I never knew what "pdoc" meant until I was diagnosed with bipolar one disorder, and learned that it's a shorthand term used for psychiatrists by those in the bipolar community.My pdoc is wonderful. Out of the myriad of doctors I've seen for bipolar disorder, "Dr. D." has been the most compassionate, the most capable, and the most "normal"...
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I’m not Just Surviving, I’m living with Hope
April 14, 2014
Natalie Mckinnon
Good afternoon readers, I hope this entry finds you fighting to keep going. Because I truly believe with all my heart every precious life has such Value in this world, and I want to offer you as much encouragement as I possibly can, and reassure you that you are never alone in this struggle. Before I go...
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Six and a half year itch - Part Three
April 10, 2014
Scott Walker
This is the third blog in a series about a recent psychiatric hospital stay that I had in December of 2013. To read the first post click here. On the second day of my hospital stay last December, I had a big realization. I was not on ANY medication! This honestly came as a shock to me. I had assumed that since I was in...
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End of the Day
April 7, 2014
Dyane Harwood
For the past twenty years I've been a closet songwriter. During my first year attending the University of California at Santa Cruz, I was a regular at open mike night and I belonged to my school’s Concert Choir. Our final concert was an exotic piece sung in the Esperanto language with an Indonesian gamelan orchestra. I loved all kinds...
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I Need To Hold It Together
April 7, 2014
Nicole Lyons
Recently my seven year old was rushed to the emergency room. In the past two weeks this kid has been poked with needles, had ultrasounds done, been seen by numerous doctors, and is scheduled for more tests to figure out what has caused her medical issues and how to go about treating them. When our children become ill and we’re feeling...
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As a Bipolar Mom
April 7, 2014
Becca Moore
As a bipolar Mom, I truly believe that parents that are coping with bipolar disorder have an extra obstacle that they must overcome at times. They must learn how to manage their own illness when they are symptomatic and still be effective parents. I think for most of us, we have the parenting part down and it comes easily for us when we are not...
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Dogs: Your Baby, Psychiatrist, & Friend
April 7, 2014
Carley Cooper
Here’s a photo of my dog, Maggie. She’s one years old. I love her like she’s my baby. I can’t begin to tell you how much she has helped me and my Bipolar Disorder. One day last summer, the local weatherman said we were in the “dog days of summer”. Ever wonder why they call it that? When the heat and humidity are high, energy...
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What Is Normal?
April 7, 2014
Rebecca Lombardo
When you suffer from depression, there is really no such thing as “normal” anymore. What you may consider to be normal, some people may not even be able to fathom. You long for a sense of normalcy. You wish you could get up in the morning and feel ready to take on the day, and feel as if each day has been lived to the fullest....
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Sleep that Knits
March 31, 2014
Dyane Harwood
Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care – gimme some!I've always loved the very sound of the famous Shakespearean line from Macbeth:"Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care."Although I have a degree in English literature and I read Macbeth, that was over twenty years ago, so I've forgotten most of the play, but not...
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Relief & Denial - My First Two Steps
March 20, 2014
RaeAnn
At the age of 16, I was in a serious car accident and suffered a concussion. Within two weeks after the accident, something about me was different.Step 1: ReliefAt the age of 27, during my first psychiatric hospitalization, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I remember feeling the biggest sense of relief and thinking to myself, "...
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