When the world shifted and everything changed at once, I needed to manage my overwhelming fear, stress, anxiety, and bipolar symptoms. So, I learned to take my own advice to find comfort—even though everything felt uncertain. Dealing with Bipolar, New Stressors, & Dramatic Shifts to Daily Life In just a short amount of time, the...
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When I feel slighted or left out, I immediately become overwhelmed with dread and extreme anxiety. Negative beliefs swirl in my mind, convincing me that I am a burden. Here is how I learned to take ownership of my feelings and ease relationship tensions in the process. Triggers, Social Anxiety, and Self-Worth Have you ever...
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The constant bombardment of news and social media updates on the coronavirus is upsetting and unsettling. Learn how to “switch off” with mindfulness. The current preoccupation many of us have with the coronavirus coverage is overwhelming. Many of us are checking news and social media feeds on the hour and continually engaging in discussions that...
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With my unpredictable moods, I never felt secure. I was pushing too hard to be heard or pushing people away—until I learned to challenge my mistaken core belief. I Don’t Trust You … Because I Don’t Trust Myself When we talk about trust in relationships, we rarely address how important it is to trust ourselves....
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I am digging deep, discovering my fears, successes, limitations, and strengths. Taking ownership of my story—my life with bipolar—means letting go of shame and embracing my power, one little step at a time. “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is...
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Do you tremble when it’s your turn to talk? Do you avoid public speaking at all costs? And do you feel like that fear is holding you back? I sure did. Here I share my story of leaving my comfort zone and finding my voice. Sometimes, when we speak, we aren’t communicating effectively. Furthermore, if...
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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...
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With some children, an aversion to some foods can be more than just picky eating; find out if it’s time to seek help: What’s the aversion? There can be a host of reasons why your child is avoiding certain foods or food groups. As Child Mind Institute managing editor Rachel Ehmke explains, “some kids have...
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As a parent of a child with bipolar disorder, it’s difficult to watch him struggle with social anxiety instead of having fun; here’s help: 1. Validate their feelings It’s tempting to want to minimize feelings of social shyness for kids, in an attempt to divert attention elsewhere. However, remember children may need some comfort before...
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Abandonment in his past has led Jasper Benitez to fear the future. Now, he is working to stay focused on the present. As someone who lives with bipolar, I can tell you that fear of the future is one of my biggest struggles. I become so engulfed with thoughts about the future that I forget...
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As parents we all want to protect our children from their anxieties, but we can inadvertently make things worse; here’s four ideas to help children manage anxiety. #1 Be positive, but realistic It’s OK to express your own confidence that your child is going to manage, and that every step she takes, her anxiety level...
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Although you may be worried about a friend walking away due to your bipolar disorder symptoms, it can help to remember you share mutual trust. I have to admit something—I have a huge fear of wearing out my friendships because of bipolar disorder. I’m aware that sometimes being a friend to a person with...
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A teenager who has enough social fear that it interferes with normal functioning could have social anxiety disorder; here are five ways to tell: #1 Excessive fear Not only do many kids with social anxiety disorder have extreme fear about certain social occasion, but they are then also fearful of appearing anxious about it because...
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Remaining grounded in the present helps you to deliberately resist bipolar disorder’s impusive urges. By: Jasper Benitez Too often we individuals who live with bipolar disorder give in to our impulses. Whether it be to drive for miles just to buy that piece of chocolate we suddenly crave, or to give weight to our...
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Here’s how parents can help kids feel safe and process grief and fear after a traumatic world event: Communicate right away In the event of something tragic that happens that will undoubtedly receive wide media coverage, it is best to have a conversation with your children immediately about what has happened. Instead of hearing from...
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When you have an adult child living with bipolar and who’s in crisis it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions of the moment. I am far from a perfect parent. I have yelled at my son, called him names, and even thrown my own temper tantrum. These are things that I am...
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It’s time to take control of your life by living on your own terms and by your own rules. “Jump and Figure Out the Rest on the Way Down.” Many people with bipolar disorder can relate to these words. We tend to act without thinking about the consequences of our behavior. I wouldn’t recommend this...
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Adjusting to the storm and preserving oneself in the aftermath. Sometimes things are just not okay and sometimes that’s just fine. More than ever before my bipolar disorder looms above me like a cloud just waiting to burst with rain. Like all individuals suffering from bipolar disorder the shifts in moods are as unique as...
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The reason I love the Universe is because it always gives me what I need, when I need it. And I do believe it has a quirky sense of humor, too. Once, my car slid on black ice off a country road into a ditch. My car was totaled. Wouldn’t you know, my rental was...
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I think every experience is an opportunity for learning and growth, and you can take from it what you choose. Recently, while giving a talk to university students, I was asked if I feared becoming unwell. I answered no, because most of the time I don’t. Many would think this is odd, as bipolar has...
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