To Loathe Every time I looked in the mirror I hated what I saw. Self-loathing had been a big part of my identity. Why did I hate myself so much? Why did I look at my reflection with contempt and disgust? I am not sure how or when it started, but many of my earliest memories were of simply not wanting to be me. Since that was...
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Psychiatry in Jordan
December 9, 2014
Teamwork in Psychiatry: King Abdullah University Hospital as a ModelI would like to make it crystal clear that this story aims not as the title may suggest, to draw up a panoramic view of the mental health system in Jordan. Nor does it claim a science-based approach while referring to mental illnesses or any medications usually administered to...
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Moustafa Hausain
December 9, 2014
My name is Moustafa Hausain from Jordan/Middle East. I work for kalima translation Abu Dhabi. I basically translate books that fall under the humanities umbrella: like Philosophy, History, Psychology and the like. I translated, among other books, a book by the science historian Paul Royter, titled: Madness: A Brief History, through which Royter...
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15 Seconds of Uninterrupted Positive Thought
December 9, 2014
I am fortunate to be mentally stable and manage my bipolar disorder well. That being said I sometimes have a tendency to not always have a positive mindset throughout my day. At times negative things that people say or do bother me and I’m not able to let go of them quickly. In the last week I’ve come across an exercise which is...
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Stigma
December 9, 2014
I wanted to start off this month's blog by saying that I'm so thankful that I live in a society where I can both be honest about my mental illness and reach out to others. I know that we used to live in a time where you pretty much couldn't talk about any mental illness, but now there are so many people fighting the stigma. I am proud to say...
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Mental Illness and the Holidays
December 2, 2014
Nine years ago this December, my mental illness erupted through the surface of my otherwise regular life. Work was a snowstorm of activity with the holidays approaching, and I remember feeling super stressed out trying to keep all my end-of-the-year meetings with my many clients. This, on top of buying gifts for everyone on my list, which had...
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Broken Radio Dial
December 2, 2014
Being understood is on my top ten list of desires. I’d imagine it’s pretty high on everyone’s list but for those suffering from an illness which carries so much stigma, being understood can save a life. I’m talking about being understood by the people that I do life with. Trying to describe what’s going on, even to people that...
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Mark Mercer
December 2, 2014
Hi, My name is Mark and I live with Bipolar Disorder. I was diagnosed at age 36 but after that realization now know I have had symptoms for as long as I can remember. I firmly believe in and endorse professional treatment but for me a really good way to help myself is to help others. Some of the deepest and most rewarding relationships I’ve...
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Attitude of Gratitude for Thanksgiving
November 26, 2014
Outside its cold, inside I’m warm as I sit down to drink my hot cup of herbal tea and write my blog. Usually each month when I submit my blog, I address a certain topic that is important in the mental health community, but this month I want to focus on what it means to be thankful. How many times are we so focused on our troubles, and we forget to...
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Hopping Off the Merry-Go-Round
November 26, 2014
Since I was diagnosed bipolar I’ve found myself in a constant cycle. I remain compliant with medications and avoid substances and I enjoy euphoria and life for that matter. However, the second I deviate from my prospective recovery regimen everything goes awry and I’m left institutionalized. The same happens with jobs and money. I am pretty...
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