Bipolar disorder isn’t for the faint-of-heart. The depressions are catastrophic. They’re black, painful clouds of existence that hardly count as living. The manias bury you with baggage and regret. And the in-betweens, when you’re trying to remember how to be “normal” and make sense out the fact that none of this is normal… No, not […]
7 great habits of horrendously happy people
Here’s a draft page about happiness from my (very slowly upcoming) Weird & Wacky Addiction Workbook (name subject to change, and soon… Colorful & Crazy Sobriety Workbook ? A Bizarre & Barbaric Coloring Book for People in Recovery? Stay tuned!)
Medications for bipolar and mood swings
Medications are an essential part of the plan when it comes to bipolar disorder. The right treatment can make a world of a difference. But figuring out which one is the right one can be challenging. Here’s a little information about mood-stabilizing medications to help you along. What are mood stabilizers used for? Mood stabilizers […]
11 ways to overcome all adversity
“It is what it is. Isn’t that how these things always go? They are what they are. We just get to cope.” — Mira Grant, Feed Okay, give me a minute. Today I want to get up on my soap box and say “Yay!” to overcoming all adversity, finding the perfect life, and always knowing […]
When emotions are too scary and thoughts too sharp
It’s deeply personal. Maybe it’s a recent diagnosis, something chronic and unescapable? The doctors say you have a year or less, and that’s that. There’s nothing else they can do. It’s a dead-end situation. No amount of problem-solving will fix this one. Or perhaps you crashed your car and don’t have the money to fix […]
How do I get rid of this guilt?
Guilt is about feeling bad, even disliking ourselves, over something we did or didn’t do in the past. Guilt can be normal: the fact that we feel it proves that we have compassion for others. At the same time, guilt can become so toxic and destructive that it overwhelms, and that’s when it’s time to […]
When depression meds don’t work: antidepressant amplifiers
Sometimes depression doesn’t get better, not with a single antidepressant. With all the medications on the market and all the pressure not to prescribe, what should a psychiatrist do? Add more medication, and the patient has side effects. Withhold medications, and they suffer or worse. People are complicated. Medications are complicated. But then there are […]
FAQ About Surviving Trauma
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Khalil Jibran It’s normal to feel afraid during a catastrophic event. Emotions can be numb or painful, senses are heightened, and the “fight or flight” response kicks in. Some people want to run. Others find themselves shutting down […]