicine. When you start messing around with it you just make it worse. He knows what he’s talking about so you should listen.

Be Patient with Your Medicine

2010-08-15T09:57:00.001-04:00

It may take a few weeks to start feeling better. It may take even longer for the medicine to work all the way. It’s important to stick with your medicine even after you find the right one and feel better. Keep taking your medicine as directed to prevent the bad symptoms from coming back. During stable periods you may be tempted to go off your medicine because you feel good but if you do that you will quickly be right back where you were without the medicine and have to start all over again. Because the medicine you’re taking is what’s making you feel better, because as you read Bipolar Disorder doesn’t just go away once you have it you have it. When I first started taking medicine it was a trial period. Some of the medicines worked and others didn’t when they didn’t I would try a new one which 9 times out of 10 made me feel better. Some people have more trouble finding medicines than others do, but if they stick with it they’ll feel better in the long run, which makes it worth the while.

Medicines for Bipolar Disorder- How Do They Work

2010-07-06T13:06:00.001-04:00

Some people are skeptical when it comes to taking medicine, but I’m living proof that no matter what anyone says taking medicine works. But it only works if you make it work. When your doctor prescribes medication to control your moods and make you feel better than you have to follow the doctors instructions for them to work. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Take it from me it can be really hard during the transition to a certain medication, but look at the big picture. It’s better for you in the long run to stick with it then to give up and be worse later on. My advice is for you is stick with it, and always consult your doctor.

Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine

2010-07-06T13:04:00.000-04:00

Taking medicine is hard enough to remember but especially if you take more than one medication at different times of the day. Here are some tips on how to remember. 1. Take your medicine at the same time you do other things every day. For instance taking your morning medicine with your breakfast or coffee, will help you get in the habit. 2. Us a pill box marked for the day and time of day so you know which ones you’ve taken and which ones you still need to take. 3. Leave yourself a note. If I start forgetting I’ll put a sticky note on the mirror so it’s one of the first things I see in the morning. 4. Keep your medicine in a place you can see it every day easily. I put mine on top of my dresser so I can see it clearly and that makes it harder to forget. 5. Set your watch alarm if you take a medicine at a different time. Or you can put it in your calendar in your phone so it rings to remind you.

You and Medicine Segment

2010-07-06T13:03:00.000-04:00

Usually I try to stay neutral in talking about traditional medicine and homeopathic medicines because I don’t want to offend anyone, but I’m going to write a few articles on both. Bipolar Disorder is not something people do to get attention. Despite what some think Bipolar Disorder isn’t something the person can change it’s not something people do to act out it’s a real health problem , and just like any other health problems it needs to be dealt with properly for you to feel better. Bipolar Disorder can’t be cured but the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can be managed. Taking your medicine prescribed by your doctor is one of the most important things you can do, which sometimes is easier said than done.

Stress and Bipolar Disorder

2010-05-26T11:25:00.001-04:00

Stress is one of the few things that every person on the planet has experienced. Everyone agrees it’s a pain. Stress affects people differently. Some people yell and stomp around. Some cry and some are grouchy (kind of like the grouch from Sesame Street, except they don’t live in a trash can, and hopefully don’t have green fur!) I tend to be all of the above. For people with Bp stress can and usually does cause temporary instability. It makes you irritable, snap easier, and cry easily. There are however things that you can do to help prevent and lessen the affects of stress.

Stress Relief Suggestions

2010-05-26T10:58:00.003-04:00

Here are some tips on coping with stress that I have found particularly helpful. 1. Focus on one thing at a time. Apply the age old saying, “Don’t borrow trouble”. I have to admit this is the one I have the hardest time applying, because I’m a natural worrier. I worry about unnecessary things, which raises my stress level. My mother gave me this tip, and when I apply it I’m not as stressed out than if my mind is occupied with worry. From my first hand experience with this tip I would recommend it, because it helps and can be applied to everyone. 2. Breathe- It sounds dumb and cliché, but studies have proven that the more oxygen you have the better you can handle situations. You don’t have to start hyperventilating, just take a few breaths. It may sound childish but there’s no harm in trying it, especially when hundreds of people have tried it, and it’s worked for them so chances are it will work with you. 3. Relax A.S.A.P- The best way to squash stress is catching it in time to do something about it. You don’t have to spend a day at the beach or go to some exclusive spa (which lets be honest costs way more than it’s worth usually, but that could be just be me) just do what you normally enjoy when your not stressed to the point of possible total grayness by the end of the day. Listening to music helps me. I find it enjoyable, and it clears my head. You may feel the same way or you may find it annoying; it’s a personal preference. Reading helps some people escape the pressures of this world, and temporarily step into another one. Unfortunately only about 50% of people truly enjoy reading. (Only the book worms, which I am proud to admit I am.) 4. Step Out of Your Zone- get away from it all for a few minutes. I find work and school the most stressful. When I feel myself start to go into overload I ask to go to the bathroom. It’s a small quiet place where you can feel like you’re alone and reset your stress button. If there’s no bathroom nearby (which is highly unlikely I mean No Bathroom, what are we in the dark ages? I mean we have cell phones now get with the times people!) The hallway works just as well. These are just a few of the things that work for me, but if you’ve read any of my previous blogs you know I believe every person is unique so what works for me may or may not work for you. But chances are at least on of them will, besides what’s the worst that can happen?

Crying

2010-03-27T14:32:00.000-04:00

“There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They are messengers of unbearable grief and unconditional love”- Washington Irving. Some people think of crying as a sign of weakness, but I believe differently. As you can see from the quote above I’m not the only one. I freely admit I cry sometimes and most of the time I’m not sad, but overwhelmed, stressed to the limit, or slightly depressed. For me crying is a relief, it makes me feel like a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders. To me crying is a reset button. Like everything bad came out through my tears and I can start again. Occasionally crying or even crying 1-3 times a week is acceptable. If you are crying everyday for no good reason other than feeling the need to, or crying overly easy that may be a sign of depression. But don’t hold it in. That only makes it worse, and doesn’t provide the feeling of relief crying does. Even boys and men can cry. Boys are told men aren’t supposed to cry, but I believe in equal rights. So if girls are allowed to cry then boys should be too!

OCD Segment

2010-01-10T20:51:00.001-05:00

For my next few blogs I am going to write about OCD or the technical name Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It’s a topic I know pretty well from my personal experience with it. For anyone that didn’t know I have Bipolar disorder, OCD, and Anxiety disorder. (I must have hit the jackpot. Only I didn’t buy a lottery ticket. Lucky me) I have tons of experience with these illnesses, because my symptoms appeared when I was a kid, and I was diagnosed shortly afterward. Not all of them appeared at once though. I guess you could say I’m an expert at having mental illness. (Only I don’t get paid for having a degree. How unfair is that?!) I try to talk more about things that I have, because that’s where my expertise comes in, like OCD.

What is OCD?

2010-01-10T20:50:00.002-05:00

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD) is classified as an anxiety and mental disorder with two components: obsessions, and compulsions. The obsessions usually consist of unwanted thoughts, impulses, or mental images. The compulsions are repetitive behaviors in response to the obsessions. (Wow that’s a sentence full) It’s like the brain gets stuck on a particular thought or urge and can’t let go. For example a person might have to do something the exact same way every time. Like tying and retying there shoe laces a certain amount of times. The person feels like he has to do it the same every time, and can’t stop himself. (For me if I tried not doing it I felt like I was literally going to explode, because I HAD to do it, and I think that’s the same way with everyone else too,) A compulsion is something that you feel like you need to do, almost like something bad might happen if you don’t. To others around you what you’re doing isn’t rational but to you it might seem like the most rational thing in the world. I would also obsess about it if I didn’t or for some reason couldn’t do it. That would consume my thoughts until I broke down and did it, and afterwards I felt like this huge burden had been lifted. (And when I say huge I mean HUGE) That is the feeling everyone gets because that is why people get the compulsion along with the obsession. The compulsive response relieves the anxiety of the obsession, and after you do it you no longer feel the obsessive side. In a sense it’s a protection from the obsession, because without the response to the obsession it would consume you and you would never get the relief of “fixing it”. Anyone with OCD can identify the feeling I’m talking about.

What are the symptoms of OCD? - Obsession

2010-01-10T20:50:00.001-05:00

Obsessions are thoughts, images, or impulses that occur over and over again and feel out of your control. People with OCD get uncomfortable feelings such as fear (I used to get the feeling that someone was behind me all the time), disgust, and doubt (I would also check something multiple times, like if someone told me to do something I would ask them over and over if that’s what they wanted me to do, because I always felt unsure, and let me tell you that was a pain for everyone). Common obsessions are: Fears of germs, imagining having hurt yourself or others (children who have that problem tend to frequently call home and make sure everyone is alright, that relieves their stress), imagining losing control, intrusive thoughts or urges (Thoughts that you don’t want which are usually gruesome and/or scary, and no matter what you do you can’t get them out of your head, and the more you try pushing them out the more they stick around), and a need to have things just so. For example, I had to have everything in its right place all the time. When I was a kid it was having my stuffed animals in a certain position around me, and if they weren’t right I would throw a fit. When I was older it became having the dishes in the dishwasher a certain way. Everything had a place and if they were somewhere else I would literally rearrange the dishwasher. That one was frustrating! (Of course my mom liked it because that meant I did the dishes more) I personally take medicine for it, but not everyone does. It’s a personal choice, and my OCD was affecting my daily functioning to the point I couldn’t do anything without an obsession accompanying. However, I still have a few compulsive tendencies, but it’s a lot less severe. There more like routines now. I set the table a certain way, and still arrange the dishwasher a certain way, but I don’t freak out if it’s not exactly the way I want it, which is a HUGE improvement.

What are the symptoms of OCD? - Compulsive

2010-01-10T20:49:00.001-05:00

People with OCD try to make their obsessions go away by performing the compulsions. Compulsions are acts a person does over and over again. For example a person who is obsessed with germs may wash there hands until their raw. (Ouch!)A person may also repeatedly check. They may check to make sure they turned off their stove, (its normal for a person to do that once, but not five to six times.) because of a fear of burning down the house. One of my ticks that stayed with me is also checking, but not checking for danger. I check to make sure I got things people said right. I used to ask my mom if I it was ok to do something over and over and over again. I still call her from the grocery store to check to make sure I got everything right even if I have a list that she made. My dad calls it check-check-double-check. Those are the milder examples too. Common compulsive symptoms are: Washing, repeating (repeating what you say three or four times), checking (Check, check, double-check), touching, and counting(They may count the numbers on a house as they drive by, or count how many houses there are on a street, or repeat even or odd numbers). Unlike compulsive drinking or gambling OCD doesn’t give the person any sort of pleasure at all. It’s the complete opposite. It can make your life miserable, and the compulsions that are preformed to obtain relief from the extreme discomfort made from the obsessions can make you more uncomfortable if you’re in a public setting. For example one of my tics (that’s kind of like a shortened version of compulsions) when I was a kid was flaring my nose. I would do it so often the sides of my nose was constantly raw, and because I was embarrassed I would cup my hands around my nose to hide what I was doing, which looking back probably drew more attention, but it made me feel better. I guarantee anyone and everyone with OCD has found ways to hide there tics from others. Ways to do it, but without drawing too much attention. Some people who repeat words will put those words in a sentence that makes a little more sense. But people do things differently and the important thing is to find what makes you at least slightly more comfortable.

Is OCD Inherited?

2010-01-10T20:44:00.000-05:00

(I’ll try not to make it too boring) No specific gene has been identified as playing a part in OCD, but the general idea is that genes do play a part in the development of the disorder. Childhood-onset OCD (Like mine) has been proven to run in families. When a parent has OCD the chances of the child having it are increased, but the chances are still very low. (Thank Goodness; I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody) When OCD runs in the family it’s the behavior that is inherited and not the exact symptoms, because every person has different symptoms. Sometimes OCD is confused for something else at the first diagnoses. The most common condition that resembles OCD is Tourette’s disorder. In fact about 20% of people who have OCD also have some form of tics. Tics are involuntary behaviors like nose flaring or vocal behaviors like clearing your throat repeatedly. (One of my tics as a child was flaring my nose. I would try to hide it by cupping my hands around my nose, while I did it, because I was embarrassed by it.)

When Does OCD Begin?

2010-01-10T20:43:00.000-05:00

OCD can start at any time, from childhood to adulthood. A survey showed one third to one half of adults with OCD reported it started in their childhood. (That’s a lot of people!) Nobody knows for sure how many people have OCD, because many people go undiagnosed. There are several reasons some people with OCD are never diagnosed. People with OCD are secretive about there illness. Many feel embarrassed by the tics they have, and try to hide it, which can be hard depending on what it is. It can also make it harder recognize if it’s a child doing it, which can prevent anyone from noticing and realizing it’s a big problem. If they hide it, and you only see a small portion it would be easy to dismiss it as a faze, when in all likelihood it’s probably a lot worse than you know, because your only seeing part of it, and could easily turn into a BIG problem. (I know I tried every trick in the book to hide what my ticks were. Although I was already diagnosed when I tried to hide them, but the same principal applies.) Some people don’t have access to the proper healthcare needed to treat it, which is a shame because some undiagnosed people develop other problems later in life. Some people withdraw into themselves when it gets really bad because they don’t want other people to see what they’re doing, which can cause long term social problems, which could likely lead to depression. If you think about it it’s kind of like a domino effect, once one falls they all start falling. (Wow that sounded depressing in itself.) But there are things you can do to prevent it as will be stated later.

What Can Help?

2010-01-10T20:42:00.001-05:00

The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor. Describe your symptoms, and if you don’t know what they exactly are, try describing the ones you do most often first, or you could show him what you do. It’s better in the long run if you get help for it. OCD isn’t something that you “grow out of” and doesn’t go away on its own. People don’t improve on their own in fact most people get worse. Some people don’t talk to a doctor because they don’t want to be on medicine, and although I strongly believe that the right medicine helps, there are other options for people who don’t want to be on medicine. There are also several forms of therapy you can try. Psychotherapy, which provides ways to reduce stress, which can help the tics lessen. Behavioral therapies are also used, which uses exposure/response prevention, which exposes you to a situation that triggers tics, and helps you learn to resist the urge, to an extent. If stress is what triggers your tics, try taking natural vitamins, or anxiety remedies. Whatever you decided to do talking to your doctor is the smart idea. He can either prescribe you medicine right there, or refer you to a specialist, or recommend a natural remedy if you don’t want to take medicine. But no matter what you do there is no found way to prevent OCD, and no found way to completely get rid of OCD, but with the right help you can prevent it from interfering with your life. But what some people don’t realize is no matter what you do or take it doesn’t get rid of it instantly, and definitely doesn’t go away overnight. It’s different for everyone, and depends on the degree of your OCD. If you take medicine, or natural remedies it may take a few weeks until you see a noticeable improvement, but when people expect it to happen overnight then they get disappointed, and stop taking it. All that accomplishes is getting you right back to where you started, and if you do that every time then nothing will work, because you’re not giving it a chance, but when you’re patient and allow it time to work then you will probably see a improvement. Just remember there’s no miracle cure, and some people have to try several different things before it helps, but stick with it, because it’ll be better for you in the long run. So talk to your doctor or parent, you’ll feel a lot better afterwards.

Pressures of Life

2009-10-11T18:07:00.002-04:00

For the next few blogs i'm going to write(or rather type) about pressure. This is something that every age group deals and struggles with. So read and be wowed (or at least slightly amused either way's good)

General Pressure

2009-10-11T18:06:00.000-04:00

Teacher pressure is in class. Or for some students after class in detention; For those of you who may not have known there are a lot of different way to get detention the most interesting are, defacing school property, putting tacks on chairs, and starting fights almost always over a girl or guy.(I am in no way encouraging or endorsing this behavior. So if you get caught don’t say “This anonymous blogger implied it was alright”. I don’t want the cops knocking on my door at three in the morning!) Who said school was dull and unexciting? (Wait I think that was me! Ooops.) Peer pressure is everywhere outside of class, and away from the teachers. Family pressure is at home. (You can’t hide from it. It’s like one huge conspiracy. A pretty weird one too.) Personal Pressure is everywhere you are, because personal pressure comes from within you. Every other pressure is outside of you, which means you can get away from it for an extent, but you can’t hide from yourself. Everyone needs to get away from all the pressure and burden that comes with the whole life deal every once in a while. I suggest a movie at the theaters. For me there’s just something relaxing about sitting in a huge dark theater with only the sound of the movie. If you’re a girl I would strongly recommend shopping, but if it’s your friends that are pressuring you it would be a good idea to go alone. That may sound boring, but trust me it can be a relief to do something for you by yourself, I’m guilty of it. (On the other hand some people tend to go on shopping sprees when there stressed, and I strongly discourage that. Like I mentioned in my managing money blog if you’re going shopping give yourself a limit, and don’t go past that limit.) If you’re a guy you’re probably more inclined to play video games, and fix a car than to go shopping, but do what works for you. That’s all anybody can do. Think of it as a stress detoxer and a reset button. I personally love the beach, but not the ocean. I love lying on a sheet on the sand and just listening to the waves hitting the shore. Some people listen to cd’s of beach sounds but it’s not the same as the real thing. That’s what works for me, but you need to find what works for you and stick with it.

Personal Pressure

2009-10-11T18:05:00.000-04:00

Personal pressure is the hardest to deal with because it doesn’t come from another person, who you can walk away from at any time, it comes from within you. (Or rather it comes from that miniature devil on your shoulder, and lets be honest most of the time the angel has more important things to do) Personal pressure can range from pushing yourself to get the best grade in class, to performing well at work, to any other scenario that has to do with you. Which if you think about it is every scenario. Everyone puts a certain amount of pressure on themselves, which if it is the right amount can help you, but too much pressure will hurt you in the long run. Too much pressure is unhealthy. If you’re stressed to the max you might not eat enough, or you might eat too much. Everything requires a certain amount of balance. Balanced personal pressure will help you accomplish a lot of things, but too much pressure can actually hinder your abilities. For example my younger brother wants to be the best in class, and if he gets a B+ he thinks the world is going to end. It’s good that he wants to be good at his school work, but he puts more pressure on himself than any teacher would. While most of the time he meets his personal standards it comes with a price. He stresses himself out, which makes him nervous, and when he’s nervous he chews the tip of his finger. (Weird right. You would think he would chew his nail, but he doesn’t) When he does that enough he makes his fingers raw, which hinders his ability to write. So it’s a double edged sword. Good and bad. I know there’s a lot more people who do the same thing. (To clarify I don’t mean the chewing on your finger part, just the stress part) I know I did when I was younger, but as I got older I lessened the pressure a little bit, because I realized that it was actually making me worse, because I would get sick, and put more pressure on myself to catch up, which would just start the cycle all over again. The moral of the story is most people do better with less pressure, which includes personal pressure, because their not all bogged down. There’s no trick to lightening up. It’s a choice and the better one if you ask me. If you’re not sure put it to the test do it for a month and see what happens. Then go from there.

Family Pressure

2009-10-11T18:01:00.000-04:00

Family pressure is a lot like peer pressure. It’s there every day, and has a limitless range of pressure on different things. It’s even worse in some aspects. Like the fact you have to live with them, and see them everyday. At least with peer pressure you get a break at your home, or outside of school. Family pressure is the opposite you get sucked into it after school and at your own home. In theory you’re trading one type of pressure for another. (Insert sarcastic Wahoo here) The best thing I’ve found that personally works for me is (and I don’t mean to sound disrespectful or rude) putting it out of your mind. Listen to what they say, they are still your parents, but don’t take what they say and add it to your own pressure. Listen, acknowledge, and either apply or throw away. They just want the best for you, but if their pressure is adding more to your own then for your own good don’t add it to your collecting pressure. They don’t know how much pressure you carry around, but you do. Some unnecessary pressure also comes from miscommunication, which unfortunately never goes completely away it’s something you have to work at. It might help if you tell them that your trying to do your best, and explain to them how much pressure you have on you, which will help the to see and understand, and put less pressure on you. (That works for me. Because they have so much going on that they might not notice your woes on their own, but if you make it known to them they will work with you better.) Believe it or not they aren’t the enemy. Try talking to them; you might be surprised how far that goes. (I didn’t mean that statement to sound like a fortune cookie.)

School Pressure

2009-10-11T17:59:00.001-04:00

Almost everyone in your life is pressuring you in one way or another. (A’int that the truth)Teachers and guidance councilors pressure you to get good grades so you can get into a good college, and “Make something of your life”. I for one disagree with that statement. I believe you don’t have to get a “higher education” to succeed. It would certainly help, but how your life turns out is up to you not your education. While they have your future in mind, and want the best for you. It is your future, and is ultimately up to you to decide what to do and how to do it. (That may be a little scary for some students) While your teachers and parents may push you to get into a good college it’s your choice which one you go to, and what you do once you get there. Just thinking about your future is almost always guaranteed to give you a headache. (I know I get one) I suggest setting short term goals if you don’t have any long term goals. If you have short term goals it will help you decide your long term goals. If you want to do something completely different than what your parents and teachers want you to do, go for it. It’s your life not there’s. But I do recommend listening to what they have to say because they do have more experience than you, and have been through some of the same things. Even if you know you want to go a different direction with your life you should still take into consideration what everyone has told you, because worst case scenario only some of it is right.

Peer Pressure

2009-10-11T17:56:00.000-04:00

Now a days there is an insane amount of pressure on kids, and not just from one or two people. Almost everyone in your life is pressuring you in one way or another. There’s peer pressure from your classmates and friends. Peer pressure is probably the most versatile type of pressure. It’s not just one or two specific things, peer pressure has a huge range, and is worst than any other type of pressure. Stay strong it gets better, and if you resist you’ll feel better too. You might not believe this, but your peers will respect you more for standing your ground. The same thing happened to me, and when I refused to back down they treated me with more respect, and less pressure, because they knew I wasn’t going to cave. Here are some things I’ve found helpful when facing peer pressure. 1. If it’s someone you know, in your mind pretend like they’re a stranger. It’s easier to resist someone you don’t know than someone you do know. I know it may sound silly, but if your friend wants you to do something wrong than at that moment they aren’t your friend. 2. Practice saying NO! If you know a peer is going to try and pressure you into doing something practice either in your head or out loud how to respond. Then respond the same way when they ask you, make yourself say it. 3. Stand up for yourself If someone is trying to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do that person is bullying you. There are three choices on how to deal with bully’s Don’t do anything and suffer through it (in some cases that could be years) Deal with it yourself (That can either be easier or harder depends on the case) Tell someone and get help dealing with them ( Easiest and most productive route) I’ve found the last two to be more effective than the first one, because depending on the case it could be a constant thing for years. Putting up with that is bad on not only your emotional well being, but your physical well being also, because it could become so bad that you continually get sick or stop eating. I strongly recommend choice number three. Tell someone older than you a parent, teacher, or even older friend. Ask them what they think you should do, because there is a very strong possibility that person has gone through the same things your going through. There is a light at the end of the tunnel (Just don’t go towards it!!!) It may be hard to talk about or even embarrassing, but it can be worth it in the end. Try it and see what I mean.

Mariette Hartley- Actress/ Advocate (Co-founder of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

2009-09-13T16:17:00.000-04:00

Mariette Hartley’s film career started in 1962 with a leading role in the film Ride the High Country. During her long acting career she has performed in almost every venue. She won an Emmy for her appearance in a 1978 version of The Incredible Hulk (Who doesn’t love The Hulk? I mean hello, he’s a Big Green Monster like person, who is bad/good. Of course she’s going to win an award in that movie. Duh!) Her versatile performance allowed her to play a variety of roles, including the famous “you can’t show your belly button on TV” part in the episode of the original Star Trek. (Again who doesn’t love Star Trek?) Mariette was diagnosed with severe depression in 1994 while experiencing a suicidal episode. The prescribed antidepressants sent her into mania. (Antidepressant’s can cause a bipolar person to “switch” bringing on a manic or hypo manic phase. Needless to say it is used with much caution for a person with Bp, but mostly is an avoided medication for.) That, she says was when she realized something else must be going on. She was first diagnosed with ADD, before finally being diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. (That is a common mistake, because, many of the symptoms are almost identical). In 1987she co-founded the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (An excellent foundation that really helps people, I would sincerely recommend it if you’re having suicidal thoughts, of course going to your doctor would be the best option.) Her father had already committed suicide in 1963, and her mother attempted suicide shortly after. She also lost another bipolar family member to suicide, her uncle. In an interview with USA Today she said something that I believe in with every fiber in my being. (And I have a lot of fiber in me; shockingly I’m not just full of hot air) In a final quote she said “ If you are on the right medication now, for God’s sake stay on it and don’t change, but if it doesn’t seem to be working, then go to a doctor and find the right one for you”. For God’s sake take her advice.

Rosemary Clooney- Singer/ Actress (George Clooney’s Aunt)

2009-09-13T16:15:00.000-04:00

Rosemary Clooney was a gifted singer whose career was disrupted midstream by bipolar disorder. She and her sister Betty were living in poverty when they won a contest and earned a regular job singing on the radio. They went from collecting soda bottles and using the refund money to buy lunch at school to getting paid 20$ a week each to sing on the radio. (That is what I call a lucky break) They became known as “The Clooney Sisters”. In 1951 she recorded “Come on-a My House,” a song she hated. Ironically it made her a star. The album became a gold record. She played in several films, but none as popular as White Christmas. The film became the top grosser of 1954. (Put simply, made more money over the entire year than every other movie put out that year. That’s a lot of money! She must have been rolling in dough by then!) She eloped in 1953 and married an Oscar winning actor. and between 1955 and 1960 they had five children! (That automatically makes her a super mom, and worthy of the ever so popular mini van. No offense to mini van lovers, my mom has one too.) The pressure of raising five children while pursuing careers as a television, movie, radio, and recording star, plus her failing marriage led her to self medicate on pain killers and tranquilizers. (As you can see from my other blogs self medication is in almost every bio of an undiagnosed person). For Clooney the world and her mental state plummeted when her close friend Bobby Kennedy was assassinated only yards away from her. (That obviously had to be traumatizing anyway)The tragedy along with her drug addiction triggered a public mental collapse. She cursed at her audience and then walked off stage; she later called a press conference to announce her retirement at which she sobbed uncontrollably. When she heard a doctor was being summoned she ran away, and was found driving on the wrong side of a mountain road. She was admitted to a hospital, where she was diagnosed bipolar and was in therapy for several years following. In 1977 she released an autobiography This for Remembrance, which describes her illness and trials. She wanted others to know that they’re not alone, and to be able to recognize some of their own symptoms so they don’t have to go through what she did! (Nobody should have to go through what she did) Throughout her career she recorded 25 albums, and received several awards. She died Saturday, June 29th, 2002 after a struggle with lung cancer. She was 74.

Charley Pride- First Famous Black Country Singer

2009-09-13T16:13:00.000-04:00

Charley was born March 18, 1938. Charley taught himself how to play the guitar when he was 14. He wanted to be a baseball player, but he proved to be a better musician than athlete. (Neither of which I am. L Sigh!) After a trip to Nashville in 1965 and two demos he was offered a contract. His first single “The Snakes Crawl at Night” was an instant hit. (Way to go Charley!) On tour in Detroit the story is this; When Charley stepped on stage he was greeted with loud applause, which got lower and lower in volume until near silence as most of the audience began to make the realization that he was a black country singer. (This was when prejudice was everywhere, and there had never been a famous black country singer before) But Charley’s music overcame that and after the show he was bombarded with autograph seekers and the rest is history. Charley’s singles became instant hits, and he made a joke before shows about his “permanent tan” that became his trademark. In 1969 his album of his collection of singles shot the singer up to the coveted number one position of country music sales charts. Throughout his career he had 36#1 hits singles, over 35 million albums sold, 31gold and 4 platinum including one quadruple platinum. (That really makes you sit back and say, Wow, He’s unbelievably good!)He suffered from depression throughout his career, and didn’t start taking medicine until he was hospitalized in 1989. He stayed on medicine after that and was able to maintain a remarkable career. On RCA Records, Charley Pride is second in sales only to Elvis Presley. He preformed at the White House for President Clinton and his wife. He was inducted into the roster of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville--a high honor among country music traditionalists. Twenty-five years earlier, Pride had become the first African American singer to appear on the Opry stage. In the year 2000, he became the first African American member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. (That is what I call a role model!)

Axl Rose- (A.K.A.) Lead Singer 4 Guns n Roses

2009-09-13T16:09:00.000-04:00

Axl Rose (real name Billy Bailey) was the poster boy for young teens with problems. By the age of 16 he was, as he said “A full fledged juvenile delinquent”. He was banned from his home and was in and out of jail. He changed his name after finding out the man who raised him was actually his step father. (If that’s not a trigger I don’t know what is!) Which is when he adopted the name Axl Rose (Rose was his biological father’s last name). He started the band Guns n Roses with his friend from school in 1985. (You gotta love the 80’s) Within a few years they had made a name for themselves. A few years later he was diagnosed with manic depressive, and eventually bipolar disorder. In an interview with Rolling Stone he said “I’m very sensitive and emotional and things upset me and make me feel like not functioning or dealing with people.” (Yup, that sounds about right) However, it has been said that he might not have Bp; some of his behavior could be explained through the rough life he’s had. There are also several other possible illnesses that could explain some of his symptoms instead of Bp. (There are a lot out there) Either way he has had a very rough childhood, which shows through some of his songs. (At least he got something out of it! Rock On!)

Maurice Bernard- Actor (General Hospital)

2009-09-13T16:08:00.000-04:00

Maurice’s story is extremely similar to others who have Bp. He had problems since his adolescence, but had a major breakdown at 22, and was then diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He likes to box to ease his tension. He says “There’s nothing better than boxing!” I personally think there is one thing better than boxing….. Chocolate! (But that could just be me I don’t know.) He says the key to his stability is never missing his medication, which he says he’s been on for 15 years. (I whole heartedly agree) When asked about side effects he said “The only side effect is, if I don’t take it, I have a breakdown,” That is the one side affect every person with a mental illness automatically has, medication or not. He was recently interviewed and put on the cover of Bp magazine. (It really sends a message when a famous actor is not only willing to have his face plastered on a magazine that millions of people are going to see and recognize as him, but to also have his personal biography written for everyone to read and see.)

Carrie Fisher- Actress (Princess Leia)

2009-09-13T16:06:00.000-04:00

Carrie Fisher was born in 1956 and is the daughter of two actors. She started show biz from an early age. It wasn’t until her role in Star Wars was she recognized nationally. Star Wars put the Star in her name. (Alright that might have been a little cheesy)But at the same time she was starting to cross over into the “Dark Side” and it wasn’t long until no force could help her. Who said princesses have an easy life? (Especially when your father is Darth Vader!) She was diagnosed as Bipolar, and after struggling with it for years and self medicating through drugs she was able to find some stability on proper medication. Now she is a speaker and advocate on the mental health circuit. That just goes to show you how easy it is to succumb to the dark side of the force, but how much better it is when you return. She says “Sobriety is the key to dealing with bipolar disorder.” (How much more true could that statement be? None) I especially like what she recommended to people with Bp. She said “Generally, if they are properly bipolar, it’s going to be really chaotic. The best way to do it would be to talk to someone who has the same illness. They’re not going to listen to someone who doesn’t have the disorder because you don’t have the same feelings.” That’s some of the best advice someone with Bp can get. I suggest you take it.

Patty Duke

2009-09-13T16:05:00.001-04:00

Patty Duke is a famous actress, and author. Patty Duke was recognized as talented when she was 8, and started her movie career soon after. (I guess instead of reading Dr. Seuss she read movie scripts.) She has performed on Broadway, TV Series, and has appeared in 72 TV Movies. (Insert a cartoon mouth drop here :0) She received an Oscar at the age of 16, which made her the youngest person to receive one back then. Later she won two Golden Globes, three Emmys, six Emmy nominations, and a People Choice Award. (I bet her nickname was Emmy at one time) She wrote two best seller books on her struggle with mental illness. The first one was “Call Me Anna” (Which is her real name) her autobiography in which she publicly revealed her illness for the first time. The book was quickly made into a movie. She played a younger version of herself. (Who else could be that authentic?! I mean it was her life you know.)The second book is “A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depressive Illness”, (Manic Depressive is what they now call bipolar, but that was a while ago) which is a detailed account of her battle with Manic Depressive (Bp). She has a web site to explain to people, who have Bp that they will not lose their creativity, or change who they are if they take medication. She says she’s more creative now because she can organize a thought. (a lot of people think that taking meds for your problems will change who you are, but as someone who has Bp and knows what it’s like to take meds and not take meds, let me tell you right now; They Will NOT change who you are they will just help you be more stable, and healthy. I feel more like myself when I’m on meds, because I’m more stable then when I’m off them.) If you’re on the right medicine you will feel better, think better, and be better. If the medicine you’re on is what works for you then I guarantee you’ll like the person staring back at you in the mirror more. Your personality, your likes, and your dislikes stay the same the only thing that changes are your moods, which becomes more stable. It’s like the difference between choppy waves and calm waves, a dark sky and the sun shining. The waves and sky are the same as they were before just in a different state.

Famous People With BP

2009-09-13T16:02:00.000-04:00

As I’ve mentioned before there are many famous people with BP. Some prefer to keep quiet others prefer to advocate. For the next couple of blogs I’m going to write about several famous people with BP that you might know. By doing this I’m hoping anyone who thinks they’re still alone in what they’re going through will realize they are far from alone, and there are many people going through the exact same things as you are, and some probably at the same time as you are.

How Do You View BP?

2009-08-16T20:41:00.001-04:00

Sometimes the biggest difference between two people with BP isn’t their symptoms, or what medicine they do or don’t take, but how they view their BP. Do they view it as a curse or as a blessing in disguise? The disguise part of the blessing would obviously be the symptoms and the ridiculous stigma that comes with the territory. Nobody likes being unstable, it’s hard on not only you, but everyone around you too. It’s also frustrating when people label you as different. Although as I’ve mentioned before, in my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with being different, and truthfully I wouldn’t want to be “normal”. I’ve heard from a very reliable source that “normal” is just another word for extremely boring! With all the negative things that come with BP there are also several positive things. I know most of you are probably thinking, how in the world is BP a blessing?! The blessing would be all the good things that come with the territory. For example, you can relate and have compassion for other people with a mental health issues. Also, most of the time people with BP are gifted in one thing or another. It could be a subject in school, or it could be something you don’t even think about as being a gift. If you get nothing else out of any of my blogs, I’ll be satisfied if you walk away knowing this; There will always be at least one person who thinks you are a uniquely special gift, and is advocating for you and others like you and me. (By the way that was meant as a fact, and not as a mushy statement!)

Managing Your Money

2009-07-19T19:06:00.002-04:00

Everyone knows that spending the money you have is easy, but saving the money you have can be hard. The trick is to learn how to manage it. Managing your money can be harder for someone with mood swings. When your manic you tend to buy a lot more than you need or even want, and when your depressed you may not spend anything at all. Spending or saving money can also be a compulsion for some people. Like most teens I like to spend the money I make, but I also know that I should put some into savings. Here’s a few tips I’ve found worked (most of the time anyway) 1. Put a certain amount in savings every time I put one third of my paycheck into savings every time. That way I’ll have a steady stream of income and at the same time a steady stream of savings. The same thing works for allowances. Put aside a certain amount every time, even if it’s just 50 cents, and you’ll be surprised how fast it adds up. 2. Only carry small bills If you don’t want to spend all your money at once leave most of it home, and only carry however much you feel is ok to spend. And no that doesn’t mean leave 15 and carry 50. That means carry 15 and leave 50. If you find something you absolutely have to buy and you don’t have enough money remember you can always come back later. That also allows you enough time to think about if you actually do want/need/can’t live without it, or if you just thought you did at the time. That’s a trick that helped me when I started buying a whole bunch of stuff I thought I needed/wanted at the time but later figured out I didn’t. 3. Bargain Buy When you look for bargains on stuff you want to buy you kill two birds with one stone. You get what you want, and you save money. But bargains are a two edged sword. They’re great for saving you money on something, but they also tend to make you want to buy something just because it’s on sale. When I first started paying more attention to when sale’s were going on I was excited at all the money I thought I could be saving, and I did save money. But what I found is that I actually spent more than I originally intended to because I bought so much stuff just because it was on sale. Even though it’s on sale it still costs something and If you get a lot of stuff on sale it can still be expensive. 4. Find What Works for You All of these things work for me but they may or may not work for you. If they do great, but if they don't than my next suggestion is to sit down (or stand up) and think about how you usually spend your money and what you can do to manage it better. Just doing that is a good thing, and I guarantee it will help you see things a little differently, and remember to actually put into practice what you say you’re going to in your head. There’s no point to figuring out how to manage your money if you don’t put it into practice. That’s my advice take it or leave it, and I really hope you take it. (My feelings would be very hurt if you didn’t at least try!)

Bickering With Your BP Sibling Part 2

2009-05-19T19:26:00.004-04:00

See, there are so many things you can do I couldn’t even fit it into one blog. Here’s a few more tips. Tip#3- Switch the Topic If you realize you’re cooking a recipe for disaster, switch recipes. I think blissful peace is better, but that’s just me. Talk about something you know won’t be an issue. Maybe something he/she likes. Tip#4- Give Them Some Space- Just like you need your space so does he/she. Let them wind down and cool off. Go do something else, and let your sibling do what he/she does to cool down. Sometimes the things you do to calm down are similar if not the same as your siblings. For example, my brother and I both find that listening to music calms us down. So I know that when his music is blaring he’s upset. So even though I can’t stand his music I leave him alone, because I know it’ll be better for everyone in the long run. Usually he does the same for me too. So let them do their thing. I also strongly suggest not talking to them while their still upset, because that’ll just get you back to square one, or even negative one depending on the state of stability. So let them be. They'll eventualy simmer down. Tip#5 Stay Calm- I’m not going to lie, that is the hardest thing to do, but it’s also the most productive. If your not calm then their not going to be either. I know I’m guilty of losing when he’s losing it, but it try to work on it. It’s commendable to at least try, even if you don’t always get the results you were looking for. Everything depends on the level of stability you and your sibling are at. Do what you have to do to stay calm. Count to 10, take deep breaths. Or as my mom tells me to do, picture you at the beach, and listen to the soothing waves around. If that’s not your thing then picture yourself speeding down the highway in a fast car with the top down and the wind in your face. Just don’t literally do that, seriously, I’m not joking. I guarantee things will go WAY better if one of you stays calm, and that means you!

Bickering with Your BP Sibling Part1

2009-05-15T16:14:00.001-04:00

In some of my previous blogs I’ve mentioned ways you can cope with your own BP, and now I’m going to share some tips on coping with your siblings BP. It may not always seem like it, but there are ways to deal with your siblings BP without messing up your own mood. It can be a challenge, but it can be done. I know that every brother/sister BP or not knows how to push their siblings buttons, but I also know that if you try you can defuse the situation just as well as you can instigate one. Most of the time it’s harder to stop an argument, which can quickly lead to a melt down, than it is to start one. If you’re like me than you could probably start one in you sleep. So, Tip#1- Know when to stop. It’s easy to take things too far. I know it is for me. You mat start out just kidding and messing around, but you may end up in a shouting match or with a door being slammed in your face. Try and gage your sibling’s reaction. If you see the situation going south it’s up to you to put on the brakes, and trust me, you will be glad you did. Tip#2- Walk Away. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to walk away. Put ice on the fire. If you leave the room the situation is out of sight, and will be out of mind quicker. While it may be the best to walk away for some people, it can be the worst for others. For example, my brother gets more aggravated if I walk away, and yells at me to stop ignoring him. That’s also an example of knowing what does and doesn’t help a situation. I know every person, who has a sibling has been in these situations before. What might help you to understand what not to do is to analyze an argument you’ve had before, as long as it won’t upset you more. Try to find out what went wrong so you’ll know what not to do next time. To Be Continued....

You and Your BP Sibling

2009-05-15T15:57:00.003-04:00

I'm gonna do something a little bit different for the next couple of blogs. I usualy write about what i've found can help you with your bp, but for the next couple of blogs i'm gonna write about what i've found helps you cope with your siblings bp.It’s hard enough managing and coping with your own BP, but when you add in a sibling who has BP it becomes even more complicated. Just as it is with yourself there are days when everything is just dandy, and there are days when it seems like the house is going to explode from all the yelling and instability. If I had a nickel for every time my brother, who also has BP, and I fought because one or both of us were unstable I’d be rich already. Now I also have 2 brothers who don’t have BP so I know it’s normal to bicker with your siblings in fact if they/we didn’t bicker that would be more worrisome than bickering a lot. It’s a fine line between normal sibling rivalry, and unstable fighting, and as I’ve found it’s a line that’s crossed more often than not. What’s important to remember, although I always manage to forget is, your brother/sister who also has BP is dealing with many of the same things as you are. We know that, but it doesn’t always click. We both see each other as the sibling who has BP too, but we both don’t always take the time to stop and think about what that means. We’re both so focused on our own problems we either minimize or maximize each others. I’ve found it helps to stop and think about what having a sibling with BP means. It means your brother/sister has the same thing you do, and inevitably goes through many of the same things you do. What works even better is visualizing you as your sibling, because you both have at least most of the same problems. He/she is in a way you. So I know it can be difficult, especially if your siblings BP is more severe. My advice to you is to apply the golden rule. “Treat others as you want to be treated”. Just like you need some slack so do your brother/sister. So give as much as you know your going to need sometime or another. You might be surprised how far that’ll go.

Everyone Needs A Good Laugh

2009-04-15T15:57:00.002-04:00

I truly believe everyone needs a good laugh as often as possible. I have personally found that two things help relieve my stress: 1. Crying 2. Laughing, now I don’t know about you but I would pick laughing over crying everyday. I don’t mean the ha ha very funny laugh, or the slight giggle either. I mean the loud, head thrown back, sides hurting laugh. That is what a good laugh truly means. When you laugh a good laugh for a moment you forget your worries and you can almost feel the stress being washed away, and with the way this world is I truly believe everyone should get to experience that as often as possible. With three younger brothers who love to clown around it’s not too hard for me to find something to laugh at! For those who don’t have as much to laugh at I strongly recommend reading the book Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid written by Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian (A.K.A. the Shut Up Sisters). This book was co-write by two sisters with children who have Asperger’s and Bipolar Disorder. What makes this book unique is how they intertwine the seriousness along with the humor of the various situations. I guarantee they will have you bursting with laughter in no time. I would recommend this book to any and every parent of a child or teen with a mental disability, and I recommend reading it as soon as possible too, because I know you’ll find it every bit as enjoyable as I did.

Stress Factor

2009-03-14T14:56:00.002-04:00

Stress is the one thing that each individual on earth has experienced. Scary right. For people with Bp it can be scary. Stress messes with your moods, and effects each person differently. For example when my brother is stressed he gets frustrated and angry faster, but when I get stressed I cry. The biggest stress factor for teens is school. Teens have to deal with the pressure at school from teachers to excell acedemically, and to get into college. Of course the mound of homework they heap on you doesn't help. Just that is enough to cause a teen without Bp to melt down. Then add in the pressure from your peers to "fit in" and it's a recipe for disaster. Here are a few tips I've found helpful to put out the fire not fuil it.

1. Seperate yourself from the source. If a teacher or class is causing a problem ask to go to your "safe room". In my previous blogs i explained what a "safe room" is, and that everyone should have one. The definition of a "safe room" is a place where you can go to cooldown no matter what. Somewhere or someone that calms you down. You can stay there until you defuse then go back, or stay there if you know going back will get you right back where you started.

2. Do something that you know relaxes you. Putting your head down on your desk and blocking out the problem while taking deep breaths may help if you can't physically leave. That is what my brother does when he can't leave class.

What I used to do when I got upset and/or stressed at school was to wait until I got home and then let everything out at once. I usualy ended up slamming my door and screaming into my pillow or venting at my mom. My mom suggested making a list of 10 things that I know calms me down and tape it to my wall where I can see it. Then everytime I get upset to look at it and do all 10 things on the list to calm down. That helped tremendously, and I strongly suggest doing this to anyone who gets uspet and/or stressed frequently. I'll list a couple things I put on my list that you might find helpful.

1. Count to 15

2. Take several deep breaths

3. Listen to music

4. Write down what I was feeling and why I was feeling it, and then throw it away

5. Think about something else

6. If possible watch a movie

Those are a few of the things I found helpful to relieve stress at home and at school. Some of them might help you, and some of them won't. The key is to find what helps you personally. I know I say that in almost every one of my blogs, but it's because it's important. Give them a try you never know.

How Do I Tell My Friends I Have BP?

2009-02-09T15:58:00.002-05:00

So now you've decided to tell a friend of yours you have bipolar disorder. The next question you ask yourself is "How do I tell my friends I have bp?" For most people telling your friends is much harder than deciding to tell your friends. I know it was for me. I must have run through a hundred scenarios in my head. Do I tell my friend at school? Maybe on the way to class, or in the library. Do I tell my friend when I have a sleepover? Should I tell my friend over the phone, or on IM? There are countless ways to tell your friend you have bp. I recommend a face to face conversation. That way you can watch their reaction and answer any questions they may have. I found that worked best for me. But, however you want to tell them make sure it's a setting your comfortable in. You might feel more comfortable telling them over the phone. While someone else mat not. It's your decision and it's also your friend. Tell your friends the way you want to tell them. If they are a true friend they'll support you, and stick with you.

Triggers

2009-01-27T15:43:00.002-05:00

I know that anyone and everyone with BP or other mentall illneses knows what a trigger is. They are the little things that set you off. Things that other people may not think are annoying, but drive you insane! For some it's a lot of noise, certain kinds of music, lighting, the way people eat, or even certain facial expressions. Everyone's trigger is different, the key is to identify exactly what your triggers are (and i say triggers because most people have more than one) and then finding a way to help you cope with them. That's especially necessary if yours tends to be a day to day problem. I know what works for me personally is listening to music. I listen to my music and drown out everything else. I focus on the artists voice, and let it flow through me so to speak. That might work for someone who gets bothered by a lot of noise. For example, my brother gets highly annoyed at my much younger brothers whenever they make a lot of noise, because noise is a huge trigger for him. What bothers him is the stuff all young little kids do, so it's impossible and unrealistic to stop them from doing what little boys do. The way he deals with it (after he's done shouting) is to go into his room and listen to his favorite band (sometimes louder than the rest of the family likes, but hey whatever works) that immediately calms him down. Like some people he is also sensitive to some kinds of lighting, he carrys a pair of sunglasses around with him so he can dimm any bright lights, and he almost always wears a hat, which helps shade his eyes. Eash person is different and what works for me and my brother may not work for you, but my advice is to try incorporating the things you like to do or hobbys you have to help cool you down when you feel irritated, or can feel yourself starting to get worked up. Also, try to think of all possible situations where there might be a trigger, and come up with a plan on what you or/and you parent can do to help you get out of the situation without too much damage done. Because lets face it, your not always going to be in your comfort zone when these things happen especially if your like me and they always seem to happen at the most inconvienent times, so what i recommend is to have an out. Figure out a way to tell your parents your gonna go into code yellow before you hit code red and they can help you, because from personal experience when you have a melt down its not fun for anybody. So, try out different solutions to your problem untill you find the right one, and don't stop untill you do. Because things always go smoother when everyones happy!

Should I tell my friends I have BP?

2009-01-26T11:52:00.004-05:00

Your decision to tell others you have BP is exactly that, your decision. No one else can/should make it for you. No one should be forced into telling someone they have BP. Every person suffering from BP has to make the decision of wether or not to tell their friends at some point in there life. Its especially hard for teens to tell their friends they have BP. I guarentee every teen has asked themselves at one time or another "Should i tell my friends i have bipolar disorder?" i know i did. Many many times. Sometimes many times in one week alone. I was very self conscious about it, to the point where i would have anxiety attacks. In fact the first time i told a friend from school i had BP was after she wittnessed a minor melt down and asked me what was wrong. I broke down and told her everything which to my delight did not make her laugh or make fun of me, which had been my fear of what might happen, instead it made her more supportive and understanding. Ironically my brother was the complete opposite. He didn't care if everyone in the world knew. Which wasn't always good for me because he also didn't care if everyone in the world knew his sister had BP too. Thankfully my mother told him something which i think applys very well here. She said its great that your comfortable enought to let people know that you have BP, but that's how you feel. Your sister doesn't want anyone to know. If she wants to tell someone she has BP then she will, but she'll tell them herself. What i brought away from that experience is everyone is different. Some teens will have no problem telling their friends, while others may not want to tell them at all. Also, the way you feel may change as you grow older (or as your mood swings change). My brother and i switched places as we got older. Now he isn't as willing to tell just anyone he has BP, and now i obviously feel way more comfortable about it. To the point of wanting to tell other people instead of wanting to keep it to myself. It wasn't until i was older that i realized if the person i told was a true friend then i had nothing to worry about. If the person your calling a friend is a true friend then they will support you no matter what, and if their not and they do react negatively then it's their loss, not yours. But no matter what one thing never changes. The choice is yours.

New Beginning

2009-01-26T10:52:00.005-05:00

Sorry, i haven't written anything in a while. I got preoccupied with school starting, and have been meaning to write something new. First i'd like to admit that for a while i wasn't even sure if i wanted to keep this blog up, becuase i wasn't sure if what i was writing was going to make a difference or if anyone was even reading what i wrote. Then i realized that i was being stupid! The whole reason i started this blog was so that i could help other teens with BP in any way i can, and no matter who reads this what i have to say is important and i can't do nothing when i know i can be doing something. So i'm back on track and planning on posting new blogs frequently. Just thought you'd like an update.

Tips For School

2008-08-04T20:48:00.007-04:00

School is a stressful environment to every teen, but especially to teens with bipolar disorder. Every day is difficult. Of course each teen is different, and will react differently in different situations, but one thing is the same for all, school is a challenge. But there are things you can do to help yourself through the day. One of the first things you should do is find a "safe room". A place where you can go if your feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, or on the verge of a melt down. Maybe the library, the nurses office, or a teacher that you get along with and understands you. My "safe room" was my art teachers class. I went there if i was stressed out, overwhelmed, or just needed to get away. Sometimes just getting out of the classroom and going somewhere that you like an makes you feel comfortable can mean the difference between a good or bad day. Then after you feel in control again return to class, or stay there until class is over if you know that by returning to that situation you'll just be in the same state you left in. Just knowing that there is somewhere you can go to is helpful. It gives you an out. If you can't go to your "safe room" at that exact moment then try alternatives. Stepping out of the room and getting a drink from the water fountain, or putting your head down on your desk. It's always a good idea to talk to your teachers about how bipolar disorder effects you individually. Tell them what you know sets you off, so they can help prevent potential problems. For instance, my brother gets overwhelmed by large amounts of work. If a teacher gives him a pack of worksheets and tells him its all due on Friday he shuts down and gets in the frame of mind that he can't do it. Even if he has enough time to do it, because he's been given it all at once he's too overwhelmed to work on it. But if the teacher gave him the same amount of work in smaller portions throughout the week he can finish it. The same could work for you. By talking to your teacher and figuring out ways to avoid a breakdown then your day will go much smoother.

Helping yourself

2008-07-10T12:56:00.004-04:00

Most people don't understand what bipolar is or what having it means. The people who do are generally the people who have it or a family member of someone who does. They are the people who care the most. Having bipolar disorder is a challenge, especially for teenagers. The teen years are hard enough without problems, and then when you add in things like bipolar disorder, social anxiety, and depression it becomes an even harder challenge. Bipolar disorder affects people differently. Two people with bipolar disorder can have completely different symptoms and some are more severe than others. For example, both me and my brother have bipolar disorder, but it affects us differently. Some things that don't bother me set him off, and vice versa. I have more anxiety problems than him, and he has more irritation problems than me. Everyone is different, but learning and understanding what bipolar disorder is and how it affects you personally is a good way to understand what you can do to help yourself. If you know what bothers you and sets you off then you can try to find a way to deal with it. For example, when I'm upset over something I listen to music to help me calm down. If you have social anxiety, or don't do well in large groups of people you might find that leaving the room and finding a quiet place to wind down will help you deal. Or if you tend to get angry a lot maybe what works for you is to stop and count to ten, or go do something else entirely. Everyone reacts to things differently the key is to find out what helps you personally.

Begining blog

2008-07-03T13:39:00.009-04:00

This is my first blog so it might be a little rough, but just bear with me. I want to start this blog so i can put my voice out there, whether it gets heard or not. I'm not completely sure where this blog will go or even if anyone will read it, but it's as much for me as it is for others. I have one bipolar sibling and a bipolar father so i know firsthand that it can be rough not only for yourself, but for others around you also. I think that talking about your problems and hearing that others are going through the same thing is important. When i first heard i had bipolar disorder, and understood what it meant i felt completely alone. Even though i had others there to support me i still felt like nobody understood what i was going through. And not everyone did, but it helped tremendously when i knew that there were others out there going through the same problems and that i wasn't the only one in the world to have bipolar disorder. I want others to hear and know that too. I strongly believe that everyone suffering from bipolar should learn everything they can about there disorder, and educate themselves on there options. So I'll try to put pieces of info. that i think would be helpful and interesting to others in later blogs. I want to hear what others think also so feel free to leave a comment about anything you feel is important. Gotta go now, but I'll try to blog more at a later date, and hopefully get the hang of this.