Two years old! Our sister chapter is busy as they pass their two year anniversary. Below is the initial news release of DBSA Dyer County opening its doors to the public.

Congratulations to the leaders and members!

New group lends support to residents facing depression, bipolar disorder

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Dyersburg State Gazette

Deb Waldron is pleased to invite area residents dealing with depression or bipolar disorder to a new organization in Dyer County. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Dyer County is now meeting at 6:30 p.m., every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Meetings take place at First Christian Church, located at 1200 Community Park Road in Dyersburg.

The group is open to both residents battling these issues and the family and friends who long to support them. Those interested in more information on DBSA-Dyer County may contact Deb Waldron at or .

[Click to enlarge](this is were the picture was in the article)

One local couple hopes a new organization in Dyer County will provide a brand new day for residents facing depression and bipolar disorder.

Deb and Wayne Waldron of Newbern have begun the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Dyer County, a peer-led organization that meets twice a month at First Christian Church in Dyersburg.

A chapter of the National Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, the group meets at 6:30 p.m., every second and fourth Thursday at the church located at 1200 Community Park Road.

"I just want people to know this is here for them," said Deb Waldron. "We are a support group for clients, family and friends. Our goal is to provide education, wellness options, peer support and help for family, friends and peers. Our group here in Dyer County will be a satellite group out of Jackson, (a group that has) been meeting for about 15 years."

The non-profit group is supported by donations, with no fee of any kind for residents who attend.

With some studies revealing that approximately 6.4 percent of the population suffers from a form of bipolar spectrum and an additional 26 percent suffer from depression, Waldron estimates a staggering amount of local residents may be battling these issues in Dyer County.

"With Dyer County having a population of around 37,000 individuals, that means up to 12,000 people may suffer with a form of bipolar or depression each day in Dyer County alone," said Waldron. "After receiving a diagnosis, many individuals (feel) scared, confused, worried or lost and leave (their doctor's) office with only brief information on medication and treatment. DBSA is a safe haven for many of these individuals."

Waldron said the DBSA incorporates trust, help, support and love into each session, encouraging individuals to speak on the matters that interfere with their everyday life, treatment, social life, judgment -- and, ultimately, the life the individual would like to achieve.

"This support group we are starting is for the afflicted individuals and their families," said Waldron. "(The group provides) the opportunity to meet people from your community who can relate to your experiences. You may learn valuable information about mental health professionals and services in your area as well as tips and techniques others use to manage their illness. (We offer) peer support and resources to help with wellness."

As a part of the DBSA, the Dyer County chapter will also have access to additional resources to aid those affected by the illnesses -- and those who support them -- in daily management of the disorders.

"I have people I can call to find out (information) for them when they need it," said Waldron. "(We want) to help them realize that they are not alone in this. We offer peer support. This is not a professionally run group. It is not run by a psychiatrist. We don't tell people how to get well. We don't prescribe anything. This group is not a substitute for professional care. We are a support group and do not endorse or recommend the use of any specific treatment or medication."

The group strives to provide:

* the opportunity to reach out to others and benefit from the experience of those who have been there

* motivation to follow the treatment plan

* understanding that a mood disorder does not define who you are

* aid in rediscovering your strength and your humor

* a forum for mutual acceptance, understanding and self-discovery

Waldron said those creating the group will have ownership of its direction.

"We have discussion time to talk about issues that affect their mental health wellness," said Waldron. "We tell them this group is for them, run by them. We tell them 'This is going to be your group.' One of our biggest issues is confidentiality. What goes on in that room will stay in that room.

"We are there to support both the person affected and those who love them," continued Waldron. "It is not just for the individual who has these issues, but for their family and friends who are also affected. We have found that the majority of people having issues like this are abandoned by family and friends because they don't know what to do."

According to Waldron, a decrease in funds on both the state and federal level make volunteer groups like DBSA Dyer County all the more important.

"State and national funding just cuts back and cuts back," said Waldron. "So these support groups and any place they can reach out to stay well are becoming more and more vital all the time. If we can get it established, (our group) will hopefully grow to meet every week like the groups in Jackson and Memphis."

Those interested in more information on DBSA-Dyer County may contact Deb Waldron at or .

For more information on the state and national DBSA organizations, visit "Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance" or "dbsatennessee" on Facebook.

Congratulations to our 2015 DBSA Chapter Service Award Winners!
Each year, DBSA recognizes exemplary service by DBSA chapters, state organizations, and their leaders with the Chapter Service Awards. The incredible recipients of these awards provide life-saving support and information to benefit individuals living with mood disorders, their loved ones, and their communities. And they do it all with devotion, energy, creativity, and heart. 
Visit our chapter spotlight page to learn more about these amazing chapters and leaders! 
2015 DBSA Chapter Service Awardees 
State Organizations
DBSA Oklahoma 
DBSA Tennessee 
Large Chapter 
DBSA Overland Park (Kansas) 
Small Chapter 
DBSA Arlington Heights (Illinois) 
Rookie Chapter 
DBSA Solon (Ohio) 
Outstanding Leadership 
Nancy Bollinger, DBSA Self Help Center (St. Louis, MO) 
Cheryl Molyneaux, DBSA Central Florida

May is Mental Health Month
​

When Mental Health Month was launched in 1949, there were lots of things people kept hushed up. Now there’s little social shame attached to divorce, cancer, even alcohol dependence. The gay rights movement has gained huge strides. What about serious mental health conditions?

Conversations about the importance of mental health treatment and ending stigma are taking place at the highest levels. In the U.S., both President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama champion efforts to increase support for people living with mental disorders. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a personal understanding of the issues: His famous mother, Margaret Trudeau, famously has bipolar.

Down in the trenches, however, fears about discrimination—in the workplace, socially, even within our own families—remain very real. At the same time, one of the strongest weapons in the anti-stigma arsenal is showing that anyone could be living with a mental health challenge: the barista at your favorite coffee shop, the neighbor you wave to, your favorite cousin.

That’s why Mental Health America, the organization behind Mental Health Month, has made “Life With a Mental Illness” the theme for 2016. MHA is asking individuals to share their experiences on social media, whether in words, pictures or video, and tag their posts with #mentalillnessfeelslike.

For one thing, this will help “de-mythify” what it’s like to have bipolar or another psychiatric condition. For another, it will let people who are struggling in silence know they’re not alone, and perhaps even help them understand what they’re going through.

I recently came across this article at a time I was needing to see my problems in a better light. I believe we can all benefit from following these principles. Well, I know they changed my perspective and aided in solving my recent challenges.
Peacefulness to you and yours. . .

6 Empowering Principles for Seeing Fewer Problems & More Possibilities
Even when your life is impacted by bipolar disorder, you have the power to solve your own problems! Practicing these six principles can give you added strength for staying on the road to recovery.
By Stephen Propst
 
Bipolar is a multifaceted condition that affects the whole person: physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. It impacts virtually every dimension of one’s life. That said, how does a person impacted by a mood disorder go about solving his or her own problems? Well, fortunately, you have the power!
Let me spell out six powerful PERSON-based principles:


Perspective

​Your reality, by which you live your life, is subjective and based on your mental outlook. If you envision a future of doom and gloom, that becomes your reality. Alternatively, if you believe in the possibility of recovery—however you define it—then your thinking helps head you in that direction. The single biggest determinant in redirecting my recovery was learning to see fewer problems and more possibilities. You can make major headway toward wellness by focusing on this principle alone.

Empowerment
For me, empowerment comes from my focus on three endeavors. First, I try to educate myself about how to best manage bipolar, by studying books and researching on the Internet. Second, I equip myself for recovery by, for example, partnering with a competent, caring psychiatrist and a thought-provoking, challenging therapist. Finally, I try to regularly energize my recovery by engaging in activities like volunteering. Doing something for others helps get me out of bed and out of my head, where self-absorption and negative self-talk can be a drain on my brain.

Reality
A pivotal step in my recovery was finally accepting the reality of having bipolar. Denying this basic truth delayed my getting better for many years. Initially, I was blind to symptoms, like erratic behavior and delusional thinking, that friends and family were observing. Even after beginning to sense something was wrong, I continued to delay fully taking my condition seriously. When I got real, I started getting better.

Self
When it comes to achieving recovery, taking personal accountability for improving the various aspects of one’s self is key. For example, taking part in therapy (10 years, in my case) can help bolster self-esteem, to which bipolar can deal a heavy blow. Attending peer support groups and being surrounded by others who’ve been there can help positively transform thinking and improve self-confidence. Learning to avoid known triggers increases self-awareness and helps with mood management.

Opportunities
Battling bipolar is no easy task, but you can still take advantage of the choices life gives you. Don’t let opportunities to learn something, try something, or meet someone pass you by. A new insight, a different strategy, or a fresh, friendly face may be just what you need. Be ready to respond when that “chance” email or phone call comes. I’ve found that so-called luck is really preparedness meeting opportunity.
Don’t let opportunities to learn something, try something, or meet someone pass you by.

Needs
I recently heard about an 80-year-old lady who, after being involved in a car crash, said to her daughter, “I need you to help me.” Although devastated about the accident, the daughter was grateful that her mother, for the first time ever, had acknowledged a need. We all have needs, including those of us living with a mood disorder. Among mine are depending on loved ones for support and on my doctor for professional advice and wisdom. Don’t let pride keep you from recognizing your needs and asking for help when necessary.
Practicing these principles can give you added strength for staying on the road to recovery. When I’m facing an uphill battle, I recall the words of a Jeff and Sheri Easter song: I may not be over the mountain, but I can see the other side. Remember that you possess the power—more than you might realize—to keep forging ahead, even when times are tough. You can start picturing a better tomorrow … today!

Printed as “Mind over mood: The power of the person,” Spring 2014

Seldom mentioned in the discussion of faith and its affect on wellness is the possible need  for one to leave organized religion in order to follow a healthy life of faith. I made the decision to do just that. I left the religion I inherited in order to find health. The guilt, shame, and fearful culture of organized religion crippled my sincere efforts to heal. It was the best thing for me. And I never regretted my decision. Best wishes!

LeavingOrganized Religion
March 30, 2016 by DoneWithReligion


For those of us who have left organized religion, I am finding a lot of us go through similar steps in the process.
There are months, or in our case, years of dissatisfaction and questioning. My wife and I knew for a long time something was not right within the church but kept thinking it was just us or the church we were attending. We would try different churches and find our feelings were the same.
Once we got to the point that we considered leaving church was very much a possibility, the next step was to really question ourselves. Thoughts like are we really Christians, are we backsliding, are we losing our religion? We began to feel something was wrong with us and wondered what others were going to think.

Leaving church
Next was the decision to stop attending something we felt was way off base from what true Church should be. There were feelings to keep this to ourselves, do not tell anyone, just stop attending and keep quiet. In our case that was easy. We had been a part of a large fellowship for several few years but never got involved in other activities. We went to the Sunday morning service but did not attend small groups or any other activity. This made it much easier not having to explain our actions to anyone else because no one ever missed us. To those of you who have made this decision and were very much involved in all the activities, even pastors or leaders in the church, we applaud you for making such a decision.
Next came the ‘us vs. them’ mentality. We wanted to look at the organized church almost as an enemy. We would point out where they were wrong and why they were wrong. We wanted to associate only with those who felt the same as we did and did not want to associate with those still in the religious game. Obviously this is not the way to feel or treat people.

Acceptance of all People
The next step was realizing God loves all people not just those who attend a religious service every time the doors are open. God actually loves those outside the walls of the organized church no matter what line of thought, doctrine, religion or lifestyle they choose. Jesus came to love people and show each of us the love of God. We came to realize that we are called to love and accept everyone no matter what their beliefs just as God loves us. We no longer cared what people thought of our decision, we just wanted to love and accept each of them whether they are in church, outside the walls, or even if they are not believers at all. So many times while in religion we felt we were to love those who were believers, especially those in our own church. We now realize that God’s love is for everyone, not just Christians. We are to love and accept others just as they are, looking past the labels others put on them and seeing them as human beings.
We are sure this is not a complete list of steps, but it is as far as we are for now. We are thankful for the years we had in the church as we learned a lot and made a lot of friends. We are equally thankful for the decision we made to leave the church and focus more on the Church (ecclesia). That Church is made up of people who are saved by grace, following Christ, equally functioning parts of the body, and who touch others day by day with the love of God.
We are all on different paths in life, but we know that God is with us and leading us each step of the way. We continue to keep the faith, keep our eyes on Jesus, love others and be the Church each and every day.

For many years I facilitated weekly support group meetings for folk living with bipolar disorder. On several occasions I through out the topic concerning the loss of the highs and euphoria with recovery. Not once did the meeting end before a majority spoke of times of wishing for the "fun part" of mania. Of course, these individuals quickly spoke of the great value they held for their recovery and wellness without the destructive manic episodes.

Missing my mania

By Laura Yeager, bphope.com

Everybody thinks relief from severe mood swings is a wonderful thing. It is, but sometimes, remission does have its drawbacks.

People can be sick with bipolar disorder for years. Spending three years in a manic, delusional state, I thought people knew who I was everywhere I went. It was tremendously hard to go to places (even Kmart) because in my mind, people were tracking my every movement.

I knew what Britney Spears feels like, and I’ve never made one record.

As you can guess, when I finally got my mania under control (thanks to daily medication and time), I was free to go places “anonymously.” No one followed me any more. My life became that of a normal, middle-aged, Mid-western woman, who lived in the suburbs, and who could go to Kmart without thinking a thing of it. No one would know me there.

I was a nobody again.

This was marvelous for about two years. I relished my “normalcy.” I baked cakes. I changed diapers. I bought boxes of Clementines for $6.99 at the grocery store. I had little parties—barbecues and family dinners at Thanksgiving. I made my husband his favorite foods and graded papers from my teaching job at a local college. God, was I normal.

But then, I started to notice the drawbacks of remission. They do exist. Here are a few of mine:

Folding clothes is enjoyable.
There’s nothing wrong with folding your clothes, but should one really enjoy it? Gone are the days of hopping a plane to New York City to eat bread sticks with butter and drink beer in bars. Now, it’s just me, the laundry, and my patio door window, looking out onto a world that I never anxiously venture into any more.

I feel unpopular…
Mania makes you feel like the “it” girl or boy. But in remission, you’re just another pudgy neighbor on a quiet cul-de-sac.

Worse, since I’m not depressed anymore, every day I must put on shoes, makeup and clothes…

It was so much easier staying in my nightgown. Life was uncomplicated. You get used to the sound of your own breathing. You almost like the smell of your dirty body. You’re in survival mode, no more, no less…how simple…

I can no longer crank out three magazine articles a day.
Mania brings energy! I can’t stay up all night. I’m so sluggish when I’m in remission. It’s the sluggishness of the average man and/or woman. I’m Average.

My psychiatrist is no longer a scintillating, love interest.
When I’m sick, my doctor becomes so cute. He knows my deepest darkest secrets, and he likes me still, for who I am. When I’m in remission, it’s not as fun to go visit him. He’s just a guy who prescribes my meds and who is paid to watch over me. Not very romantic, is it?

Sleep, sleep, sleep…8 hours a day is oh-so-predictable, and I miss the all-nighters when shut-eye was the last thing I wanted.
Now, my sleep is like clockwork. There are no extremes anymore. Life is perfectly ho hum…

The celebs on TV don’t send me secret messages.
I especially miss Regis Philbin who told me his deepest, darkest secret. I was so proud of knowing that. But, Regis has stopped talking to me through the TV.

I’m out of excuses. I can’t blame my mania.
Yes, you’re well now. You must take care of business. Go out to lunch. Pay bills. Buy gas. Read the newspaper. It’s called living responsibly.

When I take some time to think, I can only be so wistful about my mania; after all, it landed me in a psych ward.

Being sick with bipolar disorder is a great leveler. It strips most everything away, leaving only the most primitive elements—fear, grief, anger, lust, euphoria, thoughts of genius. There’s something satisfying (in hindsight, maybe) about living life on the edge. We may romanticize at times, but ultimately we strive for health. Would you really will the extremes of your illness back into existence, even if you could?

In the end, wellness is “where it’s at.” It’s peaceful and quenching and healing.

I’m in remission.

I pray you are, too.

I've heard there are basically two emotions that guide us. At any one time we are either being motivated by love or by fear.