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.
What goes up, must come down can easily define Bipolar Disorder. Meaning, after every high — or manic episode — a low is sure to follow.
So, random thought from last night… I was working on a blog post — that I never finished — and it was titled “3am Thoughts,” and I couldn’t figure out what time “late night” transitioned into “early morning” so I settled on just saying “3am.” I probably spent way too much time being consumed by this question than I should have. And I didn’t necessarily feel like resorting to using Google to solve yet another debate for me. If you think that this a strange thing to be consumed by, you would not want to know about the rest of the crap that gets stuck inside my head!
Keeping Myself Entertained It has been a very long week for me that has been filled with more lows than highs. Today marks one week since Buddy tragically passed away, and tomorrow makes it one week since Jasper came to… Read More ›
These days, it seems as if most people from their preteens on up have heard of self-harm or may even know someone who purposely hurts their self. Self-injury can now be found on TV, in movies, books, and all over the web. There is much more information about this aspect of mental health than there was 20 years ago; when I first started using self-injury as a coping mechanism. That’s right, I am one of the 1 in 5 females who self-harm. For males, 1 out of every 7 has turned to this as well. In the US, there is an estimate of two million people who reportedly self-harm every year. (Continue Reading)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (also known as OCD) is a chronic mental illness where people have either obsessive thoughts (obsessions) or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). In simple terms, these people have recurring thoughts and behavior.
I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s so frustrating, unpredictable, and can be very scary. Not ever knowing when something will trigger it. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress due to psychological shock. Trauma can come from many of things but many come from traumatic events.
I have been meaning to blog for a little while now but every time I would create a post I would delete it. If I can remember correctly when I wrote my last personal post I was in a full-blown downswing. Since then, I have been a very agitated manic and then bounced around from up, down, to everything in between.
Welcome back to the 2019 Selfie Love Challenge! Be sure to subscribe to both My Bipolar Mind and Budding Joy to stay updated on the #SelfieLove2019 Challenge! Today is day four of the challenge which brings us to Sunday, February 17th, 2019!
What are triggers? This is a very good question in a time when everyone is talking about how they are so triggered by this that and the other. Triggers are things that you have learned that may cause you distress. They can be anything from a word, event, place, date, even a person them self can be a trigger.
A storm is brewing and a depressive episode is underway. I can feel it try to pull me under the surface as it surrounds me. I am trying to fight my way against it with everything that I have. I knew after the mania ended that I was headed in this direction. I was just hoping that it wouldn’t be so soon.
How to Calm Anxiety Before a Panic Attack I am a strong and relentless woman. I had my feet granted, always knew what I want and where I was heading, well! at least so I thought. I had a rough… Read More ›
I had a manic episode wash over me last Tuesday (1/15/19) and I feel like I am still coming down from it. I can go from being perfectly fine to on edge in a matter of seconds.
Living with Personality Disorders is one of the hardest mental disorders you can deal with on a day to day basis. Along with mood swings, it causes you to be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. Not knowing what to expect, or how to feel, it really takes a toll on any person dealing with something as such. (Continue reading…)
My new book, “My Bipolar Mind: You’re not alone,” if now available on paperback on Amazon.
I feel like all I do anymore is go to doctor’s appointments. This has not been a good week for me. Wednesday at 4:30 am I woke my boyfriend up to take me to the ER… (Continue Reading)
I took my nighttime medications around 8:30 p.m. and thought that I would be asleep by now. I have journaled, read part of two different books, and played games on my tablet. While I am starting to feel a bit drowsy, it is not enough to be able to fall asleep. I intend to take an emergency sleep aid soon as it is almost midnight.
Changing sleep habits can be tricky; for many Americans, it’s hard to make big lifestyle changes without inducing anxiety or stress. It’s important, however, to make sure you’re getting adequate rest each night. Not only does it help boost your mood, it’s imperative when it comes to maintaining positive relationships and being productive at work or school. Your mental and physical health can be negatively impacted when you lack good sleep, making it harder for you to focus or cope with stress when it comes your way.
Read on for some great tips on how to change your sleeping habits for the better.
With all of this good news and excitement, I still don’t feel quite right. Something still feels off for me. I don’t know how to explain it for once. I should be thrilled; I don’t have to see the PA anymore, I’m starting a new medication, my best friend is happier than ever, I am now on the cover design part of my book. I just don’t get it. Everything is going so well. I guess mental illness is tricky like that.
What I am about to discuss may be a trigger for some people who have dealt with sexual assault or self-harm. Please read with caution. If anything upsets you, please stop reading.