This blog champions an integrated approach to depression and mania that addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life as well as our relationships with others and our career/financial needs. I embrace following the current evidence-based methods to reduce symptoms and achieve recovery as a critical and necessary first step, while providing a clear and user friendly path utilizing the same tools for accomplishing something much greater. I do not ask you to deny your belief (or disbelief) in the effectiveness of medicine, therapy, med ..read more

In this short video, Declan Devereux shares his enthusiastic support of the Bipolar Advantage Program and how doing the work helped him turn his marriage around. Are you ready to create the same success in your own life?    SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave The post Blog first appeared on Bipolar Advantage ..read more

When bipolar people get angry, the Bipolar IN Order concepts apply just as they do for most other states. Bipolar in disorder combined with anger is a very dangerous mix. The disordered person tends to become very volatile and can explode into a rage with little provocation. It is best for the person to avoid anything that might trigger anger until the disorder is in remission, but even then an angering stimulus can trigger another manic or depressive episode with anger as one of the troubling elements. Bipolar people who have their condition in order have learned important lessons that can be ..read more

The “dis-abled”argument is central to bipolar disorder. Stigma, medication, treatment options, recovery, patient rights, and physiological basis are some of the most discussed topics regarding bipolar. There are, of course, many other interesting aspects to debate, but it is hard to find any discussions about bipolar that do not include one or more of these central topics. While it has been very healthy to debate all of them, there is an underlying assumption that must be addressed too. The paradigm that all of the above topics are based on is that we are incapable of remaining in contro ..read more

Doctors’ inability to handle or acknowledge grief is negatively affecting care. My daughter Kate is in her fourth year of medical school and is well on her way to becoming a very caring doctor. Her greatest gift is the ability to connect with people, which thankfully is being recognized in the hospital settings as an asset. She creates strong bonds with her patients and their families by communicating how much she cares about them. Among so many other admirable traits it is the one that makes me the most proud of her. It has been her greatest gift for as long as I can remember. The ability to ..read more

Depression in self-mastery is often seen as a rich spiritual experience. A recent question on our Depression and Bipolar Advantage LinkedIN Group brings up a point that needs to be addressed if we are to fully understand depression: What are some of the positives about having experienced bouts of depression? Since most people assume there are none, it is important to put it in perspective. The post Blog first appeared on Bipolar Advantage ..read more

Exploring the relationship between value and functionality in bipolar disorder. Assuming you are not deeply depressed right now, try to remember the time when you were in the deepest depression of your life. Can you see any way it might have changed your life for the better? Did it make you more sensitive to the feelings of others? Are you better at helping others during their difficult times because you have had the experience yourself? Are there things you learned from being deeply depressed? Are you a better person because of the experience? What is the value in having been throu ..read more

Expanding the depression and bipolar comfort zone. Understanding the role of comfort is critical for getting Bipolar IN Order. To do so, we must measure comfort at each level of intensity for both mania and depression. When we compare comfort levels to awareness, understanding, functionality, value, and the time before escalation, we find the optimal intensities where bipolar is an advantage in our lives. In any aspect of life, those who only seek comfort are consigned to mediocrity and boredom. Those who judiciously step outside their comfort zone and challenge thems ..read more

Many bipolar people say they are “high-functioning,” but most of them mean they function OK when in remission and cannot function when things get too intense. How well one functions during depression or mania defines the difference between Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar IN Order. At every intensity, functionality influences the comfort of everyone involved and whether they see value in the experience. Functionality should be the central focus of any approach to bipolar instead of simply trying to make it go away. Many think intensity of depressive or manic episodes is the determining facto ..read more

Becky Papp shares her story of struggle and success facing bipolar disorder in this short video. What do you think? Can you resolve to create the same success in your own life? Please share your thoughts and comments below. The post Blog first appeared on Bipolar Advantage ..read more