BiPower - Rescued By Their Love

By Dorethea A Edwards

BiPower addresses people with mental illness. The goal is for people with a mental health condition to realize the importance of remaining consistent with their drug regimen and preventative care measures to live the life they desire and deserve. I hope to impress upon readers the importance of life, and to celebrate the healing love caregivers

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorethea Edwards
• Release date: Dec 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9780578779584

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Disclaimer

Copyright © 2020 by Dorethea Edwards

This is a work of nonfiction. No names have been changed, no characters invented, no events fabricated. The publisher/author make no guarantees concerning the level of success you may experience by following the advice and strategies contained in this book, and you accept the risk that results will differ for each individual. The testimonials and examples provided in this book show positive results, which may not apply to the average reader, and are not intended to represent or guarantee that you will achieve the same or similar results.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the publisher/author disclaim any and all liability in the event any information, commentary, analysis, opinions, advice and/or recommendations contained in this book prove to be inaccurate, incomplete or unreliable, or result in any investment or other losses.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at the address below.

Dorethea Edwards Publishing San Antonio, TX 78253

[e-mail]

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-578-49235-3

E-book ISBN: 978-0-578-77958-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020919634

Book design by: Grzegorz Japoł, book-cover.design

Editor: Dr. Monique Cherry-McDaniel

Printed in the United States of America. Book purchases:

www.dottyandzoey.com

Dorethea Edwards Publishing books may be purchased for educational or business use. For information, please email: [e-mail].

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Writing a book about the story of my life was a dreamlike process. My sister, Bianca, has been one of two people who have halted their lives to be staples of support to ensure my safety. She has shown irreplaceable love and the resolve to help me surmount living with a mental health condition. The second person is a friend. I felt innocuous underneath his protection pavilion; he was aware and vigilant during my episodes. Oh, how I love Zoey! My seven-year-old daughter has yet to understand the complexities involved with having a parent with mental illness. Though she has watched from afar—at the appropriate time, this will give her the full picture of my life and the role she will play as she helps mommy out. I will acknowledge and thank my baby early.

I have a legacy to pass on where one didn’t exist; family members were hesitant to share their stories. I am the frontline soldier for you. Lastly, I appreciate the editorial help, exhaustive review, and assistance to polish my work that Dr. Cherry-McDaniel provided—what a job!

Dedication

BiPower is dedicated to everyone

who planned or is planning to commit suicide,

everyone who has a loved one—or friend—who

attempted suicide or is considering,

every pastor who is counseling a person he/she should probably refer to a psychiatrist,

and every healthcare worker

in the mental health field.

THE FOUNDATION

World-renowned author, Toni Morrison, once wrote, If there is a book, we want to read that hasn’t been written yet, it is up to us to write it. I am doing just that with my second book, BiPower. I am a person who lives with mental illness. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was twenty years old, a sophomore in college, and unfamiliar with mental illness. After doing research, I learned that bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance of the brain cells responsible for erratic emotions and extreme mood swings that vary in length. Bipolar disorder is not contagious, although it can be genetic. People who experience traumatic events are at higher risk for developing a mental health condition. When someone is diagnosed properly, they have a mental illness regardless of whether it is being managed well or not. Many people with a mental health condition find it difficult to accept this as a reality. However, bipolar disorder is an ongoing and incurable illness.

There are four types of Bipolar Disorder. I suffer from Bipolar I, which is often referred to as mania. People with bipolar I experience manic episodes, which is often described as feeling as if one has special power or can perform dangerous acts heightened by the harm. The feeling ranges from an extreme up, requiring little sleep to rapid mood changes. A person can experience manic episodes without a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which is why it is important to get evaluated medically and diagnosed properly.

In addition to feelings of invincibility or special powers, some may have other displays of mania. Many of the episodes I have had are associated with hyper-religiosity, which is a psychiatric disturbance focused on intense, abnormal religious beliefs and as a result, impacts daily functioning. My experiences with hyper-religiosity is why I am