One of the most important decisions we make is the person we trust with our hearts and choose to spend our lives with. For a relationship to not just survive but also thrive when one partner lives with bipolar, there are a few foundational requirements. Here is what I have learned so far … We...
READ MORE
Naturally, my journey with bipolar has had its ups and downs. It took time, faith, family support, and a lot of persistence to come to a place of mood stability and genuine happiness. In the depths of my bipolar depression, I never could have imagined living the life I now treasure. My Lifelong Dream Since...
READ MORE
A recent health concern requiring medical tests, doctor visits, and more appointments complicated not only my daily living but also my bipolar, triggering a depressive episode. Here is how I got through it and came out the other side. Regular Maintenance, a Reality of Bipolar Let’s face it. Sometimes, having and dealing with bipolar can...
READ MORE
When you love a person who is hurting, you want to somehow love your way out of their depression. This rarely works. Thankfully, you can learn what does work, like helping them learn to harness their own inner drill sergeant. Why Love Isn’t Enough Bipolar depression is an illness, like diabetes, so—unfortunately!— love is not...
READ MORE
In trying times, I turn to works of faith for comfort, love, acceptance, and peace of mind that I might be struggling to find on my own. Here are some verses and suras that speak to me when bipolar complicates my life. There are times when things get difficult and I need something a little...
READ MORE
Mental health advocacy is extremely invigorating, fulfilling, and challenging work. My journey shows the rewards of this work, plus how imperative it is to consider the required patience, dedication, and commitment. [Trigger Warning: This post mentions past struggles with suicidality.] Feeling “Cursed” after My Diagnosis of Bipolar In 2005, I suffered a major breakdown, and,...
READ MORE
Lately, there’s been a battle in my head—my own thoughts are warring with the cruel monster of bipolar disorder and its lies, all while I hear my psychiatrist’s voice in the background. To keep pushing forward, I’m focusing on the basics: sleep, medication, connection, and creativity. Bipolar Disorder & Feeling Hopeless It’s been a season...
READ MORE
Losing my job because of this pandemic meant also losing my much-needed daily structure. With my go-to strategies for stability out of reach, I didn’t know how to manage “empty” time, isolation, and my bipolar. So, I used my calendar to make “appointments” with myself: complete a task, socialize virtually, exercise, and practice self-care. It’s...
READ MORE
We all need a little prompting to make use of simple, yet effective, feel-good options to ease bipolar stress when life gets difficult. During periods of high stress, our moods can wane, our appetites may change, and it can become difficult to concentrate. As we navigate through life with bipolar during these anxious times, it’s...
READ MORE
At certain points in the year and in life, I feel pressured to accomplish a lot of tasks all at once. I’ve learned that when I’m overbooked and overwhelmed, hypomania, mania, and hospitalization are sure to follow. Here’s what I do to avoid a mood episode with bipolar. Obligations, Overscheduling & Bipolar Do NOT Mix...
READ MORE
Grief overwhelmed me. I lost not only my dear father, and his love and support, but also my entire sense of self. From ongoing dissociation to budding psychosis, my mind resisted coming to terms with this reality. Last summer, my dad turned 82. But not really. Two years prior, he passed away suddenly, just before...
READ MORE
Mania can sneak up on me. When I recognize that I’m about to experience an episode, I turn to specific steps to keep it from escalating. Sudden Onset of Mania Manic episodes in bipolar disorder can be scary. Often, due to a phenomenon called anosognosia (where a person is not aware of their own behavior...
READ MORE
My episodes seem to come out of nowhere when I ignore everyday triggers and find it hard to admit that—even as a proud “supermom”—I sometimes need backup. Finding a signal for support has made a big difference. “Here We Go Again” Well, here we go again. Most of us with bipolar know this phrase all...
READ MORE
Mental health hospitals are often misunderstood and misjudged—by society and by each of us individually. Thankfully, I’ve also discovered that “society” is not one person. Not everyone carries a negative bias about psychiatric care. Stigmatized Institutions I have found that there is plenty of stigma when it comes to the wider world’s perception of mental...
READ MORE
During a depressive episode, your marriage or committed relationship can feel as if it’s under a cloud, with negative energy, loss of intimacy, and an absence of regular social outings. Even so, there are ways for you to sustain your bond while also supporting your partner. Each of the ideas listed here were offered by...
READ MORE
Mainstream platitudes don’t always apply—especially for those of us with bipolar. Here are the problems I see with well-known, well-meaning words of wisdom. (And some bipolar-friendly alternatives!) #1 “Just Be Yourself.”* *Unfortunately, if you have bipolar disorder, you may not always be in control of which self you are. I don’t know about you, but...
READ MORE
As an executive, I find workplace stress can be overwhelming. I’ve “flown off the handle” due to mania, had trust issues with coworkers, and been triggered to the point of crying. Successful Doesn’t Mean Stress-Free I am a high-functioning achiever who was diagnosed with bipolar in November of 2016. I have earned my MBA, and,...
READ MORE
I excitedly cheered on a cancer survivor as she threw the ceremonial first pitch at a local ball game. Then I couldn’t help but wonder … will those of us who are striving hard, every day, for bipolar stability be recognized, too? Public Support This past year, Las Vegas got a new AAA baseball team...
READ MORE
When you reach the point of stability, genuine stability, you begin to reflect on your journey living with bipolar. You see with clearer eyes what you were going through. And, importantly, who went through it with you. A Milestone Recently, I received a medical form indicating I had reached a genuine milestone. I have achieved...
READ MORE
Although it is a vital part of our management, seeing a psychiatrist can be intimidating. So it’s useful to plan ahead and examine how you can get the most value from your visit. When you’re feeling scared about an upcoming psychiatrist appointment, keep in mind that they are trained to HELP you. Here are five...
READ MORE
