Category Archives: Bipolar Diagnosis

More Bipolar and Psychiatric Myths

May 9, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

In response to some of the comments I see here and elsewhere, here is my response to another ten myths about bipolar disorder.

Biological Evidence for Depression – Mental Illness Exists

April 7, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Common messages spread by certain special interest groups are that “mental illness doesn’t exist” and “there is no biological evidence for mental illness.” It’s not surprising I take great exception with these claims. So do most doctors. But the brain … Continue reading →

Paralyzing Fear of Bipolar Disorder

April 4, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

When I discovered I was bipolar, I suddenly became scared of everything. Things that never crossed my mind started to shudder through my bones and produce endless waterfalls of tears. I was afraid of diagnosis. I was afraid of what … Continue reading →

Professional Diagnosis Critical in Mental Illness – Video

March 30, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

It’s tempting to think that because we read a list of symptoms for a mental illness, we can diagnose ourselves. We might think that taking a self-test online indicates the presence of an illness, or lack thereof. These things, however, … Continue reading →

How to Help Someone with a Mental Illness

March 28, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

I talk to many people who want to help a person with a mental illness. Often the people they want to help are loved ones who have just been diagnosed with a mental illness and those who want to help … Continue reading →

Bipolar Disorder and Treatment Stigma

March 21, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

I was recently having lunch with a woman who has a series of medical issues, including pain management. One of the medications she is on is oxycodone. She said she would like to get off of the oxycodone but when … Continue reading →

Mental Illness is Only a Problem When Mental Illness is a Problem

March 17, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

There is a common refrain that if you looked in the DSM, everyone would have some mental disorder. And in point of fact, many symptoms are fairly generic and can be attributed to many. Fatigue, insomnia, thoughts of death, loss … Continue reading →

Charlie Sheen is Suffering a Manic Episode; That’s Not Funny

March 1, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Charlie Sheen’s recent remarks may seen funny to some, but when I look at his statements and actions, to me they scream mania, a symptom of bipolar disorder.

Talking to Others About Your Mental Illness

January 20, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

This week one of my Twitter followers asked me for advice on communicating with her friends and family about her mental illness. She has only recently started telling people of her illness and she wasn’t sure on how to express … Continue reading →

What to Do If You’ve Just Been Diagnosed as Bipolar

August 2, 2010 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Being diagnosed as bipolar is a scary thing. It can happen in a number of ways, but if you’re like most of us, you probably didn’t know what was wrong for a long time, then you were misdiagnosed and then … Continue reading →