Have I mentioned I am Bipolar?

Well I guess it is not that important. What is important is that it's April. I refrained from publishing a Hub on the first of April. I learned long ago, it is very difficult to be funny on April First. (Seems every un-employed comedian, and their brothers, come out on that particular day. It is a mass migration of idiocy escaping from otherwise normal people.) Guess, I am just sore that I fell for the old, "I'm leaving the Hubpages!" message on Forum.

However it is April. Winter's hold on us is slipping. April is, Spring's Eve. Days when the earth, and all it's inhabitants begin to breath in the life that is beginning to appear from the earth. (If I am boring you, you can always look down at the end and find out what famous person is Bipolar!)

For those of you who remained, I will let you in on a little secret. I thought I would try something a bit different this time. I thought I would put the names within the text where those who are now looking at the end will never find them! Shh! Come closer. Now, I am no gossip, but I heard Brittany Spears is Bipolar! (Ahh, you knew!) Oh, I bet you heard it from that Dr. Phill guy. (Now there is a name I can not write without laughing myself silly and soiling my undergarments.) I mean, come on. Did we really need (Oh please, don't make me say his name again. I can't afford to soil myself twice in one day. Once is funny, twice becomes a condition!) "him" to tell us she was Bipolar? And what ever happened to Doctor/Patient Confidentiality, or does that only apply if you really are a Doctor.(I know you aren't supposed to start a sentence with "And" but call me a rebel!)

As I was saying, April brings on the rebirth of life and the promise of a fresh start. A very uplifting time of year you would think. Though statisticly, it is the month which carries the highest numbers of suicide during the year. Ironic, isn't it? I would like to take the opportunity to thank the person who brought this to my attention, and that is none other than my significant other. My inspiration. Thank you. Because of you, those who read this will also become aware of this fact. Perhaps there are those reading who know Biolars as friends or loved ones and now know that this may be a time to reach out in support of one who may be having a rough time. Why April? I don't know. (At least I am truthful!)

So, lets talk about something we all can relate too, Bipolar or not. Depression. (Yes, depression. I know I mentioned April being high in numbers of suicides, but we will get to that in a minute. Be patient. Gee whiz!) Bipolar folks do not have the corner on depression. Everyone has periods of blue spells as well as "Up times". However, as I have mentioned in the past, blue periods for Non-Bipolars are rather brief and tend not to spiral further than wanting a bit of solitude to work things out. For the most part, it is all done and finished with soon, and the person is back on the path they were on before the blue period. No harm, no foul.

Things are a bit different for the Bipolar individual. What ever the trigger is that begins the downward tilt into depression is not the issue. The depression itself is the issue. I know, if I miss the signs that I am sliding, I know I will be a basket case in as little as a few hours. Chances are, if I let it get ahead of me, I know I will continue to spiral down. How far? Again, I would have to say, I don't know. I am afraid to know, because I thought I had hit bottom a couple of times, but evidently not. (The fact that I am still here, and writing still another Hub attests to that.)

So, what is the bottom. Dare I say it? Any guesses? Let me give you a hint. April has the most of them than any other month. Nope, not spring flowers. Try again. Yup! You got it. In my opinion, that is the lowest point of depression that anyone can achieve. Suicide. Not a very happy subject, and it is seldom that I tackle such a dark, sinister and sobering subject such as this without trying to inject a bit of humor to make it a bit more palatable. (And I'll be darned if I am gonna start now!) So, lets get on with this. (Speaking of suicide, of course you all know Marilyn Monroe was Bipolar. There's another one all those who dove to the end will never find!)

Linda Hamilton is also Bipolar. On a popular talk show she said, and I am paraphrasing because it was quite a while ago and the exact words escape me now. (Oh lets be serious here. I could have watched it 5 minutes ago and still not remember the words she used!) She said that it is easiest to describe living as a Bipolar by multiplying every emotion you encounter in a day, times 100. That is to say, a Bipolar feels every emotion 100 times more than a Non-Bipolar. Now it is difficult to measure an emotion by number in the first place, so to multiply it is even more difficult, but it is the most accurate statement she could have made. For instance, losing a pet is devestating to a pet owner, and the severeness of that loss can only be understood by another pet owner. Only a pet owner can know the companionship and unconditional love a pet has for it's caregiver. Even a pet owner who, for what ever reason, has never lost a pet can sympathize with a friend who has lost a pet. They themselves can imagine just how difficult it would be if they lost their own companion. Now, to a non-Bipolar pet owner, this would be a very depressing time. But the moment passes soon. Though the pet may be missed, life continues and so do you. Back in step with the world once again.

For the Bipolar, even something as simple as the above scenario can begin that spiral into which there is the possability of losing your way in the depths of depression. Now I am not saying that everytime a Bipolar falls into depression they are at risk of suicide. What I am saying is that once in a while, it does happen. Not always for the reason you may think either.

What are reasons why Bipolars do sometimes suicide? Again, I don't know. (It is kind of difficult to get straight answers from dead people.) Fortunately, some leave word behind, in the form of letters or notes. Some have left behind journals that even lead up to the tragic moment when they have decided to "Stop the madness." Others leave nothing. These are the ones who are most tragic, for they have made that decision quickly, and without warning. So they think. (I will get to that in a minute.)

Dealing with someone that has fallen in spirit to the point that I am talking about is a very delicate matter. Sometimes it is one that is best handled by professionals. The thing is, you need to figure out how to get a professional involved, and in as little a threatening way as possible. But how do you recognize the need? (Let's face it folks, this is not a time to over-react!)

The way I see it, there are three stages to worry about. Sometimes there are only two, so your chances to intervene are rather limited at this point. The first being the moment when it may be verbalized. Maybe something like, "I wish I were dead!" (Okay, it may not be that blatent, but you get the idea, and so have they.) The seed is there. You have a chance at this point to reach out. They are looking for a way out. Most likely, they don't really want to do anything rash, but the possability has come up. The second stage, to me, is when they begin to mention possible avenues of exiting, stage left. This is about the end of your chances on turning a very bad decision around. (This however is the stage that sometimes never develops, or closes quite quickly, and of course, it goes without saying what the third stage is. (Oops, too late.)

Now, back to the ones who without warning, punch their own ticket into the dirt nap hotel. These are the ones who do not verbalize anything. These are the ones that leave no note. These are the ones who have closed themselves off from everything, everyone, following either a brief or prolonged period of deep depression. But, there are signs. Especially if after such a deep depression. If, say a friend, who you have been trying to cheer up for weeks all of a sudden appears on your door step, seemingly unusually relieved or happy. Be leary. There is every bit a possibility that a decision has been made, and for what ever reason this individual has for being out, you can bet they are on a mission. There may be some things they wish to do, or a couple things they may want to say before being ready to do the deed.

Now I tell you these things because it happens. That is the long and short of it. Sometimes all that is needed is a warm smile, some times it takes a straight jacket. Sometimes all is needed is something somewhere in the middle of the two. Sometime it may be you who will have to make that call. What will you do?

Here are some people who can help:

www.Suicidepreventionlifeline.org

or, 1-800-273-TALK, the National Suicide Hot line.

Now for those of you who dove to the end of this Hub to find out who else of fame is Bipolar, I guess I will throw you a bone. www.Bipolar-Lives.com

Why not try the link above and read up a bit for yourself. Time to make the donuts! Happy Bipolaring.