Its Good To Have Dreams If...

1. You don't get too down when things don't work out and

2. You don't drop everything to pursue them

I've always had this tendency to drop everything and reach for the stars. The difference now that i've lived with bipolar disorder for a couple of years and am more experienced dealing with my manic thoughts is that i'm more careful. I realize that some of my ideas are unrealistic and that i'm not likely to succeed, but i still really enjoy pursuing them. This time i'm not gonna drop everything, destroy what i've built and start over. I'm gonna pursue my dream on the side as a hobby while still working on my websites and blogs. I'm not gonna put all my eggs in one basket like I used to.

Right now I just really wanna see how hard i can throw a baseball. Baseball is always on tv these days and watching it just makes me wanna go out and play. So when its nice out i'm gonna be going outside and throwing at the park beside my house. I'm gonna be doing pitcher specific workouts and eating super healthy so I can get stronger and my body can recover faster. Its never a bad idea to get outside and its never a bad idea to workout so now i have a reason to.

Hope you're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/

Being More Present Can Make U More Calm, Confident and Happier

I've been working on being more present for the last week. I learned about presence from Travis Decker and Bryan Bayer of the Authentic Man Program. There is a similar program for woman called The Authentic Woman Experience. My social interactions have been a lot more interesting anf fulfilling lately. I've felt more calm and confident in public and in social situations. SO what is presence you ask?

Being present is basically being aware of what is going on around you and the feelings in your body. Its the opposite of being "in your head". For example, if you're speaking to someone your attention is on them, how they make you feel, how they're feeling, what they're saying, how they look, the environment around you, etc. Your attention is not on worrying about what they think of you, or worrying about what to say next, or worrying about screwing up, etc.

When you're present you're in the moment. You're not thinking about your past or worrying about the future. Youre bringing yourself fully to every interaction, every decision and every situation. You're honest with yourself and others about what you want and who you are.

Being more present will improve your mood, make you feel more relaxed and allow you to enjoy the little things in life more. The Authentic Man Program and The Authentic Woman Experience are designed to help you with dating and relationships, but they can improve all aspects of your life. You can find links to these programs here:

www.depressiondodging.com/curesfordepressionloveandsex.html

Hope you're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/

Diet Plays a Role in Bipolar Disorder

New research suggests that sugar, caffeine and poor diet can increase the mood swings in bipolar disorder. A good balances diet, taking vitamins (omega-3s, magnesium, vitamin B) and reducing caffeine and sugar intake helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of mood swings. Doctors usually just suggest medication and therapy without inquiring about diet, but you can help yourself by eating better.

Some good foods to eat are fish, chick, beans, nuts ,eggs, seeds, fruits and vegetables.

You can learn more about vitamins for depression here:

www.depressiondodging.com/vitaminsfordepression.html

You can read the original article here:

www.medicalnews.com/articles/224447.php

Hope you're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/

Learning to Identify Your Manic Thoughts

I think that you can learn to identify your manic thoughts through experience. I hear about a lot of young people with bipolar disorder who don't want to take their medication and are self-destructive, but many of the older people i've met with the illness have settled down to a decent job and a normal life. I think they've learned to identify their manic thoughts and have more reasonable expectations in life. For me, my manic thoughts often tell me to go off my medication and pursue really far-fetched dreams. I am now learning to recognize these thoughts as unrealistic and staying on my current path. My manic thoughts will tell me to drop everything i'm doing and pursue rock stardom, or artistic fame, or poker stardon and other things. For example, I was watching a UFC fight last night with some friends and I started thinking to myself how i should stop taking my medication and train to be a fighter. I was seriously wanted to do it, but then I caught myself. An inner voice said, "thats nuts, just stay on your meds and keep doing what you're doing, which is trying to help people." I don't even know how to fight at all. I often get "inspired" in these kinds of ways, but now I see these thoughts for what they are, mania; a symptom of a disease. Its good to have dreams, but its important that these dreams are reasonable. I still want to pursue art and music, but these are things i can do in my spare time. I'm spending most of time right now trying to help people with mood disorders and anxiety and i think that i'm finally satisfied with that. I'm tired of chasing my manic dreams and only ending up disappointed, frustrated and exhausted.

Hope you're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/

Exercise and Feeling Good

Started going to the gym again yesterday and it was great. I got to experience some exercise induced hypomania after my workout too. Doctors will tend to tell you that mania/hypomania is bad and you better take your medicine to keep it in check, but I think its good to feel some mania/hypomania sometimes. Its nice to know I can experience a nice high while i'm on my medication. I felt really powerful after my workout, however I did have problems sleeping as i couldn't seem to wind down at the end of the night. I'm not feeling too powerful today though as I am very sore in my upper body, but thats what happens when you're in terrible shape. Gotta look good for the summer, right?

Hope you're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/

Get A 2nd Opinion for Mood Disorders

Many people with mood disorders don't get a 2nd opinion when it comes to their diagnosis. Bipolar disorder and depession are difficult to diagnose and often difficult to tell apart. Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose because patients are often highly functional and producitve and their highs can look like normal happiness. We often assume that the 1st doctor to diagnose us is correct and that doctors don't make mistakes.

Research has found that as many as 69% of initial diagnoses of people with bipolar disorder were incorrect. This can lead to bipolar patients getting the wrong medication, which can lead to deeper depressions and rapid cycles of highs and lows.

A lot of people also make the mistake of seeing a general practitioner when they should be seeing a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. In my experience, GPs just don't know that much about mental illness. I had to see about 3 or 4 doctors before I got the correct diagnosis and correct medication. Only then did i start my recovery.

You can read the original article here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/218993.php

Hope You're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/

Half of Bipolar Patients Suffer Work, Social, or Family Disabilities

A study was done at the University of Granada on 108 patients with bipolar disorder. The study found that 50% of patients suffer from some type of work, social, or family disability and 20% of them suffer from disability in all 3.

Difficulty in performing normal job duties is associated with recurring manic episodes, hospitalization for high-intensity episodes, depression and low education levels. Also, nicotine dependancy tends to be more disabling to patients with bipolar disorder than patients with depression.

Social disability is difficulty establishing relations out of the family and this is associated with higher hospitalization rates, episodes of depression and active depression symptoms. Its important for these patients to recieve social support.

Family disability is difficulty in having good relations with family members and its associated with hospitalization, manic episodes, depression symptoms and addiction to alcohol. Alcohol is the most abused substance in bipolar patients and its important that alcohol abuse be treated in order to improve family relations.

Personally, I think I have work and social disabilities. I'm lucky enough to have a a very supportive/understanding family but I get stressed out easily with work and often have high anxiety in/about social situations. Its important that we seek help from the government if we can't make an income on our own. Its important that we find support groups and attend them if we have problems meeting new people and maintaining relationships. Its important that we treat our substance abuse so that we can get along with those who love us and support us most.

You can see the orignal article here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/221403.php

Hope you're feeling well

http://www.depressiondodging.com/