A Buddhist Story About Gratitude

I read story that told of a woman named Sono, whose devotion and purity of heart were respected  far and wide. One day a Buddhist man asked: “What can I do to put my heart to rest?” Sono said, “Every morning and every evening, and when-ever anything happens to you, keep on saying, ‘Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever”. The man did so for one year, but his heart was still not at peace. He told Sono that his life had not changed, and that he was the same selfish person as before. Sono immediately said, “Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever.”On hearing these words, the man was able to open his spiritual eye, and he returned home with a great joy.

Sometimes, restlessness is a condition that can take our peace of mind and soul. It is important to remember that observing yourself and outside conditions can help us take action to do better things about it. Also, it is important to remember that we are not alone in this journey called life. Let’s be grateful for the life we have today and be aware of those who desire to be a support to us, accepting us just as we are.

Stigma is something we can do something about!

Below, I share with you a stark definition of stigma.  Consumers and those who love them must make a decisive stand to push back against all forms of social inequality in the form of stigma. We can make a difference!

It’s easy to label someone else and overlook what’s really inside. When mental illnesses are used as labels – depressed, schizophrenic, manic or hyperactive – these labels hurt. Using negative labels leads to branding and shame – what is called stigma. Stigma leads to discrimination. Everyone knows why it is wrong to discriminate against people because of their race, religion, culture or appearance. They are less aware of how people with mental illnesses are discriminated against. Although discrimination may not always be obvious, it exists – and it hurts. Stigma is not just the use of the wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier and discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need due to the fear of discrimination. An estimated 50 million Americans experience as mental disorder in any given year and only one-fourth of them actually receive mental health and other services.          bp magazine Winter 2012

Entering the Silence as a Path to Wellness

For the past eight years, I have lived a life that is satisfying and fulfilling in many ways.  After years of working to find my way through what seemed like a maze, it was like a gift from above to find myself in the land of blue skies. I give credit to the medical professionals, mental health professionals, and medications and natural health remedies.  However, my biggest appreciation goes to the practice of meditation and contemplation.  Yes, these two are different things.  I include both in my spiritual practices that make up my spiritual life.  In the practice of contemplation, I read inspirational materials and quietly think about the things I read. Without a doubt, it is the time I spend in the stillness and silence of meditation that give me the biggest rewards in my whole person – body, mind, heart and spirit.  I found this article in the bp magazine.  Here I offer another consumer’s words about the many benefits to meditation.

“The keen sound of silence”

I had expected that medication alone could treat my bipolar disorder, but it did not and cannot. This is because medication can’t make me build a life, change a behavior, or modify a relationship. This is a column about silence. To me silence is about “quieting the mind”. Silence isn’t about remaining in a soundless environment, but making a trip toward it. Silence is a connector – to myself, to God, to community, to love. It has a therapeutic value. Both within and following silence, I can slow down my responses, resist temptation, navigate around triggering events, and choose new thoughts and behaviors. Silence also has spiritual value – I use it as a form of prayer. I ask the universe to consider me and that I might hear wisdom. Silence is also free, non-prescription, multipurpose, in abundance, and available 24 hours a day. There’s enough for all of us.                                                    Lizzie Simon – writer, producer, and guest lecturer                               

Useful information for consumers suffering with bipolar disorder

Talk therapy: 7 ways to help your partner help you

By Judy Eron, LCSW

 Bipolar disorder is such a tricky illness: a person can be so well, and then suddenly so "not well." As a therapist, I assist people with bipolar in making a plan of action—and enlisting a spouse, trusted friend, or relative in co-creating such a plan—for managing things when the going gets tough. 

Here are seven ways you can help your trusted person know how to be a partner with you in your illness.

1. Make a written agreement

Sit down with your chosen person and a pen and paper. Explain that you need a partner to help you manage your bipolar, and that this will require the two of you to work out details together.  Make certain that your person trusts you and your judgment when you are well, and is willing to take this on with you.

2. List your unique early symptoms  

Both mania and depression can be managed more easily if they are recognized before they intensify.  Make a list of the personal ways in which your illness manifests itself in its early stage. For example, you might both realize that when you are starting to get depressed, you play certain music.  Or, that when you are becoming manic you feel the need for more air and wish to keep the window open when you sleep. Tell your partner what you would like him/her to do when you show any signs that you are edging toward depression or mania.

3. Get on the same page about medication

Make certain that you and your partner have an understanding about medication and its role in your well-being. You know that the temptation is strong to discontinue medication when you are doing well, and that this can lead to trouble. Your partner needs written permission from you to contact your therapist or doctor if you stop taking medication without your doctor's knowledge. 

4. Include your partner in your therapy

Since you have chosen a special person to trust with these agreements, it is important that your treatment people have some familiarity with him or her. Decide together how often your partner will be included in your meetings with your therapist and your prescribing doctor. This might range from every meeting to far fewer times, but should be no less than twice a year.        

5. Specify when your partner may reach out

Agree which behaviors besides medication non-compliance give your partner de facto permission to contact your therapist or psychiatrist outside of regularly scheduled meetings. Be precise about these behaviors, such as not sleeping at night, uncharacteristic aggressiveness or belligerence, or major loss of interest in your usual pursuits.

6. Make a video

Record yourself on video reading the written agreements you and your partner have made together.  State in your own words that you know if your illness flares up, you will not want to follow through with these agreements, but that you give your person permission to follow through on what the two of you have written.    

7. Urge your partner to become informed

There is an abundance of information available. Strongly request that your partner attend local support groups and family education courses available through mental health associations. Your trusted person needs a mixture of education, support, and direction, and you need him/her to be as informed as possible.

While you are well, remind yourself that bipolar is "an illness that tells you that you don't have an illness." Being realistic about the tricky nature of bipolar and staying vigilant with a plan, combined with medication and therapy, can make a big difference in the control you have over bipolar and in enjoying life fully.

National DBSA Advisory Board

DBSA Honorary Advisory Board All of the members of the DBSA Honorary Advisory Board exemplify that people living with mental health conditions can and do live extraordinary lives unlimited by a diagnosis. We are immensely honored to have these talented and inspiring individuals as members of our new Honorary Advisory Board, and even more appreciative of the work each has done to increase the understanding of, and to reduce the stigma associated with, depression and bipolar disorder. Read press release.   Jessie Close       Jessie Close is a consumer bravely sharing her story nationally to fight stigma through Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M), a new campaign established in part by her sister, Glenn Close. DBSA is proud to be a partner in this important campaign, the first effort of this magnitude in U.S. history. Oscar-winning director Ron Howard generously donated his time in directing BC2M's first PSA that features Jessie with her sister, Glenn. Jessie has spoken about BC2M, as well as her own story, on The View and Good Morning America. She is the author of "The Warping of Al" and is coming out soon with her second book, "Silence You."   Patty Duke   Patty Duke, Academy Award winning actress, past President of the Screen Actors Guild, and best selling author, has been delighting and challenging audiences for more than 40 years with her work in movies, television and on Broadway. She has established herself as one of televisions most versatile and beloved actresses. Patty has received much recognition from her peers—An Oscar, two Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards and six Emmy Nominations and a People's Choice Award. Community service awards have honored her commitment to many social issues. Since the publication of her autobiography, "Call Me Anna" and her second book "A Brilliant Madness", Patty spends a great deal of time and travel speaking on the topic of mental illness.   Marya Hornbacher   Marya Hornbacher is an award-winning journalist and the author of three books, including The New York Times best seller, "Madness: A Bipolar Life." Hornbacher was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her best seller, "Wasted," and lectures frequently on the subject of mental health. Long before there was research into the field of childhood bipolar disorder, Hornbacher was struggling with the highs and lows of the illness, showing the first signs at the age of four but going undiagnosed for another 20 years. A frequent consultant and interview subject, Hornbacher finds inspiration in the message of strength her readers have shared with her and in the people who are living with mental illness day by day.   Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD   Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, is professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and codirector of the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center. She is also honorary professor of English at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and author of the national best sellers "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness" and "Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide," as well as "Exuberance" and "Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament." Her latest book, "Nothing Was the Same: A Memoir," was released in 2009. Additionally, she coauthored the standard medical text on manic-depressive illness and is author or coauthor of over 100 scientific papers about mood disorders, creativity, and psychopharmacology. Dr. Jamison is the recipient of numerous national and international scientific awards, including a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship.   Greg Montgomery, Jr   All-Pro NFL punter Greg Montgomery's journey with bipolar disorder began in 1997 while playing with the Baltimore Ravens. Ultimately, his journey towards recovery has been a positive and successful one. Now almost 14 years after his diagnosis, Greg is a successful punting consultant and powerful advocate in the field of mental health. He recognizes that help is desperately needed for the millions living with mental illness and is making a difference by speaking out. Greg's personal story is featured in the NFL Films-produced feature, "Madness in the NFL: The Greg Montgomery Story." Through his blog, Zen In The Art of Living Bipolar, Greg openly shares his experiences of anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder with educational, honest, and engaging content.   Andrew Solomon   Andrew Solomon's book, "The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression," has won him fourteen national awards, including the 2001 National Book Award, and has been published in 22 languages. It was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.  It has been on the New York Times bestseller list in both hardback and paperback and has been a bestseller in seven foreign countries. Mr. Solomon has lectured on depression around the world. He serves on the boards of the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign and the Depression Center of the University of Michigan as well as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Alliance for the Arts, the Alex Fund, the American Council for Cultural Policy, the Worcester Foundation for Medical Research, the Rita Fund, the Larry Kramer Initiative for Gay and Lesbian Studies at Yale University, and the World Monuments Fund.   page created: May 2, 2006  page updated: December 15, 2011

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A Better Tomorrow

                                                                                                January 10, 2011

Hello everyone,

Thousands of people in Jackson and surrounding area suffer from depression and other mood disorders.  They do not know we are here for them.  They do not know we have weekly meetings for support and education in medications and treatments modalities.  They do not know what a warm and caring “family” we are to others like ourselves.  They do not know how much we want to meet them and include them as part of the family . . . we do not know them but we miss them.  There is a hole in our hearts for those we know as well as we know ourselves.

DBSA Jackson is taking as part of its mission for 2012 a renewed commitment to combat stigma through education of individuals, groups, and organizations. We ask all our board members, officers, group facilitators and support group attendees to make a personal commitment to speak out against stigma.  Together we can communicate that all human beings are deserving of respect and dignity as individual expressions of the Creator - without exception.

 OUR MEETING LAST WEEK:  What a great time we enjoyed in our last meeting. Our attendance provided Sheila a great audience for a discussion period that proved beneficial for everyone.  Spirits were high, the food was good, and the hugs were comforting.  It was great to see all of you out for our “family time.”  Also, Velmar bought a copy of my book that is part of a donation drive.  The proceeds from each sale go to the DBSA Jackson chapter.  Thank you, Velmar!

OUR MEETING THIS WEEK: We will take a moment at the beginning of our meeting to remember those in the community, isolated, suffering alone in their pain. I will facilitate the meeting.  Again, I plan to pass out survey forms to those who did not complete one last week.  The plan is to survey the attendees during the month of January.  Jennifer and I will report the results after they are prepared in February.

CHANGE OF MEETING ROOM FOR THIS WEEK:  We in the City/County room this week.  It is just past Medical Founders Room C as you move down the hall.  Please make note of the change for this week’s meeting.  Thanks!

 CHAPTER NEWS:  Repeat announcement:  During the month of January, our chapter is conducting a survey.  In the survey, we are asking the attendees to let us know how we are doing in providing support, information and socializing opportunities.  Our officers will collect the information from the surveys and report the results at the meetings in February. Our chapter is planning to begin some new projects this year, with your and the board of director's help.  

A repeat announcement:   Also, we are installing our officers for the coming year.  Along with the officers, we are training a new facilitator, William, and asking for a volunteer for the position of Social Events Coordinator.  For all of our positions, volunteers are never left to carry on the work alone for we all work together to bring our chapter's goals to success.  Our board members are taking a more direct role in working with the leaders to help and advise as needed.  We are so very thankful for a board of directors that sincerely joins us in our mission.

 Take a moment in your day to remember those suffering with depression and bipolar disorder who do not know we are here for them.

 Peacefulness to you and yours,

Steve

                                         When you're with us, you're family.