Articles and blog posts relating to the treatment of bipolar disorder through peer support - local and online.
No one person can best tell you how you can manage your symptoms and treat yourself. But in a community of support and care, I have found the best way to take care of myself. A week ago a friend invited me to attend a Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) meeting. I had not...
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Living with anxiety, guilt and fear over our bipolar disorder we often suffer in silence. But peer support lets us know that we are not alone. Peer support is where a person with a mental illness is trained to support another person with a mental illness. Learn more about peer support here. During my four...
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Our beliefs shape how we think, how we treat ourselves, and how we feel. Which is why it is essential to free ourselves from all untrue assumptions. What we believe about ourselves, others, the world and life in general is very important. From what we believe comes our way of thinking and from how we...
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South Africa is a wonderful place to live, but mental illness stigma permeates our belief systems, prejudicing them towards the mentally ill. In South Africa, we have a myriad of cultures guiding our beliefs, and so it guides the way we think about many things like mental illness and the rights of people with mental...
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Sharing your experiences with honesty and without shame can allow you to accept the past and bring meaning, purpose, and joy back into your life. I had the opportunity to attend the New Media Expo and the National Broadcasters Association convention in Las Vegas. There were over 100,000 attendees from all over the world....
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Don’t be shy—join a support group today. It really helps! Any load is lighter when the weight is shared. The last thing I wanted to do after being released from the hospital was attend a support group, but I did it anyway—not because I’m a masochist, but because I felt I owed it to Matthew....
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From my perspective, finding at least one person that you trust can be key for successful recovery. Let’s be honest, bipolar disorder, when not treated or when your mood is not stabilized can distort your perception of reality and easily affect your behavior and choices. And when this happens we need someone to speak into...
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Empower yourself with peer support! That kind of connection brings you practical advice, welcome empathy—and vital inspiration for living a better life. When Patrick was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1991, he was given a bleak picture of the future: lifelong treatment, difficulty holding down a job, trouble sustaining relationships. The idea of living well...
READ MORELast week I started a list of things that I did and still do in order to recover and get “ontop” of bipolar disorder. So, this week I’m adding 12 more things to my list. I’m keeping track of items that you are suggesting that I add to the list and next week I...
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When it comes to losing weight, finding a “diet buddy” may be just the thing to keep you headed for success. Check out our options for getting that extra boost. By Matthew Solan When it comes to losing weight, let The Beatles be your guide: “gonna try with a little help from my friends.”...
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Over the last thirty-plus years, I’ve been through all forms and styles of CBT, and it doesn’t help in the long-term management of my condition. I don’t believe that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alone, or even CBT combined with medication, and without additional therapies, works in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. Whew. There. I’ve...
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In the midst of depression one can often feel alone. This is different than being “lonely.” Being alone is felt deep within one’s soul. When I heard the news of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death I couldn’t help but think of how he was alone when he died. It goes without saying that he had a...
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Sometimes I get tired of talking about bipolar disorder. And I wonder if my friends online and in “real life” get tired of hearing about mood swings, medications, psychiatrists, and the day to day struggles. I imagine them saying (or at least thinking), “We all have our stuff Jon. Why must you continue to dwell...
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Catharsis (n) – a. psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects. b. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition. Last week I wrote about how stress can manifest in a person’s life and how individuals living...
READ MOREFinding support and information via the Internet and social media has the benefits of privacy plus convenience—but it pays to be aware of the risks When you’re at your lowest and feel like no one understands what you’re going through, help is at your fingertips. The Internet and social media can be tremendous tools for...
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I’ve been living with Bipolar Disorder for over 33 years. In that time I have learned (often the hard way and through experience) what it takes to manage my symptoms. In my work with clients the term I use is “coping skills.” When it comes to coping skills, there are many things that come to...
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“If you have to choose between being right and being kind, choose being kind, and you will always be right.” I love this saying and find that it works in most situations. But what about applying it in cases where mental health privacy protection comes in? A woman in my apartment complex was evicted this...
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Sadly, we now have a couple-few-seeming-trillion April events to add to the horrific historic happenings that make April anxiety-inducing for many. It is especially tough for those of us who already cope daily with moods swings and worry, sometimes determined by environmental happenstance. I always find myself a little keyed up and on guard during...
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There’s a lot to be said for being stable in bipolar recovery. Finding the right combination of therapies can often take a while to figure out. Sometimes just getting through the day can be a challenge. But when you get down to brass tacks, it’s important to have your priorities straight. In other words, it’s...
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Your story is important because it is yours. It’s unique and inspiring, and nobody can tell it better than you! Have you ever considered yourself an educator? Well you are! You have a powerful story to tell based on the wisdom earned from life experience. Have you considered sharing your story for the purpose of...
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