This content is created in partnership with Teva and is an important cause for me. Tardive dyskinesia (TD) can be hard to diagnose.1 Symptoms might not appear until months or years after you start taking antipsychotic medication.2 If you are taking certain prescription medicines for mental health conditions and are experiencing uncontrollable movements in your…
This content is created in partnership with Teva Pharmaceuticals and is an important cause for me. It is important to treat your mental health conditions as a whole, including any uncontrollable movements that may arise due to medications. Thankfully, there are now treatments that allow you to manage your movements without having to alter your…
The whole process of searching for a new psychiatrist or other prescribing medical professional can feel scary and overwhelming. So I put together this list of “5 criteria to look for when searching for a new psychiatrist.” Each of us has our own specific needs. However, you can use this list to give you a baseline for…
Growing up, I took part in sports, and in each sport, I trained to be an athlete. Not only did I train my mind, but I trained to think with an athlete’s mindset. Whether it was soccer, swimming, track, and field, or cross-country, my coaches always helped me to become the best athlete I could…
I was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 back in 1999. In the years and decades since, I have made it my focus to manage my illness to the best of my ability. One of the best ways I have done this is by pinpointing my “triggers.” Patience has not always been one of my strengths,…
Fun and bipolar disorder? What kind of question is that, and what does it mean, right? There is a strong misconception between bipolar disorder and the idea that it is “fun” to live with – referring to mania. Mental Illness Is A Serious Subject Bipolar disorder is an intensely serious subject. As a mental illness, it is considered a…
A support group is a great component of an overall treatment plan. There are support groups for almost every type of illness and malady imaginable. Regarding bipolar disorder, some groups focus only on the illness itself. Other groups are offered for family and friends or are a combination of those living with bipolar disorder, family, and friends meeting altogether. Throughout…
Finding the right cocktail of medication can be time-consuming, tiring, and exhausting while testing your patience. For most of us, it can take months, or sometimes even years. If you follow the medical model of treatment, like me, medication is the foundation for managing bipolar disorder. The FDA closely scrutinizes pharmaceutical companies before they can release any medication…
*Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash Warning: possible triggers related to suicide, God, and spirituality. “How does God fit into all this, meaning dealing with bipolar disorder?” The answer to this question is very personal and is dependent on your personal belief system. I do not want to turn this into an article for, or against,…
What comes to mind when you think of “black sheep of the family?” To me, “black sheep” is a very loose label that carries with it a negative connotation, at least in my own experience. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” That saying no longer has merit like it…