Living Without Depression and Manic Depression:Online chat transcript 1/1/01 ?
Q.I have been suffering with Bipolar Disorder all my life, but was diagnosed in 1986. After my second big crash, my therapist suggested that I buy your book The Depression Workbook. I was skeptical, but reluctantly picked it up. When I got to certain sections, I got even more depressed because I couldn't relate to so much of it. Especially the support sections. I have no f amily and only a few close friends scattered across the States. How do I build a support system without scaring off any new friends?
A.I am not familiar with your new book, however, The Depression Workbook, has helped me for many years. It is a source right at my fingertips, and I thank you for helping me understand so much more about bipolar disorder, manic depression. The Doctor has me on so much medication, but it doesn't really work. Instead, it just drugs me up. Furthermore, when I feel I need counseling, I don't get it, and I have to practically beg for it. And we really haven't talked about mania (manic depression, bipolar disorder) too much yet. What self-help tools have you found to be effective for curtailing or containing the manic episodes? Many people are on more than one medication. I am not an expert on medication. I am an expert on self-help. I have found that I can best manage my own moods by using many different self-help tools. I am allergic to most medications, so that has not been an option for me. And I manage my moods very well these days. I have been able to work, and do the things I want to do with my life. I have recently remarried and I am enjoying a wonderful relationship. This is something I couldn't do in the past. I believe they are. Mental health problems are very painful. Alcohol and other substances, will make you feel better at first. They relive the pain, but then, it is so easy to become dependent on them. They often cause depression and other severe side-effects. I believe using these substances are not worth it.
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