Bipolar Disorder – Dr. Fred Von Gunten Shares His Experiences and Successes
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness. Like all mental illnesses, it changes the way the brain works, which in turn changes the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. Often these brain changes cause the person with bipolar disorder to use and/or abuse alcohol or drugs – an effort sometimes referred to as “self-medicating.” Mental illness is one of the five key risk factors contributing to a person’s developing an addiction (whether to drugs or alcohol), in which case that individual can be diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders – a dual diagnosis. In other words – two brain diseases at the same time – one mental illness and the other addiction.
Dr. Fred Von Guten Shares His Personal Story of Dealing with and Overcoming Bipolar Disorder
The following is a guest post by Dr. Fred Von Gunten, a retired Optometrist specializing in developmental and behavioral vision for more than 33 years, and the author of The Power of Positivity for Bipolar and Anyone Else, a book in which he explores the challenges of living with bipolar disorder and his ultimate achievement of episode-free stability. Dr. Von Gunten can be reached at fvongunten2@gmail.com and invites readers to follow him on Facebook at Promoting the Power of Positivity.
Bipolar Disorder and the Power of Positivity by Dr. Fred Von Gunten
I wrote this article to help others understand what bipolar is like and that living episode-free is possible using my own experiences with both. At 70, I have gained the knowledge and experience from which others may benefit when it comes to dealing with Bipolar Disorder. I lived with over 50 years of Bipolar I, and for the first 25 years, I dealt with five episodes. Since then, I have transformed my life by changing my thoughts (cognitive-behavioral) and committing to a consistent supply of Lithium (physical-psychiatric-mood stabilizer). [I was one of the first to receive Lithium when the FDA approved it in 1971.] I have maintained 30 years of “episode-free emotional stability.” Some would classify this as being a “Functional Bipolar,” but I like to view it as “Functionally Cured.”
Self Medicating Bipolar With Alcohol
The term “self-medication, is defined as “the process by which some individuals may abuse substances in attempting to use them to relieve other problems such as anxiety, pain, sleeplessness or other symptoms of bipolar disorder.” Obviously this is a very serious and widespread issue, but why? What makes those with bipolar disorder turn to alcohol?
Research and theories about this abound, but for the most part it is generally believed that a biological or physiological cause may be the root. There is an “underlying vulnerability of the individual that precipitates both mental illness and substance abuse.”
When I entered my beginning manic episodes, I felt like overnight, I was in high gear—getting by on three hours of sleep. There were nights I would go to the bar for a couple of drinks before heading home from my office hours. Looking back, I now acknowledge I was self-medicating. “When Fred was manic, he became a person I didn’t know and who was hard to live with,” says my wife, Linda. “It was lonely, it was difficult, and there were long hours not knowing where he was.”
Co-occurring Disorders | Dual Diagnosis – Bipolar and Substance Misuse
I then needed to consider the comorbidity of bipolar disorder and substance use illness, including its prevalence in my daily life. There was an impact on the course and presentation with this bipolar disorder, and the associated diagnostic and treatment difficulties I experienced; along with the pharmacologic approaches to my treatment. I discovered that dealing with bipolar disorder is very likely to co-occur with alcohol or drug abuse, and that bipolar patients who also abuse drugs or alcohol have an earlier onset and worse course of illness compared with those who do not. I need to warn that they are more likely to experience irritable and dysphoric mood states, increased treatment resistance, and a greater need for hospitalization.
It was fourteen years ago that I started a new phase of my life (since January 1999). It included retirement, contentment and enhancement of stability with bipolar disorder. And I have to thank my wife, Linda, who for 48 years and counting has supported me during my episodes – I owe her my life.
In terms of retirement, I wonder whether the retired mind frees us from the constant biochemical changes that cause bipolar disorder? Perhaps it is the changes in environment that relaxes the mind in retirement. I don’t know for certain, but in my opinion, therein lays a possible answer to enhancing stability. To answer the questions why I feel it is so important to maintain a positive attitude with bipolar disorder, I felt that I needed to “change” so many areas in my life. The negative symptoms with bipolar required a positive change in dealing with everyday demands.
And it was the practice of using the power of positive thinking to overcome the many challenges of living with Bipolar Disorder that prompted me to write my book. I share these in my book as well as what it took for me to ultimately achieved episode-free stability. I hope it can help others achieve long-term stability, to encourage “positive thinking”… to inspire…to motivate…to give hope…to answer questions or concerns regarding bipolar disorder.
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I read your post on Breakingthecycles.com where you state a.o.: “The retired mind frees us from the constant biochemical changes that cause bipolar disorder”. Interesting statement.
I am almost 66 now, and retired at 64. Within 7 monthes after my retirement I had a very short (5 days) but very severe depression, resulting in psychosis and catatony. Within 1 month after recovery I had an utmost very severe mania, and thus was diagnosed as bipolar. I am on Lithium and without any episodes now since about 1 year.
The truth is, personally I never before was confronted with this disease. Perhaps I had it already in me earlier in my life as some doctors state. But than it must have been very well hidden. I had a very stressful job with long working days. On purpose (to “kick off”) gradually I finished my career via shorter working days and 4 in stead of 5 working days a week.
Still in my case it looks like, opposed to your statement, my bipolarity was triggered by my retirement. I try to find literature about similar cases, but did not find any. Did you encounter something?
Hi AD :
Perhaps, With your aggressive work schedule and very stressful job with long working days, you were working in a hypomanic/manic mood and did not realize it. Then upon retirement your brain chemistry crashed with the short depression, resulting in the 1 month after recovery, you had the utmost very severe mania, and thus was diagnosed as bipolar.
You were no doubt predisposed to Bipolar Disorder and perhaps the relaxed state of retirement triggered the resultant episodes.
In my case, My retirement seemed to enhance my stability that I was working on for 15 years and just gave me more free time to develop a Growing Positivity about my life. As result, I began writing my Book : “Power Of Positivity for Bipolar & Anyone Else” http://www.amazon.com/Power-Positivity-Bipolar-Anyone-Else/dp/1478110147/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=Power+of+Positivity+for+Bipolar+%26+Anyone+Else…I hope you get a chance to read it.
I wish you success in your retirement and stability with your bipolar disorder. Write me with your positive growth. fvongunten2@gmail.com
Best Regards,
Fred
Please can someone help me, I am 46 yrs old , but feel I won”t make it to see 47, my dear Facebook friend Martin Green put me in touch with your work. I have a 13 year old Daughter, Charlotte, who has recently been diagnosed as being depressed, I do try to not let her see the “bad” side of me, but when it comes it”s like a Red mist that I can do nothing about.
My Husband is ANAZING & I would not be here today, if it wasn’t for his love & support.
We are in a Housing Association property & have been dealing with Anti Social Neighbours for over four years. Someday I think I will ERUPT, I just don”t know what to do anymore, I am so tired of feeling down, ALL THE TIME.Please would you have some time to spare? Kind Regards Sandy.
Hi Sandy – PLEASE hang in there and contact me via my email address at lisaf@BreakingTheCycles.com. I will also pass this along to the author of this post, Dr. Von Gunten, as well. I’m so happy you have such a wonderful, supportive husband! Lisa
Dear Sandy :
Please know that there is always Hope for depression to lift and your life is going to get better. you are person who is Loved by your whole Family. I know this is at times difficult to realize, however, with God on your side, You will become more proactive and positive about the importance of your life. Work with your loving husband and your professional mental health team. They will provide you with proper medications and therapy. And at the same time support your daughter’s mental health needs.
Be In Peace,
Dr. Fred
I have lived with bipolar disorder all of my life. It can be a devastating illness, one that in some cases leads to suicide. I have known the exhilaration of mania and the dark endless fall into depression. We are all different and our symptoms vary, but the dark days have no room for a positive attitude. I have learned, however, over the years to face the beast, and know that in time, the darkness will turn to light. There are tools that help me stay balanced, especially the practice of Qigong and meditation. I do own this disease, it is always out there lurking …
For those who have fought to maintain a balanced life, God bless you, hang on and keep fighting.
Dear Joyce : Thanks for writing dated just a little more than a year ago.
Truly you have experienced serious and deviating symptoms of bipolar disorder, how ever you have learned positive management solutions to turn “darkness into light” Finding balance with the practice of Qigong and Meditation has to minimize the effect of mania & depression.
Perhaps, continued medication and CBT Therapy may be something you may want to consider for continued stabilization of your bipolar symptoms.
Best Regards,
Dr. Fred