Recently Diagnosed BP & ADD

julietheartist · Jan 20, 2006

vincejohn said:
Talented people enter these mentally depressive episodes because we need acreditation from the world. This is wrong and goes against Jesus teachings about selling our souls to the world.

Vincejohn - We can agree to not agree. I recently received a national award, something I did not apply for, but what I would rate as 'worldly accredidation' & it has not served to make me more creative, nor did it prevent me from becoming mentally depressive or physically lethargic. I think you need to accurately study the scriptures & what Jesus says about selling our souls to the world.....not to mention judgement & taming your tongue. You're tossing scripture around out of context and making absolute conclusions that can easily be discredited.

vincejohn · Jan 20, 2006

I disagree there is truth in what i say regardless of how I put it. So only bi polar people are sinners what a joke that is. There is no proven test for chemical diagnoses of bi polar. the term bi polar was introduced I believe about 15-20 years ago. prior to that it was called neurosis conditions depression manic disorders. The only brain scans they have done which are inconclusive are revealers of extra activity heat build up red or blue areas. This is a normal observation in menatally ill people and is not a definitive proof of dna chemical reactions... How come after I was led into a new life and environment my manic and lows highs vanished by 99% The 1% I now have is what everyone on the earth has its called good and bad days. What a disgrace some doctors are. I told them my conditions are because I lost my wife sister job and contracted a flesh eating virus for 8 years and was unemployed. To then tell me this was not so it was my DNA is the greatest insult to my God given intellegence ever seen by me. I praise God I cryed out to Jesus and the good Lord opened other doors which made the doctors vanish. I deplore the prosperity gospel and deserve better than this from people here.

alaurie · Jan 20, 2006

From a spritual perspective, acknowledging that we do not wrestle with flesh & blood, but with spirits & principalities of darkness, attacks against us come in our weak areas. Satan & his coherts don't attack us where we are strong, so being bi-polar, satan will attack us in our weakened areas (which we from science & experience know what they are)- which may result in sin....like anyone else bi-polar or not. Knowledge is power. Knowledge to know our weaknesses & the wisdom to use the word of God to combat it. Not just head knowledge.

Amen and

I've been experiencing a slugglish or lethargic feeling & my doctor has decided to have me stop the bi-polar meds & see how the anti-depressant alone works. He said we will try something else once we get me stabalized energy wise as far as meds for the bi-polar.

Continuing to pray for you!

julietheartist · Jan 21, 2006

vincejohn said:
... How come after I was led into a new life and environment my manic and lows highs vanished by 99% The 1% I now have is what everyone on the earth has its called good and bad days. What a disgrace some doctors are. I told them my conditions are because I lost my wife sister job and contracted a flesh eating virus for 8 years and was unemployed. To then tell me this was not so it was my DNA is the greatest insult to my God given intellegence ever seen by me. I praise God I cryed out to Jesus and the good Lord opened other doors which made the doctors vanish. I deplore the prosperity gospel and deserve better than this from people here.

Vincejohn - Testimony speaks for itself & glorifies God. Your does. And I am sorry to hear about your losses as well as the virus. I understand where you're coming from. In my opinion, the manner that you are delivering your observations & conclusions are aggressive & unsympathetic. I sense even anger for which serves to only discredit your opinions even more. I am firm believer in the power of God's word & His Holy Spirit to heal us & I'm not giving up on that. My doctor is a Christian & I have had no DNA testing. As I stated earlier in this thread, without going into all the details of the tough times I've had, my best friend felt that the diagnosis was not accurate that I have only been through a lot. Things that would deem many a bad days just trying to survive & a lot of ups & downs. Please forgive me for my frankness & lack of love in my post directly to you. Your opinion & experiences are of value & I appreciate you sharing. From what I understand this is a place that was created in hopes that we could gather, glean off of one another & unite because we are brothers & sisters in Christ.

Respectfully submitted,
Julie

p.s. Laurie - Thanks for your prayers.

justafayes · Jan 28, 2006

julietheartist said:
Hi - I'm 40, almost 41 & was recently (2 weeks ago) diagnosed as being bi-polar by my physician of 2+ years. I read through some of the threads here & decided to take a step of courage & start my own thread. It's great that we have a 'safe' place to come, meet one another, share stories, & encourage one another.

I was diagnosed with ADD approximately 8 months ago for the first time, although studying learning disabilities as a minor @ Purdue University, I was not amazed. Nor was I shocked @ my diagnosis of BP - actually a lot of things make more sense now to me.

I have undergone & continue to go a Christian counselor in which we are asking Jesus (along with my husband through prayer) to identifiy the lies associated with memories & emotions that I deal with on a regular basis. The initial diagnosis of ADD resulted in the doctor telling me that I had adjusted for my behavior over the years - I give glory & credit to the the word of God & the power of the Holy Spirit to change me.

I read in a thread about a Pshyc major that attributed her ability to acquire her degree to counseling & medication. I acheived A's & B's in high school & was on the Dean's List @ Purdue as a triple major (went back to school @ the age of 28) - my med's were not prescribed, as I found smoking pot was my drug of choice & did it daily (college only - not high school/athletic acheivement was my drug of choice there) - my doc told me I was self medicating all those years. I can't deny that now. I graduated obtaining my degree in doing so & went on to rededicate my life to the Lordship of Christ just over 3 years ago. God immediately delivered me out of my drug addictions & hopelessness.

I didn't take any meds for the past 3 years until now, they have put me on BP medication & an antidepressent. My drug of choice in now the word of God.

My doctor told me that he thought it was best that I take them while I go through the healing that I am - since so much is getting stirred up & broken lose. I thought the meds would only be temporary, but my mentor told me that once you start taking BP meds, you can't stop. Is this true?

I know that with Christ ALL things are possible. I trust that God is using the meds (with the approval of my husband who is on staff with Teen Challenge) to help me right now. Accepting that I've been sick all my life, seems a bit much to me - I can easily see how I've went in cycles most of my life...like the love roller coaster I used to joke & make reference.

I consider myself a very passionate, committed person that whatever I commit do - I do 110% - obviously an up side of me. :+) When I'm down, I'm down & sucidal tendancies are something I struggle with & can identify immediately. I confess my thoughts to my husband & use the word of God to combat - replace those thoughts. I never understood until 8 months ago how a Chrsitian - obedient - woman could be depressed or have suicidal thoughts, until I experienced it. I always thought because of the decisions I made & situations I got myself into (sin related) - I had good reason to be depressed, but a Christian woman happily married & working in ministry? I couldn't imagine it - God showed me another side of me & has given me an increased compassion & sympathy for Christian woman that struggle with such.

Back to the passion & committment, I'm also (God's given me the ability) to be very creative and now I'm a professional full time artist that manages my own business - & praise the Lord, it is succesfful. (My lifelong dream has come true - He does give us the desires of our heart!) I've been a very determined person @ getting what I want when I set my heart towards it...like returning to college @ the age of 28.

I watched my best friend gringe when I told her about my diagnosis's- as if something was terribly wrong with what they had told me & she wasn't going to believe it. I don't think that having these behavior characteristics - or a diagnosis is all that bad - it's part of how God made us. We are all uniquely different.

Being aware of my behavior tendencies, I now know that when I'm up - I'm gonna come down & I've purposely set out to make sure I take time to read the word (with no distractions), & even try to take a double dose of it or more. I know that it has the power to heal, so I will apply it as such to myself when I am aware of 'down' time coming. I enjoy watching Jesus movies as well that are scripturally based & recorded word for word. Ie. Matthew, the Gospel of John, Acts, etc.

Reflecting on my life & since I've committed all my ways & plans to the Lord, I would have to honestly confess that it was at the lowest time in my life or cycles that I was not reading, praying, confessing sin and/or I was taking things into my mind (like secular TV - or any non God glorifying media) that would not ultimately produce peace, love, joy & happiness. What one sows, they shall reap. I simply was not putting God first in my life & it seems that I am more sensitive to getting out of balance when I don't do so. Which I think ultimately is a good thing. It's like God programmed me to super sensitive to things that are not of Him.

Having been an undiagnosed ADD & BiPolar person most of my life (39 years), I think we should celebrate who we are - who God made us to be & not use the diagnosis as a crutch - we need to only use Christ as our crutch....and sometimes He will be our stretcher to carry us to the Father.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that anyone that suffers from depression or suicidal tendencies that take meds & stay in the word are in sin or anything of the like. I am simply staing that, for myself, I have noticed that when I don't make God the center & priority of my life on a daily manner - worshiping Him as He desires to be - that eventually I tend to go down in my cycle...per say. I have always thought that was normal.

My prayers are with you all. God calls us to be peculiar people - I think that we are. Praise be to God who formed us in our mother's wombs & made us uniquely different for His glory. I'm determined now to make the best of what He's given me to work with, pressing on towards the goal of Him making me more like Him. One day @ a time.

In His love & service,
Julie

Yes, me too.. It's a shame we find out so late in life,, but thanks be to God we at least found out!! God is so Good... there is nothing hid from him,, Love in the Lord, Faye

julietheartist · Feb 3, 2006

Hi Everyone - I actually feel like me again & have resumed my normal productive activities. The creativity is back - my most recent mural is one of my best & I've loved doing it - as a matter of fact, I keep working @ it to make it even better - versus telling my client (who is already super happy about it) that I'm done. My motivation, drive & purpose is back since I went of the Tegretol. I'm only taking Zoloft now & am believeing that it won't be long term. Thanks for all your prayers & encouraging advice.

I also acquired a lot of really good books by the doctors of the Mirinth Clinic. They are Christian & it's been facinating finding more infomation about depression & bi-polar chemical disorders. I highly recommend any of their books.

God also gave me the opportunity, when speaking to the parents of a new art student that had ADHD, to talk about my diagnosis openly - without shame or embarrassment. I saw they filled it [ADHD] in under the section for allergies on the registration form & I inquired if she was taking meds. She & her parents established an even deeper connection to me when I shared that I was diagnosed with ADD in the past 9 monthes. I went on to tell them abou the ADD also & the father, a fireman, has BP & was able to share more with me about Tegretol & other meds he has taken. The family, Christians also, told me that they thought it was great that we could discuss openly something that most people don't understand, nor want to talk about. They joyously made the comment that everything happens for a reason & it was no coincidence that they contacted me to teach their daughter.

God is good....all the time & I'm grateful that He's allowing me to have the insight from experience about these conditions. I know that it will allow me to have a deeper understanding, compassion & connection to those with like situations. To Him be all the glory.

I'm still believing that He will heal me & trusting that He is in complete control of my life . . . with or without meds. All things work together for those who love the Lord.

May He richly bless you all with His grace, mercy & revelation. Thanks for your prayers & posts. I'm praying for you all.

In His grip,
Julie

goldenviolet · Feb 4, 2006

*warmfuzzies*

glad you are feeling better!

wonderwaleye · Feb 4, 2006

vincejohn said:
Talented people enter these mentally depressive episodes because we need acreditation from the world. This is wrong and goes against Jesus teachings about selling our souls to the world. I am a talented songwriter singer been on tele radio have even made women go gaga. Once i tasted this i wanted more which is the way most people are. But God will never let this happen to his children. We should be happy to use our talents gifts for humble purposes and accept this..and then healing in peoples lives who suffer this specific type of what I call talent frustration illness can get better.
Not everyone will be elvis ,the beatles, einstein, calvin klein, or a top proffessor or doctor. You are you work with what you got and never sell out to the devil. I did sell out to the devil once and that was the beginning of my down hood spiral. Jesus saves.

Vince john could it be some of the reasons for your posts is that your not taking your meds and running on manic? I know when I was manic and was writing that some of my work didn't make a lot of sense. Are you married? Do you have anyone around that will tell you if you are manic or not. This can really help at times. I'm am very happy to hear that you have a very strong faith. But we must never forget the Bible says: " Give heed to the physician "

alaurie · Feb 5, 2006

Praise God that you're feeling better, Julie, and have already been able to use your experience relationally with your student and her parents.

You're so right ...He is good all the time!

I'ddie4him · Feb 9, 2006

vincejohn said:
I disagree there is truth in what i say regardless of how I put it. So only bi polar people are sinners what a joke that is. There is no proven test for chemical diagnoses of bi polar. the term bi polar was introduced I believe about 15-20 years ago. prior to that it was called neurosis conditions depression manic disorders.

Wrong, Try more research.

vincejohn said:
The only brain scans they have done which are inconclusive are revealers of extra activity heat build up red or blue areas. This is a normal observation in menatally ill people and is not a definitive proof of dna chemical reactions... How come after I was led into a new life and environment my manic and lows highs vanished by 99% The 1% I now have is what everyone on the earth has its called good and bad days.

Also Wrong.
There ARE ways to test and CONFIRM BP disorder. It is a blood test that looks for a specific enzyme and is very accurate.

vincejohn said:
What a disgrace some doctors are. I told them my conditions are because I lost my wife sister job and contracted a flesh eating virus for 8 years and was unemployed. To then tell me this was not so it was my DNA is the greatest insult to my God given intellegence ever seen by me. I praise God I cryed out to Jesus and the good Lord opened other doors which made the doctors vanish. I deplore the prosperity gospel and deserve better than this from people here.

Perhaps we who suffer from BP and take our meds to remain stable deserve better than to be told our lack of faith excludes us from healing ??
I deserve better and the rest of us do also.

I'ddie4him · Feb 9, 2006

julietheartist said:
Hi Everyone - I actually feel like me again & have resumed my normal productive activities. The creativity is back - my most recent mural is one of my best & I've loved doing it - as a matter of fact, I keep working @ it to make it even better - versus telling my client (who is already super happy about it) that I'm done. My motivation, drive & purpose is back since I went of the Tegretol. I'm only taking Zoloft now & am believeing that it won't be long term. Thanks for all your prayers & encouraging advice.

I also acquired a lot of really good books by the doctors of the Mirinth Clinic. They are Christian & it's been facinating finding more infomation about depression & bi-polar chemical disorders. I highly recommend any of their books.

God also gave me the opportunity, when speaking to the parents of a new art student that had ADHD, to talk about my diagnosis openly - without shame or embarrassment. I saw they filled it [ADHD] in under the section for allergies on the registration form & I inquired if she was taking meds. She & her parents established an even deeper connection to me when I shared that I was diagnosed with ADD in the past 9 monthes. I went on to tell them abou the ADD also & the father, a fireman, has BP & was able to share more with me about Tegretol & other meds he has taken. The family, Christians also, told me that they thought it was great that we could discuss openly something that most people don't understand, nor want to talk about. They joyously made the comment that everything happens for a reason & it was no coincidence that they contacted me to teach their daughter.

God is good....all the time & I'm grateful that He's allowing me to have the insight from experience about these conditions. I know that it will allow me to have a deeper understanding, compassion & connection to those with like situations. To Him be all the glory.

I'm still believing that He will heal me & trusting that He is in complete control of my life . . . with or without meds. All things work together for those who love the Lord.

May He richly bless you all with His grace, mercy & revelation. Thanks for your prayers & posts. I'm praying for you all.

In His grip,
Julie

Thats Great.
Hopefully things will continue to stay on an upswing.
If you need meds to maintain control, It shouldn't be viewed as a negative factor.
If you don't need the meds, Thats great too.
As long as life is stable and mostly normal, Then it really shouldn't matter either way. Right ?
Wishing you well.

I'ddie4him · Feb 9, 2006

wonderwaleye said:
Vince john could it be some of the reasons for your posts is that your not taking your meds and running on manic? I know when I was manic and was writing that some of my work didn't make a lot of sense. Are you married? Do you have anyone around that will tell you if you are manic or not. This can really help at times. I'm am very happy to hear that you have a very strong faith. But we must never forget the Bible says: " Give heed to the physician "

That same thought has crossed my mind a few times over the last week or so.

vibrant · Feb 9, 2006

i'm not experiencing an episode right now, but i would NEVER doubt what i went through.

julietheartist · Mar 25, 2006

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it's been so long since I posted here. I've been very busy in the past month. Our ministry website (50+ pages - 3+ years building) mysteriously vanished into cyberspace. I've had my work cut out for me. It's all back up now & better than ever. beautyfromashes.org

As far my ADD & BP, I've been doing very well. I've been able to maintain balance & been back to my normal schedule - up @ 5:30am to have a great quiet time with the Lord & to sleep no later than 11pm for over a month now.

Creativity has been very good. I've been really busy as far as painting murals. The flower beds & yard are full of flowers & plants. I'm still not taking anymore meds for the BP, only the Zoloft. I'm also taking herbs & vitamans; Omega 3 Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Multivitaman, Lechithin & DMAE

I had a really great week & have been relieved that the website is finally done . . . then today I felt like I had no motivation. Like I was burnt out....not depressed, just not my normal Saturday routine. I had a couple of my classes cancel & knew I didn't have to get up, so I didn't want to. It was cold here in Florida & the cool sheets were very comfy to stay in - cuddled up with my dogs.

I asked my husband if maybe I was cycling & am wondering myself. My best friend tells me that it's normal to want & need to rest after going so full force. ..which makes sense too.

I appreciate all your encouraging & insightful posts....most definitely your prayers. God bless you all.

In Him,
Julie

wonderwaleye · Mar 25, 2006

Dear Julie

Sanibel Island is known all over the world and is owned by the wealthy all over the world.

You live in a beautiful place to paint. I guess if we have to have bipolar that's the place to be.

I see your takings donations to build an apartment complex. Is this where your going to build it. Folks will really enjoy that beautiful beach.

The only problem is the toll each time you drive on the island. How are the poor folks going to be able to pay this? Have you thought of this?

I wish you all well in your ministry.

I checked out the site you posted but many are not working yet. Look forward to seeing them.

I hope you will put some of the beautiful pictures of your island so we can all see.

One other thing came to my mind. The fat cats down there are real sticklers about what they consider poor white trash there and may block your zoning to build so really check that out first.

WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER:

XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

julietheartist · Mar 26, 2006

Hi Wonderwaleye - Thanks for your post, comments & questions. My responses are in black text.

wonderwaleye said:
You live in a beautiful place to paint. I guess if we have to have bipolar that's the place to be.

It is a beautiful place, but I don't live there. We reside in Fort Myers. along the Callusahachi (sp?) River.

I see your takings donations to build an apartment complex. Is this where your going to build it. Folks will really enjoy that beautiful beach.

I doubt we'll build on Sanibel because of zoning. Have hopes that property might be given to us though. An existing mansion on the island or apartment complex in downtown Fort Myers (anywhere!)- wouldn't that be cool? Our God is able.

The only problem is the toll each time you drive on the island. How are the poor folks going to be able to pay this? Have you thought of this?

Yes, the toll is terrible. $6 to go onto the island. That is the reason that we currently seeking another church.

I wish you all well in your ministry.

Thank you - it's God's ministry, I'm only a steward. Best regards to you as well.

I checked out the site you posted but many are not working yet. Look forward to seeing them.

What is not working? My browser shows all the pages & links working. Yikes.

I hope you will put some of the beautiful pictures of your island so we can all see.

I just found the artwork page on CF, but haven't posted over 100 (minimum requirement to attach photos). beautyfromashes.com has pics of my artwork on it. I'm working on a painting now of Jesus carrying a woman on the beach, done from a study of pics I took on the causeway - before the bridge construction.

One other thing came to my mind. The fat cats down there are real sticklers about what they consider poor white trash there and may block your zoning to build so really check that out first.

We'll go where God wants us to be. The promised land had giants in it . . . . With Him, all things are possible.

WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER:

XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

Recently Diagnosed BP & ADD

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vincejohn

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Welcome, Preston!!!

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Holy is the Lord God Almighty

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Welcome, Preston!!!

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now more than ever, i cherish the cross

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