mental illness issues Archives - Page 14 of 53 - Natasha Tracy Bipolar Expert

The Problem with Caring About What Others Think of You

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 23, 2020

There are problems when you care what other people think of you. And the thing is, we all care — at least a little bit, at least at some point in our lives. It’s natural. We want other people to like us. This is biological. If people like you, they are more likely to protect you when a panther attacks or make sure you have food when it runs low. Caring about what others think of you literally may have kept you alive, historically. But in our modern-day, there are major problems with caring about what others think of you or of what you do.

Waking Up After My Suicide Attempt

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 13, 2020

Most people will lose consciousness during a suicide attempt and, assuming they survive, it will be quite a jolt when they wake up after a suicide attempt. I know, I’ve been there. I remember the feeling (or, more accurately, feelings) of waking up after a suicide attempt. For some, it is grateful joy, for others, it is the darkest of disappointments. I think, though, waking up after a suicide attempt changes you no matter what. I also think that lessons can be learned at this time.

(Note: If you have just attempted suicide, this post isn’t for you — this post is.)

The Teenage Impact Podcast with Natasha Tracy

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Jan 12, 2020

Last week I did a podcast with Shelomo Solson. His podcast’s purpose is to help teens through those challenging teenage years. His podcast with me focused on my troubled teenage years, as well as my bipolar and depression, suicidality, self-harm, coping skill recommendations, and many other dribs and drabs.

Working for Yourself with a Disability

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 17, 2019

Many with a disability want to know how to work for themselves. This is understandable. With a disability, working in a structured environment can be almost impossible and the flexibility of working for yourself might seem like the answer. And working for yourself with a disability can be an answer but it’s definitely harder than it sounds. Here, I’m going to talk about how I started working for myself with bipolar disorder, and my current thoughts on disability and working for yourself.

What Trauma-Informed Care Gets Wrong About Bipolar Disorder

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 4, 2019

“Trauma-informed care” is a semi-new buzzword that is heard all over right now but trauma-informed care gets a lot wrong when it comes to bipolar disorder (and other serious mental illnesses). I don’t say this because I don’t think trauma-informed care works — I think it probably does. But like anything, it only works for a certain population; and, like with anything fashionable, right now (look, it has its own conference) they are trying to shoehorn it onto every population. And when it comes to bipolar disorder, trauma-informed care gets a lot wrong.

Toxic Positivity Around Mental Illness

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Nov 14, 2019

I despise toxic positivity and I especially despise toxic positivity around my mental illness. Toxic positivity shrouds itself in “helpfulness” and yet hides a shiv beneath it. Toxic positivity comes in forms like, “Yoga will help your anxiety,” or “Meditation will calm your feelings of depression,” and when you scowl, it is then followed quickly by the words, “I’m just trying to help.” Well, here’s the thing, positivity may have its place in the world and in mental illness, but when positivity crosses the line and becomes something that actually hurts instead of helps — that’s toxic positivity and it has no place around serious mental illness.

Life-Saving Suicide Posts — Whether You’re Suicidal or Not

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Sep 10, 2019

I’d like to spend some time this World Suicide Prevention Day sharing what I feel are life-saving suicide posts for people that are suicidal and for those who are not. I’ve spent more than a decade writing about suicide, suicide attempts and other mental health-related topics. I’ve covered a lot of ground. These posts have helped save lives over and over. No, this isn’t ego talking, this is the power of words talking. Suicide information does have the power to be life-saving.

So, if you are suicidal or if you need to support someone who might be suicidal, please review these suicide-related posts.

Save Mental Health Care for West Virginia – Speak Out Today

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 18, 2019

Two mental health facilities that provide acute, inpatient, psychiatric care are slated to close their doors in Wheeling, West Virginia. My name is Katrina Bell, and I have worked for the last 14 years at Ohio Valley Medical Center’s psychiatric facilities. These are the Robert C. Byrd Child and Adolescent Center as well as the Hillcrest Behavioral Center. These facilities are the only inpatient, acute, psychiatric centers in the Northern Panhandle of the state.

We were recently informed that our hospital will be closing within 60-90 days and no later than October 7^th of this year. We were devastated by this news, not only for us but for the vulnerable population we serve. We want your help to save these life-saving facilities.

Does Jeffery Epstein’s Suicide Rob Victims of Justice?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 12, 2019

When I read about Jeffery Epstein’s suicide*, the first thing I thought was, “Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” But then I heard a reporter on television says that Epstein’s suicide robbed his victims** of justice and this got me thinking: Is it better to have a crime’s perpetrator in jail or dead? Put simply if you were a sex-trafficking victim of Epstein, if he had turned your adolescence into a nightmare for months or longer, would you prefer that he be dead or in prison?