Hopefully, all of you have heard of the two main models for care for those with Bipolar Spectrum.

1st is the "Medical Model" and this is the one promoted by National Alliance on Mental Illness who is sponsored by Big Pharma.  They promote forced treatment and even forced medication. There are laws on the books which facilitate their views and since they are supported by Big Pharma, you will be told to "Take your meds", "You will have to be on medication the rest of your life".   "This is the worst thing that could happen in your family".  The latest book by Dr. Jaffe called Insane Consequences seems to make everyone with any kind of diagnosis a candidate for forced treatment and forced medications.

The two main laws that they have been able to push through are Kendra's Law and in California: "Laura's Law".  These can be downloaded from the web for you to look at.

2nd is the "Recovery Model" as promoted by Dr. Daniel Fisher of Power2U.org.  For you that don't know Dan, he was diagnosed with Schizophrenia while in med school.  He has been able to overcome his label and has gone on to be a licensed Psychiatrist M.D. The people in NAMI populate mental health boards and positions of power in state and federal government. What is your lone voice against their collective group of parents and friends.  N.A.M.I. began by a group of family members who were fighting the beleif that the family created the problems and their poor children needed to be cared for by parents, doctors and broken systems.  They have strong training programs to explain Mental Illness, train first responders, etc.  They say they are anti-stigma and yet they are the ones who promote it the most.  Anyone up for a series of shock treatment.  They want parents to have more say in the care of their children who may have some mental illness.

The Recovery Model is one of hope.  It is one that those of us with diagnoses need to be aware of.  People are told that "sure you may have some limitations but that doesn't mean your life is over".  We are encouraged to take risks and if we fail, we pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and keep in the battle.  We do not beleive that drugging is the only method of treatment for our conditions.  Hope versus Dispair.  I would rather look at the possitives of my diagnosis instead of the dreadful fear of my liberty and freedom to taken away and forced into a hospital someplace.  Whenever, I speak at the local private mental health facility, I stress to the patients that "Don't think you are going to be here the rest of your life".  "Make plans for a life outside of these restraints.  Maybe you can't do everything, but you can do something.  Let's find out what you are good at and work on that.

I urge any of you who may be up to volunteering in the Veteran's Administration Medical Centers to reach out to them as a peer helping peers.  In 2010, Phoenix V.A. took the pioneering step of allowing me (as a peer) to hold discussion groups in their two psych. units.

The head of volunteers told me: "You can't volunteer up there", "You can't change the V.A. overnight"   But, indeed we did.  The head of Sociology and the Head of Psychiatry wanted me and the volunteer officer had to look the other way.  At first, I thought I was just there to assist the Psychologist but she told me: "Why don't you just go ahead and come up with your own program and I will sit by in the meetings for support.  I was surprised to say the least.

It worked.  The doctor and I would meet before and after the sessions to go over what worked and what might need to be modified.  When I left and retired, I got a two page beautiful letter from the Psychologist I had worked with.  Between us, we had begun a brand new program within the Veteran's Administration world-wide.  What a treat.  But, this needs to continue and if you have the ability to even do this now and then, I urge you to contact your local V.A.

It was very rewarding.

I have been diagnosed with B.P II since 1984. Volunteer chaplain at a private mental facility for over 20 years and even though I have my challenges, there is a way to help others when from time to time you may be able.  

What have you done with the gift of bipolar?  How do you cope?  What have you found to be triggers that make things worse?  What has helped you feel better?