Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Hi!
I've been diagnosed since 2010 with Panic Attacks/Unipolar depression, and by the grace of God I've been doing soooo much better, but I tend to worry about the smallest things which leads to be having a lot of anxiety. Please pray for me,
God Bless +

I don't know but it sounds like a good idea to me!

Alan

There are several reasons I catch myself play-acting. I normally don't talk out loud, though, and I spend a lot of time alone so I can get my thoughts together so I don't have the problem of people hassling me about talking to myself. In fact, in my house we have a lot of music so we sometimes break out in song, either with me playing the piano or someone just feeling like letting go. This can happen many times a day.

I do it to practice hearing what I might sound like when I tell somebody something I need to tell them. For example, if I have to tell somebody I'm not going to accept an invitation, I might "try out" saying it so that I don't get lost while I'm explaining it. Another thing, is that if you verbalize either in your head or with your mouth movements or actually out loud, it can help you focus on what you're saying and fight off some of the millions of thoughts that are racing all around my mind competing for attention. I also do it to try saying things I don't dare actually say, just to see what it feels like. Such as, "Are you always that stupid?" I have other reasons, and it's beyond me why someone would have a problem with you doing it -- unless you were annoying to them like by interfering with their TV show -- because it doesn't say anything wrong about your own mental health that you do it.

In fact, I challenge them to say they don't ever dream, or imagine conversations that may or may not ever take place.

Play-acting, under the term "psychodrama," used to be an important tool in mental hospitals; I'm not sure if they're still doing it. My first hospitalization for BP was in Christ hospital in 1983, where we had to do psychodrama. It is pretty powerful. It's like group play-acting on steroids.

In psychodrama, we would all sit around in a circle; there were about 15 of us. Then one person volunteers to tell a story about his past, that they need to think about. Then one or more other patients would volunteer to play other roles in the story. Then they start having a mock conversation, and now we get full audience participation. The rest of us 15 or so still in the circle, would watch the "play" and if we had anything we thought one of the characters might say, we'd get out of the chair, put our hand on the shoulder of one of the "actors," and say the line.

Like I said it can get pretty powerful. I actually freaked out a guy and he ran from the room -- and I went after him and helped him calm down. He had a bad childhood, and wanted to set up a conversation like one he had with his father about his goals in life. He told us a little about it, and about his brother and what was going on. One person volunteered to be his dad, so he and his "dad" started the conversation. At one point, right after he said something, I suddenly jumped up and put my hand on "dad's" shoulder and said, "yes, but how come .... " and I forgot the exact words, but essentially I gave "dad" a line that cut him right to the heart, about how his dad preferred his brother over him. So yeah, he went running out of the room and I followed him. He told me that when I said that, all of a sudden he felt like he was actually back with his dad and his dad was scolding him.

My second and last hospitalization was in 2001, and in a different state, and they didn't do it. Wonder why not?

And don't let the thought police cause you any anxiety. If you're honestly too loud for the others around you, either learn to do it quieter or find a more private place. Beyond that, you don't owe them any explanation for anything that isn't hurting you or them, unless your doctor tells you it is a symptom that must be controlled. Just because they think everybody thinks alike, doesn't mean they do. They don't understand your illness, so they look at anything you do that they don't do as aberrant and therefore odd.

Alan

alan...i just wrote this long, long reply and somehow wasn't logged in and lost it!

i so so appreciate your compassion and explanations of both yourself and your friend. it is sooo helpful. Thank God that you are still alive!!! those are the times that we know that God is there and on the scene. obviously, He lives in us, but knowing and feeling Him is a different thing.

i am sick with bronchitis right now, but promise to rewrite my reply that i lost, but know in the meantime, that you helped me more than you can possibly know. i thank you from the bottom of my heart. dot

We have to be careful with the "voices.." I actually imagine it as you're surrounded by people and we all are thinking... so you gotta make sure you're making the right decisions, not all the stuff you hear. I don't think that's only with schizophrenia though.. the better I eat organic food the better off I am at piloting. I find it best if you forget about knowing who's funnest and what not and figure out who is making it, faithful, and a good role model. Then you can aim better! Also, cod liver fish oil has done me well- organic stores!

PS I know what you mean about if the stuff you hear/translate from voices comes true or not. I don't know. Names pop up for me Sometimes God cues you in on who to pray for... I'm behind !! But better late than never for that.. I have faith that the holy spirit helps us communicate in the silence which is a good thing. You just need a balance... Eat more organic food and wild fish. Avoid white flour and sugar alltogether... there are better alternatives such as palm sugar if you NEED. Any questions?

The doctors said I almost entered into bipolarness, but I caught the real root of the problem in time. Hypothyroidism. I suggest Dr. Brownstein's book about Curing Thyroid Disorders. Bipolar is one of them-- and his stuff is simple to read. Fill in some of your void time with him Add me if you want to learn more and we'll keep in touch. I know what you mean about stuff people don't read... feels like work done without credit!! But going to the chiropractor who specializes in endocrine function really got me thinking straighter and being a better influence all around. What has worked for you? A genuine and faithful boss has helped me to balance when I scoot into the mixed state... some of it is prayer and understanding I shouldn't and don't have to please everyone, personally... what sets you off and what gets you back on track?

Good morning, Shawn,

I didn't know that. I guess I have a scrupulous conscience.

You probably haven't seen my earlier posts. I was invited to this thread, although I'm not bi-polar: I have Major Depression Recurring for a diagnosis as well as Post Trauma Syndrome.

So, thanks for correcting me.

God loves you,
Don

Good morning, Ashley,

Sometimes, when i can't stop them, I can let them just go on by. My therapist taught me that.
Now, there's less intrusive thoughts.

God loves you,
Don

Good afternoon, Emaher,

Although I'm not bi-polar, I just dropped in to comment, maybe you could ask your doctor those questions.

God loves you,
Don

thanks for getting back to me. Its been helpful thanks. I'm very busy this school year and will hardly have time to write much. good to know there is so much support out there when I need it. I'm not good with following forums or navigating the internet.