I am sure that seems like an odd blog title- but I find the whole thing odd that a person can be extremely depressed and be able to really laugh at something funny, like a silly dog video and then when the laughing is done, the depression is right there.<\/p>\n
One of the dangerous realities of suicide is that people who are often very suicidal can actually seem normal. They can go about their lives, laugh a bit and even talk about the future- and inside all they think about is how they want their life to end. It’s very common.<\/p>\n
If you are a family member of someone with bipolar disorder this can all be extremely confusing. How is it possible that we can act one way and think another way?\u00a0 How can we go to a birthday party, have fun and then go home and not be able to stop crying?<\/p>\n
It’s part of the illness.\u00a0\u00a0 I know that when I go through serious depression, I look for those moments that remind\u00a0 me that life is going to be ok.\u00a0 That is the reality, not the depression and suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n
So, it is a dichotomy. It is hard to live with, believe me!\u00a0 Today is Easter and many people celebrate the day with family and food- and especially candy if there are kids around. It’s possible to be in this environment and feel better- or it can make a person feel worse that life can go on and other people can find happiness- so why can’t the person with bipolar!<\/p>\n
The way out of this is a treatment plan. If you love someone with bipolar, you have to have a plan too!\u00a0<\/p>\n
As you may know, I’m a huge sports fanatic- the finals of the NCAA basketball tournament are tomorrow night. There is a team in the\u00a0finals called Butler than many are calling a Cinderella story- of course they are not. They have done well for many years- but people want to think things happen overnight and that makes you a Cinderella story!\u00a0 I just heard an interview where the coach said that is was a FIFTEEN year process to get where they are today.<\/p>\n
Why do I mention this? Because it can take a long time to learn to manage this illness- how do I tie all of this into depression, suicide and laughter? Because after 15 years of managing this illness daily, I know that depression and especially suicidal thoughts are 100% the illness and my ability to laugh is 100% me. I want to focus on that.<\/p>\n
julie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I am sure that seems like an odd blog title- but I find the whole thing odd that a person can be extremely depressed and be able to really laugh at something funny, like a silly dog video and then when the laughing is done, the depression is right there.<\/p>\n
One of the dangerous realities of suicide is that people who are often very suicidal can actually seem normal. They can go about their lives, laugh a bit and even talk about the future- and inside all they think about is how they want their life to end. It’s very common.<\/p>\n
If you are a family member of someone with bipolar disorder this can all be extremely confusing. How is it possible that we can act one way and think another way? How can we go to a birthday party, have fun and then go home and not be able to stop crying?<\/p>\n