Don Matthews

Bipolar Mania : An Example Of

Sunday 26th August 2018 8:57 am

Bipolar Mania : An Example Of

Preamble

Bipolar disorder is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Born with it, no cure. Medications help to balance. Bipolars cycle between mania and depression.

Treatment involves a period in hospital and testing of a suitable drug regime.

Fortunately I don't suffer from depression. I need to medicate for mania to keep the fine balance between creativity and 'controlled mania' which often comes out in my writing. I don't look at what I have as an illness. I look at it as a blessing in disguise. It makes me unique and interesting. I wouldn't want it any other way.

The general community have little understanding of this illness. A recent NHS survey in UK identified 2% of the population being screened for bipolar with 60% not receiving appropriate medication or therapy.

My purpose of writing this is for education.

Bipolar mania is one phase

The other is depression

Should you want to find out more

Watch video mania obsession

Rapid speech and racing thoughts

Much of this you'll see

No need for sleep, for sleep will keep

(At one time he was me)

A stay in hospital's required

As this manic man did

To find a drug regime that worked

Which mania, it can rid

Don Matthews August 2018 (bipolar)

PostScript

Those affected with bipolar disorder include Spike Milligan, Stephen Fry, Virginia Woolf, Vincent Van Gogh, Robin Williams (who committed suicide in a cycle of bipolar depression)

🌷 (8)

Bipolar disorder. Mental health

◄ Watcha Cooking Up Don?

FUN BUS Trip to BBC Archives : Pete and Dud ►

Comments

<Deleted User> (18118)

Sun 26th Aug 2018 19:50

I had a friend whose mother had this condition, she would spend masses of money then go into a deep depression.
Very distressing.
You are doing good in raising awareness because as you say, this subject isn't often talked about.

Hannah

M.C. Newberry

Sun 26th Aug 2018 16:57

Many years ago, I was aware of a bout of depression that
meant I had to struggle to find any reason to get started
each morning. Don's comment about a mixed-up brain
comes into play here because I had the awareness that
I had the means of self-treatment - and kept my brain
active with "positive" messages that things could and would improve. This worked for me...with the "what's the
point" feeling departing for good as a result. My point is
that the brain has its own inbuilt receptors - perhaps compartmentalized (is that the word?) - that can be summoned into operation e.g. brain controlling
brain - so to speak. It was a fascinating insight albeit in a
minor aspect of what is discussed here - but I've never
forgotten how this mental positivity worked for me then.
And I too find that levity is a wonderful tool for maintaining a balanced and beneficial attitude to life
and its conflicts and often cruel absurdities.

Don Matthews

Sun 26th Aug 2018 12:03

Brian - my way of coping is also to make light of the serious. I wondered what you would do here. Well done.

Now you know I don't like you beating me so here goes. No C words. You fill in the blanks

A __ommunity __onsultant psychiatrist
Needs a __ommunity psychiatric nurse
To help with __ognitive behavioural therapy
This bipolar's a bugga, a __urse ?

Taylor Crowshaw

Sun 26th Aug 2018 11:38

Thank you for sharing Don very informative.??

<Deleted User> (18980)

Sun 26th Aug 2018 11:04

Don I know you've got your serious head on now, and perhaps I shouldn't try to lift things...but my way of coping is to try to make light of things, make a joke etc. You may have noticed most of my poems have a sort of punchline.

Anyway here's a little story...my elder brother has low self esteem, lacks confidence, and generally is pessimistic. He's not clinically depressed (I don't believe) but my wife in trying to describe him as a manic depressive got her words mixed up and said he was a depressing maniac. She may have been closer to the truth, who knows?

Don, you can post what you like on WOL's public forum and/or contain them in private messages to those who have befriended you. It's a great release valve.
No c-words though please.

Don Matthews

Sun 26th Aug 2018 09:10

Thanks for your comment Anya. Much of the problem is general ignorance in the community, or 'don't want to know'. I have written more to post with the purpose of raising awareness.

The ones in most danger are those cycling into depression as this is where suicidal thoughts start. For some unknown reason I don't suffer depression, just mania. If I keep it 'controlled' it is a very powerful tool. When I let it get out of control I'm in trouble, as the guy in the video.

Thanks for your thoughts ?

Don Matthews

Sun 26th Aug 2018 08:55

Oh, I can so relate to this.....I've been through it all. I could write a book on the roller coaster ride of a bipolar. The rapid speech, racing thoughts...now where was I?...Pre-hospitalisation I was 'off the planet'. I could solve the world's problems. Superhuman. Everyone else's problem, not mine. Took two hospitalisations, thanks to understanding police and law system to realise I needed help. That was 10 years ago. A trainwreck was left behind. With the help of GP, family and friends I now tread that fine line between creativity and 'controlled mania'. They say there's a link between creativity and bipolar disorder.

WOL has opened up an avenue for this creativity for which I am grateful

Don

PS Maybe you'll now understand why I come across a bit 'mad' at times. It's me mixed-up brain... ?

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