In an instant - our lives can change!

And sometimes it comes totally without warning.

Take time to count your Blessings.

And - to smell the Roses.

BI-POLAR

© - Tom Hyland - 03-11-09


* Disclaimer *

As I am in no way a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or in any way qualified to practice medicine, or mind-melding, or any other similar good stuff - be advised to take this article with the proverbial ‘grain of salt’ - okay?

Based on just a brief and limited amount of ‘surfing’ - Googling - and reading research in various dictionaries and thesauruses - the following is but a mere layman’s observation and opinion - Ergo, it is subject to qualification and question!

BI-POLAR - Two Poles - Two Extremes - A Dichotomy of the Mind.

In the ‘old days’ people with this mental malady were diagnosed as - Manic-Depressive - to my knowledge, this is simply a newer, high-tech name, which is supposed to sound better.

Manic - 1. Relating to or affected by Mania. 2. Extremely or excessively busy. 3. In a state of abnormally high excitement, especially because of tension.

Mania - 1. An excessive and intense interest in or enthusiasm for something. 2. Psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive physical activity, rapidly changing ideas, and impulsive behavior.

Depressive - 1. Relating to or causing depression. 2. Experiencing or with a history of depression.

Manic-Depressive - somebody affected by bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder - a psychiatric disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging between episodes of acute euphoria (mania) and severe depression. Also called manic-depressive disorder.

All of the above definitions are cited from Encarta World English Dictionary, embedded in Microsoft Word.

We all may have known someone - a family member, close friend, or neighbor, or fellow worker that has been diagnosed thusly. While it is certainly a treatable disorder, with both therapy and medication, it is not a simple malady to just cure! It is also a serious illness which requires long-term care and understanding.

As I understand it, with my limited newfound knowledge, any such person suffering with this illness needs the help and support of all who know them - family, friends, mates, lovers, associates - all!

Even a well-educated person, with high intelligence, and who was formerly quite self-sufficient simply can no longer control their prior ability to think clearly. Most of the time, there are also severe side-affects to their medications - drowsiness, confusion, increased appetite, weight gain - these alone add to the victim’s befuddlement. Many, if not most, lose their confidence, doubt their own decision-making ability, and can sometimes reach an almost child-like state.

These reactions multiply their already stressful situation, and make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to maintain gainful employment. Even a person who previously was self-employed and running their own business - now questions their own ability to do so. Years and years of hard work, persistence, dedication, and relative success, can simply go to the wayside, leaving him or her now in a financial quandary also. This induces further stress.

A former Shining Star - is suddenly relegated to the status of a burned-out Dependent. Many times he or she becomes forgetful - losing former impeccable dressing and personal hygiene habits.

This debilitating illness or its ‘episodes’ can be brought on by several different causations, which the ‘professionals’ label as ‘triggers.’ Insomnia, or loss of sleep - over-stimulation through physical activity - stress-induced worries over finances, love relationships, or even job-related requirements - these and more can cause the mind to mal-function - some kind of chemical imbalance occurs - and something sort of - Snaps!

The change in former traits, attributes, and abilities is unbelievably severe. It is almost like she or he is now a different person! Besides the impact on them, it has an impact on us. We want to help; but we are unsure as to what to say or do. We want to support them - we want to comfort them - but how? Too much information? Not enough information? Can I control my own reactions?

Someone who previously, just five months ago, was a petite, 110 pounds - now informs me that her weight is the same as mine - 154 pounds! Someone who spent her life teaching and helping thousands of others to improve their - Minds, Bodies, Spirits - through Yoga - is now totally chagrined when she looks into any mirror! Like a poor, lost puppy-dog, or kitty-cat - a thirty-eight year-old young lady - is miserable - and I have few, if any, answers to give her. My heart truly aches, and now I worry.

Is other help available? Supposedly! Have you ever gone to seek such help at a County Social Services office? She did - months ago - and was Denied! Now, after losing all of her big corporate clients, and her business, and her former meager savings, and being persecuted with medical bills from three different states, we decided to try again this morning.

What an absolute, bureaucratic Farce! Up at seven, to drive to another county in which she resides, in order to be there early, when they open. She had already gone online and printed out, and completed Nine Pages of Forms - but - the System Requires that you wait along with all the other needy persons until nine o’clock a.m. - why? Because you Must be a captive audience which Must sit through an hour’s Orientation! Do it by the book!

The lady conducting same did do an excellent and efficient job, but several of the people in that room did not even belong there! A brief one-on-one interview could have avoided their waste of time - but does the State, or County System care? One poor woman sat through forty-five minutes of this - then finally asked a question. She had previously been denied because she did not have her Birth Certificate - which she now held in her hand - but she had a Doctor’s appointment at ten thirty, and had to leave! Do you think the Monitor could have simply taken it? NO! She told the woman she would have to come back another day and Complete this stupid orientation! How asinine!

After said meeting, we returned to the waiting area again, as one by one, each name is called, and eventually, we were escorted to the back mammoth offices and cubicles, for the actual Interview. This young woman was quite knowledgeable and quickly gave a perfunctory explanation of what the procedures were. As she took notes and asked questions, we finally zeroed in on exactly what we needed.

It was like listening to a long discourse on Alphabet Soup - SSI, DI, DEAP, Food Stamps, MA or Medicaid, or Medical Assistance - and more! I am a college graduate, with over 35 years of practical, hands-on business experience - and it was confusing, to say the least! How in God’s Holy Name could a person with mental difficulties, or a lesser education even begin to comprehend such confusion and Gooble-de-gook? But - that’s the system when you are a Beggar!

After receiving instructions on the Need for: additional forms, and two Doctors written evaluations, and a complete History form about six pages long - had I not opened my big mouth and questioned the need for Federal Social Security Disability Application forms, our entire morning would have been wasted!

Yes, Virginia - there IS help! But now - we have to go another day, to another office, and fill out another group of Forms! But, be not dismayed, Dear Reader - she had already gone there before also - and was Denied! Now, circumstances had changed for the worst, and a Re-application was in order!

As I try to regain some measure of Positive Mental Attitude, and ponder on how to end this wordy treatise, I think to myself:

Just like the little Angel and Devil that we were told as little children, were on our respective shoulders, to guide us - is it possible, or even highly probable that - each and every human being has this susceptibility for being Manic-Depressive, or Bi-Polar - already built-in to our feeble minds? How do you spell - STRESS?

Especially now, with all of the major problems with our Economy, and people by the Millions worrying over the stress of losing their: homes, and/or jobs, their 401K and IRA Retirement Plans, life Savings, et cetera - are we about to experience an epidemic of Bi-Polar Disorders?

Does the following old adage - seem apropos?

“There but for the Grace of God - go I!”

Footnote:

If you happen to have a son or daughter, niece or nephew, or even any grandchildren - you might want to urge them to major in Psychiatry, or Psychology, or even Social Services - Why?


There may be a corresponding BOOM in those fields!



© - TKH