We Got Educated! No 30 Day Fix to Change Our Lives

   When we received my confirmed diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder II, I'm embarrassed to admit that the first book we purchased was...well..."Bipolar For Dummies".  I know it has the word "dummies" but we honestly knew NOTHING about Bipolar Disorder, except the basics, even though Mental Illnesses were in my family.

   After we got the basics from that book, Chapters and Amazon soon became our new friends.  Yes, I could have read some information at our local library, but I had decided to start a resource library of my own (see My Resource Library tab) so I could either reread them or refer to them when need be.

   Online research became another great resource of information, but I soon learned I had to be cautious as to where I was gaining my information as there are great legitimate websites and others that appear to provide information but is not backed by scientific research.  Reading other Mental Illness Bloggers (see my Great Links and Bloggers tab) made me not only understand what I was going through but I felt less alone in the world.  

   One time, while waiting for my psychiatrist appointment, I picked up a magazine called BPHope.  I did leave it on on the table once my name was called but DID however come home and subscribe to it.  Let me tell you, I've never felt so NOT alone!  In the magazine are posts and articles from REAL people that have Bipolar Disorder.  I've had my subscription with them for 5 years now and in my humble opinion, it is worth every penny.

   BPHope has a sister magazine, entitled Esperanza, with a target audience for those that have depression and anxiety.  I also subscribe to them, as in my case, with my Bipolar Disorder II, I tend to remain in the depressive state with frequent periods of anxiety, so this magazine provides me with a sense of peace.  Through both BPHope and Esperanza, I've learned many new coping strategies to add to my mental wellness tool box.

   My husband, my 2 girls, and my mother, have read many of my resources or else I will sticky note very relevant pages that I feel they will benefit from.  When I'm doing my online research, and come across great links, I forward it to them to read at their leisure.

   I always research trends in new medications and treatments.  Not that I jump on the band wagon, as I prefer to wait awhile to see what the general "benefit vs risk" is since I'm both med resistant and med sensitive.  I'm honestly tired of trying new ones only to get sick so I tend to hold off until I read overwhelming positive results before I bring a request to the attention of my psychiatrist.

   Learning is lifelong.  If we, as a family, are going to have Bipolar Disorder, then we are going to be as knowledgeable as possible.  It's NOT a 30 day fix.