*Photo by Damian Markutt on Unsplash By Steve Poehler I am a white male in my late 30s. I live in a middle-class neighborhood in the suburbs of mostly white Oregon. I certainly do not consider myself “racist.” I bring all of this up so you can understand where I’m coming from. Let’s just call it what it…
Warning, the following is for mature audiences only… Background Hypersexuality is a topic that makes many people uncomfortable. Heck, mention sex, and everyone starts to fidget in their seats. You know what I’m talking about, right? I do not know where the aversion to talking about sex came from. I do know my parents and their…
*Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash A support system is an important consideration when it comes to the treatment of your bipolar disorder. What comes to mind when I say support system? A support system does not solely consist of the people in your life. Tools and coping techniques help make up your support system as well. The…
My children are a blessing to me. They give me a reason to keep going and fighting my battles each day. Fighting the bipolar battle influences every corner of my life. Taking a proactive approach to my treatment has made me successful in managing my bipolar disorder daily. If I did not actively take a role in…
Whether you live with bipolar disorder or not, it’s important to find some time to downshift from the fast-paced speed of life. Bipolar disorder is an illness of extremes. These extremes—and intensity of symptoms—vary between individuals. I follow a treatment plan and crisis plan to help manage my bipolar disorder. It is a game plan for my treatment. The dictionary defines…
*Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash “Should I tell my boss I have bipolar disorder?” is a question almost everyone living with bipolar disorder must answer at some point in their lives. It can feel like you have a lot going against you. There is a huge stigma attached to bipolar disorder. Plus, there is no…
Minimalism is a movement that has gained popularity in recent years. It caught my attention, and I have implemented some of the philosophies that define the minimalist lifestyle. Lifestyle is the key term to look at regarding minimalism. It is a concept where you live your life by a certain set of standards and values….
If you follow the medical model of treatment, you will see a medical professional. They will dispense and monitor your medications. It’s important to see your medical providers regularly—they are the clinical experts. A therapist is on the other side of the coin. These clinicians comprise your medical support team and make up the medical model approach…
*Photo by Matt W Newman on Unsplash Ok, so I didn’t really join the circus. Although, most of my life has felt like one. For the majority of my life, I have tried to describe bipolar disorder to others. Of course, there is The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that details the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder, but how…