The holidays strike fear into many hearts, especially those of us with mental illness. But they don't have to. People with mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, can thrive during the holiday season.Don't Neglect Basic Self-CareYou won't be able to enjoy the season if you neglect basic self-care. This applies to whatever episode you...
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By: Cassandra Stout
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How Mental Illness Affects Police Shooting Fatalities
November 22, 2019
By: Cassandra Stout
In 2015, the Washington Post conducted the first ongoing tally of officer-involved shooting deaths of the mentally ill. Nationwide, at least 25% of people who are shot and killed by police officers suffer from acute mental illness at the time of their death. People with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be fatally shot during an...
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Holding on to Hope
November 19, 2019
By: Thea Madeline Porter
I grew up in a typical middle class neighborhood in southern California. During my childhood I enjoyed being creative, playing sports, taking Irish dancing, listening to music, watching movies and hanging out with friends and family. I was diagnosed Bipolar Type 1 when I was 20 years old.In my early 20’s it is thought that with...
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Vigilance
November 12, 2019
By: Malcolm Kerec
A few weeks ago, I had a sharp reminder of how looking after my mental health is a constant battle and that staying well is not a set-and-forget task. After years of relative stability, it's all too easy to take good mental health for granted. I'd been doing too much and wasn't able to stick to my normal routine. Add together a few business...
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The Weight Gain Roller Coaster
November 5, 2019
By: Ivory Smith
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and had a big meal only to feel hungry 2 hours later? Do you eat that 4th meal of the day at 3:00 am at night standing in the kitchen? Have you watched your clothes get tight and hope that it is because the dryer that has shrunk them? Well I have definitely experienced all of these. We know that bipolar meds...
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October 21st: National Check Your Meds Day
October 21, 2019
By: Cassandra Stout
Medication interactions are serious business. You could take two medications which counteract each other, which could make you sick enough to end up in the emergency room, or even die. October 21st is National Check Your Meds Day in the US. Making sure that you're safely consuming the right combination of medications is important for everyone...
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University and Accessibility
October 7, 2019
By: Greg Walshaw
I was finishing my first year of a Master’s program when things started to change. The first time I stayed up all night to work on a paper, I thought nothing of it: the paper had to get done, and this was the cost of getting it done. I remember getting through the next day without crashing, even going out with friends in the evening. I still...
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Where’s My Lasagna?
July 22, 2019
By: Natalia Beiser
When one is undergoing mental health treatment, it often feels as if no one cares. It is rare that one will receive a greeting card or flowers, nor a covered dish when arriving home from the hospital. In my experience, most are standoffish. Recently, I was diagnosed with cancer. When the “C” word is spoken, everyone reacts....
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How to Start Seeing a Therapist
July 12, 2019
By: Cassandra Stout
Seeing a therapist can be enormously helpful in sorting out issues you may have in your life. You can also develop coping skills in therapy to deal with serious problems, or just the less-serious issues of everyday life.But how do you start searching for a therapist? Read on to find the solution.Facts to Keep in Mind During Your SearchThere are...
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Supporting a Friend in a Bipolar Depressive Episode
July 5, 2019
By: Allan G. Cooper
When I am experiencing a Depressive Episode it feels like I am walking in a dark haze of sadness and fatigue. My limbs feel like they are twice as heavy and it takes a tremendous amount of will power to complete the simplest of tasks.Social situations are a challenge because my anxiety is high and my concentration is poor. Normally, I enjoy...
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