Posted by Jim on November 3, 1998, at 12:56:16
In reply to Bipolar and Mexican Jumping Beans, posted by Lisa on November 3, 1998, at 1:16:24
> Here's something I wrote and submitted to another list, where it got a great response. I thought many of you might enjoy it here.
> Lisa
>
> "A Very Interesting Observation"
> I ventured into the toy store tonight, doing some early Christmas shopping, when I noticed something I haven't laid eyes on since I was a child -- Mexican Jumping Beans!! Well, I just HAD to buy myself some, if only to revisit one of those rare, exceptionally magic childhood discoveries. Now those of you who have seen jumping beans know that they come in small, square, clear plastic containers with three to a box.
> When I returned home I took the three beans out of the box and placed them on the table...nothing. I then put them in the palm of my hand...nothing again but dead beans. No wobbling, no jerking, and definitely no jumping. So in a last ditch effort I began to talk to them, with a little song thrown in for good measure. About ten minutes of this and behold...lights, camera, ACTION!
> And now for the interesting observation (this gets real good so read on). I have discovered that these particular Mexican Jumping Beans may hold the secret to bipolar disorder!! A startling discovery...sure, but nevertheless, meaningful and potentially mind-blowing. Of course the why and how and all that scientific stuff needs to be studied by some famous researchers out there, but we can work that out in time. Here is what I have observed over the past five hours about the beans I've named Larry, Curly, and Moe.
> Larry is outrageously active, doesn't care who he bumps into or rolls over, can actually lift himself off the ground during extremely aggressive periods, and cannot seem to relax for a moment. I believe he is in a manic state. Full-blown or hypomanic I can't tell you for Larry isn't able to communicate the occurrence of any delusions or hallucinations, although he does possess many euphoric traits.
> As for Curly, he's quite calm, moves around a bit every now and then when he needs to get somewhere or maybe wants a little exercise, and takes naps in between. I am certain some pdoc down in Tijuana must have injected a mood stabilizer in his shell. He's doing quite well at his job, does not offend the other beans by his actions, and is readily secure in his surroundings.
> Moe, oh Moe...not well is he. :( I have tried giving him extra attention -- frequent talks, sing-a-longs which he refuses to participate in, and walks in the palm of my hand. Still, with all the devotion I've shown, Moe is not responding. His depression is so severe that he has taken solace in the darkness of his shell and is unable to persevere through his tough weather. I fear that Moe can only survive with the help of some type of jumping bean AD, but alas, I am too ignorant about beans to find him the correct help.
> Dear friends, I don't know what this all means or what significance it may have on our BP illnesses, but I felt it vitally important that I share this with you. Sitting here with my jumping beans, I am in good company.
> Yours truly,
> Lisa
> P.S. This is a true story. I now must go and place the beans in the bathroom before I head to bed, because Larry refuses to stop jumping in the box and is causing a racket. :-P
> ****
> "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love -- the only survival, the only meaning."
> Thornton Wilder, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey"
poster:Jim
thread:1030
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/1036.html