When you Write are your Moods Right?

Writing is a wonderful form of therapy. Whether it be journaling, poetry, or Blogging!

Writing is also a great gauge of how your moods are, and you need not even be keeping a mood journal. This is especially true of those who keep hand written journals. Handwriting generally changes, like the speed and quality of penmanship.

For many the pen and paper is where they turn in their worst moments.
For others this is when their may be an up-slope of mania slowly sneaking up on them.

Mania can be a concern for me. Writing prolifically, and effortlessly, is certainly a sign that my moods may not be as stable as I think they are. This is a balancing act I carefully must carefully maneuver. I enjoy writing, and the massive production output at certain moments in my life. Taking advantage of this production without keeping my moods in check would be irresponsible.

The pure fact is, what goes up must come down.

This is one of those frustrations that comes along with Bipolar symptoms. Symptoms that may be just a bit too enjoyable.



tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[Bipolar Mania]
[Bipolar Writers]

A Great Canadian Mental Health Stigma Buster Article

A cool post from GNIF Brain Blogger

A unique analogy. I get so tired of the proverbial roller coaster. An abscessed tooth is a new one for me. The mental hospital statistic, 1 in 8, this is also interesting.





tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[stigma]
[mental hospital]

UCLA Officers Use Taser Gun- Student Responds With ADA and Law Suit

The link above will take you to an article of Henry David's at LAist.

There is a student at UCLA involved in a law suit regarding officers using taser guns on him, multiple times so the story reads.

The kicker is that not only is he suing for the officers actions, but also for violation of the American Disabilities Act. This student is Bipolar.

Of course the big question how would the officers know. This article link states that it was disclosed to them on the scene.

I do not usually engage in posting comments on unknown sites, but I did here.
I realize the story has not unfolded yet, but it is intriguing.



[Bipolar Disorder]
[taser gun]

Straight Talk About Stigma of Mental Illness

This is an article in the UCBerkeleyNews, by Yasmin Anwar. Anwar writes about a new book, Stephen Hinshaw's "The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change" (Oxford University Press, 2007)

After reading this article I want to go to purchase the book. I was diagnosed seven years ago and it is not often I find such empathy on the subject, specifically stigma.


tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[stigma]

How Many Nights Will You Go?

How many nights will you go without sleep?
1...2...3...?
Did you say 3!?!?!

I have learned that if I miss even 2 nights of sleep I need to call my doctor.
It took a while to get this theory sort of ingrained in my brain.

The doctors, psychologists, and therapists had all told me this before, many times. (Except one horrible nameless SW from a hospital who said, "We all have sleeping problems." )

I have repeatedly been reminded how I should never look at my insomnia the way that social worker did.

Ever since I have taken a tighter grasp on my zzz's, with the guidance of my doctor, I can now see even how one night can turn my stable mood in to a witch as quick as a switch.

We all know not every Bipolar individual has the same symptoms.

I just wanted to give a "shout out" to those who are tackling this monster the best they can.

(Perhaps a little, "it's okay sista'...to those who waiver on the 'do I call the doc fence')

[Bipolar Disorder]
[insomnia]

Full-Functioning Bipolar

To what capacity this means I am not sure. I was told once to say this to therapists and psychologists when having a hard time finding a doctor for therapy, not medication.

I battle the need for this, talk-therapy. I know many are hell-bent on it. It seems some psychiatrists are indifferent; I am what I am.

I feel that in the beginning of journey of this illness, it is crucial.
Crucial in determining what is really you and what is the dark side of the mercurial force.

After quite a few hand made, punched through, notches in my bipolar belt....
I often feel like I listen to the therapists talk more of themselves than about my situation. So many antidotes, and self-healing stories...."one time...". I realize these analogies can be helpful. So can Socratic thinking, but I am not even able to ask questions, just listen.

I am not a newbie. I have more psy.d's, md's, and ph.d's than I do those notches in my belt.

I would explain more, but I would be breaking patient-doctor confidentiality.

I just do not feel like doing it anymore....therapy that is.

My med and med man and me. I am okay with this. (With a periodical path to the pscyh ward for seclusion, peace, and medication stabilization.) No, the hospital is no revolving door. Believe me, no one would want it to be.

Full-functioning? If that includes 5 medications, then yes.
Employable? Questionable.

tags
[Bipolar Disorder]

Mental Hospitals

Hospitals are for care. Just like a regular inpatient hospital, appropriately for a mental illness their are mental hospitals.

There should be a day when going to a hospital for "any" care is just that. The Stigma that surrounds the mental hospital prevents those who need help from getting it.

It was not until I had been hospitalized (more than once) that I learned this.
Certainly, it seems dignity and much else is hard to maintain in certain hospitals. It is the healthy head and being watched while recovering that outweighs some of the negative.

Certainly, not all mental hospitals provide this I'm sure. There should be a day for this too.

tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[Mental Hospital]

My Mercurial Mind, Defined

mer·cu·ri·al əl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mer-kyoo l] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature.
2. animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.


Mercurius
Crystal Reference Encyclopedia - Cite This Source

(mythology)or Mercurius A Roman god, principally of trading, who was identifed with Hermes, and inherited his mythology.
See also

Hermes (mythology)


Hermes
Crystal Reference Encyclopedia - Cite This Source

(mythology) [hermeez] In Greek mythology, the ambassador of the gods, the son of Zeus and Maia; depicted with herald's staff (the caduceus), and winged sandals. He is variously associated with stones, commerce, roads, cookery, and thieving; also arts such as oratory. He was the inventor of the lyre, and, as Hermes Psychopompos, the guide of souls.
See also

Mercury (mythology)


With the new year hear, is it too bold to claim my name as an established blogger? :)
I thought that if anything my name is defined the way I wish it to be.

tags
[Bipolar Disorder]
[mind]