Every week, I learn something new about bipolar that punches me in the gut. This week, I learned Benadryl (diphenhydramine) withdrawal can cause psychosis. Worse yet, long-term use can cause prolonged psychotic episodes and even lead to dementia. Like I needed any more help disconnecting from reality. I’m sure the problem comes in when people abuse the medication or take it for much longer than they should, but it’s still terrifying fact. Life with mental illness is scary on a good day. When...
12 days ago • 7 min read
Last weekend, I hit a wall. I’m not sure how else to explain it. After months of pushing myself too hard, my bipolar brain decided it was done. In a flash, my mind stopped working and forced my body to stop as well. These abrupt endings are always frustrating, but especially so when it takes days or weeks to get going again. I missed sending out last Sunday’s newsletter because I just couldn’t do it. I wrote the content earlier in the week, so all I had to do was edit and format the words,...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Her eyes grew large as I passed the paperback book across the desk to her. “How did you know?” she asked. All the color drained from her face. For a few seconds, I thought I had made a horrible mistake, but now I’m so glad I shared my story. Sharing your experiences about living with mental illness is valuable. You never know who in your circle is suffering and needs the encouragement you can give. Should you tell everyone about your bipolar disorder? Probably not. But you should tell...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Have you ever lost time? If you’re living with bipolar disorder, it’s a symptom you probably know all too well. This isn’t the happy type of losing time, like when you’re on a first date and melt into a conversation that lasts until dawn. No, losing time with bipolar disorder is more like being blackout drunk. Minutes, hours, and days disappear, and you often have little or no memory of the missing time. There are two phases of bipolar disorder I still find frustrating after 30 years of...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Just two weeks into tax season, I’ve already broken both promises I made to myself. This week I worked past 5:00 PM and worked Saturday, the two things I promised myself I would not do. As much as I tout the importance of protecting your mental health first, there are times that you can’t. Sometimes life throws too much at you, and all you can do is keep going forward. And honestly, it sucks. I’m doing okay, but I’m not worried about today. I’m concerned about what the future will bring, and...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Do you know about glimmers? They are the opposite of triggers. A trigger can be a sound, smell, or an image that induces bipolar symptoms. Triggers are negative and cause unwanted reactions. A glimmer is the polar opposite. Your glimmers can be anything that adds joy, peace, happiness, or gratitude to your life. Here are a few examples of glimmers: The yellow wildflower you see growing between the cracks in the sidewalk. The red and orange sunset filling the evening sky. The smile of a...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Welcome to the 2024 Year-End Review Series. Every Sunday in December, we will focus on one topic. Each week will have at least one video, featuring me, and include the script (text) below. The regular Sunday newsletter will return in Januray. Are you ready to change the way you feel about the coming year? Let’s get started. If you want to share your wins, hit reply and tell me about them. Reader, I'm so excited to close my year with you. Thank you for being part of the Speaking Bipolar...
6 months ago • 6 min read
Ugh, this was a week! I’m feeling better as I write this update on Saturday night, but most of this past week was awful. I tell the entire sordid tale in the featured post below. Hopefully, you remembered to turn your clocks back last night. If not, here’s a friendly reminder (if you live in a place still forcing time changes on its citizens. If not, I’m jealous. 🙃) Time changes can cause problems with bipolar disorder, so take extra good care of yourself for the next few weeks. You will...
7 months ago • 7 min read
I hate the days I wake up angry. My head runs full of conversations that either I’ve already had or need to have. I imagine saying the worst things and behaving like a dangerous monster. The swirl of thoughts overwhelms me, and stopping them feels impossible. Many times, when I wake up feeling so enraged that I can’t see any color but red, I’ll choose to stay home. Too many times, I have struck out at people on those awful days. Some of the damage was irreparable. On other days, I use my...
8 months ago • 9 min read
