BP Magazine-Hope and Harmony for People with BiPolar

Bipolar disease of the brain is what it is, a disease. Sometimes persons are misinfomed and therefore stigmas are attached to diagnosed consumers. Persons are labeled as crazy, weird or just strange. It is so wonderful that we have doctors, therapists and tools that can assist us in our treatment. One of those tools I am going to discuss today in our session here. It is a new magazine called BP magazine. It gives
hope and enlightenment for those who have this disease and their families/friends. The articles are timely as they focus on certain needs that a person needs such as the proper sleep, creativity and the stabilization of mood. BP mazine is printed twice a year, is 20.00 for the year. You may call 1-888-834-5537 or www.bphope.com. First I would like to start off with a few ads and resources in this Spring 2006 issue.

New York City Voices- A Consumer Journal for Mental Health Advocacy http://www.newyorkcityvoices.org . It is all about survivor stories, diverse views, families, recovery, resources, anti-stigma print editions and news. I believe you can even have your own own website.

Juvenile BiPolar Research Foundation-a 40 question diagnostic interview for children ages 5-12. 40 questions are paired with ilustrations for a girl (Jeannie) and 40 for a boy (Jeffrey) and can be completed online by the child. The children can endorse a symptom or behavior that they, like Jeannie or Jeffrey may be feeling but have no words to describe-and that even their closest observers may not realize.
The interview will be helpful to the evaluating physician and the therapist and will help focus treatment. Parents will better understand their child, and the child will not feel so isolated and alone.

www.JBRF.org Juvenile BiPolar Research Foundation

One more ad before I share the article on sleep.

The University of Chicago is looking for adults who have been diagnosed or have the symtoms of BiPolar Disorder and with immediate family members who have depression, mania or mood swings. Volunteers participate in an interview, provide a blood sample and will be compensated for their participation. For more information, please call (866) 51-GENES or email us at family@yoda.bsd.uchicagoedu Website: www.ucfamily.org

The Quest for Sleep

Sound sleep in our busy society can be an elusive dream with profound impliations for the way we live. Americans sleep far less than people did 100 or even 50 years ago. Moreover, a poll taken by the National Sleep Foundaion revealed that adults sleep an average of 6.8 hours on weeknights. That's more than an hour less than they need according to most sleep experts. Sleep deprivation does not have any good side effects.

The National Sleep Foundation poll also revealed that 75 percent of Amerian adults experience symptoms of a sleep problem at least several times a week. Moreover, chronic insomnia may affect ten percent of the population. Gallup research has indicated that as many as 40 percent of adults have trouble sleeping two or three nights each week, with anxiety and depression the chief causes.

As difficult as getting a good night's sleep is for most people, those who have bipolar know all too well the significant health costs of poor sleep. Most people who don't have bipolar disorder have a consistent sleep problem over a long period of time. In people who have bipolar disorder, sleep problems often occur cyclically. They may fluctuate week to week or month to month. So in the manic or hyomanic phases, they get very little sleep but at times of depression, they may sleep or just stay in bed for excessive amounts of time. ****(that is why I don' t allow myself to get manic or depressed, I have to stay on an even keel, making sure I get my sleep. mania is dangerous for me, I don't want to go there; also I will not get depressed and lay around..that is why i must take my meds to stay balanced)****(if i get unbalanced too much off to the hospital i go!, very seldom though)

Although consumers face many and varied sleep problems, sleep is an area of human experience where good choices and habits can greatly improve matters. Behavioral changes to support good sleep are absolutely essential. The more a consumer can maintain a regular sleep-wake pattern, the better he or she will feel.

Rules for sleep by Dr. James B. Mass

1. Determine your need for sleep and meet it nightly. For most adults, this is seven to eight hours. A rare few need less. A significant number need nine to ten. ( If you use an alarm clock to rise, can't get up easily, and feel tired during the day, you are getting too little sleep)

2. Establish a regular sleep/wake schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning. (so hard to do!)

3. Get continuous uninterrupted sleep whenever possible, for it is better in one long block.

4. Make up for lost sleep. When you lose sleep, make up for it as soon as possible, either by going to bed early for a few nights or by napping judiciously. Keep naps short, no longer than 30 minutes. Otherwise you risk the impairment of our nighttime sleep.

More Positive Steps for Sleep Dr. James B. Mass

Reduce stress. Focus on what really matters. Try meditaion or yoga. Laugh. Socialize.

Seek mental exercise. Boredom can damage sleep. Do projects you enjoy or volunteer.

Quit smoking. Nicotine stimulates the brain and disrupts sleep in other ways.

Limit time in bed. Be there only during hours you ought to be sleeping and sleep only until you are refreshed.

Reduce caffeine. Avoid it entirely for six hours before bedtime.

Don't try too hard to sleep. If you cannot sleep after 30 minutes, go do something quietly in a dim room. Try light reading or listening to soft music.

Seek help from a professional if you are really having trouble. There are usually sleep centers and even in hospitals they have a unit that tests for sleep apnea and other related disorders.


BiPolar Express Group available for support at bipolarexpress@yahoogroups.com
there is always room for support and encouragment

Also a group meets in Trenton at Greater Trenton Behavioral Health Care at 1pm on Tuesdays with Gail Muizur for those afflicted with bipolar disorder. (refreshments served)

Websites

www.bipolarhappens.com with Julie Fast

www.depressionhappens.com with Julie Fast

www.bipolarworld.net feel free to visit and join

www.bipolarcentral.com with David Oliver

www.NAMI.org National Alliance of the Mentally Ill

Depression and BiPolar Support Alliance (for support groups nationwide) 800-826-3632 www.ndmda.org

until next time, take care and be special!

mizz diamond