The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive

Completely by chance, I was channel flicking this evening and found that there was a documentary on bipolar disorder -- "The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive" with Stephen Fry. It was compelling viewing -- which is why I never managed to post before it finished! Oops!! It was on BBC2, and there are more details on their webpages: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/?id=manic_depressive

Anyway, part 2 is next week, same time (Tuesday, 9pm, UK time). Really worth watching if you can get hold of BBC2 (which I'm not sure will be possible if you're not in the UK, but, modern technology being what it is, ya never know!). If not, the BBC page has links to clips that you can watch from there.

A good reminder of how many highly intelligent and successful people have this disorder.

Rosie x

I think an inspirational thread would be a nice idea. The question of mentioning God is a tricky one because of Forum Rule #10:

"10. No posts of an overtly political or religious nature OR posts promoting advocacy of particular personal, medical, legal, religious, political, or non-profit causes.  The forums are intended for offering mutual personal support.  Debating controversial subjects should be taken elsewhere.  Limited religious references are allowed (ie. "my prayers are with you" or a brief quote as part of a larger post), but the forums should not be used to convert others."

There's a fine line to be drawn here, because religion can be a big part of a person's story (e.g I've read posts where people talk about how much a church group has helped them, etc.). I think the key is that personal experience is good to share, but we have to avoid anything that is "preachy" -- that seems to be attempting to convert others, or that might be offensive to someone of a religion different to the one that's being talked about (e.g. suggestions that help can only be gained through the Christian/Muslim/Jewish God, etc.).

Don't worry, though: if there's anything that I'm worried about in posts like this, I promise to edit *gently* and will always explain why I've edited -- and it won't be meant to offend if I do have to do this!!

Thanks for being so thoughtful Judy -- I'm sure others wonder about what's ok and what's not on this score too!!!

Rosie x

i think that an inspirational thread would be wonderful.  i am jewish and have no problem with "god."  it is just a word that we use to describe our comcept of a "higher power."  the jews use the term "adonoi" which means "the name" or "the nameless one" when referring to god in hebrew.  the muslems use the term "allah" which loosely translates as "god."  ("there is no god but god and mohamed is his only prophet").  the buddists refer the concept of a higher power to what might be called an "infinite regress" to achieve unity with a higher self.

why this diatribe?  i have spent my entire adult life "integrating."  my people only constitute about 1% of the population.  where i live in tx  is mostly catholic and where i live in al is mostly babtist.  i really don't care what anyone calls this higher power.  in masonry we call it "the great architect of the universe".  and then there are those who rely on ethics and science.  who cares?

my point is that we can all use inspiration and something to help us make it through the day - and this difficult bp life.  bring it on!  you won't offend me, i assure you.

warren