rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

Well I can't sleep, and have my cup of tea in hand. You know philosophyman, do you think that your friend would want you to destroy your life due to his passing? You can honor his life by living yours the best you can and to it's fullest. You will never forget him as he is a part of you, in your memories. You will always carry a part of him in the friendship you had. You just can't forget these things unless you have a lobotomy.
To dwell on his passing as you are is stalling your life. That makes two tragedies and I don't believe you, nor his family wants that. Remember the good things of your friend and friendship, and find strength in that.
Ya know, I think the saddest thing there is- is for a person to outlive their whole family. No one to care about their passing at all.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

First, let me say, this is NOT sympathy. My father committed suicide and so I know beyond a shadow of a doubt how painful it is. It does get better, but it sometimes takes a very long time to make it a part of the fabric of your life.

Second, I will share with you and I guess now ALL of OPP that I am bipolar. I find it really ironic that I managed a mental health outpatient clinic and for years I was treated for clinical depression and accidentally found out because I was prescribed a new medication for depression that apparently makes someone who is bipolar WORSE. I am 66. It was not discovered until I was 62 that apparently I am bipolar. It is manageable. Both my parents were mentally ill. I can't do meds these days -- side effects are truly not nice, so I deal with it. You are a creative soul. It may or may NOT -- with emphasis on "not") be the reason you are so creative. If it is, reframe it, because it can be a blessing. AuntiE is spot on. You are well thought of by those who follow your posts. Your posts are sensitive, intelligent and I find them thought provoking. Consider this, Ernest Hemmingway and Florence Nightengale, among others, were bipolar. Go online and take a look. I think you will be surprised at just how many creative, well thought of individuals who have made contributions to society you find.

Liberty Tree

Sympathy will not give you peace but pouring yourself into helping others might.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Agreed.

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

can't even joke around....jeesshh

Michigan Loc: Michigan

PLEASE, PLEASE DO!!!!, but as you know your not all alone, one of my Good Friends lost his younger brother in Iraq while he himself was also serving Our Great Country. It is hard for me to express how bad it makes me feel about (not just you) but all our vets in this country going through PTSD You guys are the backbone of our Great Country and Thank You for your service. (To ALL our vets!) I hope the support of the (Mostly) Good people at OPP will be of strength and encouragement, just by sharing your feelings helps others in more ways than you know, Thank You and I will try to NEVER take for granted the sacrifice you vets have sacrificed for someone like me.

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

I find it hard to understand peoples fear of taking a pill that may turn your whole psyc around.
True, medications these days for the brain are tailored, mostly experimental drugs, where todays commercials scare the hell out of ya.
I have taken lithium for 35 years. Are there side effects? Sure, but nothing that I can't live with. Living with the crippling highs and lows of bipolar are a lot more uncomfortable.
Lithium was discovered in the 1700's as the original fountain of youth, by a renowned explorer. It is a natural element. In those early days people began drinking the lithium waters because of it's calm and soothing effects, but soon began dying of toxicity. Later it was put in 7up to assist with the carbonation, but still it began making people very sick with toxicity.
Lithium has to be strickly monitored within the bloodstream to remain at a therapeutic level, otherwise it can be worse than the illness itself. You begin with a blood test every 6wks to 3mo., then 6mo., as your body gets used to your therapeutic level. After all the many years I've used it, I test just once a year.
Bipolar has various levels to it's severity in a person. Look at Patty Duke Austin, who in one of her severe mania cycles shut down a whole airport. She would cycle out of reality in her severe Bipolar cycles. She wrote a book about her life's experiences with Bipolar. It's a good read.
I was fortunate to have a wonderful physician for 26 years who took an interest in me as a person and a patient. Your physician is very important, and to stick with the one you like. There is no help by seeing this physician, than that one, then another, etx., because physicians are only people too, individual in their various beliefs and ways of life that they can't help but be implemented in their practice. You find one that works for you, and stick with it.

Struggling, or just barely keeping your nose above water at times in not living. People that tend to dwell in the mind 'are' very creative people, as the brain/mind is a very creative instrument. The brain is created with all it's natural chemistry to operate properly. For some reason, what ever it may have been, genetic, gross stress, or conditioning, or by accident, the brains chemistry can abruptly change. Genetically geared for bipolar means that a person does fine in the confines and structure of their family. When that young person steps out into the world however, the great stresses that can hit a young adult- are enough to start the illness as those chemicals that are suppose to help support us in high stressful times- weren't there in sufficient quantity to begins with.
A person that endures a time of gross life-threatening stress will change the chemistry of the brain as well. This goes for a person who has suffered ill conditioning through their life as well.
The brain and all if its intricacies is very vulnerable to stress, negative stresses in high amount. Especially if it has a genetic weak link to begin with. Lots of people are like this.
So, you take a pill when you have a bad infection don't you??? Isn't your mind as worthy of help as the rest of your body?
When your brain needs help to function better- give it to it for Christ's sake. Catching Bipolar early with treatment can keep it from getting worse your life through.
Therapy and counseling is important in cleaning out skeletons from the closet and learning healthier ways to process life, but it does not effect the chemistry of the brain in order to hold on to and maintain a new thought process and life.
Your mind and body is "Your" responsibility, only you know exactly how you feel. To take a therapeutic medication is not popping pills, and really does help to maintain a healthier life, and those who love you that you effect.
My physician will ask me now, after all these years, if I experience any side-effects from the Lithium. I have to laugh because not taking it would be the side effect for me.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

You are absolutely correct about therapy. I can testify to that. It's important to find the one that you relate to best. Unfortunately, for me, I am supersensitive to ALL meds -- doesn't matter what they are for -- pain, antibiotics, psychotropic meds -- violent reactions. Sigh.

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

no combat vet should ever have to pay top dollar...or bottom dollar for anything in this country!

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

Ya know, even taking a Vitamin will put the natural systems requirements out of balance. Fortunately the body will shed the excess vitamin(s) in the urine. I know of some folks that have very expensive pee.
Proper sleep, healthy foods, excersize for the whole body, you can't beat that.
You know all these energy drinks that people guzzle? A teaspoon of "natural honey" in your coffee, tea, or what ever, does the same thing, and is natural pick me up as far as energy.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Absolutely!! I happen to own and run an organic market, so it's rare that I even eat processed foods.

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

Awesome to hear that! It is true about honey, as in science class in grade school we learned that if you see a bee crawling on the ground it is simply exhausted having run out of it's own energy. If you put a drop of sugar water in front of it, it will absorb what sugar it needs- and fly away. Funny what things imprint on us as kids. Oh, well.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Cesspool, I had hoped you were joking. The problem, as most see it, is that this (teen suicide) is not a joking matter. :oops:

Humor has its' place, and your's was in the wrong place. :?

Mistakes are made...and learned from.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Hey, the things that imprint on us as kids may be the most important things later in life, like those bees. Look what's happening out there because our bees seem to be disappearing!!

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

There is a time and place. This forum IS NOT the place. This is not a full grown adult we are interacting with. This is a teenager who needs our sincere attention.