hello, all. i'm somewhat new to this, learning as i go, but the subjects raised here hold a fascination difficult to skip past. still unclear to me is the meaning of "bipolar," though it comes through in context to mean, i would guess, what the older term "schizophrenia" once did. a professor i knew believed this condition to spring from what he called "the double bind." that is, a child whose upbringing is rife with enforced ambiguities, split loyalties, divisiveness, hot/cold, guilt/grandeur, and the like, develops unweighted thought processes, and begins to mirror the self-absorption which lies at the heart of this. but understanding the gobbledegook doesn't make for a cure. depression is pretty good at trumping intellect. habits of mind are hard to break. but new habits of mind can be formed. Dr. Vaillant once said, "Don't think less of yourself, just think of yourself less." it's good advice. tv, movies,diversions help us do this, but so do other more productive activities: learning by rote, solving puzzles, assembling things, designing, creating, singing, the list is endless. the power of ambiguity should be at the end of this food chain, not the beginning. when our minds are sown with doubt, and fear, and shame before they're equipped to handle these bogeys, it's a tough trail ahead. i've been on it, i know. please help with comments if you wish. i'm delighted for this forum and to be part of it. thanks. robert.

WElcome Robert,
Glad that you found our happy home here in the cyber world.
Let us know how we can help you.
Sometimes it is quiet on the weekends here and then again there are some who are night owls....
There is a chat room area here at these boards the link is at the top of the bar on the right...my bar is blue yours may be tan or other color depending on what color scheme you have chosen.
Great that you joined us!
bizi

Dear Robert,

OK. I learned something tonight because I looked up Dr. Vaillant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eman_Vaillant
He publishes on adult development and the recovery process of schizophrenia, heroin addiction, alcoholism, personality disorder, and aging...

But the wikipedia site says that the article needs "clean up." Have you ever worked on a wikipedia article? I haven't. Too much brain fog.

mari