I've climbed mountains and walked through valleys in my lifetime. Some days are good, some days are bad. Faith in my own strength keeps me going and the love of my family. I welcome you to my journey.
As the holidays approach, many are thinking about holiday traveling and last-minute Christmas presents.However, those with depression are faced with figuring out one day at a time how to get through the holidays without feeling down and alone.Depression Bipolar Support Alliance is a free non-profit peer-led support group for those living with mood disorders. Those who receive support from the group have depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress and anxiety. Family members or friends wanting to support their relatives or friends with the disorders also are encouraged to join the group.
For more information, click here. To find a chapter in your area, click here.
A girl. Exploring the world of Bipolar Disorder one day at a time. Informing and educating the public about mental illness.
I've been sick this week with ear infections and a wheezing cough. I went to see my doctor. He wanted to put me on steroids, but said that might influence my sleeping patterns and send me into mania. I opted for a lesser option. God knows I don't need to go up and down.
I spent yesterday in bed all day trying to shake this thing. But my ears are still stopped up. Hopefully one more day of antibiotic will kick me back into gear. I hate being sick. I'm the Mama, I'm supposed to be here every minute for my kids. Not in bed with a stupid cold!
My sleep patterns are a little off this week, too, because of my cold. I try to make up for it by taking naps in the afternoon when my little one is asleep. I just hope my Lithium keeps me in check and there will not be any up and down in my moods.
I have to believe that they'll work. I just have to believe and I'll be okay. That's half the battle against Bipolar.
Everyday is a battle against Bipolar. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but I have to get back up and work harder. I can't give up. I have to keep trying. This is my life and I have much to be thankful for. I need to hold onto that feeling when I feel like giving up. I have to believe that there is more out there for me. I have to believe that, just like there are bad days, there are also good days waiting for me. I'm not giving up. I can't stop believing.
About the Author: Cristina C. Fender, 34, is rapidly becoming an expert on Bipolar Disorder. She has been researching Bipolar Disorder and blogging about her own experiences for several years. At age 21 she was diagnosed with depression and saw psychiatrists for over ten years before she was correctly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I. Her vision for writing at Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar is to inform and educate the public about mental illness. Feel free to Email Cristina a comment or a question.Share Your Own Bipolar Story. Click here to Subscribe in a Reader.
Kris Allen has a new song out and it reminded me that I need to live like I'm dying. I need to treasure each moment of my life instead of just trying to get through the day. Some days that's difficult advice to put into action. What do I do when I feel like dying?
I need to notice the little things in life that make it worth living. Seeing my daughters smile. Hugging my husband. Seeing the sunshine shining through my windows. Getting up and taking a walk to smell the air. Looking in the mirror and liking what I see.
My life is good. I have a good family. I need to remember that when times are tough. Life can be a battle, but I can win if I have a winning attitude. I just need to remember to live like I'm dying and I can get through anything.
About the Author: Cristina C. Fender, 34, is rapidly becoming an expert on Bipolar Disorder. She has been researching Bipolar Disorder and blogging about her own experiences for several years. At age 21 she was diagnosed with depression and saw psychiatrists for over ten years before she was correctly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I. Her vision for writing at Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar is to inform and educate the public about mental illness. Feel free to Email Cristina a comment or a question.Share Your Own Bipolar Story. Click here to Subscribe in a Reader.
I've lost my zest for life, but rather than whine about it, I'm going to do something about it. Yes, I'm still in chains of depression, but that doesn't mean that I can't resist. I'm going to start blogging more. It's time to get back to what I love.
When I started blogging in 2006, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I wrote sometimes twice a day. I wrote about what it was like to be a newbie on the Bipolar front. I spent countless hours researching medications and therapies and I shared it with some who have thanked me for being relate-able to their own circumstances. But, it is I who should have been thanking you. You gave me a zeal for life. I was helping people and it was helping me get stronger.
Blogging for Therapy was the best idea that I've ever had. It gives one such a sense of empowerment when one often feels lost and alone. It brought out my true life's passion: to help those with mental illnesses and to inform the public that we are not crazy lunatics. We are people who live, breathe and hurt like everyone else.
I began to realize that this blog that I started long ago slowly evolved into a community. I started offering Guest Blogger posts so others could share their own experiences. I continue to offer it to those who feel they need to share their voice. Please send me your stories or articles! All post commentators are welcome to share their views. I read all comments and mail that I receive. It's good to have discussions that make us rear up and think!
I am passionately committed to creating the best blog on the web on Bipolar Disorder. If you have any advice or comments please feel free to Email Me.
About the Author: Cristina C. Fender, 34, is rapidly becoming an expert on Bipolar Disorder. She has been researching Bipolar Disorder and blogging about her own experiences for several years. At age 21 she was diagnosed with depression and saw psychiatrists for over ten years before she was correctly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I. Her vision for writing at Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar is to inform and educate the public about mental illness. Feel free to Email Cristina a comment or a question.Click here to Subscribe in a Reader.
In Our Own Voice is a program at NAMI that I thought you all might be interested in.
What is IOOV?
The In Our Own Voice program and its impact on participant's lives... in their own voice.
In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a unique public education program developed by NAMI, in which two trained consumer speakers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery.
The program was started with a grant from Eli Lily and Company.
IOOV is an opportunity for those who have struggled with mental illness to gain confidence and to share their individual experiences of recovery and transformation.
Throughout the IOOV presentation, audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Audience participation is an important aspect of IOOV because the more audience members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery.
IOOV presentations are given to consumer groups, students, law enforcement officials, educators, providers, faith community members, politicians, professionals, inmates, and interested civic groups.
All presentations are offered free of charge.
Groups or organizations interested in seeing a presentation may request that one be given in their area through their state or local affiliate.
The goals of IOOV are to meet the need for consumer- run initiatives, to set a standard for quality education about mental illness from those who have been there, to offer genuine work opportunities, to encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in presenters, and to focus on recovery and the message of hope.
Anyone familiar with mental illness knows that recovery is not a singular event, but a multi-dimensional, multi-linear journey characterized more by the mindset of the one taking it than by his or her condition at any given moment along the way.
Understanding recovery as having several dimensions makes its uneven course easier to accept. Much as we don't blame the cancer patient for dying of invasive tumors, we can't condemn a consumer whose symptoms overtake his or her best efforts to manage illness.
Recovery is the point in someone's illness in which the illness is no longer the first and foremost part of his or her life, no longer the essence of all his or her existence.
Ultimately, recovery is about attitude and making the effort.
Get Involved!
How Can I Become a Presenter?
All IOOV presenters must complete a 16 hour NAMI training course. During training, presenters learn to organize the details of their stories,prepare for audience participation and inquiries, and tailor presentations to a variety of groups. Upon completion of the training, presenters are provided a stipend for every presentation they give.
Contact yourstate NAMIto find out where your nearest IOOV program is and other details about training.
How can I schedule a presentation?
Contact your state NAMI to schedule a presentation. View our state listto find out whether IOOV is in your state. Click to download the state list in WORD.
Twenty-five percent, or one in four, of all Bipolar Disorder patients are misdiagnosed with Depression each year. It can often take ten years to be diagnosed correctly. How can you be ensured that your diagnosis is correct and timely? How can you be proactive in your own care?
Arm yourself with knowledge. Googling the disorder isn't a bad thing to do. You do have to take all you learn and apply it to your current symptoms. Psych Central and Health.com are good sites that list personal stories as well as articles on possible symptoms of Bipolar Disorder.
Take the online Goldberg Bipolar Screening Quiz at PsychCentral.com. I used it and took it to my doctor for further answers. It's a questionaire that details if you've been having Bipolar symptoms and whether you've been having those symptoms a lot or not at all. Symptoms such as irritability, hypersexuality, racing thoughts and fast paced speech are just a few that it documents. Answer the questions after much thought and honesty. Only then can you get a true idea of what you're experiencing.
Start a Mood Chart. Mood charts are important to present to a doctor as your symptoms will already be documented at the time of your appointment. I recommend that you take the time it will take to get into to see a psychiatrist and use that time to find out if your moods are going up and down or just down as is the case in depression. Some bipolars only go up and down seasonally, while others might have shifts in mood weekly or even daily. You can track your moods daily or bi-daily online for free at Moodtracker.com. It allows you to print out your chart so you can take it to your doctor's appointment with you.
Research medications. If you're diagnosed with depression, you'll need to know about antidepressants. If you have bipolar disorder, you'll need a good list of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to take with you to your psychiatrist appointment. Your psychiatrist will prescribe medications on the spot so you'll need to be prepared with questions and opinions on your treatment options. Crazymeds.com has a good list of medications to peruse. It'll give you the benefits and side effects of many medications in laymen's terms so you'll be able to relate.
See a psychiatrist. Your primary care physician may be the first person you take your symptoms, your quiz and your mood chart to, but your primary caregiver shouldn't be the last doctor you consult. Only a trained psychiatrist can make a correct diagnosis. Make a list of your symptoms and take your quiz and present it to the psychiatrist. Your own personal findings may make the only difference in correctly diagnosing your mental health disorder.
Get second, third and even fourth opinions. Just because you get one diagnosis doesn't mean that it's the correct one. You can only know for sure if you get several different opinions. It'll take some time to get into psychiatrists since they often have a waiting list, but it's worth it. There's something to be said for peace of mind, and only getting many doctor's opinions will give you that.
Do you fill in a mood chart daily? It's helpful if you're experiencing symptoms of Bipolar Disorder.
You should take it to your visits with your doctor. It will be helpful to learn if your medications are working as they should and how often you cycle between mania and depression.
If you need a mood chart, I'd be happy to share with you the mood chart that I use. Be sure and EMAIL ME with Mood Chart in the Subject line. There are also mood charts online that you can use like moodtracker.com and psychtracker.com.
Addition: Psych Central now has a new interactive mood chart.
About the Author
Submit Your Story or Article
About the Author
Email Cristina
Subscribe in a Reader
