Articles and blog posts relating to the treatment of bipolar disorder through peer support - local and online.
I heard a man say this at a coffee shop yesterday: I don’t like the holidays. Every year we are forced to eat so much food. When did everything become about candy and buying things? I’m not going to sit in a hot room and eat from a big turkey. Holidays are my nemesis. I...
READ MORE
I have a friend who loses his car. Repeatedly. We were supposed to go out one weekend, but our outing turned into a complete disaster. He overestimated how long it would take him to get to where he needed to go. We missed the dinner. When we finally did go out much later, he lost...
READ MORE
This question spans many situations 1. A job interview where you don’t want anyone to know your health history. 2. A new relationship where you are worried the person will reject you if they know the truth too soon. My situation is different. I have zero problem telling people I have bipolar disorder. I’m proud...
READ MORE
Hi, I’m Danielle and I burn people out. I don’t mean to, of course. But I’m the social butterfly who after meeting many people, eventually settles on two close female friends and one close male friend, declares them my surrogate family, then stops trying to meet new people. My brain will announce: “I’m done! I...
READ MORE
This weekend, I walked a 5K in Atlanta’s Candler Park to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness. My team (Mel’s crew—I know, super original!) raised $480. Given I signed up and formed said team less than a week before the walk, I was pretty happy with that. I was happier, however, to be walking...
READ MORE
When I was hospitalized for the third time, the one in Los Angeles that lead to me finally being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type II, one of my counselors was impressed with how communicative I was. Even at my worst, my gift for humor and observation usually is still with me, and often, people not...
READ MORE
When we, as individuals, were diagnosed with bipolar, we were likely coached to build a “wellness toolbox” of coping skills to take with us on our journey along the path of recovery (Personally, I carry a beautiful bag, because who wants to lug a toolbox on a long walk? But I digress). Beyond some basic...
READ MORE
Because I live an often public life while dealing with a lot of private ups and downs (while also being public about those ups and downs), there are times when I’m still plagued by negative thoughts. We all have harsh, overly self-critical thoughts from time-to-time. As a child, they weren’t so much an issue, as...
READ MORE
Yesterday I was forwarded one of those global gratitude-focused emails that actually made sense to me. It pulled me up just a bit from a funk I’ve been in. I passed it on. In my June 10, 2011, blog I wrote about connecting with a high school friend after a 22 year hiatus. He’d been...
READ MORE
I will lose my State assisted health coverage on August 31. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks getting last minute things lookedat, receiving final follow-ups and blood work done. I reviewed medswith non-psych docs, to confirm their impact on my cardiac and othermedical concerns. I cannot get talk-therapy anymore, nor mental health hospitalization. And...
READ MORE
I think I’ve made a friend. A simple statement for what is a very difficult process for me. For years, because of social anxiety caused by betrayal and my own guilt, I retreated from friendships, especially with women. I made excuses “Oh, those women are dumb as rocks and have nothing to say.” Or, “Everyone...
READ MORE
This weekend I flew to Chicago to visit my best friend, Christina. We’ve been friends for over 15 years and met in 9th grade English. Christina and I were both on the Speech & Debate Team and took nearly every Advanced Placement class offered. In short, we were nerds. One Friday night, while the rest...
READ MORE
I recently attended a DBSA meeting where I met a distraught woman who voiced a common concern. Her sister has bipolar disorder and has been on and off of medication for nearly 20 years. At present, the 46-year-old sister hasn’t taken medication for several years and refuses to believe she is ill. In the past,...
READ MORE
Once upon a time, a Lovely Lady, though depressed, made smoothies for breakfast. One morning, using her blender to combine all the makings inside, she noticed a powered ingredient not playing well with the others. Bright gal that she was, she removed the blender lid, and used a wooden spatula to force the powder into...
READ MORE
Twenty-five years ago, I found out the hard way that I have a penicillin allergy. I knew my family had a history of sensitivity to sulfa (found out later that I am really a member of the family!). I ordered my first medical ID bracelet and I have worn one in some form ever since....
READ MORE
I went to the first session with my new “virtual” psychiatrist this week. I am happy she is not an avatar, and seems nice. The atmosphere and meeting began with me feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and a little angry. The sessions are held in a large conference room, with the big TV screen and video camera...
READ MORE
…where, oh, where could he be?? This past week, I go in to see my counselor and figure it’s time to make my monthly appointment to see my psychiatrist. The receptionist tells me, “Dr. Yellow” is no longer with the organization. My first reaction is shock, followed immediately by anxiety and worry. My next thought:...
READ MORE
Last week I blogged about a member of my support team revealing private health information to a person(s) I do not know. I have forgiven my friend, only after he received remedial training. I wrote several weeks ago about support team development in ways that serve both you and them. I feel kind of bad...
READ MORE
Recently, a member of my support team (also a trusted friend) gave out some of my mental health information without my knowledge. His reasoning was that he was chatting with a mentally ill person discussing medications. My friend decided that since this guy was showing his list of meds, he’d show him mine (my...
READ MORE
In honor of Memorial Day, I’m highlighting some mental health resources for veterans. Veterans Crisis Line. The Veterans Crisis Line is a resource of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that connects vets in crisis with qualified VA professionals. To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) and press...
READ MORE
