Bipolar disorder currently affects
more than 5.7 million men and women in the United States, or up to 2.6 percent
of the population. Despite its rapidly growing prevalence, and when compared
to other major diseases, bipolar disorder is only now beginning to receive some
of the medical and research attention it deserves.
My goal with BipolarLife
is to provide a comfortable venue for opening communications and to provide
extensive resources for those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But more
importantly, my intention is to make this site a regular stopping place, or
hangout if you will, where the families and friends of those with the disorder
can also come and find support a service that is scarce for this population.
I have found that too often the patient's family is left out of the treatment
plan. When you consider that a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is a diagnosis
that lasts for life, the family is a key element in its management.
For my wife, learning to live with a bipolar husband is still extremely difficult;
and will always be! Her journey with my disorder was, and at times continues
to be a lonely journey. She didn't have any books or literature made available
to her, and she found that most therapy counselors were limited in their ability
to help with her unique problems despite their best intentions. We have been
married 19 years against all odds. It is not easy and won't ever be.
I am a firm believer that without my wife's patience and willingness to learn
about bipolar disorder, I may be not be here today. So don't count family out,
count them in!
De Colores!
C-
Tennessee
"Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."
Psalm 51:10-12