In the midst of a depressive episode, mania can call to you like a Siren. Its song is alluring, promising freedom and joy. But chasing the melody of mania is sure to lead to disaster and wreckage. I hate bipolar depression so much, I often think of taking a substance that will pop me into...
READ MORE
Worry serves us no good––it consumes our thoughts to the point where we have trouble thinking of anything else. So it’s time we took it on, and stopped letting worry perpetuate in our minds. If there’s one thing I can say about worry, I would tell you not to do it. I once saw a...
READ MORE
Emerging from the dark depths of bipolar depression is daunting, and it’s hard to see a way out. Let hope shine a light in the darkness. ,One morning about ten years ago, I woke up feeling absolutely terrible. Little did I know that would be day one of a year-long bipolar depressive episode. My head...
READ MORE
Don’t lose hope and give up on yourself if your depression is relentless. Hopelessness is not the path out of depression––it’s what keeps you anchored in the emotion. It’s ok to feel hopeless when bipolar depression is relentless. What else are we supposed to feel? But, we can’t live in this emotion. It isn’t the...
READ MORE
Depression and gut health have more in common than we may think––low serotonin may play a part in causing both depression and stomach problems. May 6, 2019, NEW YORK—For people with depression, gastrointestinal distress is a common additional burden, and a new study suggests that for some, the two conditions arise from the same glitch...
READ MORE
What you think during overwhelming moods may not always be the truth. So, question your thoughts using CBT. Life with bipolar can be very hard. As a person with severe, daily and what truly feels like unrelenting bipolar, I want to share what I do on the tough days when I feel I can’t go...
READ MORE
As cliche as it may sound, when a recent bipolar diagnosis makes you feel helpless, let optimism help you find hope on the path towards greener pastures. I’m sure the thought has gone through your head at least once: “Why me?” “Why was I burdened with this daunting disorder that I will have to live...
READ MORE
Hopelessness can’t flourish if we work alongside our medication to redirect our thinking towards hope instead. For the last year or so, I’ve been going through what I would say has been the second-most challenging situation in my work life that I’ve ever been through in the church that I pastor. As some of you...
READ MORE
With exhibits at the GRAMMY Museum and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Derek Hess communicates his struggles with bipolar and alcohol through his drawings—and credits his dog for getting him through his darkest days. If ever there were a way to tap into the human psyche and lay it bare for all to...
READ MORE
Walking can help you balance bipolar moods, relieve stress, sleep better, and feel less lonely. Find out how to take the first steps. It was by accident that Marian figured out walking could be more than just a mode of transportation or exercise. Years ago, she was going through a bad depressive episode after moving...
READ MORE
When you’re having trouble finishing tasks or meeting deadlines, it’s not your to-do list you need to check, it’s your bipolar stability. Sometimes I find writing difficult in the most basic sense: the act of stringing words together to form a sentence can become impossible for me. My mind is so scattered that by the...
READ MORE
With bipolar disorder, the inability to complete tasks is not a sign of laziness. It’s your mind going so fast that you can’t focus, or because you’re depressed and feel too tired. How many people have started something, but not completed it? Pretty much everyone. I’m definitely guilty of not completing tasks. There are many...
READ MORE
It can be extremely challenging, even heartbreaking, being the caregiver of a loved one with bipolar depression; here are some simple things to keep in mind: Educate yourself By learning about the specific symptoms of bipolar depression, you will come to realize that certain symptoms are simply caused by the condition; they are not personal...
READ MORE
Bipolar consists of mania and depression. Sometimes mania gets a pass because of perceived “benefits,” but ignoring your mania means you aren’t fully addressing your condition. Do you really want to end your mood swings? I ask this question honestly. Many of us want to end depression. It’s a terrible, vicious and life-threatening experience for...
READ MORE
Insecurity is like your shadow, always at your side. It whispers in your ear and undermines your confidence. But it doesn’t have to. Growing up, I was always shy, intimidated and afraid to speak. I am the youngest of five, and it was hard for me to be outgoing, vocal, and secure among the stronger...
READ MORE
Depressive episodes can be just as much of a nightmare as the manic ones. They are so all-encompassing. It doesn’t matter who or what you are in your regular, non-depressed state of being. Feelings of failure, hopelessness, negativity, and general pessimism abound. Everything Hurt & Took So Much Effort One morning about 10 years ago,...
READ MORE
The FDA’s approval of Spravato (esketamine) offers hope to millions living with hard-to-treat depression. March 5, 2019—The FDA has approved Johnson & Johnson’s Spravato for treatment-resistant depression. The drug represents the first new major pharmaceutical advancement in the treatment of depression since Prozac was introduced in the late 1980s. “This is potentially a game changer...
READ MORE
An initial mental health diagnosis often occurs in college. How parents react and respond can help set the course for their child’s treatment and recovery. College is a vulnerable time for the mental health of young adults. In fact, 75 percent of all mental illnesses are diagnosed by age 24. Anxiety and depression are among...
READ MORE
For many with bipolar, depressive episodes involve isolating oneself. Knowing the signs can help you find ways of overcoming this challenging symptom. This is Anja Burcak with bp Magazine’s bphope Vlog. Today, I will be speaking about bipolar depression and isolation. One of the main problems with my depressive episodes is the act of withdrawing from...
READ MORE
Just getting out of bed can be one of the biggest challenges for your loved one; find out how you can support them through bipolar depression: Know what you’re dealing with It is through knowledge that you’ll have continued compassion to help your loved one. Make sure you are intimately educated on everything about...
READ MORE
