A Brief Timeline of Bipolar Disorder
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008Follow this link:
Archive for April, 2008
Rediscover Your Light
Monday, April 28th, 2008“…then black despair
The shadow of a starless night, was thrown
Over the world in which I move alone…”
wrote Percy Blysshe Shelley, overwhelmed by the dark weight of depression.
If this is you, seek treatment.
Experience your recovery.
Rediscover the light.
If this is someone you love, lead them gently to wellness.
Depression is Exhausting, Treatment - Miraculous!
Sunday, April 27th, 2008In a study of 600 American college students and their risk for depression and suicide, approximately 16 percent reported feeling like life wasn’t worth living, yet none of these students reported being currently engaged in mental health treatment. According to Mental Health America, depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year.
I suffered from constant, pervasive depression from my earliest childhood. In college I felt like life was just too hard, but failed to seek treatment. It wasn’t until my kids’ bipolar disorder challenged all my personal resources and I came up wanting that I decided to seek treatment. What a godsend! What a miracle! Now I’m perpetually grateful for the medical treatment I receive for depression. I now experience my world, my life, in all its glory and vividness.
Before taking an antidepressant, I functioned under the weight of a dark gray presence, always exerting great effort to ‘be happy’ or ’stay on top of things’. I achieved successes, made and maintained friendships, and had solid relationships; but these normal accomplishments took an unbelievable amount of self-monitoring and internal energy. On the most basic level, depression is exhausting and I’m grateful modern medicine has evolved so that I can experience all facets of my life without that great burden called depression.
Treatment works.
Recovery is real.
I deserve it. You do too.
Life is good!
Online Mental Health Support Groups
Saturday, April 26th, 2008Take advantage of every opportunity to find support and encouragement in your community, whether physical or virtual.
DBSA recently launched three on-line, real-time support groups for people living with mood disorders or mental illnesses. These virtual meetings, which function just like face-to-face support groups, provide another opportunity to find the hope and support needed for a lifetime of wellness…and in the comfort of your own home.
For more information go to: www.DBSAlliance.org/OSGhome
I encourage you to do all that you can to stay healthy and happy and productive!
Peace,
Kate
Kind Words from Electroboy Himself, Andy Behrman
Friday, April 25th, 2008
“Please read this review of MOMMY I’M STILL IN HERE from Andy Behrman, author of Electroboy and host at www.electroboy.com :
“Kate McLaughlin chronicles with great love the difficult journey her family has experienced. With two of her three children diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she eloquently conveys her hard-won understanding of how challenging it can be for a family to live with mental illness and to fight the necessary battles along the way. But most importantly, she tells an extremely positive and motivating story that offers hope to all who struggle with this devastating illness”
- Andy Behrman, Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania
Thank you, Andy!