Bipolar blog Archives - Page 52 of 82 - Natasha Tracy Bipolar Expert

Why People with a Mental Illness Shouldn’t Be Denied Guns

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 13, 2013

I’m a mental illness advocate, but quite frankly, if I wasn’t, I could be an anti-gun advocate. I’m not a fan of guns. Not in the least. Pieces of metal designed to kill strike me as being archaic and barbaric and speak to the basest nature of humanity and are not particularly enlightened. This is not to suggest I would ban guns (if anyone cares) but there are types of guns I would ban and laws I would enact to limit access to weapons.

So now that you know my political leanings I say this: you cannot take away a person’s (legal) access to guns just because they have a mental illness. It’s wrong and it fundamentally violates their rights.

I Want to Attempt Suicide but Not Die

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 7, 2013

OK, I understand that a suicide attempt is not a suicide attempt if the end desire is not death, but stick with me here, I have a point.

Believe it or not, I get a lot of searches on this site by people searching for ways to attempt suicide and not die (their words). And while many people may find this unbelievable, I don’t actually think it’s all that uncommon. I think many people make suicide attempts that are less about death and more about screaming for help.

Holiday Hangover – I’m Too Tired to Tell You How I Feel

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 30, 2012

A large part of what I do as a writer is explain to people what it feels like to have bipolar disorder. I explain and I explain and I explain what it is to have a sick brain. I explain and I explain and I explain what it feels like. What it lives like. Honestly, it’s a tall order at the best of times.

But now, after the holidays, after family, after time away, I am way too tired to tell you what it feels like to be bipolar.

Staying Sane During the Holidays with Bipolar Disorder – a Guide

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 17, 2012

The holidays are here. I know; it seems like they shouldn’t be; but all the inflatable snowmen, tacky garland and lit icicles cannot be denied – it’s holiday time.

Many of us dread the holidays, and even those who don’t can find it difficult to stay even-keeled throughout. Mood shifts are all too common this time of year and many people spend the New Year looking for ways to get back from mania (or hypomania) or depression.

So here’s my guide to staying sane, or at least dealing with bipolar, during the holidays.

Why Haven’t You Killed Yourself Already?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 13, 2012

Why Depressed People Don’t Kill Themselves

Many people with bipolar depression are suicidal. Not all, of course, but many. Most people with bipolar depression, in fact, most people who are suicidal, do not kill themselves though. In fact, you can live with suicidality for years without ever killing yourself or even attempting to kill yourself.

And while people stay alive for many reasons, I have my own reasons for not killing myself.

What to Get the Bipolar in your Life for Christmas

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 11, 2012

Yup, it’s the gift-giving season. I’m buying some gifts that I can’t afford and others that I don’t like. Ah, the holidays.

But the question is, are there gifts that are actually appropriate for someone with bipolar disorder?

Actually, yes, there are.

Being Overwhelmed by a Bipolar Life

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 5, 2012

As I’ve said many times, people view me as a high-functioning bipolar. And to a large extent, this is true. I do many things every day that many people with bipolar disorder can’t do because of their illness. I do battle with my bipolar demons and win more than some others. But here’s the thing: I still find bipolar disorder, and life, to a large extent completely overwhelming and I feel paralyzed by it.

What Does ‘I’m Fine’ Mean if you’re Depressed?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 3, 2012

Asking someone with severe depression how they’re doing is very much like asking someone who is repeatedly being bashed over the head by a 2” X 4” how they’re doing.

How are you doing?

Oh, I’m fine, except for the 2” X 4” smashing into my skull.

Asking a depressed person how they’re doing is the same. They’re fine, except for the crippling, soul-sucking depression.

Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Thoughts

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Nov 27, 2012

Recently I wrote about the phenomenon of “earworms” which (if you ask me) is a type of obsessive thought. It’s when music gets stuck in your head. It’s something that everyone experiences, and it’s annoying but I suspect that earworms are a type of obsessive thought that occurs in those with bipolar disorder more than for other people. (There isn’t evidence of this, but there is evidence that those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) get more earworms and bipolar disorder may be linked to OCD.)

Obsessive Thoughts

But, of course, music isn’t the only thing that one’s brain can be obsessed with. In fact, I find that if music isn’t playing in my head like a broken record (ask your parents) there are thoughts obsessively circling that I can’t get rid of.