Are You Gambling With Your Life By Self Medicating?
Many people self-medicate because they feel they can't afford the medications that are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder; however, in nearly all cases there is aid available to those with mental illness who need reduced price or free medications.Others who are bipolar may self-medicate after years of medical care because of frustration stemming from the need to periodically readjust medications - they may feel that since the doctors can't seem to get it right, they can probably "experiment" with it just as well themselves. This is extremely dangerous, though, because even small changes in drugs like Lithium and other drugs can lead to serious episodes or worse. With Lithium, small changes in dosage can lead to hallucinations, severe illness and even death. For this reason Lithium use should always be carefully monitored by a doctor with regular blood tests. If you self medicate incorrectly, you risk your life and you risk your health.Others "self medicate" by using alcohol or drugs as a way to temporarily relieve their symptoms when they are in the grips of an episode of either mania or depression.
Both of these are common responses that can have dangerous or fatal results.When using drugs or alcohol while suffering a manic or depressive episode, you may temporarily feel better or at least feel like you are "numbing" yourself, but this is only an illusion. In reality you are blurring your sense of reality even further and inhibiting your ability to react properly to the world around even more. Your judgment is severely damaged. Combine this with the lack of common sense found in mania or the sorrow and lack of self-preservation found in depression and you have a recipe for disaster.In fact, many people who have bipolar disorder aren't diagnosed for years because they are too busy self-medicating with alcohol or drugs and don't seek medical advice. In the meantime, since they aren't being properly regulated, their manic phases aren't being controlled.
They are medicating themselves with booze and pills and still going into episodes of wild spending, promiscuous sexual activity and bizarre, risky behavior. They may lose spouses, friends, jobs and their life savings.People who are depressed and bipolar will self-medicate to keep the depression at bay, but this actually only pushes the depression back temporarily. When it returns it can feel even worse, and will sometimes result in a suicide attempt or, in some instances, a successful suicide.Obviously, self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol doesn't work. It doesn't get rid of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and in many cases they actually make the characteristics of an episode much worse, causing the extremes to be more violent or explosive.If you don't believe this, take a look at some examples of individuals who were not properly medicated who ended up in extremely bad situations. Some actual stories can be found at http://www.leverageteamllc.com/bipolarnews19/ .
These include one where a woman in Palm Desert, CA ran over a man she referred to as, "road kill," during a manic episode. In other stories, two unrelated shootings (one in Portland, ME and the other in Philadelphia, PA) were both tied to bipolar sufferers who weren't properly medicated.Please don't take your situation into your own hands - you'll be gambling with your own life and the life of others. Self medicating isn't the answer. A licensed, professional doctor's supervision and prescription medication is the only way to adequately control bipolar disorder effectively..
David Oliver is the founder of BipolarCentral.com a one stop source of information on how to cope and deal with bipolar disorder. Sign up for one of his FREE Mini Courses on Bipolar by visiting FreeBipolarCourse.com.How To Survive A Job Loss
Has this ever happened to you: You have been working at a particular job for a few years. It's not the greatest job and it hasn't always allowed you to capitalize on your unique gifts or talents. But it's ok, and it pays the bills. The job has become a part of your life's routine. Then one day, without any forewarning, you're let go.
In what seems like a split second, you go from being gainfully employed to joining the ranks of the unemployed. It's a shock to the system. A tremendous level of stress can accompany being unemployed. You're certainly affected by the loss of income. You may also have a related drop in your level of confidence.
Your unemployment may be impacting your home life and personal relationships. There may be a degree of depression that you are dealing with. You may be harboring lingering resentments toward those people responsible for your layoff. Finding a job is challenging enough; if you bring these emotions into your job search efforts, you will...
How To Survive A Job Loss
Depression > How To Survive A Job Loss
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic (also called cardiovascular exercise) exercise requires continuous, smooth, rhythmic movements that strengthen your heart and lungs. This type of movement works large muscle groups and causes you to breathe more deeply.
This forces your heart to work harder to pump blood and emits carbon dioxide and other waste products. It also causes your body to burn a higher percentage of calories from fat.
Participating in aerobic exercises can be fun because there are so many choices available. Some examples of aerobic exercises are:
*Walking
*Aerobic dance
*Swimming
*Bicycling (inside-stationary bike)
*Ice, Roller or In-line skating
*Cross-country skiing
*Running or Jogging
*Water aerobics
*Stair-climbing
*Elliptical training
*Rowing
If you are hesitant to start an exercise...
Depression > Aerobic Exercise
Playing Tetris With Time
Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the resource box is included with a live link to my site. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. ***********************************************************Title: PLAYING TETRIS WITH TIME MANAGEMENTAuthor: Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.comcopyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSWWeb Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.comWord Count: 549Category: SuccessPLAYING TETRIS WITH TIME MANAGEMENTThere I was, running around trying to juggle umpteen items and doing only a fair job of it at best. There was my therapy business, and I have been putting big pieces into place to add coaching to my business along with having to prepare a presentation for an annual convention. Then there's family, kids' needs, marital needs...
You know what I mean.Suddenly I thought about my wife. I began to notice how smoothly she manages tasks in her...
Playing Tetris With Time
Depression > Playing Tetris With Time
HS-USA Hosts 3rd Annual Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conference - Pain Management and Depression
Seattle, WA (ContentDesk) May 23, 2006 -- Hidradenitis Suppurativa patients know that this disease is not just skin-deep. Pain and depression are a constant in their lives. HS-USA is proud to host the 3rd Annual HS Conference in beautiful Seattle, exploring new options to improve the lives of those afflicted with HS.Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), also known as Acne Inversa (AI), is a non-contagious, recurrent disease affecting inverse areas of the body. It typically manifests itself as painful, clusters of continuously seeping boil-like abscesses. HS is a shameful and debilitating disease and most patients go undiagnosed for years.
The cause is currently not known and there is no cure. Many doctors are unable to diagnose the disease and the treatments most commonly used are the least effective and can even be harmful. (See What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa for...
HS-USA Hosts 3rd Annual Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conference - Pain Management and Depression
Depression > HS-USA Hosts 3rd Annual Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conference - Pain Management and Depression
Do You Have A Pinocchio Nose?
Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish thisarticle electronically or in print, free of charge, as longas the resource box is included. A courtesy copy of yourpublication would be appreciated.***********************************************************Title: Do You Have A Pinocchio Nose?Author: , ACSW, LCSWE-mail: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.comCopyright: by , ACSW, LCSWWeb Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.comWord Count: 764Category: Peak SuccessDO YOU HAVE A PINOCCHIO NOSE?Ever try to make a powerful personal change, only to have a voice inside your head sabotage you, make you feel in-authentic and attempt to convince you that you aren't capable of your goal?I call this the "Dark Inner Pinocchio," not the cute and lovable Pinnocchio we've seen on the VCR. No, this guy is dark all right. His whole negative approach is the key to his own survivial. And his nose!! It's got to be so long that it's pushing against a vital body part somewhere!I'm on my 'weigh'...
Do You Have A Pinocchio Nose?
Depression > Do You Have A Pinocchio Nose?
How To Eradicate Depression
This article is all about beating depression. I am a person who suffered from long bouts of depression, however after deciding to change my whole outlook on life, I now have a much happier, successful and stress-free life. I will explain how I went about achieving this new life.
As I grew older and especially when I was in my early twenties, I used to always compare my life with other people I knew, for example my friends. It seemed to me that my life was so much more of a struggle than what their's was and that most of these people had so much more going for them and so much more to look forward to than I did.
I was not happy at the hand of cards I had been dealt and would regularly be down in the dumps, feeling sorry for myself. I had a number of issues in my life which had a major impact on my self-confidence and self-esteem, which would also lead me into depression.
This issues including a weight problem, a stutter, a bald patch on my head and...
How To Eradicate Depression
Depression > How To Eradicate Depression
Are You Gambling With Your Life By Self Medicating? Depression
How to get excellent credit cards online today!
Getting credit cards online has never been easier. Just point click and apply. Recently at www.Excellent-Credit-Cards.com after evaluating many different financial sites, we have improved our list of credit cards and website format to make it even easier. Today we now include links to almost 100 credit cards with complete details on every card and industry news update daily. If its credit card news you want, we have links to it all.Browse our complete listing of credit cards by issuer, type and...
Are You Gambling With Your Life By Self Medicating?
Depression > How to get excellent credit cards online today!
Investment Property Loan Rate
1. Loans and investments
People can make serious money using real estate investments. The only problem with property investments is that you need some serious capital to start such a business. If you dont have enough money, there are several ways to get some. Among all the possibilities is of course a bank loan.
If things go well your only problem might be the investment property loan rate.
2. Choices with investment property loans
Loan rates...
Depression > Investment Property Loan Rate
How to Modify Your Landscaping to Protect Your House from Burglars
Believe it or not, landscaping can be an important part of a good home security plan. A burglar who is "casing the joint" from the street will choose the house with tall shrubs and trees that provide hiding places. Homes with little or no outdoor lighting are preferred targets as well.So, how can you landscape to protect against burglars while still creating an aesthetically pleasing yard? Here are a few tips:You don't need to eliminate trees, but keep them trimmed back from your house; tree branches...
Are You Gambling With Your Life By Self Medicating? ladders Depression
Depression > How to Modify Your Landscaping to Protect Your House from Burglars
pool table Are You Gambling With Your Life By Self Medicating? Depression
Depression
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