My greatest Bipolar Survival Strategy of all is my faith in Jesus Christ, whom I believe to be the son of God who provides me love, hope and acceptance through forgiveness of my sins.
It is an honor to display videos from a new friend. Nikki's artistic expression conveys my message so beautifully and I feel these will be a blessing to you too.
I have seen psychiatric wards from the inside. I have felt
like a freak. I have been scared, confused, ashamed, frustrated,claustrophobic, and mad as hell. I’ve seen people struggling and fighting, their eyes swollen with tears. I have seen people who tried to take their own lives or end someone else’s. I’ve seen people in their deepest depressive lows and their highest manic highs, their wrists thick with bandages. And I have seen myself reflected in their faces.
I have been at death’s door. I’ve seen the depth of my own fear, all consuming depression and blood-boiling anger. I have felt unbearable sorrow. I’ve experienced dizzying mania and deep depression—and even both at the same time. I have been tied to a bed in four-point restraint. I have endured others looks—fearful, pitying, uncomprehending—and suffered the sting of discrimination, all from fear and lack of understanding.
There have also been bright spots. I have experienced kindness and compassion, people shining through for me like loving angels at my time of greatest need. Diane, my wife of twenty one years, has stood by my side during the most difficult of times. Love is important to everyone, but for those of us with bipolar, it is essential to our survival. Diane’s sustaining love has been the greatest example of love I will ever know.
It is necessary for me to be completely transparent with you, without reservation or inhibition. I am surviving bipolar disorder and it is important that you see deep within me so you can understand my life saving strategies of success. Grasp hold
of my life story and the strategies I discuss in this book and your life will be better for it. I want to convey my daily struggles and successes, both internally and externally, to help you see the danger in your own life, and the possibility for a safer and more joyous future. My experience may be similar to yours or that of a loved one. Ultimately, I want you to know that there is hope.
Many times I have referred to bipolar disorder as a “bomb,” yet the “detonator” may actually be the more significant component. The bomb itself is the genetic predisposition to the disorder that passes from one generation to the next. The detonator comprises one’s life experiences and may include unhealthy relationships, co-dependencies, and other issues. The detonation itself often results from a traumatic event that ignites the fuse. In my case, the sudden death of my younger brother began the countdown to the detonation that would occur some months later and begin my journey to hell and back. Fortunately, I learned
that there are ways to defuse the detonator and reduce and even eliminate the overall risk. Even after removing the detonator, however, the bomb still has to be handled with care.
Bipolar disorder in years past was usually referred to as manic depressive illness or depressive disorder. In this book I use the term "bipolar," "bipolar disorder", "bipolar illness" and "the disorder." I use these terms interchangeably, and will often use the term “bipolar” for easier reading.
In 1999, at age thirty-five, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have constantly been reminded of the person I was at the time of my diagnosis and the desperation I felt. It is for those who find themselves in similar circumstances that I have returned, to provide relief from the despair and confusion I know all too well. My suffering is a bit of a paradox because the suffering is part of what helped me get through my crisis; reliving the pain actually became part of my healing process. I want to reach those with bipolar (especially the newly diagnosed), as well as their families, friends, doctors, therapists, and anyone else who has the interest and desire to understand this life-threatening illness. If you are where I was—or know someone who is—know that there really is hope for survival and a full life worth living. We need not be destroyed by our condition. You too can learn, as I have, how to be strong and how to set boundaries for our emotional protection. I have learned how to survive.
Check out my Doctor's review of my book:
"David Mariant, with his wife Diane, has written an inspiring and useful account of the nature of bipolar affective illness and how to survive it. Especially riveting are the juxtaposed experiences of Mr. Mariant and his wife during times he was floridly manic. While taking pains to avoid interfering with professional treatment, he empowers patients and their families to take charge of the illness and make active choices to cope with and even grow from their experience. He includes many immediately practical recommendations it could otherwise take years to learn, while a humane spirit of understanding, compassion and humility permeates the book. It should be required reading for newly diagnosed bipolar patients and their families.”
Jonathan Russ, M.D., Adjunct Associate Professor Emeritus, Stanford University School of Medicine
Surviving Bipolar and check it out!
I would like to meet you. Whether you deal with bipolar or depression, have a loved one who does or you just care... All of us are important and our understanding of others is vital and demonstrates love...
Thanks 4 the ADDD! here is a lil sum 4 ya hope to hear back from you soon...
I am not my scars I know you see my pains reflection through the window of my eye Every let down, misconception, every hurt, and every lie. I try to cover up, yet my nakedness still shows, You see me, in my truest form, I am vulnerable and exposed. Sometimes the phantom of my past appears, though I try to forget Even when I hide it in the darkness, I still see its silhouette. So why do I regret…? These events are the fabric of who I’ve come to be Every instance like a fiber woven in my life’s tapestry. I can only look back for wisdom, I must let this be my strength But even I have yet to discover the true extent of its length. I have only gone so deep, on the surface it hurts so much When I feel my ugliness visible, I just want to cover up. But these memories, the pain from my past, and what I see… This is only an illusion, not the definition of me. I am not my downfalls, and I am not my mistakes, Yet when they look at me, this is all they seem to take. But look at ME, look into my soul… Look at who I really am, not the scars that clearly show. I have to remind myself who I am every day, Because everyone and everything tries to lead my mind astray. They want me to believe I am who they see me to be… They try to show me what I’ve overcome as if it’s still me. Will I live up to be the conceptions as they have made Or will I make my own path, let the past lie where it may See, I am not my scars, my scars are just the proof That I have healed from my afflictions, and I have made it through. -Fiyah Shoot ur email addy over to get on my mailing list! have a great day! =)
I have ordered your book through Barnes and Noble Booksellers and I am very interested in reading it when it comes in! While I do not personally suffer fom Bipolar Disorder, I have known people that have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and I have also known some people who have not been diagnosed with having Bipolar Disorder, but nevertheless have it.
Keep in mind UNCONVENTIONAL will also be available as a FREE audiobook, downloadable via podiobooks.com, jjhebert.net, and iTunes in July! JOIN THE NEWSLETTER AT JJHEBERT.NET TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS!
Now that summer is upon us I thought maybe some snowflakes would help cool us off. Wanna have a snowball fight ?:P OR build a snowman? Or make snow angels? Have a great weekend! (((hugsssssssss))) You *ARE* Loved :) ♥ Joanne ♥
I am praying for you, that you will find your rest and refuge, and peace in the midst of your storms, in our precious Saviour, Redeemer.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalms 91:4)
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
Beauty is a thing seldom seen No one sees it because no one looks Or at least not in the right place Beauty is held by all Within the soul it lies Waiting to come out to the surface Only it can't Beauty is suppressed by the evils of the world Only love can bring beauty out Once seen Beauty never hides again Not even hatred can deny beauty Of it's true design Beauty although possessed by all Will only ever be truly seen by few And fewer yet will never see One of the most beautiful sights The beauty held by you.
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