Blog
At the Crossroads
I have been living with Bipolar Disorder for about the last 7 years. Well that’s not really true…I have been living with Bipolar Disorder all my life but I only learned of my condition 7 years ago. Since… Continue reading
The Importance of Peer Expertise in Counselling
I’ve been away from the blog for a while, and though I haven’t necessary made the best use of my spare time (*cough* Skyrim *cough*), mostly it’s been because I’ve been doing two degrees, one in spiritual care and psychotherpay,… Continue reading
What I Cannot Change, What I Can Change, and How To Know the Difference
Many of you are probably familiar with what is called the “Serenity Prayer”. It’s part of a longer prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr, and is very commonly said at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and is also popular for putting up in homes.… Continue reading
Responsibility Without Blame: Healthy Ownership of a Bipolar Life
Bipolar disorder has caused me to do a lot of harm, especially before I was taking proper medication. Between my temper, broken promises, substance abuse, and process addictions, I have either hurt or failed a number of different people. These… Continue reading
Bipolar Disorder and Spirituality: The Data of Religious Experience
The idea that mental illness and divine inspiration are connected is extremely old, going back into the very roots of the roots of our language. “Mania” itself is a Greek term that Plato hypothesized is connected to the word “mantikē”… Continue reading
Going the F**k To Sleep: Insomnia and Bipolar Disorder
There’s a wonderful children’s book used by parents who want to traumatize their children and to teach them to talk like truck drivers. It is called Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam’s Mansbach, and it’s about a parent’s frustrating… Continue reading
Joshua DeWolf: Panic Attack
Josua DeWolf sent me this description of what it feels like to have a panic attack. Being susceptible to them myself, I found it terribly familiar. I thought it could serve as a springboard for those of us with panic… Continue reading
Michelle Kelly: “Art as a Means of Therapy” and New Gallery
Michelle Kelly has published her artwork before on Bipolar Village. Today, she has provided both a reflection on her own experience with art therapy, and a new gallery of art. She is a freelance illustrator based in Leigh-on-sea, Essex, England,… Continue reading
“Crazy” Talk: Why Having a Mental Illness Shouldn’t Be an Insult
In general, I don’t like to correct other people’s language. After all, there can be a real temptation for those of us with the “correct language” to jump on the people with the “incorrect” language.
However, sometimes things get so… Continue reading
Guest Post: Communicating the Unreal
Daniel W. lives in New Zealand. He was diagnosed with Bipolar Type I twelve years ago, and today he shares with us some of his experiences of and insights about mania.
Bipolar mania produces some of the biggest emotional experiences… Continue reading