Alcoholics Anonymous The 'BIG BOOK'

You can read the Alcoholics Anonymous 'BIG BOOK' here, and download it in pdf format... http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/

Types of bipolar disorder

The course of bipolar disorder varies widely from person to person, with unpredictable differences in the pattern and frequency of the manic and depressive episodes. Some people are more prone to either mania or depression, while others alternate equally between the two types of episodes. Some have frequent mood disruptions, while others experience only a few over a lifetime. The duration and severity of each episode also differs.

Each of the four types of bipolar disorder have a unique pattern of symptoms:

Bipolar I Disorder – Mania and depression Bipolar I Disorder is the classic manic-depressive form of the illness, as well as the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode. Although a previous episode of major depression is not required for diagnosis, the vast majority of people with Bipolar I Disorder have experienced one. The typical course of Bipolar I Disorder involves recurring cycles between mania and depression.

Bipolar II Disorder – Hypomania and depression In Bipolar II disorder, the person doesn’t experience full-blown manic episodes. Instead, the illness involves episodes of hypomania and severe depression. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder, you must have experienced at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode in your lifetime. If you ever have a manic episode, your diagnosis would be changed to Bipolar I Disorder.

Cyclothymia – Hypomania and mild depression Cyclothymia, also known as cyclothymic disorder, is a milder form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar disorder, cyclothymia consists of cyclical mood swings. However, the highs and lows are not severe enough to qualify as either mania or major depression. To be diagnosed with cyclothymia, you must experience numerous periods of hypomania and mild depression over at least a two-year time span. Because people with cyclothymia are at an increased risk of developing full-blown bipolar disorder, it is a condition that should be monitored and treated.

Rapid Cycling – Frequent episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression Rapid cycling is a subtype of bipolar disorder characterized by four or more episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression within one year. The shifts from low to high can occur over a matter of days or hours. Rapid cycling can occur within any type of bipolar disorder. It usually develops later in the course of bipolar disorder, but it is sometimes just a temporary condition.

A.A. the Serenity Prayer

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I Cannot change…

Courage to change the things I can...

And Wisdom to know the difference…

The AA Promises

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

That feelings of uselessness, self-pity, fear, sadism, arrogance & mania will disappear.

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Social Withdrawal, Aloofness, Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not.

They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.

They will always materialize if we work for them.

Are You An Alcoholic?

You might like to take the following test, developed by the World Health Organisation. To calculate your score add the figures up in the left-hand column. A score of eight or more suggests a drink problem.

1. How often do you drink alcohol?

(0) Never
(1) Monthly
(2) 2-4 times a month
(3) 2-3 times a week
(4) 4 or more times a week

2. How many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day?

(0) 1 or 2
(1) 3 or 4
(2) 5 or 6
(3) 7, 8 or 9
(4) 10 or more

3. How often do you have six or more units of alcohol on one occasion?

(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily

4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily

5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was expected of you because of drinking?

(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily

6. How often during the last year have you needed a drink first thing in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly (2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily

7. How often during the last year have you felt guilt or remorse after drinking?

(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily

8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?

(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily

9. Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?

(0) No
(2) Yes, but not in the last year
(3) Yes, during the last year

10. Has a relative, friend, doctor or health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?

(0) No
(2) Yes, but not in the last year
(3) Yes, during the last year

What is Alcoholics Anonymous?

"Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."

How people beat the demon drink

Millions of people suffer from alcohol problems ranging from heavy drinking to dependency.

It is estimated that just one in 10 have treatment for their drinking. For the heavy drinkers, common treatment may involve a consultation with their GP or brief counselling from an alcohol specialist.

But if the condition is more serious - dependency - a whole range of options are available from counselling to drug therapy.

Rehabilitation

There are two stages to the treatment - becoming alcohol-free and rehabilitation.

Once the individual is off alcohol, the rehabilitation starts. The counselling often takes three months although for some it can last much longer and varies from groups sessions to intensive counselling known as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Drug treatments can also be used to either subdue the craving for drink or to induce a feeling of violent sickness to make people afraid of drinking.

Self-help groups are also popular - the most famous being Alcoholics Anonymous.

The idea is that you get the person to admit the problem and then you can start the recovery.

Talking to people face-to-face whether in groups or on your own is the best way of dealing with it.

But whatever help a person receives, it is the individual themselves that has to beat the problem.

Two thirds of people who have treatment manage to stay off alcohol afterwards, even if they are prone to the odd relapse.

The problem is that there is still a lot of stigma attached to the issue. There is no reason why it should be treated like other problems such as back pain, but it isn't.

Bipolar Disorder

We all experience shifts in our mood: some days we feel happy and ready to take on the world; other days can be discouraging, filled with sadness and frustration. Our emotional state of being varies constantly, and can fluctuate between these two extremes on a daily basis.

Although some fluctuation in mood is normal, when it becomes so extreme that the person feels like their mood state shifts through low and high periods, this can indicate the presence of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a form of clinical depression that affects 1 to 2% of the population in a lifetime or about one in every five people with mood disorders. It does not discriminate among socio-economic groups and, unlike other kinds of depression, seems to affect men and women equally. What can elevate your risk though—by about 7%—is being the close relative of someone with the disorder.

The experience of bipolar disorder from person to person depends on how fast the individual moves through periods of depression and mania, how severe each extreme gets, and what else happens during each state (for instance, whether the person is experiencing psychosis, or a break with reality, during mania or depression.)

Despite these differences, an episode of bipolar disorder will feature a person experiencing cycles of moods, including periods of depression, normal mood and mania. Depressive symptoms are similar to those experienced by people undergoing a major depression. During this time, a person can feel a range of bodily symptoms affecting sleep, appetite, concentration and energy levels and a range of psychological symptoms including worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness and apathy.

In contrast, a person in a manic phase may suddenly experience an excessively high or elated mood. They may begin to talk rapidly, have little need for sleep, make grandiose plans and even start to carry them out. Such uncharacteristically risky or ambitious behaviour can sometimes land the person in trouble. For example, someone may spend money very freely and get into debt, or show disregard for the law. They may also show an uncharacteristic lack of judgement in their sexual behaviour. And as already mentioned, some people also have psychosis (e.g. delusions and hallucinations) during this time.

Although the illness can first strike at any age, it is most commonly developed in young adulthood, especially in one's 20s. Many people with the illness take years to be properly diagnosed because doctors often only see the patient when they are depressed and may fail to ask the right questions to diagnose bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder can take a mild, moderate or severe form depending on the number and intensity of the symptoms. Though people may struggle with the illness for many years, an episode itself is never permanent, lasting from several days to a number of months. With professional treatment, however, it may end much more quickly.

There are a number of possible causes of bipolar disorder. Bio-chemical factors are thought to play a large role. Since a person's risk of developing bipolar disorder increases if they have a close relative with the disorder, genes are thought to play an important part too. In addition, stress related to work, relationships, finances and other areas of life can trigger a bipolar episode.

Medications can often help to reduce, if not stop, the extreme mood swings associated with manic depression. Psychological therapy and the support of family, friends, support groups and other self-help strategies can also help people to lead fuller and more active lives.

Symptoms of Depression

• feeling worthless, helpless or hopeless

• sleeping more or less than usual

• eating more or less than usual

• having difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• loss of interest in taking part in activities

• decreased sex drive

• avoiding other people

• overwhelming feelings of sadness or grief

• feeling unreasonably guilty

• loss of energy, feeling very tired

• thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of Mania

• excessively high, elevated or irritable mood

• unreasonable optimism or poor judgement

• hyper-activity or racing thoughts

• talkativeness, rapid speech (sometimes becoming incoherent)

• decreased sleep

• extremely short attention span

• rapid shifts to rage or sadness

Celebrities with Bipolar Illness

A partial list of public figures who have made public their experiences with manic depression:

• Alvin Ailey, choreographer

• Ned Beatty, actor

• Ludwig van Beethoven, composer

• Art Buchwald, writer

• Robert Campeau, Canadian real estate magnate

• Winston Churchill, former British prime minister

• Francis Ford Coppola, director

• Patricia Cornwell, writer

• John Daly, pro golfer

• Gaetano Donizetti, composer

• Patty Duke, actress

• Carrie Fisher, actress, writer

• Larry Flynt, magazine publisher

• Shecky Greene, comedian

• Linda Hamilton, actress

• Jack Irons, musician

• Margot Kidder, actress

• Vivien Leigh, actress

• Bill Lichtenstein, journalist

• Joshua Logan, director, playwright

• Robert Lowell, poet

• Kristy McNichol, actress

• Burgess Meredith, actor

• Spike Milligan, comedian

• Robert Munsch, writer

• Jaco Pastorius, musician

• Jimmy Piersall, pro baseball player, sportscaster

• Charley Pride, musician

• Axl Rose, musician

• Alonzo Spellman, pro football player

• James Taylor, musician

• Ted Turner, media mogul

• Dimitrius Underwood, pro football player

• Jean-Claude Van Damme, actor, martial artist

• Brian Wilson, musician

• Bert Yancey, pro golfer

10 Bipolar Disorder Self-Help Tips

Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder or have been dealing with it for a long time, it’s likely that nobody has taken the time to sit you down and explain what you can and should be doing to help yourself. This Top 10 list will help to bring you up to speed on bipolar self-help strategies that really work:

1. Take ownership of your illness. No, it’s not your fault that you have bipolar disorder, but now that you have it, do your part to get help, lead a healthier lifestyle, and follow your treatment with much care.
2. Take your medications as prescribed. Most of the medications used to treat depression or mania need to be taken daily, not just when you think you feel depressed or manic or think you need them.
3. Don’t drink alcohol. (This is something very important). Drinking alcohol can neutralize the beneficial effects of the medications and interact with some medications to cause liver damage, seizures, unpredictable shifts in mood, and other health problems. (Avoid other substances, as well, including medications that your doctor has not prescribed for you.)
4. Sleep seven to eight hours per night… every night. Sleep deprivation can really throw your moods out of order.
5. Steer clear of stimulants. Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants could tip your mood balance, especially if they cause you to lose sleep.
   
6. Establish healthy routines. You’ll be surprised at how much a daily routine can relieve stress and level your moods. Exercise can help, too. If you have trouble establishing healthy routines, consider consulting a therapist who is trained in Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy.
7. Avoid triggers and stressors. Situations or people that get you hyped up, agitated, or upset can trigger mood episodes.
8. Team up with your doctor and therapist. They can provide much more effective treatment if you make and keep regular appointments, consult them prior to making any medication or treatment changes, and be honest about what’s going on.
9. Educate yourself. The more you and others around you learn about the disorder, the better equipped you’ll be to keep it under control.
10. Ask for help. Your friends, family members, and the people you work with probably want to help but don’t know what to do. Let them know what they can do to help you.
    

These ten tips may sound pretty easy in theory, but can be very difficult to put into practice, particularly if your moods are currently cycling. If you happen to wander off course, don’t beat yourself up over it. Nobody’s perfect, and you are battling an illness that can be very difficult to manage.

'Mirrors'

Emotional pain is most difficult to bear when its origins are obscure. Many of the symptoms that we experience result from our inability to connect the memories from our past to create a cohesive and sensible story of our life. Some of these memories have been suppressed in order to protect us from being overwhelmed by particularly painful experiences. The protection, unfortunately, is incomplete and requires considerable mental energy to sustain.

Our scattered memories resemble the shards or fragments of pottery that an archeologist unearths at a dig. Each fragment provides only a hint of the form and function of the whole vessel. The fragments of one vessel may even be found interspersed among the pieces of many others, so that they must be sorted one from another before each can be reassembled.

The work of healing a mental sickness is like finding, sorting, and putting together the pieces of an ancient pot. The work is often tedious, and some of the slivers may be sharp and dangerous. The result, if we are patient, is a beautiful object, elegant in form and function, and eloquent in the tale it tells of its creation.