what is the purpose of bipolar?
 

Hi,
Warning:
Mildly depressed, stressed, tired as all get out, and p*ssed about an 8:00am meeting "tomorrow."

Anyone remember the purpose of bipolar?
I seem to remember an evolutionary explanation one time -- that mild bipolar helped the human species survive.
Sometimes the bipolar manifests in horrible ways, but in not enough people to effect the species.
Not sure if I said that right or if it is any truth.


How about on an individual level? Why do I have it? What am I supposed to do with my life now? Now that my life is bound by bipolar (and I don't kid myself because I certainly am limited), what am I supposed to do within these limitations to make my life meaningful to myself? Or to anyone else? Or should I be looking for a different path, one beyond "meaning"?

Mari

possible evolutionary purpose for depression
 

http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_...08_cr_dep.html

PARTS OF THE BRAIN THAT SLOW DOWN OR SPEED UP IN DEPRESSION
includes some pics
...not buying this totally, but it sounds like something I read before -- that some of these illnesses serve a purpose.....the depressed people who could not fight or flee found ways to survive and eventualy breed off-spring.

Past time for sleep.
I wish all my friends wellness.
Mari

Depression is a very dibilitating state of mind....
some people are depresed from situational circumstances while others are chronically.
It has been said before that being bipolar sets us up to having emotional responces to things at a greater intensity...we feel things greter.
I wonder if this is why there is such a greater risk for suicide in bipolar people than the "norm"


I do not know the purpose of bipolarism....
(((HUGS)))
bizi

Hi Mari
 

i hear ya on the "tomorrow" dealy. This would make sense, consistent with Darwin's evolutionary theory. I would hesitate to go with the word purpose... it is more survival.I don't know how to answer these right now. But I wonder what has brought these wonderings to mind.

Please be well. Hope your day went ok.

~ waves ~

Bizi,
One of my friends who was a psych nurse said that people try S when then are moving between moods.
When we are depressed, we are too depressed. But when people start to get the energy of mania and come out of the depression....The same with coming down into a mania.

..a good reason to stay stable I guess.

Yeah, I do think I/we feel things greater than for example most people I work with. I have to shield myself by opting out of activites (christmas parties, most meetings...)

But I feel the same with people I don't know. I interact with them as little as possible (by staying home). I don't want to be brought into their sphere because I feel too much.
And I am sensitive when I hear people use bad language toward others and stuff like that. (I am the queen of bad language but I don't use it toward another person...)
Not sure if that makes sense.

mari

Hi, Waves,
I pushed the words/ideas of "purpose" and "reason" together without thinking.

I guess I was wondering what purpose/reason it serves us as a species AND as indiviuals to have the bipolar genes report to duty.

I've been tired for a month or two and need a break. Also I see my hypnotherapist on Friday for the first time in a month. I am frustrated because I was sure that she could guide me with sleep and she seems partly off on a wrong track right now -- says I like the night and hate the day. When the truth is that I love AND hate the night. AND THIS is a big freaking difference if someone is treating me for sleep issues.

I can live in ambiguity. That is part of my sickness. I would love to live more clearly in the here or the there. ....Not in two or three places/ways at the same time.
I embrace ambiguity and make life more complicated.
I am comfortable with muted shades. Is this bipolar? Is this a gift? HA? Should I try to see it that way?????? :confused:

But these muted shades make life harder. How does it work for the other folks who see things as one way or another and not .....well, NOT?

Also, last week, my accupuncturist told me how she handles the 3 or so "blue" days she gets each week. She literally snaps her fingers and tells herslef to snap out of it. She suggested I do the same. :eek:

...problems getting into see the dentist for routine visit. His office keeps canceling -- or worse, not showing up...seems he is having personal problems....but I don't wanna know about them.. I just want my teeth cleaned and I want the teeth grinding at night to stop.
Ok...waaaaaaaay more than you asked. I am going to go find something to do.

Mari

Hi Mari
 

Hi Mari,

i saw this the other day but hoped to be able to respond better. Hopefully soon. I am a bit thought-dead right now... :o

btw, a lot more than i asked, naaah... it was an open question. and enjoyed reading response. hence want to address it properly.

i am concerned about that "snapping" hypnotherapist. yeah. :eek: is right.

take care of yourself.

~ waves ~

Hi,
I am sorry that I was confusing.
The hypnotherapist is very good.
The accupunturist suggested snapping because it works for her.

I don't mind that the accupunturist doesn't "get" depression. She can still be very helpful. I'm having a medical issue right now that I don't want to talk about here yet.


Mari

bipolar, etc.
 

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