You might remember Karen Tyrrell from her last interview wherein she talked about writing her way to mental health wellness. Well, this time Karen gives us advice on recovery and insight into the role a carer can play in bipolar disorder wellness.
Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a free ebook of Karen’s new writing.
A Carer’s Role in Recovery in Karen’s Words…
1. What is your diagnosis and mental health background?
In 2005, a psychiatrist diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and a psychologist with post-traumatic stress disorder after long term parent-teacher harassment at my school. I’ve recovered, managing bipolar on a daily basis. I’m now a mental health advocate, full-time author, motivational speaker and present mental health programs to hospitals, wellness centres and to the workplace.
2. What’s Me and Him: A Guide to Recovery about?
It’s the sequel to Me and Her: A Memoir of Madness. Me and Him: A Guide to Recovery is two books in one.
In part 1, I share thirty chapters on the steps I took to recover and maintain wellness. Eg. How to stress-less, how to sleep better, meditation demystified, how to beat depression and anxiety.
In part 2, I share up-to-date events, disclosing the crucial role of my husband as carer and the secrets he revealed six years on from my incarceration into a psychiatric hospital
3. Who do you think would benefit from this book and why?
People with bipolar disorder can discover pro-active tools to manage their illness. The same tools apply to everyone who wants to become more resilient and achieve mental happiness.
4. What are the aspects of recovery you think more people should focus on?
You must develop your own personal wellness plan, empowering you to recover and to remain resilient. Accept that every day is not perfect and you can begin again the next day. Enlist a support team including a psychiatrist, a counsellor, a carer/ support buddy and a chat group.
5. What role did your carer have in your recovery?
My carer had a crucial role as leader of my support team. Steve, my husband was my watch dog carer keeping an eye on my healthy routines, cautioning me to take care, reminding me to take medication, driving me to appointments and providing feedback to health care providers.
6. What advice would you give people who are newly diagnosed?
Accept your diagnosis and treatment plan. Learn everything you can about your illness. Begin your journey of recovery with a positive belief you can recover.
7. What advice would you give to people who find their recovery stalled?
Examine your wellness plan carefully, working out what your triggers are and how to avoid them. Embrace a wide repertoire of wellness tools to manage your bipolar. Enlist a support team who can help you keep well.
The EBook Book Giveaway
Please leave a query/comment/shared experience here to win a free eBook of Me and Him: A Guide to Recovery.
Special Bonus Offer
Purchase an eBook Me and Him: A Guide to Recovery on Amazon between March 10-17 and you’ll receive for free:
- A Me and Him audio book
- An Audio meditation
- A Mental health video
To claim this bonus offer, email your Amazon receipt dated March10-17 to bonus@karentyrrell.com.
For more info: http://www.karentyrrell.com
Thankfully, there are many books on Bipolar Disorder out there for sufferers and their families. Your book adds a real proactive take on living with this disorder, encouraging making a plan. Often people just don’t know how to handle the disorder. A book that helps make the transition easier is always needed and appreciated.
Thanks Donna,
ME & HIM: A Guide to Recovery offers practical skills on how to develop your own individual wellness plan: HOW to manage bipolar on a day to day basis and keep you well .. Karen :)
I’m still in the phase of accepting my diagnosis. Bipolar seems to effect different people in so many different ways. I remember the night I was diagnosed (being in the middle of a manic phase and experiencing psychosis- coming straight after months and months of deep dark depression which had led to 5 hospital admissions in 6 months!) and I just cried. I thought ‘I don’t want to be like this, I don’t want this.’ But I’ve got it and like you say in the interview now I need to make sure I keep those triggers (which is stress for me) to a minimum and live with HOPE. I can’t let go of that hope- that I can control this and not let bipolar control me!
Hi Lisa,
You’ve come so far on your recovery journey with accepting your diagnosis, acknowledging a major Trigger, and now building a wide repetoire of coping skills in your wellness plan. I know YOU can do it. Lovely meeting you at ME & HIM: A Guide to Recovery book launch … Karen :)
been battling to long, time to accept and move. would love to get my hands on this book.
Hi Derek,
Thanks for supporting my two books ME & HER: A Memoir Of Madness and ME & HIM:A Guide to Recovery. Both books share a toolkit on how to recover and manage Bipolar Disorder. Good luck on your recovery journey .. Karen :)
Being an educatotr on Recovery and wellness as well as having a mental illness, I personally think everyone should try and focus on their own wellness and not where they have been. By educating ones self, staying focused on getting themselves the needed help, and sticking to their plan a person can and will get better. It comes down to trying new things that can and will work for them.
Hi Lori, YES! I totally agree! Every day concentrate on the coping skills in your wellness plan and how to keep well. Chapters in ME & HIM: A Guide to RECOVERY include: Develop your wellness palm, sleep better, stress less, know your triggers, Mindfulness explained, How to STOP future episodes etc etc … Thanks for supporting ME & HIM … Karen :)
I was diagnosed two years ago, at 28, and am living back at home after a decade on my own. Before I was diagnosed I reveled in my manias (got promotions, moved, started new relationships-or became awesome at the one i was in) and hid in bed in my depressions (lost said promotions along w/ the jobs, hence losing places to live and relationships). Bipolar (and PTSD) has taken my confidence at living an independent life. I’m angry at myself for not having confidence anymore, and I’m angry at myself for being fearful of living on my own again. I have battled domestic abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, and homelessness, and came out of that being general manager of a company w/ my own house (rented, but still a big deal to me) in california. I have never been faced with anything as daunting and terrifying as knowing my own self is what deceives me. And don’t even get me started on the prospect of ever being in a relationship again. My confidence in myself-in all aspects of my life-is shattered. But I’m still here, and I feel grateful to live in a time when there are online forums and groups and inspirational people I can have instant access to. I look forward to the day when I can be someone’s inspiration.
Hi Liz, Thanks for sharing your struggles with Bipolar & PTSD. My message: You can Recover by developing your own wellness plan, with a wide range of managing strategies. Learn what your triggers are and how to avoid. ME & HIM: A Guide to RECOVERY will show you how to do that… By stressing less, sleeping better, and explaining how to beat anxiety and depression. Good luck on your recovery journey … hugs x Karen :)
I am looking to work with faith communities to assist them with setting up mental health training, for the leaders, minister and those who are interested in learning more about mental health.
Hi Legina, Sounds wonderful. Those with mental illness need a wide support system ..
Good luck with your pro-active ventures.
Thanks for supporting ME & HIM:A Guide to Recovery .. Karen :)
Thanks Dan for supporting ME & HIM:A Guide to Recovery. I’m currently caring for #4 family members, yes #4. I’m using my own advice and proactive strategies to support them AND to keep myself well and balanced … Karen :)
That is what I admired – One walk the talk. Keep it up!
Thanks Dan, I’m trying my best to keep well and support others on their Recovery Journey… Karen :)
Wellness and recovery involves all parties – The consumer, the carer, the provider, and the community. This seem like a great book on one of the important aspect of wellness and recovery that is not mentioned often.