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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Check Your Meds Day
October 19, 2018
By: Danielle Workman
October 21st is Check Your Meds Day. This is one of those daily holidays that I actually feel is very helpful to anyone on medications at all, not just medications for mental health. Checking your medications throughout your treatment is something I learned very early on in my mental health journey.When I began to treat my mental health and began...
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The Parity Act is Important to Me
October 9, 2018
By: Andrienne Kennedy
Before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, I was clueless. I was clueless about mental health and mental illness. My knowledge on the topic was non-existent. The reason why I did not know about mental health or mental illness was well, I never needed to know. Mental illness had never affected me or my loved ones...
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Andrienne Kennedy
October 9, 2018
After suffering with what she thought was just depression for over 20 years, Andrienne Kennedy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder back in 2014. For the 1st couple of years, she was in deep denial of her diagnosis because of the harsh stigma associated with mental illness and mental health disorders. She is...
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