Just a few hours ago, before I realized how bad my insomnia was going to be tonight, I posted about how I am still feeling like I am in an okay place in life. Even though I am feeling okay and content for the most part, that does not mean that I don’t have any more bad days or nights. Tonight happens to be a another night where insomnia has fully taken over and it is already almost 3:30 in the morning and my alarm for work is scheduled to go off at 7:50 am…
Insomnia
Debunking 5 Common Mental Health Myths
There is still so much mental health stigma in this world, even after all these years. While we have made some incredible progress toward understanding mental illness, what causes it, and how we can treat it, there is still a lot more pertinent information that we have yet to uncover and learn about.
Educating people on mental health and mental health disorders can help tear down the walls of mental health stigma one brick at a time. People fear what they don’t know. So, helping people who have never struggled with their mental health or who have never had a loved one who struggled with their mental health learn the facts from the myths can help make the topic feel less scary for some people.
Don’t get caught up in believing in these 5 common mental health myths!
Guest Post by Rissa: All About Insomnia (Plus, Get a FREE Printable Sleep Log)
Let’s welcome Rissa (who also happens to my head/lead Admin for the My Bipolar Mind Facebook Group) back to the My Bipolar Mind blog as she shares helpful information about Insomnia. She even included a FREE printable sleep log that was given to her by her own sleep doctor.
Guest Post by Rissa: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Insomnia (CBT-I)
Let’s welcome Rissa back to My Bipolar Mind! She would like to share some very beneficial and useful information about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. She’s gained this information via her doctors and own personal experience. Continue reading to learn more!
Insomnia: The Struggle Is Real
It’s almost 6 in the morning and the bright, beaming sun will begin to rise soon and I still haven’t slept yet. My body feels exhausted and physically drained. I’m struggling with some mental fogginess as well. At this point, I am not even sure if I will make sense to anyone other than myself.
Important & Useful Helpline Numbers You Should Have Handy
Helplines are there for people during their times of need. If you are ever struggling with things such as your mental health or addiction, please reach out to others for help and support. You do not have to try to be “brave” or “tough.” It’s okay to not be okay. That does not make you weak.
Save or print this helpline reference sheet in case of emergencies!
Who Gets to Decide If Normality Is Real, Anyway?
I have always hated little sayings and phrases that involve the word normal such as, “Try to act normal,” “Can’t you just be normal for once?” and even “You’re not normal.” It makes you really have to think hard about what normality even means and to who? Who gets to define and decide what is or isn’t normal in our society? In our everyday lives? Is there some kind of formal typed up
Coronavirus Insanity: Self-Care Tips To Help You Stay Mentally Well
Almost everyone has heard of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) by now. When I checked my local news website a few days ago the total cases for this virus in Pennsylvania were at 76 infected victims.
Try Writing: Expressive Writing Explanation | By Brittney D. Herz
Expressive writing, poetry therapy, journaling, expressive journaling, rage writing; I’ve heard it called a lot of different things and used in many ways but it all comes down to using writing as a coping mechanism.
Drowning In The Haze
Drowning In The Haze It is almost 3 o’clock in the morning and I am wide awake and once again stuck here overthinking and overanalyzing every little detail of my life. I think about the things I could have done… Read More ›
A Big Thank You!
Today, we reached 800+ Facebook followers on our My Bipolar Mind page! That is amazing to me. I never even anticipated having more than one single follower when I first created this blog a few years ago.
Tips to Help Keep Calm & De-Stress This Christmas
Christmas time can be joyful yet incredibly stressful and nervewracking at the same time for anyone, but especially for people who have mental health disorders! Being around too many people — even your loved ones — for too long can be anxiety-producing.
Insomnia Has Me Tonight
Sleep has eluded me all night and I’m starting to get a massive migraine from being overly tired and not being able to give into the sandman’s’ sweet embrace. I just want to sleep! Especially with how erratic my moods have been lately; sleep should come naturally and offer me even a slight bit of relief but it’s not.
5 Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Next Psych Appointment
Some people look forward to going to almost all of their psychiatric appointments while others seem to loathe them. At times, it may feel like you have no idea what you’re supposed to talk about or discuss. Then other times, you may feel like you have way too much to bring up or go over that it can feel a bit overwhelming. These things happen to everyone from time to time.
Sleep-Deprived Until The Morning Sunrise: 10 Tips For Feeling Refreshed
Insomnia was in the lead by a long shot last night. #TeamNoSleep strikes again! It is currently a little after 8 o’clock in the morning on Saturday, November 9th, 2019. And no matter how alone I may have felt last night, I know that about 40 million other Americans suffer from chronic insomnia as well and probably weren’t getting much sleep either. And since I am a woman, I am actually twice as likely to have developed insomnia in the first place. I even wrote a poem about my insomnia titled: When Insomnia Says Hi!
Thoughts from an Insomniac
Today is day two of some bothersome insomnia. It is said that about 25 percent of Americans suffer from acute insomnia and that 75 percent of those cases clear up on their own without an issue after a maximum of three months. However, I am more of a chronic case since I typically have insomnia that has lasted more than at least three nights a week for longer than a three month period. In my case, I have been dealing with insomnia issues for as long as I can remember.
October 2019: National Depression & Mental Health Screening Month
October 2019 holds more than just spooky stuff and Halloween. Maybe you’re having a bad day, a bad week, a bad month, maybe even a bad year. Perhaps you’re not feeling like yourself and haven’t for quite some time. Maybe you have everything to be grateful for but are having a hard time finding even a little bit of joy in your everyday life. When is it more than just a bad mood or a bad day?
Toxic Positivity: What Is It?
Photo by Jules D. on Unsplash Toxic Positivity: What Is It? Toxic positivity is, in a sense, pushing for someone to change their current mental state by telling them things like, “You’ll get over it,” or even, “Just be positive!” Little phrases like… Read More ›
Insomnia, Anxiety & Me
“Roughly 60 Million Americans are affected by [a] sleep disorder every year,” and I am one of them – as some of you may already know. Some night I have issues with insomnia, other nights my sleep is completely broken and restless. It is not very often that I actually get a good night’s sleep, regardless of how long I am lying in my bed for. I could be lying in bed for 12 hours and yet only get 4-5 hours of solid sleep. I even have a prescription medication that I take every night (almost) faithfully.
What Does Mental Illness Look Like?
According to MentalHealthAmerica.net, about 54 million Americans suffer from some type of mental illness in a given year. With over 200 types of classified mental illnesses, that number can expect to rise. Yet many people cannot recognize mental illness in other people, let alone themselves. Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, it is just how your brain is wired and it doesn’t make you any less of a person.