Sep

21

Electro-Shock Therapy

Filed Under Mental Health, Treatment | 14 Comments

What is ECT?

ECT is a form of electrical stimulation of the brain that has been in use since the 1930s. It is also known as electroshock therapy. A psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and other supportive medical personnel supervise the treatment. The person being treated is anesthetized. In bilateral ECT, electrodes are placed on the scalp above each temple. In unilateral ECT, the electrodes are placed above the temple on one side of the brain and in the middle of the forehead. An electrical current is then passed through the brain, inducing a grand mal seizure similar to that experienced in epilepsy. Clinically effective seizures generally last from about 30 seconds to just over a minute. The body does not convulse, and the person being treated feels no pain. Some persons may experience headache, nausea, confusion and muscle stiffness upon awakening. A typical course of ECT treatment requires six to 12 treatments over a period of less than a month. To sustain the response to ECT, continuation treatment, often including medication, should be provided when the ECT course has been completed.
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Sep

19

Tainted with Myself

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Tainted with Myself

Yes, I feel tainted with myself.

I will depart, not of this world
but, from the agony of myself
Pull away, confess delusions
Surrender to Hell
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Sep

18

Drugs and Labels

Filed Under Poetry & Lyrics | 1 Comment

Drugs and Labels

I get up in the morning
A couple of pills are due.
Hmmm, let me see now…
2 yellow, 1 pink, 1 blue.

I keep them In a little box,
That doles them out each day.
It further subdivides the meds,
I take them right, that way.
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Sep

16

The Ways Bipolar Disorder has Affected My Relationships

Filed Under My Episodes, Recovery, Relationships | 4 Comments

After reading the article in my previous post, I asked myself, ‘How has bipolar disorder affected my relationships as a whole?’ I didn’t come up with a definitive answer, but I think I found a good starting point.

During my depressive episodes, I isolate myself from everyone or I lash out at them. I push them all away because I want to be alone so I can wallow in my misery. In addition, I don’t want to burden anyone with my problems or feelings. I’m afraid they will think less of me as a person and then they will reject me.

By pushing them away first I control the situation; at the very least I feel like I control it. I subconsciously manipulate them into leaving me. If they try to stick around (as Nick was doing), I take my thoughts and behavior deeper and deeper into irrationality until they run off. Eventually, I always push them away, but that is hardly a victory.

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Sep

15

10 Tips For Repairing Damaged Relationships

Filed Under Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health, Relationships | 2 Comments

The key thing to remember is that the relationships have been damaged by the effects of your illness. It is not YOU and it is not your fault. These things happen, then we deal with them and move on. Today I’ll show you how to move on.

1. It takes time-repairing a damaged relationship takes time. You have to commit yourself to doing what it takes to get the relationship back on track. If you experience resistance at first, be patient but tenacious. Make the person know you are committed to doing what it takes to move your relationship back to a healthy level.

2. Encourage the person the share his/her feelings with you-this can be a painful part of the process. Sometimes during the highs of mania we say and do things that are just plain outrageous and sometimes we don’t even remember doing them. Depression can pull us away from those that are closest to us. Really listen to their concerns.
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