Few are born with achievement awards hanging on their walls. Success has to start from zero, a lonely but white-washed place where nothing’s been achieved and nothing’s been earned. And most of us have to “trial-and-error” life to figure out where we are, never mind where we want to go. Success doesn’t come naturally. And […]
Class 1: Buy notebook, tighten seat belt, and hold on for life
The Library of Libraries is a book-filled paradise. Its walls carry the testimonies of all humans, those who’ve lived and those who will live…
Nine tips for living with bipolar disorder
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 […]
What it’s like to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein The term “psychiatric hospital” conjures up images of that age old insane asylum, a long ago place where people were locked away in damp, dirty cells and forgotten by society. Each of these asylums was overcrowded with thousands of […]
Don’t tell them I’m a shrink
2009 Tucson, Arizona A short story by Dr. Kim The ground is covered with stones. Our host is squatted down, touching each stone passively then rearranging them according to color. He’s engaged mindfully. It’s an impressive coping skill. Even a psychiatrist has to admit that. (The psychiatrist is me, by the way, though I never […]
10+ things you didn’t know about drugs and alcohol
Many addicts say it’s harder to quit than keep using. To stay sober and clean, they need to face overwhelming challenges: tremendous guilt, low self-esteem, isolation, an irate family, problems finding work, and the demand that they change their lives and attitudes and belief systems… it would seem easier to simply keep using.