Bipolar Disorder

Weardale Guy · September 5th, 2008, 23:29

Hi Guys.

Just wondering if anybody can help?
I suffer with a Bipolar disorder, appart from the depression other symptoms include severe panic attacks. These attacks can come on at any given moment, and can last for a period of time.
Can anyone sugest which of the meditation Cd's would be benificial to this problem, as i could put the cd onto my ipod. Also which cd could help me get off to sleep, another symptom of the dissorder.
Any suggestions welcome.

Regards

Weardale Guy

bashmaki · September 6th, 2008, 01:58

I'm no expert by any means but I believe Michael, in his "Discover Meditation Course", explains that anyone on medication should seek guidance from his/her doctor upon beginning meditation. I would think he'd agree also to seeking guidance upon taking the LifeFlow course as well. In any event, the beginning would be the place to start whether bipolar or not IMHO. It would have to do with the nature of what happens when one delves into meditation in combination with the LifeFlow CD's.
My experience has been that the relationship between the CD's and what transpires on the sub/unconcious level would leave one at odds at the very least and crying on the floor in the extreme if one just jumped into . . . say . . . CD #7 without listening to them in order and following Michaels specific instructions as to time frame and other things.
If you search around on this site you'll find a wealth of information about things I'd not even dreamed of until I found this site. All of it pertaining to entrainment and how to do it and what to expect.
There are others more knowledgable than I that will, no doubt, chime in here and give more specifics and details. There is a wealth of knowledge here much of it extremely impressive.

Gus

Weardale Guy · September 7th, 2008, 21:20

Thanks for your advice Gus

I have been told by my doctor, that listening to something relaxing may help my situation, especialy the panic attacks hence listening to most of the levels, all of which I enjoy. I thought there may be somebody on this site with more knowlege of the cd's that may be able to help. I will continue to search this site for more usefull information. Once again thanks for your suggestion

Steven

Jeb · October 9th, 2008, 20:19

I too have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, bipolar II. I find the LifeFlow program to help immensly with stress, relaxation, depression, etc. Since I have begun the program, I have now progressed to LifeFlow9. I find I have some problems with concentration while trying to meditate, but I think it is becoming easier and easier with time.

I have also found that my meds seem to have a greater effect. I find that I sleep more soundly and I need less Seroquel to sleep. I have become much more relaxed in dealing with my job (family law attorney), my clients, difficult judges, my family and friends.

As for sleep, I have discovered Belleruth Naparstek CDs with her guided imagery help me to easily fall asleep. These CDs are a great enhancement to the LifeFlow program.

I've tried lots of different programs, and the LifeFlow program seems to be the best of the best. I look forward to my 40 minutes of peace and meditation each day.

I hope this is of some help. Keep working! "It works if you work it!"

Jeb

Edwin · October 10th, 2008, 17:48

From what I understand from the LifeFlow cd's it technically makes no difference if you were to start with LifeFlow 10 and progress to 1 or if you would simply begin with one in the sence that it would both take about the same time ( 10 - 20 months ) for your mind to reach the deepest state during meditation. However, because the jump to LifeFlow 1 is such a big one all at once, your mind will take longer to reach that level compared to the small steps that LifeFlow has now.

This has to do with your brain having to adjust to deeper levels.

Weardale Guy · October 13th, 2008, 23:36

Thanks Jeb for your response.

Jeb · October 22nd, 2008, 19:12

No prob. I have been working with bipolar for many years. I work with my doc closely to monitor if and when I can reduce meds. Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better! If you would like to chat more, let me know. My email is posted here.

Breath · December 24th, 2008, 03:48

«I suffer with a Bipolar disorder, appart from the depression other symptoms include severe panic attacks. These attacks can come on at any given moment, and can last for a period of time.
Can anyone sugest which of the meditation Cd's would be benificial to this problem, as i could put the cd onto my ipod. Also which cd could help me get off to sleep, another symptom of the dissorder. »
Hi Weardale Guy. I was diagnosed with something similar to Bipolar disorder as well as social panic attacks. I read previous comments and think too it's important to talk to your doctor about it. Since I mediate, I have slowly decreased my antidepressors (but that's an other subject: I am not saying it's absolutely necessary).
But I don’t think one particular CD would be beneficial to this problem. The Life Flow CD are not just « relaxing cd » they are based on brain wave entrainment technology. As people said before, it's important to respect to chronology otherwise you could be stucked with emotions suddenly surfacing that you are not ready yet to cope with.
Since I meditate I feel stronger when it comes to panic attacks. The other day I was in a meeting and felt I was about to experience a panic attack (going extremely red, blood rushing to my brain, heart beating so fast, etc.) and I simply (but it takes courage!) focus on the inner body, the energy field inside, this energy I feel more intensely when I meditate. Well, what seemed like the beginning of a real panic attack vanished!
One victory, plus an other one, plus an other one... and I am slowly regaining confidence.

What I found extremely powerful (for panic attack, difficulty sleeping or any other difficulty) is to practice Surrender. While focusing on the inner body, I keep saying « YES » to what is. « Yes to the panic attack », « Yes I am not sleeping yet », « Yes this is going on inside me ». Instead of resisting to it like I always did - and strenghtened the attack - the Acceptance gets its energy away, energy away from the negative emotionnal charge growing inside me. I promise this a super powerful practice. I have learned mainly from Eckhart Tolle.
Good luck Weardale Guy, you're not alone, I am with you!(sorry for my English sometimes, I am Frenchspeaking

)

Breath · January 6th, 2009, 12:33

I have a problem.
Since I started level 9 I don’t feel good when I meditate. I wasn’t the case for level 10, but I find the sound of level 9 sad and almost depressing. It’s been like that for weeks. Perhaps an other meditation program would suit me better.
I also learnt that I am pregnant. Don’t know if this has to do with it.
I am really worried if I should continue or not. Some sad things are happening in my family and I don’t know if that program is helping me or not.

Can anyone help me or has experienced similard discomfort with level 9?

pollyanna · January 6th, 2009, 16:34

Hi there, Michael recommends NOT using LifeFlow if you are pregnant. Until you can continue, maybe check with your midwife if it's ok to do the free mantra meditation course.

What you definately can do at the moment is listen to the beautiful music of the gratitude exercise while you relax and think of all the things you are really thankful for.

I hope that helps and congratulations on your wonderful news. I wish you an abundance of joy and happiness