Bipolar blog Archives - Page 48 of 82 - Natasha Tracy Bipolar Expert

Apologizing for Overreactions to Emotional Situations

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 19, 2013

Bipolar disorder is essentially your average emotions – only amplified. So bipolar is sadness, but to a level 11. Bipolar disorder is energetic, to a level 11. And so on. And, of course, as a human isn’t designed to run at a level 11, many other symptoms accompany those exaggerated experiences.

And while many of these exaggerated moods are related to no external stimuli at all and just appear out of the blue, some exaggerated moods are the result of something happening in the environment. Near as I can tell, bipolar disorder isn’t just an exaggeration of normal emotion it’s also an exaggeration of normal reactions to emotional situations.

Bipolar Disorder and Intimate Relationships

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 13, 2013

The Bipolar Burble welcomes Ka Hancock, a psychiatric nurse and author of Dancing on Broken Glass, a book that delves into issues relating to bipolar disorder through a captivating story. Ka shares with us her thoughts on bipolar disorder in relationships. Leave a comment to be entered into a draw to receive a signed copy of Ka’s book.

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When Does Having Bipolar Become Who You Are?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 11, 2013

I’ve had bipolar disorder for more than a decade – at least. Some might argue I’ve had signs of it since I was a child. That’s a very long time. That’s so long a time that it’s almost impossible for me to imagine myself without bipolar disorder. I suppose I can imagine it but it seems so farfetched that it’s barely worth the bother.

And for most of that time, the bipolar disorder has not been well-controlled. I’ve not only had bipolar, I’ve been manifesting those bipolar symptoms for most of my life. And while bipolar is not all that I am, it occurs to me that it absolutely is a part of who I am.

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Choosing Medication Means Choosing Happiness

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 1, 2013

Earlier in the week I posted a piece by the lovely Hyla Molander on surviving death and depression. I thought in this piece she said something rather profound. She said that taking her antidepressants meant “choosing happiness.” And I think this is a really important point. Taking medication often means choosing happiness over pain or simply choosing life over death.

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Surviving Depression and Death of a Loved One

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jul 30, 2013

Today the Bipolar Burble is pleased to welcome author and speaker Hyla Molander. Hyla talks today about how she survived the death of her husband while already dealing with depression. Hyla is currently working on a memoir about her experiences. Check out her Kickstarter campaign.

Taking Zoloft throughout my second pregnancy was a decision my husband, Erik, and I made together. We’d sat with the genetic counselor and had come to the conclusion that my mental stability far outweighed the risks for the baby.

Of course, this was ten years ago—long before there was research on how Zoloft affects the foetus.

I’d been on and off of antidepressants for almost a decade. During those off times, I’d snap at Erik. “Quit touching me. Quit telling me how great you think I am.”

After I repeatedly tried to sabotage our relationship, we finally agreed that I should stay on my meds. Popping that pill meant choosing happiness.

Depression and Death

Then, on Easter Sunday, 2003—a day that had begun with Erik and I discussing how blessed we were—our 17 month old daughter and I watched as he slid down the kitchen counter and died.

At 29 years old, Erik’s heart flicked off like a switch.

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Getting Your Doctor to Take Your Bipolar Seriously if You’re High-Functioning

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jul 25, 2013

I once wrote an article on high-functioning bipolar disorder. High-functioning bipolar disorder is bipolar disorder where the person can still function in the major areas of his or her life. So people with high-functioning bipolar disorder hold down jobs, pay their rent, have food in the fridge, shower, and maintain social relationships.

Many people with bipolar disorder do all those things. The thing is, many people don’t. And the tendency is to compare a person who functions highly to one who may not be able to work or pay bills or shower. When this comparison is made, it is assumed that the high-functioning person must not be that sick when compared to others. This leads to doctors not taking the illness seriously of the higher-functioning person. And this is too bad because it can lead to people with high-functioning bipolar disorder get suboptimal treatment.

So how do you get your doctor to take your bipolar seriously if you’re high-functioning?

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Finally, a Brain Scan Diagnoses Mental Illness

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jul 22, 2013

One of the big criticisms people have of psychiatry is the lack of empirical testing involved in the diagnosis of mental illnesses and antipsychiatrists seem to hang their hats on this lack of biological testing. But finally there is an approved brain scan that stands in the face of this critique. Finally, there is an FDA-approved brain scan to be used in the diagnosis of a mental illness.

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Top 5 Sites for Bipolar Disorder Information

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jul 19, 2013

I like to think of myself as a premier source of information on bipolar disorder (maybe that’s just my ego), but really, occasionally people need more medical, more comprehensive information on bipolar disorder. In fact, I too need sources of information on bipolar disorder for when I research the myriad of articles I write.

To that end I want to share with you the top five sources of bipolar information I know of.

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How to Explain Bipolar Disorder to Others

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jul 8, 2013

Some people say there’s no way that someone without a mental illness can understand what a person with bipolar disorder goes through. I suppose there is some truth to this; I’m sure I don’t understand what it’s like to be paraplegic even though I have a sense of what it would be like not to be able to walk.

Nevertheless, there are ways of explaining tough subjects, like bipolar disorder, to others, such that they have a better chance of understanding where we’re coming from. Here’s how to do it.

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