About

Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 No Comments

I love the color green. I have a green purse, a green cell phone and a green iPod. I just love the color. It reminds me of freshly mowed grass in the Spring, my favorite season. I used to think that Autumn was my favorite season. The air smells crisp after a good rain, but Autumn brings sadness to my life.

I've spent a lot of my life in sadness, but I still try to find the joy and beauty in everyday experiences. Hearing my daughters' laughter, chasing my two year old and having a loving husband makes me happy. It's easy to let down your guard and slip into the sadness, but I try like hell to stay out of hell.

I was diagnosed at age 21 with Depression. It wasn't until I viewed a commercial for a drug for Bipolar Disorder that a bell went off in my head. Finding out that I had Bipolar Disorder was one of the single worst times in my life. I had to learn that I had Bipolar Disorder but it didn't define me. It took me a year of therapy to be able to say that.

I blog as a form of therapy. It's helpful to see where I've been so I know where I'm going. I also blog to inform and educate the masses. Stigma is an awful truth and I want so much to be free of it. When I finally told people my story I felt anxious, but so glad to get it off my chest. It's not fair that we live in a society where people call us "crazy" and "wacko". Mental illness is a real disease and people need to learn more about it.

I invite you to check out my blog. Check out the resources. Check out the other Mental Health Blogs. Click on Show All to see all of them. Read Bipolar Beat on PsychCentral.com. Become informed and then become pro-active. Become an advocate in your area for Mental Illness.

Knowledge is Power.

More...

Cristina Fender's blog, Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar, was named Best of Bipolar Blogs at Psych Central.com in 2008 and Health.com in 2009. Health.com had this to say about her blog:

Cristina C. Fender, known to her readers as “Bipolar Chica,” is the voice behind Raw Writings for the Real World of Bipolar.
A stay-at-home mother of two who lives in Texas, Fender chronicles her everyday struggles with bipolar on her very active blog. Family health crises, medication side effects, her aspiring writing career—she covers all of it in frank detail. And she's not afraid to fire back at her critics.

Cristina is the author of Life as a Bipolar Mom, a controversial and widely read article on the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, that was featured on Health.com, CNN.com and Glamour.com.

Reviews:

Just found your blog and wanted to congratulate you, thought it was a brilliant read. -Nikita
Love your new layout. Very professional. -Karen
I have enjoyed reading your blog since I found it a few months back; I find it heart-warming in places, heart-wrenching in others, but always painfully honest and engaging. I like the new style and layout you’ve adopted too. I think it emphasizes the fact it has taken on a far bigger role for yourself and others than you had initially anticipated.-Jemm
I interview alot of women from around the world who have amazing stories, projects and contributions. Your journey with bipolar touched me. -Sharon
I'm just now reading your blog which is inspirational. -Nadine