Mood Disorders

My win was better recognizing when my anxiety is intensifying and groundhog myself and not being as hard on myself when for feeling anxious. My biggest accomplishment is not letting the misinformed, stigmatized views of others dictate how I relate to my mental health journey.

#ADHD #ADHDInGirls #Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #MentalHealth #MoodDisorders #Neurodiversity #Depression #wins #Motivation

Came across a quote that said this. Often do we (including myself) try to stress on things that are out of our control. Instead, we could actually work on, be grateful for and what is in our control and try to live in the moment .

#MentalHealth #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #MoodDisorders

What are we thankful for today? Give me three things, big or small! Mine are in the comments!

#MentalHealth
#PTSD
#BorderlinePersonalityDisorder
#MoodDisorders
#Anxiety

It makes sense that neurotypical people don’t know how to support someone with bipolar.

The traditional form of support is a practical approach. Often, people are reactive in wanting to support you by problem-solving, regardless of what the issue is.

The most effective way to support another human is simple: just be present, listen, witness.

I’ve been drafting in my mind a letter to my family about my bipolar for months and I finally wrote and sent it to them yesterday.

A I wrote it, it sunk in how complicated and “crazy” living with bipolar is. To try to explain what it is, what it is to manage it and how it impacts people with it and how it impacts you, specifically, is tricky.

This is a part of the email:

Your support and understanding mean a lot and will also help me through this. I’m happy to share anything you’re curious about or if you have questions.

I can tell you what doesn’t help - telling me that there are things to be happy about and all will be ok or suggesting practical solutions like getting sun or going for a walk. I know these things. I know that these comments come from a loving place but they make my experience feel invalidated and misunderstood. The best thing you can do is just be there for me, listen and not think I’m a freak. You don’t need to say a thing.

One of the most damaging things you can do to someone with a mental illness is to apply your experiences to ours and not try to understand us. Our experiences are not the same. It may not make sense to you but please try to understand. Sharing all of this with you will help in that regard, I hope.

#Bipolar #BipolarDisorder #bipolarsupport #MoodDisorders #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness

I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder over twenty years ago and I’ve attempted to manage it with a flurry of medication, therapy, exercise, meditation and so forth.

Despite my efforts, I wasn’t able to experience mental stability for more than a few months at a time.

Last summer, a very attentive and thorough psychiatrist diagnosed me with Bipolar Disorder (BD). It was huge and a pivotal part of my ability to finally recognize and manage my symptoms. It’s a strange way to describe this revelation but it was comforting.

Receiving a BD diagnosis allowed me to make sense of past behavior that I’ve carried guilt and shame about for years. I’m finally able to untangle bipolar symptoms from my personality.

For over twenty years, I’ve been insufficiently treated for depression. This is not uncommon. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression. I was one of those women.

There are depressive elements of BD but there are also manic symptoms that can wreak havoc on your life. My symptoms were relatively low-grade so they’ve been hiding in plain sight.

There is a misconception that people with mental illness are “crazy” and have detectable symptoms. This is not true.

I earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and held down jobs. At the same time, I dealt with suicidal thoughts (and attempted suicide a few times), forged unhealthy relationships, and unknowingly behaved in ways that hurt others.

Clinicians and therapists missed my BD because I fall in the gray area where my symptoms don’t lean strongly toward mania. The term “bipolar” is a misnomer. In reality, it’s expressed on a spectrum, not two extremes.

I’m thankful that the psychiatrist who diagnosed me correctly was intentional in reviewing my extensive mental health history and asked pointed questions to understand my experience. She reframed my understanding of myself and my past. She changed my life.

I still struggle with overwhelming symptoms that make daily functioning a challenge but I’m hopeful that, in time, I will reach the prolonged mental stability I’ve fought so hard to achieve.

Treatment is only effective when you're properly diagnosed and receiving support for all of your symptoms.

***

Source: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. “Treatment for Bipolar Disorder.” Bipolar Disorder Statistics - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

#Bipolar1 #BipolarDisorder #MoodDisorders #MentalHealth

#MoodDisorders
Borderline Personality Disorder, the name on itself, is hostile and bias.

I genuinely believe, as i have BPD along other invisible illnesses, that addressing how people can make a conscious effort to stop using it, it will enable both patients and care providers alike, feel less judged.

People automatically jump to conclusions and i don’t think iv met many people in my lifetime who understood how deeply i feel everything.

It’s a blessing and a curse 🗣️💪💯✨

Just some thoughts I had today that I wanted to share... ❤️

#MentalHealth #BipolarDisorder #MoodDisorders #PTSD #Anxiety #Depression