other's views Archives - Natasha Tracy Bipolar Expert

5 Myths About Living with Bipolar — Stop Assuming

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Apr 11, 2024

There are so many myths about what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder. People constantly make assumptions about it based on media portrayals, but life is not a movie or a news report. Living with bipolar disorder is complex and varied, and what happens for some is not necessarily common for all. So, let’s dispel some of the myths about what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder and encourage people to stop making uneducated assumptions.

Stop Forcing Platitudes for Mental Illness

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Mar 7, 2024

I hate platitudes in general, but I especially hate platitudes when they’re applied to mental illness. It’s so condescending when people offer some simple piece of advice and tell you it will fix everything. It’s disgustingly pious when people tell you you’re looking at things or handling things the wrong way because they know of a rhyming couplet. Not only are platitudes unlikely to be helpful in general, I would suggest they are even less so for people with a mental illness (especially serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder). Here’s why people need to stop offering platitudes to those with mental illness (and maybe everyone else).

How to Help Others Understand Mental Illness

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Sep 14, 2023

Helping others understand mental illness is no mean feat. When it comes to tackling this problem, no one would blame you if you just felt overwhelmed. Some people are very resistant to the realities of mental illness, and creating understanding seems almost impossible. That said, while not everyone will respond positively, I believe we can help others understand mental illness.

Am I Making Up My Mental Illness? Is Mental Illness All in My Head?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Feb 23, 2022

People sometimes tell those with mental illness that it’s “all in their head.” Would it surprise you to learn, then, that sometimes people with mental illness think the same thing? Sometimes people with mental illness wonder if they’re making it all up. I’ve had these thoughts. I’ve wondered if I was making up my mental illness. I’ve wondered if my bipolar was all in my head. Weird, for an advocate, I know, but let’s look a little deeper at it.

With Mental Illness, Pushing Your Limits Is a Mistake

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 13, 2022

Our society encourages people to push their limits, and there is no out for people with mental illness. Our society claims over and over that we must “push the envelope,” “take risks,” and “do what scares us.” There is no societal pressure to “respect your limits” or “live the way you feel comfortable.” And maybe that’s good for the general population, I can’t say, but what I can say is that it’s terrible advice for people with mental illness. With serious mental illness, pushing your limits is a mistake.

Magical Thinking Harms People with Mental Illness

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jun 16, 2021

I hate magical thinking. I most especially hate magical thinking around mental illness and mental health. And that’s because magical thinking actually harms people with mental illness, people like me. And many, people believe in magical thinking without realizing it. In fact, whole bestselling books have been written and devoured that posit magical thinking (the Secret, anyone?). So let’s dismantle magical thinking and stop it from harming people with mental illness.

Why Don’t Doctors Listen to People with Bipolar Disorder?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Apr 14, 2021

Doctors often don’t listen to people with bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses. In fact, most people with bipolar disorder know, the instant a doctor sees “bipolar disorder” on your chart, you’re screwed. Now, don’t get me wrong, not every doctor is the same, and I have had some doctors treat me with the same care I suspect they would offer anyone else. That said, on the whole, doctors don’t listen to people with bipolar disorder. Here’s why, and here’s how to fight it.

How to Respond to Mental Health Jokes

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Nov 19, 2020

Today, Bipolar Burble welcomes guest author Kate Haldeman. Kate is a licensed professional counselor, mental health advocate, and is a person with mental health issues. See more about Kate at the end.

Learning how to respond to mental health jokes is something I’ve had to do and it’s something I know we almost all have had to do. These types of jokes can happen at home, work or out and about and can definitely hurt a person’s feelings. Allow me to share what I’ve learned about these situations, microaggressions and handling mental health jokes.

Black Mental Health Matters — Race, Racism and Mental Health

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jun 4, 2020

I decided to take a look at race and racism’s effects on mental health because as the title says, black mental health matters (and this goes for all skin tones, of course). But what I realized is that I’m not the best person for this. Just as I believe the voices of people with bipolar disorder need to be in discussions about bipolar disorder, I believe people of color need to be in discussions about race and racism’s effect on mental health.

Luckily for me, I happen to know Mike Veny — an African American, a preeminent mental health speaker and author of Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. You might remember Mike from his well-received guest post here, “Improving Men’s Mental Health Before It Becomes a Crisis.” And while no one can speak for an entire group, so many of Mike’s words ring true and clear.

Mike and I sat down this morning to talk about race and mental health and how uncomfortable conversations about race and mental health are the ones we desperately need to have.