mental health Archives - Natasha Tracy Bipolar Expert

Your Phone Isn’t Weakness; It’s a Distraction Machine. Here’s How to Get Your Focus Back.

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 22, 2026

If you sit down to work and somehow end up 40 minutes deep in scrolling, you’re not broken—you’re human in a world engineered for interruption. This post breaks down the science of distraction (notifications, task-switching, and even your phone’s mere presence) and shows how a simple “friction” approach can help you get your focus back. You’ll learn how the Brick device (get 10% off!) works, why willpower isn’t the point, and a step-by-step plan you can copy today—even if you don’t buy anything.

15 Thoughtful Mental Health Gifts for Someone with a Mental Illness (That Actually Help)

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 9, 2025

Shopping for someone with a mental illness can feel tricky—you want a gift that actually helps, not just more clutter. This guide walks you through 15 thoughtful, low-pressure mental health gifts that offer real comfort, reduce stress, and say, “I see you and I’m here,” during the holidays and all year.

What If Your Emotional Pain Is Trying to Protect You?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Nov 24, 2025

I’m never going to call bipolar pain a “gift.” Most days, I just want it to stop. But emotional and even physical pain aren’t always random torture—they’re often trying to tell us something. This piece digs into what your pain might be saying, how to listen, and how that can make living with it just a little easier.

Does TMS Cause Headaches or Migraines? My Experience + What Helped

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Oct 20, 2025

Does TMS cause headaches or migraines? Yes, sometimes. This first-person guide explains the pain, how to tell TMS headache from migraine, and the relief tactics—dose ramping, coil adjustments, and other techniques—that helped me keep going.

World Mental Health Day, 2025: The Policy Rollbacks Making Mental Health Care Harder

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Oct 9, 2025

World Mental Health Day, 2025: The U.S. is rolling back mental-health care. Parity is paused, 988 LGBTQ+ services were cut, and clinics face funding hits. Here’s exactly what changed and how it harms people with mental illness.

Should You Trust an AI Mental Health App? — Evidence, Privacy Risks, and a 7-Point Safety Checklist

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jul 14, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots promise instant, stigma-free mental-health support—but are they safe? This article reviews the latest clinical evidence, exposes privacy and ethical risks, and offers a practical 7-point checklist so you can vet any mental-health app before you pour your heart into it.

Mental Health Awareness Month 2025: Turn Awareness Into Action

Posted by Natasha Tracy | May 5, 2025

May is more than a hashtag — it’s your chance to spark real change. Explore 14 concrete ideas — from bipolar self‑care hacks and crisis‑plan refreshers to ally moves that reshape policy — and learn how to turn Mental Health Awareness Month into year‑round momentum. Dive in and pick your first action today.

Autism on ‘Survivor’: Eva Erickson’s Powerful Meltdown and Comeback

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Mar 27, 2025

When Survivor featured a powerful autism meltdown and recovery on national TV, it showed the world what true neurodivergent strength looks like. Here’s why Eva Erickson’s moment matters so deeply.

Thoughts and Feelings Are Not Facts: How to Reality-Test Your Brain

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Feb 4, 2025

Your thoughts and feelings aren’t always telling the truth—but they feel like they are. This cognitive trap can fuel anxiety, depression, and even destructive behaviors. So how do you reality-test your thoughts and emotions? Here, I break down why thoughts and feelings aren’t facts, how they trick you, and practical ways to challenge them. Learn how to stop believing everything your mind tells you!