February 7th, 2007 All my life, and to my parents’ utter consternation, I have always been something of a misfit. Never could walk the straight and narrow. Always spoke out of turn and skipped to the beat of a different drummer. Some of my friends have quipped that I am a “rebel with too big a cause”. However, I... Continue Reading →
Twisting and Turning
June 5th, 2005 Before I could open my eyes, as my eyelids fluttered in a struggle to free themselves from sleep, I felt myself breathe. The air slowly filled my lungs with a soothing coolness that as I exhaled I felt a calm flood my body. I inhaled deeply once again and my eyes opened wide as... Continue Reading →
Twisting and Turning
January 7th, 2005 This isn’t an extraordinarily special day. This span of 24 hours that shall pass from dawn to dusk and then end in the still frozen chill of another winter sunrise. Fate had not determined a series of significant events for my loved ones or me on this the 7th of January, 2005, but I have other... Continue Reading →
Who Should Be In Your Social Safety Net?
What is a Social Safety Net A Social Safety Net is an excellent means to chart out the relationships you are currently involved in, rating them from most intimate in the center to working or less intimate in the outer rim or circle. By placing people in the varied concentric circles you are establishing how the... Continue Reading →
Your Mental Health Care Providers – Who They Are And What They Provide For Your Care
Now, I must stress before I write any further that these are my assumptions and observances from my own personal experiences. I have come to these conclusions through many years of being in the mental health care system. There are of course many different opinions and life experiences in the big world out there that... Continue Reading →
Mental Health Care Ladder
Psychiatrist | | Hospital Nurse (if in hospital) | | Therapist, Counselor, Psychologist | | General Practitioner | | Proctor or Home Care Nurse | | Self-Help Groups or Therapy Groups, Drop-in Centers | | Crisis Phone Line and Crisis Teams (only for emergency use) | | Pharmacist | | Reading Material
Our Furry Friends – The Positive Health Benefits of Pets
I am an animal lover. I am not particularly fond of every creature of the animal kingdom; mind you, but most of them. The more I am forced to cope with my disorder in my everyday life the more convinced I am of the effectiveness of pets on my daily mental health. They certainly don't... Continue Reading →
Some Coping Techniques for Spouses of Bipolar Sufferers
You may dearly miss the person you fell in love with; keep in mind that with proper treatments and your support that person will come back to you. Find your own therapist; you may need a professional to help guide you through the hard times. Look for a support group for partners of bipolar sufferers.... Continue Reading →
The Other Half – Spouses of Bipolar Sufferers
Spouses of bipolar sufferers often are the caretakers and caregivers of the relationship. They are expected to hold everything together when emotional hurricanes hit their families. They hang on in spite of everything that is flying around them just waiting for the calm. Many people close to them expect them to be strong and almost... Continue Reading →
My Mental Trampoline 