by Ashlee Fleming
I remember ever so vividly in middle school, I didn’t feel like myself anymore.
Something was wrong and I had no clue what it was. I was extremely sad for no reason whatsoever, and it wasn’t the sadness that I was used to. I was having crying spells, I couldn’t understand what was happening to me. I had no one to turn to because no one understood and couldn’t possibly know what I was going … Read more...
by Tammy Ozolins
I have four brothers and no sisters. So, as you can imagine I had to be very tough at a young age. This is what I truly pride myself on, my toughness. Well, even though this is a great quality to have, it did have some negative to it. See, everyone expected me to be this tough woman all the time. Well, deep down inside that was not the case all the time.
I was not medically diagnosed until my mid-twenties. So, … Read more...
by Nida Fatima, India
I have fought every day for 10 years. I also had physical trauma previously. So I fight mentally and physically, too.
Since I was born I was treated as if I was ignorant and not mentally ill. I felt the boycott from my community and suffered isolation from my family.
My bipolar disease was diagnosed when I was in a teenager. At that time my father had to handle me and tried to keep negative people from me. Because my father was told by a psychiatrist. I don’t know how I understand things without knowing or … Read more...
I knew a young man
Who taught dogs to dance
and could hypnotize frogs
to go into a trance
Some days he would feel
So blue and so sad
Then the very next day
Stay up all night to play
He was a creative soul
Who was misunderstood
He suffered bipolar
Which is a brain disorder
People called him weak
The hurt was deep
One sorry sorry night
He tried to take his life
People called it selfish
They even got mad
They just didn’t get
He was very, very sad
Then one day a boy said,
“I’ll be your … Read more...
Written by Jon Farrow
I’m sick, very sick. I haven’t been this sick in a while. When I hit this low I make sure to constantly look at pictures of my family to remind myself of why I fight through this.
My wife recently lost her grandmother. I have tried to push my illness deep down so I can be strong for her. The deeper I try to push my illness down the more it pushes back. I feel guilty for not being there for her the way I should and want to be.
Knowing that I am an inadequate … Read more...
by Tammy Ozolins
I have always and still do try to cover up when I am feeling out of sorts.
I put on my mask and get through the day, but what people do not realize is when I am home I let it all out. My friends and family are who I rely on to get through the rough times, but at the same time I do not want to bother them with my bipolar disorder. I always feel like they will get sick of me.
The ironic part is the ones who truly know me will actually get … Read more...
by Tammy Ozolins
My favorite song of all time is called The Dance by Garth Brooks it has a lot of meaning to me.
First, it reminds me of a special friend of mine, Brian, but we called him Rini. He and I would dance at the various dances we had at school. We were very close and shared a lot of memories –school, parties etc.
Unfortunately, he took his own life on February 20, 1996, a day after my twin’s and my birthday. My twin brother was good friends with him as well and now all I have left … Read more...
by Pamela James
I was diagnosed in April with Bipolar II. I am 55 years old. Fifty five.
It was a shock, but then again, it explained all my struggles in life: jobs, relationships, moods, parenting, depression, rage. Thanks to a wonderful psychiatrist, I am on a very successful combination of medications. More importantly, I have incorporated yoga into my life. It is just as important as the meds.
The instructors are so welcoming. I arrive at 6:30 a.m. with my hair in a messy bun, clothes that are sometimes specifically for yoga, but sometimes not. I do not have … Read more...
by Jon Farrow
You suffer in silence out of constant fear of being persecuted. You bury your pain into the deepest obscure corners of your heart for fear of being labeled as crazy or insane. You try to fake it, to be strong, to be normal, all the while carrying this misunderstood weight on your chest.
Living with Bipolar Disorder can feel like driving a car and suddenly the steering wheel falls off. You can feel in control for days, weeks, or months at a time. Then suddenly you … Read more...
by Paul Buskey
One of the first songs I could relate to is Pink’s Don’t let me get me. Listen to the lyrics closely.
It’s extremely difficult for me at times to be in my own body and mind.
Unfriendly hostile thoughts are repetitive and plague me most of the time. Escaping the inescapable for a moment many of us would jump at the chance to see what it’s like to have a quiet mind.
These lyrics here strike me the most.
… Read more...Everyday I fight a war against the mirror
I can’t take the person starin’ back at me
I’m
Many of us have heard the song “Praying” by Kesha on the radio. Inspired by her lowest moments of her professional and personal life during which she dealt with depression and thoughts of suicide.
It’s very difficult to get others to understand what we hear from our own minds and the images we are fed from our mental illnesses.
You’re able to see her journey throughout the song with her lyrics and the imagery in the video. What you will miss just listening to it on the radio is her intro dialog.
This dialog is the hardest … Read more...