An interesting developement has arisen! I have become aware of an oversite I made in my last Hub. A friend pointed out the meld of the "Natural and Professional" battle. (Oh, relax, it isn't a battle at all but merely a difference of opinion. Settle down there Mr. Bush, no need for troops here.) Incidentley, I put that in so I could consider adding a political tag in this Hub.

Anyway, yes for many there is a very happy blend of science and nature. With the right doctor, and they can be difficult sometimes to find, (I don't mean that in a snotty way.) and a bit of knowledge of the natural nutrients available, a person can, and many times do, manage their Bipolar quite effectively. For me there was the fear that I would return to the zombie like state the meds put me in. Why did I take them? Because I trusted when I was told they would take care of everything. Sure did. I was the only person on the block who could successfully imitate a bowl of Jello.

I finally just got to the point that I stopped taking them. Slowly at first, until the fog started to lift. By the time alot of the effects had begun to release their hold just as I had gathered enough information to begin taking in the things I needed to function in a more inviting way. I found that the drugs were just to much. They more masked the problems than helped. I had doctors who never listened to a word I said about how I felt, and what I thought was going on inside of me. They wanted to find answers elsewhere. Oh, and someone to blame them on so they could help me to get over it all. They felt I was undermining their therapy by talking about what I needed to talk about, instead of what they wanted me to talk about.

For those who have good help in the way of a competant and caring professional, hold on to them. For the rest of us, we can just put our hands together and walk through this all together. It really isn't that bad once you get a grip on it. Besides, you learn alot of really cool stuff, if you are into that sort of thing. If you try real hard, you learn to look at things with your own personal slant on them, and that makes it all more worth the effort.

Nerves, nerves, nerves. I try to keep stress at a minimum in my life. A little stress isn't too bad, but alot is just about unbearable at times. There are things available naturally that help. I found that a mix of Kava Kava, ST Johns Wart, and a bit of Valerian root, on a daily basis helps one to control anxiety and calm jangled nerves, along with a nice Chamomile tea. Sounds very, well, not manly, huh. Yes. Yes it does. But it does the job. And so do candles and a sprig of Ocean breeze and Dragon's Blood Incense. I know it sounds absolutely rediculous, but try it sometime. The word for the day is "Management".

How I cope with daily life depends on the management of my Bipolar self. If I manage it well, I'm good to go. If I do not, then I am gonna have a bad day. I like good days. Lots of good days, and preferably, several in a row. I use what ever means that have worked in the past, repeatedly, because it works for me. Aroma therapy, candles therapy, diet, (Not a not eating diet, but a healthy diet.) Keeping my metabolism as level as possible helps me to maintain a rather level existance. Sounds boring, but it is not. In fact I often use things I have learned, and share them with others. Alot of times they are amazed at the results. Sometimes not. Hay, I'm not perfect, and I already warned you that I am by no means an expert. Sometimes a little new with a little old is just the ticket.

We have talked about how incorrect amounts of hormones cause problems within our bipolar brains. So what? Well, this is where I get to use one of my favorite words. My favorite word is "Ism's". What in the world is an "Ism"? An "Ism" (from now on just ism will do.) is short for those side tags some proffessionals like to attach to the diagnosis of Bipolar. Like Border Line Personality Disorder, or Paranoid, or Childlike tendencies, and all that falderal and hoopy dee do. well, let me assure you. Bipolar do not have the market cornered on ism's. Everyone has them. Everyone.

There is not one person walking this planet who does not have a chink in them somewhere. An ism, that when the right buttons are pushed, will show up. Jealousy, possesiveness, distrust, over zealous, nose picker, whatever. A non-Bipolar need not worry though, because their ism's, though probably periodically annoying, are quickly handled by the bodies normal reaction to what ever stimulous set off the ism, for the most part. Though the ism is still present, lurking about, chances are it will not be a driving force, as it could quite become in a Bipolar. For those who deal with a Bipolar individual, wether it be friend or family, to include significant others, it is important to remember this fact. In understanding this, you can better understand some of the unexplainable reactions that seem to pop out of your nutty friend.

With all that said, (and I really wonder if any of that will help anyone.) may I suggest a softer, kinder way of saying a person is kookoo for coco puffs. We have all heard the most popular ones, so if you wanna be insulting, it pays to be inventive. No more, "I think his train has jumped the tracks.", or "She's not playing with a full deck." Chances are, if she is Bipolar, she probably has counted the deck three times before dealing. "A brick shy of a load" is another stupid one. What constitutes the load, and just how many brick are there in a load? I have to admit I kinda do like the "Butter has melted off his noodle." though. I do prefer "Eccentric". It seems to fit.

Well time to make the donuts. Keep the comments coming. Happy Bipoloring, and try to keep all your stuff in one sock. Oh, and did I tell you Robin Williams and Jim Carey are Bipolar? (I told you I would name names!)