The 12 Steps To Bipolar In-Order

hamster-bamster · Aug 16, 2012, 10:35 PM

If OP were looking for support, he would have posted his real life story, or his situation, or his symptoms, or his predicament, or his concerns... the way others do. He posted a manifesto. No wonder the reaction.

LiteraryLark · Aug 16, 2012, 10:36 PM

The difference between alcoholism and bipolar disorder is that you are not born with alcoholism, and you did not choose to become bipolar disorder. I think that's one of the reasons that is so offensive. We had no choice to become bipolar. We just are.

hamster-bamster · Aug 16, 2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

The difference between alcoholism and bipolar disorder is that you are not born with alcoholism, and you did not choose to become bipolar disorder. I think that's one of the reasons that is so offensive. We had no choice to become bipolar. We just are.

I am uneducated on alcoholism... Is there no genetic predisposition to it? Is being a child reared by an alcoholic not predisposing to the addiction?

hamster-bamster · Aug 16, 2012, 10:49 PM

This forum is defined as:

"For the discussion and support of individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder and mania (or hypomania)"

So discussion, too, not just support.

LiteraryLark · Aug 16, 2012, 10:57 PM

What discussion is happening here? This is arguing and bickering...

hamster-bamster · Aug 16, 2012, 11:19 PM

No, Farmergirl posted a long thoughtful response, much recommended. And she was not the only one. Every one of 12 steps has been discussed. The OP reacts with resentment, but there is nothing I can do about it.

Aug 16, 2012, 11:28 PM

I know I certainly wasn't arguing or bickering with my response. I was, however, responding to each of the 12 steps the OP listed as I felt they applied or didn't apply to my own life. I may not agree with the OP, but that doesn't make it argumentative or insulting in any way. I think several people simply expressed their response to the OP's list and he was offended when we viewed things differently. It is okay to have different viewpoints. We can learn from each other that way. What is not okay is to insult people for holding different viewpoints by calling them angry, psycho, crazy, etc. That is name-calling and is really very bad form.

hamster-bamster · Aug 17, 2012, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmergirl

What is not okay is to insult people for holding different viewpoints by calling them angry, psycho, crazy, etc. That is name-calling and is really very bad form.

If there is no apology within the next 72 hours, I will put OP on the list of blocked users.

Bipolar1Disorder · Aug 17, 2012, 11:56 AM

I am a psycho that is why I am on PsychCentral b/c I am a psycho. You can not reason with me nor change my psychotic ideations. I am 51/50 and though you may not be, please respect my right to be and the fact that I am...thank you. Hugs are back again.

hamster-bamster · Aug 17, 2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipolar1Disorder

I am a psycho that is why I am on PsychCentral b/c I am a psycho. You can not reason with me nor change my psychotic ideations. I am 51/50 and though you may not be, please respect my right to be and the fact that I am...thank you. Hugs are back again.

I am sorry to hear that. So you are on a locked unit, right? I am glad they allow you the use of computers and cell phones. Hugs.

Bipolar1Disorder · Aug 17, 2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

If there is no apology within the next 72 hours, I will put OP on the list of blocked users.

You must have a very long "blocked" list, but if you want, I will apologize only for my psychotic behavior and will also expect an apology from any psychotic behavior coming my way from others. Now if you will excuse me, I must go eat a very large piece of chocolate cake in your honor.

Bipolar1Disorder · Aug 17, 2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I am sorry to hear that. So you are on a locked unit, right? I am glad they allow you the use of computers and cell phones. Hugs.

I also have my Teddy Bear here too and they call him my Transitional Unit.

Bipolar1Disorder · Aug 17, 2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I am sorry to hear that. So you are on a locked unit, right? I am glad they allow you the use of computers and cell phones. Hugs.

They don't let me have a cell phone so I have to ask at the nurses station to use their phone. I can get calls though if you want to call me.

BlueInanna · Aug 17, 2012, 04:59 PM

B1D, Sorry I haven't been able to respond sooner, I've wanted to but whaddya know, my son was on a 5150 hold and hell was breaking loose. But I like your post and want to tell you why. I have experience with AA and Alanon, and understand how it could be a controversial subject. They're often considered associated with religion. But they're not really, it's just that often times the free space they find to use for meetings happens to be at churches. That actually kept me from going for years, because honestly I'm more aligned with Pagan beliefs, among many others I like bits from most religions. (Anyone want to see a really brain washing program - take a look at Narcanon - run by the L. Ron Hubbard folks)

Anyway, since I know the 12 steps through Alanon, I liked how you adapted them to help you with your bp. And I felt like you're opening up and sharing something that has helped you. Never saw it as you trying to tell others how to be.

Someone had asked if alcoholism is hereditary like bp, and yes it is. If you've ever cared about someone struggling with that, you can tell they never thought it would turn into such a struggle of life and death, they never set out to ruin their lives and everyone's around them.

The minute we start judging alcoholics, like they chose it rather than being born with it, that is the minute we've become just as bad or worse than those people out there that judge us for having bp. My son's social worker told me she sees insurance companies refuse coverage when they think it's drugs/alcohol related, when in fact, most people with those addictions have a mental illness underlying, and need the treatment.

Enough about alcohol... Since it's become a group discussion, I have some responses about the steps below. I do hope I'm humbly approaching...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipolar1Disorder

1. Admitting Powerlessness over the insanity of our Bipolarity that our lives had become unmanageable. This is just considered the 1st step, we all were most likely at this point at 1 time. The time when we realized we have bp, or were given the dx. And at that time, we sought out help, or were forced to be hospitalized, but things weren't going well, something was up. I think it means we accepted that this is our brain chemistry and it's not going to be going away any time soon. It's just one point in time, the 1st step toward healing.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves (medications, doctors, families, support team and friends) could restore us to sanity. information, research, self-help?

3. Made a decision to turn our wills and lives over to the care of a Power greater than ourselves as we understand it. This is the one where you choose your personal higher power, higher self, deities, none, etc.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to our Higher Power to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our illness. The part about "and another human being" to my understanding just means, you reach out and speak your truth. Kind of like how a forum like this or a room of anonymous people, just sharing about yourself can be very healing.

6. Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove our illness. I'm not at this step yet, lol. I think I have to believe it would be possible first...

7. Humbly asked our Higher Power to remove our illness.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and become willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continue to take personal inventory and when we are sick promptly seek help.

11. Sought through therapy and medications to improve our conscious sanity as we understand it. You made a cute play on words with this one. The Alanon one is "sought through prayer and meditation". Meditation always an awesome tool imho.

12. Having had a conscious awakening as a result of these steps, we try to carry this message to other Bipolar people and to practice these principles in all our affairs. This doesn't mean trying to seek out and convert people by force. These are very private issues. I take this one to mean that, if someone happened to come to me for advice, I would possibly have some experience from all the soul searching, and hopefully be able to help another human who is suffering.

That's all... oh well... actually, I'll share this: since this cps lady told me i needed to attend alanon (which I was already attending on my own) and get a sponsor and work the steps recently, i havent gone to a meeting for a few weeks now. She kind of ruined it for me, telling me how to be in my spiritual path. fricking cps... ok i'm done now.

I keep these 12 Steps To Bipolar In-Order pinned up on my wall.

hamster-bamster · Aug 17, 2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipolar1Disorder

You must have a very long "blocked" list, but if you want, I will apologize only for my psychotic behavior and will also expect an apology from any psychotic behavior coming my way from others. Now if you will excuse me, I must go eat a very large piece of chocolate cake in your honor.

No, I only have 1 user in my blocked list. You would have been second. To tell you the truth, I do not think that being impolite should be excused as "psychotic". If you can log in to the site, you have some faculties present. Use them for your own good. I have seen people post here in psychosis and they were polite. So it is possible. It is within your reach, if you try.

hamster-bamster · Aug 17, 2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipolar1Disorder

They don't let me have a cell phone so I have to ask at the nurses station to use their phone. I can get calls though if you want to call me.

That's unusual. Usually, the policy is either no computers no cell phones, or both allowed. Let me know if you want me to talk to you.

Broken Angel · Aug 18, 2012, 02:05 PM

Thanks for sharing

They are particularly helpful

hamster-bamster · Aug 21, 2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Someone had asked if alcoholism is hereditary like bp, and yes it is. If you've ever cared about someone struggling with that, you can tell they never thought it would turn into such a struggle of life and death, they never set out to ruin their lives and everyone's around them.

That's what I suspected, as who in their rational mind would choose such miserable existence.

CrazyAngel · Feb 15, 2013, 05:18 PM

:

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

1. I am not powerless especially not to bipolar.
2. No higher power needed.
3. My will is what gets me through.
4. Good.
5. No need there.
6. Uh?
7. Huh?
8. Acceptable.
9. Okay...
10. Fine.
11. Alright.
12. I see. Now, I understand where you're coming from.

What ever works for you dude.

I really like your 12 steps, especially #1

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