Why are Americans making such a big deal out of the polar vortex when we have much colder winters here in Russia?
I think the main reason is that it actually is a big deal. It’s the climate change. In the USA as well as in Russia there are many different climate zones. People tend to build the houses according to it. So, this year the polar vortex has gone really deep in the south, which means that there are towns which have never experienced such low temperatures, there are infrastructures which didn’t have to deal with these kinds of problems.Just for example: it’s been snowing in Germany. In my point of view, it’s nothing, I’ve seen much more snow in Russia and I just thought: “oh, it’s finally winter, everything is so beautiful”. And if the same amount of snow fell in my hometown in Russia, it wouldn’t affect anybody. But here in Germany, a friend of mine couldn’t get to work, because the road services weren’t quick enough. Because snowing happens maybe a couple times a year.Another example: the temperatures in the city where I live now don’t tend to fall under 10. It’s the lowest temperature I’ve experienced here and it was only just for one (really beautiful) day. But I can imagine, if it became -25 for a week, it would be a disaster. And then even I, a Russian guy, would make a big deal of it, because it would affect the life of a whole city negatively.I am not an expert here, but I was just trying to think logically. But I’m pretty sure it works like this.
Do you tend to stop taking your bi-polar meds when you are having an episode of mania?
Thank you for the A to A.For me, this is an easy question, unequivocally no. I am blessed with the fact that I know myself really well and I know I need my meds if I want to keep from going over a cliff, metaphorically speaking. I know what unmedicated me is like and I don’t want to be her. It has taken me years to develop a deeper understanding of my condition. But once I was given the Dx I began treatment right away and never looked back. My bipolar presented when I was a kid, only no one knew what it was, back then people didn’t realize that kids are susceptible to many of the same illnesses that adults are it just took the medical field 20+ years to figure it out. I did not get my Dx until I was in my mid-late 30’s. That Dx saved my life and I am grateful to the Dr. that diagnosed me, she was my daughters Dr but when I would go with her the Dr noticed my behavior but she couldn’t say anything to me, I had to figure out there was something wrong with me and then make the appt to see her. This Dx explained so much to me about what was wrong with me all those years. My past was finally explained and I learned why I behaved the way I did with stuff. My life had been a struggle for so many years because I was never treated for bipolar only depression which then opened up a whole new set of problems for me. Too much to detail here.Even on my medication nothing is foolproof and I will have short bursts of hypomania and short periods of depression but I can bounce back from them a little easier now. I have known too many people who have had an extreme bipolar condition and there were 2 problems with this 1) they self-medicated with drugs and alcohol which creates all sorts of other problems and 2) they get to feeling better because the meds were working they think, hey I’m good, I don’t need the meds anymore so they stop them and then it all begins again, that is a vicious loop to get into.So no, I will not stop taking my meds. If they ever feel like they are failing to work I will immediately go see my Dr and try to get it in hand and find something that works better. I have been on multiple meds that didn’t work well for me, but I have finally found a cocktail that works so I will stick to that for now.
Why do bipolar patients stop taking medication knowing this could ruin their life?
I have had Bipolar 2 for all my life, and was diagnosed 14 years ago. I have had countless medication and dosage changes as well as ECT treatments. If you think that someone who goes off their medications is thinking about how such an action is going to affect their entire life, think again.Many people go off the meds because they think they are doing okay and don't need the meds. It's all good, to them.For me, life on medications is just plain boring. While the rest of the world is whirling, and people have feelings, some people -like me- are parked in neutral. It's like staring out the window and seeing shades of black and gray and white. And everyone else gets to see it in color.As for ruining my life, well, one or two days of being off medications does not a bad life make. I skip meds once a week or so, because a) it gives my body a break from all the drugs, and b) I can FEEL something. The littlest bit of emotion up or down means a lot.I'm not suggesting that anyone be non-compliant with their meds. My docs know this is what I do, and they trust that I am making good decisions.I haven't skipped any meds this month. Last week, as I sat next to my mother-in-law's bed, and watched her go without food or water for 7 days before she died, I did not cry. Family members around me were crying, some were telling stories and laughing, and others were saying how relieved they were when she finally died. All I could do was sit and watch.I'm not looking for sympathy or empathy. It is what it is.
In what ways are twin flames polar opposites? In what ways do they mirror each other?
Culture, age, religion, geographical location can be different. And clearly sex/gender. But these are superficial, social constructed ego-matters.They can share values, experiences, likes/dislikes, the way they receive feelings, love, friendship. I think that the way of loving or love nature should be compatible/ideal for each other. Aren’t they the ultimate love for us, the love of all loves?They can be opposite (and thus complementary) in their approach to life: one can be practical/down to earth, the other idealistic/spiritual; they tend to form an archetype. These two forces if brought together can help twins to achieve their joint purpose.Despite differences in upbringing and background (see differences above), the experiences will be similar (for example, the first love of both has been an older person; both have experienced trauma, loss, death of a relative at the same time; families can be different but there will similarities as if families are one; they will understand the other because something, even through the differences, resonates, providing an unexplicable but fascinating possibility of mutual understanding).Outward appearance may be not identical but there can be mirrored issues (think of skin problems; having same scars but for different reasons, etc. It’s weird); same issues coming from different sources, etc.Which leads us to consider the mirroring.The mirroring is intense. From the outside the two people may seen unrelated, very different, or you wouldn’t even think some kind of relationship is possible between the two. But under the surface, their ego structure is similar, they share personality traits, which means also the negative traits.When they come in contact through their shared traits, if the individuals are healthy, then the relationship feels like bliss. If they come together mirroring their worst (which is the case, for they point to what has to be healed), it can be a traumatic, too intense or “scary” encounter. Imagine, for example, that these two are coming together to heal their egoistic tendencies. Their egoism will come to the surface making both very conscious of this shared trait; they will be repelled. They work through it; they come together again.They are supposed to work through it anyway.Blessings.
Why do I feel super happy sometimes and then real sad?
This isn't bipolar disorder if that's what you think. This is very common amongst people in their teen years. Your hormones are running rampant and you're just beginning to comprehend abstract thought. It can be a little overwhelming at this pivotal point in your life. Most people get over it when they hit 18-24
What is bio-polar?
Depression: Feeling sad or blue, or “down in the dumps” Loss of interest in things the person used to enjoy, including sex Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty Sleeping too little or too much Changes in weight or appetite Feeling tired or having little or no energy Feeling restless Problems concentrating or making decisions Thoughts of death or suicide Mania: Increased energy level Less need for sleep Racing thoughts or mind jumps around Easily distracted More talkative than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking More self-confident than usual Focused on getting things done, but often completing little Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it’s likely bad things will happen A person with bipolar disorder tends to experience more extreme states of mood than others, which can change quickly or last for months. Mood patterns of this nature are associated with distress and disruption, and a relatively high risk of suicide. There have also been links to high functioning, notably regarding hypomania ('below mania') and above-average creativity, high productivity, and self-expression.