Transformation in Her

Poetry Corner

Transformation in Her

PTSD: An Understanding

The last time I posted anything on this blog was in mid-October. I then took the post back down. It was about a fight DH and I had had. It was posted in bad form and in anger and I probably shouldn't have done it.

My Personal Experience: The Suicide Prevention Walk

In September I attended the National Suicide Prevention Awareness community event and walked with over two thousand people in a united plight of sorrow, thanksgiving, awareness, celebration of life and recognition of the fragile lives who's journey ended too soon.

Why Do You Stay With Him?

As you have read my posts, to some degree you may find yourself asking the question, "Elizabeth, why do you stay with him? With all the paths you could take, why do you stay on the same one?"

Center Your Circus

Poetry Corner

Center Your Circus

Behind the Owl - Stressor Outlets

As I continue to branch out and express my feelings and emotions through this blog, I thought I would publicize and explain the image of The Owl.

Hear Me, My Love

Poetry Corner

Hear Me, My Love...

Psychiatrist or Psychologist? Which Way Do I Go?

Building a team of individuals for mental health care is imperative in functionality and success with mental illness. One of the most common areas of misunderstanding and misconception is 'what is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist and who should I seek treatment from? Aren't they pretty much the same thing?

Socially Shunned in the 21st Century

This post is a little difficult for me to write. I'd like to start out by saying, I don't feel like I fit the typical "mold" of my community. I do not say this in a derogatory fashion. I respect and admire many members of my community. When I first moved into my neighborhood, I tried very hard to fit the standardized mold. Not only for appearances, but for myself as well. I truly believed that if I could just squeeze into that church-going, commandment following, always happy house-wife personality, best neighbor friend ever, mother of the year activities, coolest mom award winning, perfectly clean home, well manicured yard, Americana house with the white picket fence, this mold would encompass my happiness.

UPDATE on The Winds of Change

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Update on 

The Winds 

of Change

Post

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Last night as I was cooking dinner, DH came into the kitchen and told me he read my post on Winds of Change.

He apologized that I thought he was angry that morning and told me that he wasn't angry. He said he was sorry that I perceived him to be that way because we couldn't find my keys. He sincerely apologized for any upset he might have caused me.

The Winds of Change

The season is beginning. Bipolar seasons are much like fall and winter seasons, you don't know exactly when the winds will change, the day the leaves will fall or the day the first snow will touch the ground; but you know it is coming. Much like you can smell it in the air, feel it in the wind and sense it on your skin, the season change is coming.

Movie Review - Inside Out

Pixar has done it again. They have created a movie with well-developed, wonderful characters we can all relate to, empathize and fall in love with wrapped in a story that strikes close to our heart. This story is titled Inside Out.

Image courtesy of www.hitfix.com

Out of Sorts - Preparing for the Next Manic Depressive Season

Over the last several days, I have really felt out of sorts lately and I haven't been able to peg it; that is until this morning. As I was getting ready for work this morning I was feeling frustrated and agitated at the bad dreams I've been having lately. Sleep is sometimes the only way to escape the thoughts running through my head. When I have bad dreams, I just don't feel rested or feel like I've had a chance to reboot my mind.

ER Discriminatory Behavior Toward Patients with Mental Conditions

Discriminatory treatment towards patients with mental conditions happens. It is sad. It happens. Mental illness does not know race, gender or age. Mental illness effects all walks of life. Medical professionals in emergency room departments are rarely professional with individuals they believe to be mentally unstable with absolutely no factual basis to back up their belief. Contrary to what media would have you believe, most mental conditions are treatable and stabilized in individuals every single day. Mental conditions are NOT equivalent to unstable threats to society.

Tips to Handle Emotions of Children and Yourself

The other day as I was scrolling through my Facebook feed, I saw an ad for Emotional ABC's, so I clicked on it. Let me say right here, I am not necessarily endorsing this product. I haven't even tried this product. I did try the ideas in the ad on my daughter and I thought I would share the experience.

My Two Cents on Robin Williams' Death

"Logic becomes unreal. Attention and focus fall apart. The brain is just an organ and at some point it says, 'I can't take the pain anymore. I must take myself out.'" This is a quote from Time Magazine in their online article Robin's Pain: The Mystery of Suicide and How to Prevent It.

In August of last year, Robin's death hit me and and DH pretty hard. Harder than I ever thought something like that would. Before I had the courage to come out with the mental illnesses my family faces daily, I posted the following message on my Facebook wall:

Adult Temper Tantrums - Hypomanic Episodes

Have you ever been in the presence of someone who is mentally ill, everything seems to be going fine and then suddenly, faster than you can grab hold of the situation, pardon my expression but ... shit hits the fan?

Mentality of Infertility

As I sat in the chair next to my then fiancé, we waited for the next step. We had already checked in and now were just waiting. Feeling confident, I gave DH a broad smile. The doctor came into the exam room, sat down on the round stool and introduced himself to DH.

Angela's Story - Adolescent Mental Illness

Today I'd like to start with a short story that happened in the fall of 1992. I was thirteen years old. At that point I was about three or four months into my chemotherapy treatments. All of my hair had fallen out by that time and many people told me that I had a very nicely shaped bald head, nearly perfectly round and flawless.

Bipolar + Impusive Spending = An Upset Partner!

I think the thing that frustrates me the most about bipolar is the anger. When DH is in a hypomanic state and is angry about something, that does not warrant anger at the level of anger expressed, it makes ME incredibly ANGRY!

Do You See What I See?

Just four days ago, I publicized this blog. Your outpouring of support has been amazing! I have received personal messages and Facebook post messages of friends expressing gratitude for this blog.

The majority of the support for this blog has been silent. I want you to see what I see. Look to the right margin of this blog. I want you to see the stats for this blog. Today, this blog's views exceeded 500 hits! After just four days!

I understand the silent support. For years I have been a silent observer on the internet searching message boards, blogs and forums for answers. I've searched medical websites, white paper documents and purchased books. Your silent support is noticed. If you see what I see, you'll recognize that there are so many people looking for Mental Illness: Mental Awareness answers and support, just like you.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for your messages. Thank you for your personal examples you have shared with me confidentially. You know who you are, and to you I am grateful. I appreciate those of you who have shared this blog on your own Facebook walls for your loved ones to see.

~Elizabeth~

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Anxiety Sucks!

Anxiety sucks! Can I just say that? Out loud? Right now? It stinks!

Anxiety is the opposite of depression. There is a reason that Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" became such a classic. We felt the sadness and remorse with character Ebeneezer Scrooge when he

Why Didn't You Call Me?

As I have received such positive feedback from creating this blog, and I thank everyone for their support and love, I feel I need to address the elephant in the room. Why haven't I called you? Why haven't I reached out to you for support?

Best Kept Family Secret

Talking about mental illness is scary. Period. End of story! No one wants to talk about it because very few people know what to do about it much less what to say to you if you need support. Others turn their nose and snub mental illness. The biggest blow is when family members or friends simply tell you to "suck it up" and get over it. I mean, we all have problems right? What makes you so special?

What it is Like to Live With Someone Who Has Mental Illness

Living with someone who has mental illness, more specifically, manic-depressive disorder, is something that can be difficult to describe but I will do my best.

Matrimony Beginings

DH and I met on a blind date set-up. It wasn't just any blind date set-up, it was a mother who worked with DH and set up her daughter (yours truly) with DH on a date while visiting home from college.

My Background

Perhaps a good place to start would be to tell you about some of my background.

My childhood was difficult but I always remained positive and even participated in a national debate competition of original oratory with a ten minute speech titled "The Power of Positive Thinking". This event was held in Baltimore, Maryland and though I did not win, it was a wonderful experience.

At age 7 my parents divorced. Just before my 10th birthday, my mother remarried. Two weeks before my 13th birthday, I was diagnosed with AML Childhood Leukemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant. At the time this was considered experimental and controversial.

Introduction

After a lot of consideration and discussion, I have decided to start this blog, Mental Illness: Mental Awareness. The purpose of this blog is two-fold but holds one outcome: healing. It is in part for me, and in part for you. My husband suffers from mental illness. I have asked his permission to start this blog. It places both of us in a vulnerable position. He has his concerns but has agreed. Because of his illness, his mind could once again change, but that is yet to be determined.

From here on out, my husband will be known as DH (Dear Husband).