Author: Matthew Palmieri In managing bipolar, I’ve learned that music is a crucial part of my ongoing recovery. When I discover new music, it gives me hope for the future, helping me avoid rumination from memories past. There are, however, songs that I can go back to...
Author: Melissa Howard There are many aspects to my daily life that I can attribute my many years of stability to. The skills I have acquired did not happen overnight, it has taken me over two decades to discover and implement a care plan that was realistic and...
Author: Gregg F. Martin, PhD Ten years ago, I received a call on a Friday afternoon from my 4-star boss’s aide. He said, “The Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] wants to see you on Monday morning at 1000 hours in his office at the Pentagon. I was a 58-year...
Author: Thiago Genaro I like to use metaphors with my patients. I think it helps translate some of the raw technical medical knowledge and helps draw parallels. I love it when my ophthalmologist explains the prescription of my glasses to me through comparisons...
Author: Ivory Smith Causey On a clear midnight sky there are stars twinkling and the moon shines bright in the vast expanse. It is dark but not black. However, in a severe depressive episode, unlike the midnight sky, there are no stars or no moon. There is only...
Author: Lisa Rabey At the suggestion of my current therapist, I decided to try group therapy. His suggestion was based that while I saw him once a month for check-ins, a regular meeting with my peers could be helpful if I was not in crisis. His reasoning is by...
Author: Shirley A. Solanka The ancient words of consolation and reassurance echo, whether from Sunday school or portrayals of graveside services on TV: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” These words are from the Twenty-Third Psalm, the most well-known of a...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Living with bipolar can feel isolating, especially during severe depressive episodes. Connecting with others during these periods, particularly online, has been a game-changer. Understanding I’m not alone, while having a safe space to...
Author: Lexie Manion A couple months ago, my entire life changed. I left my life as I knew it behind and started my new chapter pursuing my Master’s in Art Therapy. This career path has been my dream since I was a teenager. In my early eating disorder and...
Author: Sam Bowman For people with bipolar disorder, attending large-scale events can seem overwhelming. However, bypassing large gatherings like conferences or trade shows means missing out on opportunities. Instead of avoiding these events, protect yourself...
Author: Mallory Beckwith, LPC Can two individuals with bipolar disorder have a healthy relationship and make it work? The answer to this question is yes. But it may take extra time, effort, forgiveness, compassion and even counseling. Take my husband and I for...
Author: Charles Kelly Upon starting college, I first needed a way to quiet my mind. This meant taking days off and being kind to myself by investing time into going to the golf range, learning the piano, and even participating in groups I didn’t like...
Mental Illness Awareness Week Millions of people worldwide are affected by mental illness, impacting not only those who experience them but also their families, friends, and coworkers. During the first week of October, Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) emphasizes...
Author: Melissa Howard Raising children is accompanied by an abundance of emotions. Anywhere from excitement, love and joy, to the less talked about, sadness, exhaustion and loneliness. Parenting does not come without its challenges. From conception or...
Author: Thiago Genaro There is no storm outside. The marriage is at a cool stage. The children are doing well at school. The Labrador puppy brings joy to the house. At work, you were recently promoted. The company’s environment is healthy, constructive...
Author: Mihlali Mqushulu The infamous slump. I for sure know it and cross paths with it at least twice a year. One may call it a burn out or end year fatigue. It is mostly referred to as a sort of depressive episode. And these vary with different people. It’s...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Depending on my mood state, my sense of self worth can change drastically. While manic, I feel a larger than life sense of purpose. It often feels justified after extended depressive episodes because it feels like my brain needs to...
Author: Ivory Smith Causey Bipolar mania and bipolar depression can affect hygiene and feelings about hygiene. It can be the first sign of the start of mental health issues. I can remember my thoughts, moods and even thesis statements during mania were: I am...
Author: Lisa Rabey I was once fired from my job for my bipolar rage. I was not getting along with my co-workers. I tried so hard to fit in and make the working environment comfortable for everyone. Yet, it seemed no matter what I did, the resentment between us...
Author: Shirley A. Solanka The three of us – my husband, my son, and I – were on a summer vacation, when one morning, while walking past the front yards of Ithaca, N.Y. wild with milkweed and purple coneflower, toward one of that city’s famous gorges, I saw a...
Author: Melissa Howard For people who live with bipolar disorder (bd), travelling internationally or across time zones, poses specific health risks that otherwise, do not affect individuals who do not live with a mental illness. Travelling can be stressful for...
Author: Charles Kelly After being discharged from the hospital, I often felt lost and disconnected from the outside world. Conversations with others felt awkward and disjointed, leaving me confused about what had happened. Hitting rock bottom after a dramatic...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Accepting a Bipolar diagnosis can take many years. Some may never come to terms with the illness, living in denial while it wreaks havoc on everything held dear. I know that was me for about 9 years after I was diagnosed.I wouldn’t even...
Author: Sam Bowman Pet therapy can meaningfully improve your quality of life if you live with bipolar disorder and have a love for animals. This sentiment is echoed by research published in News in Health, which found that people who spend time with pets and...
Author: Thiago Lopes Genaro Brazil is a giant country. It is the fifth largest country in the world, behind Russia, Canada, China and the United States. The Amazon region is immense. There are municipalities in the Amazon that are 7 days away by boat from the...
Author: Ros Growing up I was never into exercise. I was that kid that didn’t do well in gym class and did everything to not have to run. So you can imagine my dismay, when fast forward to varsity, my therapist told me I should exercise more. My therapist didn’t...
Author: Lexie Manion Therapy has been a part of my everyday life since I was a teenager seeking help for my eating disorder and self-harm for the first time. When I first began this healing process, I was ambivalent and distrustful. The first therapist I saw...
Author: Birdie Thorn When we are young, we want to be things like doctors, astronauts, and firemen. We picture the day when we will become an adult and live out those dreams. When we are young, we can’t grasp the amount of work, time, and sacrifice that will go...
Author: Melissa Howard There is not a definitive conclusion that childhood trauma (CT) may be responsible for the onset of bipolar disorder (BD), however, there have been multiple case studies that have shown that childhood adversity can trigger and impact the...
Author: Subrina Singh Majority of people living with bipolar disorder would agree that one of the most daunting experiences is inpatient treatment. For many psych patients, including myself, inpatient treatment is viewed as a punishment or failure. While...
Author: Matthew Palmieri When symptomatic, bipolar illness can be all consuming. During manic episodes, I have overwhelming feelings of euphoria, grandiosity and extreme irritability. When I’m depressed, it feels like my life is over and I’ll never get out of...
Author: Sam Bowman Living with bipolar disorder involves navigating through fluctuating highs and lows, making managing energy levels a daily challenge. This constant shift in energy can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining, disrupting the balance...
Author: Melissa Howard I was fourteen when an ovarian tumour was discovered on my left ovary. I had been menstruating for just over a year when the diagnosis was made. The large tumor was removed along with the majority of the small organ. A minimal amount of...
Author: Matthew Palmieri There was a time when I believed therapy was simply a means to an end. If I spoke with someone about my problems, I was there for solutions to eventually conclude the sessions. My views have changed over the years. Therapy is now an...
Author: Subrina Singh Two phrases you see everywhere: self-care and self-love. But what do they actually mean? What is their relationship with mental health and mental illness, more specifically with bipolar disorder? I often ask myself, which of the two is...
As we celebrate Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to start conversations that matter. This month, we’re reaching out to our community to discuss important questions surrounding men’s mental health. Let’s raise awareness,...
Author: Lexie Manion In my late twenties, I have grown to be very fond of carving out safe spaces of community; safe spaces are an important part of my identity. The people who support me mirror my brave heart and vast authenticity. Feeling wholly supported...
Author: Sam Bowman Living and working with bipolar disorder can present unique hurdles, but your professional growth doesn’t have to be hindered. Supporting your mental wellness is crucial to forging a positive career path with bipolar. With the right resources...
Author: Matthew Palmieri As someone suffering from a severe mood disorder, one of the hardest things to come to grips with is how stress with work and school impacts my ability to function on a day-to-day basis. While I have had extended periods of...
Maternal Mental Health Month Maternal Mental Health Month is celebrated each May to raise awareness about parents’ mental well-being before, during, and after pregnancy. Celebrating this month can mean acknowledging the importance of monitoring maternal mental...
Author: Sam Bowman Home should be a safe haven for children living with bipolar disorder. As a parent or caregiver, you have the unique opportunity to create a supportive home environment for them that fosters growth and compassion. As they’re growing up,...
Author: Sara Trejo Creativity has always been an impactful outlet for me. For a long time, I’d struggle expressing myself, I’d doubt my creative abilities, or question whether I would even consider myself creative at all. It wasn’t until I eventually asked...
Author: Matthew Palmieri It’s no secret that if left untreated, bipolar illness can have a devastating impact on relationships. So when symptoms take over, it’s crucial to start looking at the triggers that lead to a change in thinking and behavior. A few...
Author: Lee Formella After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there were many emotions that ran through me immediately, and for a long time thereafter. Among these feelings were two that were hard to overcome; confusion and defeat. I was confused about what...
Author: Robin Mazumder BSc, MSc OT, PhD The year that followed my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder was, without doubt, the most difficult year of my life – the deepest trench in an ocean of despair. I’d gotten used to feeling depressed but the “year of...
Author: Lianca Lyons My mother died suddenly on the afternoon of Thursday, September 14, 2023. She went into cardiac arrest and had a heart attack in front of me. To my surprise, this is NOTHING like the movies but I will spare you the horrific scene that lives...
Author: Ricardo Pavão My first manic episode was about 4 years ago, and now I understand that before that I also had long periods of depression. I can say that experiencing mania was a really tough time. I was hospitalized 4 times, basically once every year,...
Author: Niki Castle contains mentions of suicide and sexual assault Buster was the only puppy in his litter. A runt, they said. He was the perfect mix of Pomeranian, Poodle, Jack Russell terrier, and Chihuahua. A stout, white body with large brown spots and...
World Bipolar Day is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition. International Bipolar Foundation’s 2024 theme was #BipolarStrong! As a worldwide community, we came...
Author: Mihlali Mqushulu For months I have been contemplating this. It was not so much about sharing my experience with this lifelong rollercoaster I’ve been handed at quite a young age; But more so about if my experience will seem valid enough for anyone...
