One of the most difficult seasons for many is upon us. Those of us who celebrate Christmas, not just those of us who grapple with the symptoms of bipolar disorder, have a tough time maintaining any sort of cheerful disposition, for a never-ending list of reasons. For those of us who do experience the ups and downs of bipolar disorder know all too...
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Hello Panic, Still Surprising After all These Years
December 7, 2018
By: Lori Lane-Murphy
Halloween is long over. Tell that to the demon climbing up my ribcage.I’m not sure even the Exorcist himself stood a chance against the terror that clutched at me last night with determined fingers and the express purpose to bring me down.I haven’t had a panic attack like that in awhile. In fact, I haven’t had a panic attack like THAT, I think,...
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International Day of Persons with Disability
December 3, 2018
By: Liz Wilson
“International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the ...
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The Masks We Wear: Being Honest About Our Feelings
November 21, 2018
By: Conor Bezane
I feel a lot of pressure. Pressure to take my meds and stay on them. Pressure to be a good son, brother, and uncle. Pressure to be a man. Pressure to conform and lead a healthy, happy life. It’s tough, but I’ve learned to maintain composure and grace among the people in my life, i.e. the normies, people who are not bipolar or mentally ill.“Look,...
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Why I Stay
November 19, 2018
By: Laura Sanscartier
In the throes of my bipolar depression and psychosis, all I wanted to do was die. This has happened multiple times in my life. I have attempted suicide multiple times. I was sure that the only way to relieve the stress on my spouse and family was to end it all. I had multiple plans, and the assuredness of mind that this was best. What I didn't see...
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Wife, Mother, And Survivor
November 16, 2018
By: Tosha Maaks
I am a lucky suicide survivor. In 2008 I tried to end my life after a hard day at my job. I came home, and I said good-bye to my children, and I climbed into bed to snuggle with my middle child and say my good-byes to him. My husband knew something didn’t seem right and knew how my state of mind had been in the previous days. He asked me what I...
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It’s Cool to Be Kind
November 12, 2018
By: Andrienne Kennedy
“As you get older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, one for helping others.” - Audrey HepburnLast year was a pivotal year for me. I was 39, and really started thinking about my 40th birthday which would be coming around in May 2018. I knew at that point there were some major changes that I wanted to...
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3 Stigmas about Bipolar Disorder - Debunked
November 9, 2018
By: Kam
We all hear the word 'bipolar' bandied around today when describing someone who is indecisive or even describing the weather when it doesn't seem to know if it wants to rain or shine. Comments like these show a lack of understanding about the serious mental health condition known as 'Bipolar Disorder' and unfortunately perpetuates the stigma...
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Reporting From the Edge
November 5, 2018
By: Liz Wilson
Without breadcrumbs to find my way back depression often leaves me lost in the abyss.Kay Redfield Jamison described holding death as close as dungarees… And I wear you my friend like a battle scar, a gentle reminder of where I’ve been…And I know that moment that Separates Me from those who have lost the battle is a very very fine one. For death...
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My Misadventures With Weight Gain and Bipolar
October 22, 2018
By: Conor Bezane
I used to be rail thin. Skinny jeans and all. Ironically, since getting sober seven years ago, I’ve developed what might be mistaken for a beer gut. It’s not drastic, but I have definitely changed from a small to a medium shirt thanks to my potbelly. At 5’7”, I weigh 174 pounds, which is considered overweight by body-mass-index standards. It was a...
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