mental illness issues Archives - Page 8 of 53 - Natasha Tracy Bipolar Expert

Stigma Prevents Mental Health Care — Myth

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Nov 25, 2021

A major refrain in the mental health world is that stigma prevents people from seeking mental health care, and that’s why we need all these anti-stigma campaigns and programs. Well, the actual facts beg to differ. While stigma may prevent mental health care in a minority of cases, there are far bigger reasons why people who need care don’t get it. This begs the following questions: Why are advocates always harping on about stigma? Why are there so many anti-stigma campaigns? What would really help people with mental illness get mental health care?

The Best Diet for Mental Illness? — The MIND Diet

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Nov 4, 2021

I’ve always said there isn’t a diet that treats bipolar disorder. This is still true. Nonetheless, there is a diet that may be best for mental illness and cognitive decline; it’s called the MIND diet. Few people have heard of the Mediterranean-DASH diet intervention for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diet, and it is a work in progress, but the MIND diet outlines a broad eating plan that, according to research, can help your brain function at its best and slow cognitive decline. Diets have been the object of various studies, including in people with mental illness, those who have had a stroke, and those at risk of Alzheimer’s.

Hypersexuality in Bipolar — Let’s Talk About It

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Oct 28, 2021

I’ve experienced hypersexuality as part of bipolar disorder. Now, I’m not one to run about and have sex with everything that moves (but it’s okay if you are), so, luckily, this symptom of bipolar has not hurt me (although it has affected me). That said, hypersexuality is a real bipolar symptom with real consequences for people. One of the problems with hypersexuality, though, is that it is about sex. People have issues talking openly about sex, particularly in a sex-positive way. But this isn’t helpful to those who have experienced hypersexuality. So, for a moment, let’s openly talk about hypersexuality — just another bipolar symptom.

How I Know What Is Bipolar and What Is Me

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Oct 20, 2021

Yesterday, I was asked how I know what is bipolar and what is me. As in, when I’m having a thought, emotion, or impulse, how do I know which of those things is coming from the bipolar disorder and which are genuinely me? This is not a simple question. The edges between me and the bipolar disorder are fuzzy. Bipolar disorder can be very loud and overtake my own voice. And while I’m sure I don’t get it right 100 percent of the time, I do know what is bipolar and what is me.

Chronic Illness Diagnosis Impact — Bipolar, Hypermobility, POTS

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Oct 7, 2021

Bipolar disorder has been a chronic illness for me, and my chronic illness diagnosis of bipolar disorder happened around when I was 20. That was 23 years ago. I have become a bipolar disorder expert since then due to years and years of study since then. On top of that, I have all those years of personal experience dealing with a chronic mental illness. But now, I’ve been diagnosed with new chronic illnesses. So there are some questions. Is chronic illness diagnosis easier this time around? What does it feel like to be given life-altering diagnoses after already having a life-altering mental illness? And what’s the impact of new chronic illness on existing serious mental illness?

Why I Hate People Who Say ‘Find God’ to Cure Bipolar Disorder

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Sep 29, 2021

People tell me to “find god” to cure my bipolar disorder. I understand that people have various motivations for doing this, and the motivations tend not to be sinister, but that doesn’t make me appreciate this sentiment in the least. These people are imposing and pious, and self-righteous, and as a rule, these are characteristics I don’t care for in people. If you’re looking for a response to people who tell you to find god to cure your bipolar disorder or if you’re the kind of person that offers that kind of advice, read on.

People with Bipolar Deserve Love

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Sep 21, 2021

People with bipolar disorder deserve love — the same love as everyone else. It’s important to realize this if you have bipolar disorder, yes, but it’s important that everyone else realize that truism too. Love isn’t something that is reserved for the perfect or the able, love is something that humans get to feel, period. Learn more about why I know that people with bipolar disorder deserve love.

Work Around Bipolar: Bipolar Is an Illness of Workarounds

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Sep 1, 2021

Bipolar is an illness of workarounds. As in, I constantly have to find ways to work around bipolar disorder. In fact, if there’s one coping skill that matters most when it comes to dealing with this serious mental illness, it’s being creative in finding alternate paths. So let’s talk about bipolar workarounds — how we can find them and how we can use them.

How to Help Someone Who Is Suicidal

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Aug 24, 2021

Helping someone who is suicidal is daunting. In fact, even for me, someone who works in mental health, helping someone who is suicidal can be tough. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done, however. If you’re here and looking for how to help a suicidal person, you’re already doing the right thing. Thank you for caring for another person so much. Read on for tips on how to help someone who is suicidal.