Category Archives: Understanding Mental Illness

Mental Illness Diagnosis Removes Responsibility from the Patient

January 22, 2012 / by / Breaking Bipolar

As I work, I battle the misconceptions around mental illness. It feels like often, all day, every day, it’s the only thing I do. But I do it because I feel it’s important. I feel it matters. I feel it … Continue reading →

Is Bipolar a Personality Disorder?

January 9, 2012 / by / Breaking Bipolar

I’ve been studying mental illness for a long time and while I knew the answer to this question, I couldn’t really have told you why. This is mostly because I haven’t done a lot of work on personality disorders, but … Continue reading →

Top 10 Breaking Bipolar Articles from 2011

January 1, 2012 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Happy new year to everyone. Thanks to all for joining me for a wonderful year of information, interaction and debate. I have learned a lot and I hope you have too. But in case you missed it, here are the … Continue reading →

Just Because There’s No Cure for Bipolar Doesn’t Mean You Should Give Up

December 5, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Recently, someone who was new to the world of bipolar disorder asked me if there was a cure or if he had to live like this forever. I had to, of course, tell him there is no cure. I felt … Continue reading →

Fighting the Seen Enemy – Depression and Stigma

November 10, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Last week I wrote about how fighting bipolar disorder is like fighting an invisible enemy. And I suggested that creating an internal visual of an “enemy” was a helpful way of differentiating the sick person from the illness itself. I … Continue reading →

Silencing the Mentally Ill is Not Acceptable

November 7, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

I’m not a person who takes on a cause de jour – I simply have too much self-preservation for that. I have enough going on without worrying about the plights of the world. However, when someone tries to spread mistruths … Continue reading →

Mental Illness Means Physical Pain Too

September 2, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

In spite of what many people think, mental illness isn’t just about “being sad” or hallucinating or feeling suicidal – mental illness is about physical pain too. In fact, one of the ways people get diagnosed with illnesses like depression … Continue reading →

Bipolar Disorder is Caused by a Bad Childhood

July 26, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

Hi. Thanks for joining us as we expose the biggest myths in mental illness. Today’s myth: a bad childhood causes mental illness.

What Are You, Bipolar? Mental Illness as a Weapon – Video

June 29, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

I’ve discussed how I like to use the word “crazy” and don’t find it derogatory. Us crazies, we have to stick together, I might say. I’ve also said that people can use any word to hurt you. Don’t tell me … Continue reading →

I’m Too Smart to be Bipolar – Intelligence and Mental Illness

June 21, 2011 / by / Breaking Bipolar

I’ve been wrong about a lot of things in my lifetime. Life is funny like that, always moving the ball when you’re not looking. And one of them was this: I thought I was too smart to have a mental … Continue reading →