“In the dream, I fall into the sleepless sea With a swell of panic and pain My veins are aching for the distant reef In the crush of emotional waves Alright, get a hold of yourself And don’t fight it, it’s over your head It’s alright, the rumble in your ears It’s alright to feelContinue reading “Sleepless”
Tag Archives: bipolar disorder
Snowed in at Wheeler Street
When I think about how bipolar disorder, especially in respect to mental health diagnoses is concerned and has been known to wreak havoc with relationships, we’ve been able to have a happy marriage; one filled with a myriad of life experiences that have served to strengthen our bond of love.
Hand of God
I had my first episode in 1981, when I was a college freshman at General Motors Institute (which became Kettering University in 1998). It occurred during the mid-semester holiday break on Friday, February 13, 1981. This was actually the date that I lost complete touch with reality, was delusional, had auditory hallucinations, and attempted suicide.
More Than This
I’ve believed, since that time, that there is a guiding presence in my life. I can’t explain in logical terms how I have gotten to where I am today otherwise. There are just so many things that go beyond explanation.
Hour of Need
Social isolation has been known to shorten life spans and contribute to such things as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Loneliness is a silent killer.
Life’s What You Make It
Life is full of stress, good stress and bad stress, otherwise known as eustress and distress. An example of eustress is when a professional athlete gets ready for competition. The surge of adrenaline helps them to perform. On the other hand, if someone is dealing with a challenging situation, such as repeated arguments with a spouse or increasing financial demands, they may experience a wide variety of negative effects. Regardless, long-term exposure to stress can cause a significant strain on the human system.
The Couch
One thing to understand about going to therapy is that it requires the willingness to be open and vulnerable, which can be very hard to do, especially with someone who, at first, is a complete stranger. But as a behavioral health professional myself, I knew this going in to my first session with Jen,
Marathon
The thing that I appreciated so much about running was not only the physical benefits, but the mental and emotional ones as well. For all the years I ran, I never had any manic or depressive episodes. I also developed a love for pushing myself physically. I also enjoyed running with others and developed a bond with special people as we talked along the way.
Comfortably Numb
The one advantage I have is that I have a longitudinal view of my life; where I have been and how I was able to overcome the particular problems I was facing. There’s something to be said for perseverance in the face of adversity.
Manic Depression
Yes, manic depression is a frustrating mess. And while I’ve been able to stabilize my condition over the last 27 years, that doesn’t mean that I still don’t have my moments of distress. In fact, it’s an ebb and flow kind of thing.