Category: mental illness issues

When Depression and Anxiety Treatment Fails: Finding Hope and Support

What do you do when therapy and medication don’t work? This guest writer spent years battling depression and anxiety, searching for relief that never seemed to come. In this personal story, he shares his journey through treatment-resistant mental illness — the frustration, the hopelessness, and the unexpected places he found support. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this article is for you.

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Smiling Through Depression: The Hidden Pain of High-Functioning Mental Illness

“Smiling depression” and “high-functioning depression” aren’t official diagnoses, but if you’ve ever forced a smile while feeling broken inside, you know they’re real. I’ve lived it—going through life as if everything is fine while struggling just to get through the day. If you hide your pain, function because you have to, and feel exhausted from pretending, you’re not alone. In this article, I share my experience with smiling depression, why we do it, and why it’s okay to stop hiding. You don’t have to carry this alone.

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

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!

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The Hidden Truth About New Year’s and Suicide — Finding Hope and Healing in January

New Year’s is often seen as a time for fresh starts and celebration, but for many, it can be overwhelming, especially for those living with bipolar disorder. The cultural pressure to “start over” combined with feelings of loneliness or failure can make January 1 a particularly difficult day, even increasing the risk of suicide. In this article, I uncover the hidden struggles of New Year’s Day, explore why it can feel so challenging, and offer practical steps to find hope and healing in January and beyond.

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Understanding Anosognosia in Bipolar Disorder: Why Some People Don’t Believe They’re Sick

Anosognosia, a clinical lack of insight, affects up to 50% of people with bipolar disorder, leaving them unable to recognize their illness. This symptom can devastate not only those with bipolar disorder but also their loved ones. Discover why this happens, how it impacts treatment, and what you can do to help someone who doesn’t believe they’re unwell.

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Additional Writings

Check out my Amazon Author Page.

I write a three-time Web Health Award winning column for HealthyPlace called Breaking Bipolar.

Also, find my writings on The Huffington Post and my work for BPHope (BP Magazine).

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