Being Bipolar

Actress and poet Emily Epler is working to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder. As part of these efforts, she wrote and performs her one-woman play, “The Levity of Lithium”.

Epler was diagnosed with bipolar disorder several years ago. The play focuses on an intense manic episode she experienced in 2005. One reviewer, Becca Blake, saw the show in late 2008. She says, “Epler’s skill as a word-painter poet was showcased in her ability to describe her mania. Her metaphors for the chaotic feelings experienced during a manic cycle of bipolar were beautiful and insightful.” (http://broadstreetministry.blogspot.com/2008/09/levity-of-lithium-review.html )

Emily is currently taking Lithium to treat her illness and is a strong advocate for properly taking medications prescribed to patients with mental illness. She tells Alexis Dow of The Patriot News in Pennsylvania, “I try to dispel a myth that one can ‘wean themselves off’ of these medications. I compare bipolar disorder to diabetes. Both are medical conditions that require medications. A diabetic cannot tell their pancreas, ‘Go ahead and start production of insulin.’ Similarly, I cannot tell the synapses in my brain to speed up or slow down. Lithium regulates the transmission between these synapses.” (http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2009/03/actress_bares_her_bipolar_soul.html )

I think it is wonderful that Epler is shedding light on the spectrum of bipolar disorder, helping to educate others about the disorder, and encouraging those who have been diagnosed with the disorder to take their medications as prescribed. I sincerely hope that “The Levity of Lithium” continues to gain momentum and other performers will begin to openly discuss their experiences with all types of mental illness.

If you happen to live near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Epler will be performing “The Levity of Lithium” at Der Maennerchor at 127 North Street on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or by contacting her through her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/dandylionvintage.

 I think she wears the pants in that family.

Panic disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of sudden, intense fear. Physical symptoms may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress.

Symptoms may include:

• Chest Pain
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Abdominal distress
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Tingling or numbness of hands
• Feeling flushed or chilled
• Fear of impending doom or loss of control

It is common for a person to develop a fear of these symptoms, and this fear is considered a symptom of panic disorder. A person may think they are having a heart attack, dying or losing their mind. The attacks cannot be predictable so someone affected by the disorder may develop intense fear of having an attack.

The tendency to develop panic attacks is inherited. Repeated panic attacks are defined as panic disorder. Approximately 6 million American adults have panic disorder. Women are twice as likely to develop this disorder as men are.

In some cases, the attacks may become so severe that a person avoids normal activities such as shopping or driving. Almost one third become unable to leave their home. They are often unable to leave the home unless accompanied by a trusted person. This is called agoraphobia. Early treatment can usually prevent agoraphobia but it often goes undiagnosed.

I was diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia. It’s very unusual for me to leave my house. My husband does all the shopping and my typical outings involve going to the doctor. I don’t go anywhere alone unless I absolutely have to. When I know I will be going out in public (like the AC/DC concert ), I will have flu-like symptoms. It causes a great deal of problems for not only me, but my family as well.

More on agoraphobia tomorrow. Have a great day!

Some of you may have noticed the new widget on my right hand sidebar asking (more like begging) for donations. I would like to explain why it is there.

As you all know, my father passed away a year ago. His insurance policy had not reached maturity and therefor did not pay anything but the premiums paid in. It was a mere $300. Aside from that, I have received no money towards his burial expenses. It was almost $7000 and I have paid down as much as I can. My two sisters are supposed to be paying on this as well but they are both flat broke. The funeral home charges us a whopping 18% interest per month on the balance. The payment I am able to make barely covers the interest and I was unable to make payments over the holidays. They are now threatening to sue me. I am paying every dime I can but I am basically just paying the interest. At this rate, I will never get it paid. I need help.

I would like to say that I don’t honestly expect any of my readers to donate. I am posting this on the off chance that Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams or some other wealthy celebrity stumbles upon my page and feels generous enough to help me out of a bind. It can’t hurt to try, right?

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who is hosting and banner and completed a questionnaire. Bipolar Awareness Month is going great and it is all because of you! I do still need people to complete the questionnaire. If you are interested, email me at beingbipolar@writersbeacon.com .

This has been a very busy week for me but it illustrates how well I am doing. Monday afternoon I took the girls to the elementary school. My youngest daughter was taking part in the PTO program. I took my oldest daughter so I wouldn’t be alone. I did okay. After we left, we went to my youngest son’s Cub Scout meeting. He was participating in the annual pine wood derby. He placed third and brought home a trophy. This is very good considering it is only his second time competing in this event. After all of this, I will admit that I was mentally drained and I did take a zanax to deal with it. Still, I survived.

On Thursday, my mother called and wanted me to go out to lunch with her. My three sisters, my mother and I all went to a local restaurant for lunch. I visited with them for several hours. After I got home, a friend of mine came out so I had no alone time all day. I am drained from that and enjoying the peace today. I didn’t take a zanax yesterday but I may need one today. I feel like I am going to crawl out of my skin again.

It has been a very busy week but I am hanging in here and taking it day by day.

Happy Valentine’s Day!