Spending too much time thinking about the past is holding you back from planning your future. Daydreaming about the future is very healthy, we use our imagination and we can manifest a brighter future. That’s not to say I never look back, there’s great joy in thinking about my grandparents and looking at old photos all the way back to when I was born.
Thinking about the past all the time can stagnate your growth and could mean you have unresolved anger or trauma. I first experienced trauma shorthly after I was born because my mother abused me. I’ve had other trauma’s like being stalked, sexually assaulted and my father’s suicide, I don’t want to wallow in those memories. Seeing my Therapist for 32 years has helped me resolve my trauma and I don’t look back.
The future is wide open and you have the ability to live your best life.
Leaning on the hard-earned wisdom of others helps shift your perspective and uplift your spirits, serving as a reminder that resilience is possible even on the toughest days.
May these words serve as a gentle source of inspiration and comfort. If you have a specific quote that helps you through the hard times, we invite you to share it in the comments.
Love’s Power to Ease Life’s Sorrows
“Love has, at its best, made the inherent sadness of life bearable, and its beauty manifest.” ~ Kay Redfield Jamison (An Unquiet Mind, 1995)
Seeing Stars Beyond the Tears
“If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore
Finding Safety in the Present
“In times of pain, when the future is too terrifying to contemplate and the past too painful to remember, I have learned to pay attention to right now. The precise moment I was in was always the only safe place for me.” ~ Nicholas Sparks
Courage Is Something Quiet
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher
Perseverance Is the Foundation
“Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.” ~Lao Tzu
The Power of Hope
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tune without the words — and never stops at all.” ~ Emily Dickinson
Imagination, Love, and Laughter
“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge; myth is more potent than history; dreams are more powerful than facts; hope always triumphs over experience; laughter is the cure for grief; love is stronger than death.” ~ Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things, 1986)
Life is Music — Both Joyful and Sad
“Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness and the black show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music.” ~ Ehssan
How Our Loved Ones See Us
“Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.” ~ Alan Cohen (Wisdom of the Heart, 2002)
Embrace Nature’s Reality
“It isn’t the language of painters one ought to listen to but the language of nature…. Feeling things themselves, reality, is more important than feeling paintings, at least more productive and life-giving.” ~ Vincent van Gogh (letter to Theo van Gogh, The Hague, on or about Friday, July 21, 1882)
Welcoming the Day With Joy
“Hello, sun in my face. Hello, you who made the morning and spread it over the fields… Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.” ~ Mary Oliver (poem, “Why I Wake Early,” 2004)
The Art of Living Well
“Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift.” ~ Maya Angelou (Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now)
Happiness is What Drives Life
“Happiness is what greases the wheels of life, what opens the floodgates, raises the sun, aligns the stars, beats your heart, finds true love.” ~ Mike Dooley
Courage Through Facing Fear
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt (You Learn by Living, 1960)
Accepting Life’s Unexpected Path
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell (to Diane K. Osbon, as recorded in Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion)
Stronger After Life’s Storms
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” ~ Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore)
Keep Moving Forward
“If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (“Keep Moving from This Mountain,” speech at Spelman College, April 10, 1960)
It’s Never Too Late to Be You
“For what it’s worth: It’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it.… I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” ~ Eric Roth (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, film, 2008)
We have spent 23 years building our finances around living comfortably in retirement and beyond and buying a new house. David retired last April, our house is paid for and we have no debt, just as we planned and saved for.
Yesterday we made an offer on our first house and now David is pulling all the financing together for a mid-February move-in date. I am so in love with the house and have dreamt of living in a one-story without a pool for the longest time.
The seller accepting our offer is just the start. We plan to move into new house, then upgrade our house and sell it. This will be a longer process but I’m screaming inside with excitement.
I’ll give an update if the offer is accepted. We went in with a low offer because it’s been on the market for over a year and no one is living there. The market is down and continuing to go down in our area. Now is the time to buy before the market swings upward.
Before we move into the new year, I want to thank you for your kindness. I stopped judging my blog’s success by the numbers, engagement is what’s most important to me. You’ve contributed greatly to the success of Looking for the Light and I thought a glace at the numbers would reflect your contribution.
You have brought me enlightenment, support, motivation and inspiration with each of your posts.
Numbers are a form of measurement however that is not how I judge the health of my blog. Engagement in the form of likes and comments are how I judge if my blog is successful.
Each conversation makes me smile, when a new country visits it intrigues me, having long tern followers are special and all of these help me grow.
I don’t hope for people to think or say nice things about me, that’s not important. What’s important is what I think about myself and it’s a bonus if people think kindly of me. I’m thrilled everytime a blogger sends me a nice comment or appreciates a post, it’s an instant smile every time. People judge or have a perception of you based on many factors and it’s beyond our control.
Living an authentic life is how I live and people will form their own perception of me. I’m mostly talking about blogging because my close family members are no longer here and it’s hard to make friends when you don’t leave the house.
Living life wishing or worrying about what other’s think of you is a waist of time. My reply is not meant to sound negative, it’s my reality and everyone’s is different. The difference it what makes the world go round.
It’s critical to remember AI pulls information from all souces and can’t be relied on as factual information.
AI offers quick information, yet it lacks the human insight required for safe, individualized mental health care.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become part of our daily lives. Whether it’s a chatbot answering questions online, an app offering mental health “coaching,” or a website summarizing medical information, the presence of AI in healthcare is growing rapidly.
For many, these tools feel like an easy, convenient first step when they’re worried about a symptom or seeking information. And used wisely, AI can indeed be helpful. It is essential, however, to recognize the limitations and pitfalls of AI.
What AI Can Do Well
AI tools are very good at providing general information. If you want to know the common side effects of drug “A,” the difference between two medications, or the meeting times for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in your community, a quick query can often bring up what you need. A Google search uses AI. These tools can scan large amounts of digital information and summarize it in seconds.
They can remind you of questions to ask your clinician or point you toward community resources you might not have known existed. As an educational tool, AI can help us feel more prepared and informed for a medical visit.
Where AI Falls Short: It Cannot Replace Human Insight
Problems arise when we begin using AI as a replacement for the clinical judgment of an experienced care provider. Clinical skills are developed over years of training and experience in patient care. The expertise acquired involves integrating judgment, logic, and reasoning on a background knowledge of the patient and circumstances. AI lacks this “lived and learned” experience and the insight that emerges only through direct clinical practice.
AI cannot understand the nuances of your personal history, context, values, or medical complexity. It cannot look you in the eye, notice subtle changes in your mood or tone of voice, or sense when you need extra reassurance or immediate intervention. These human qualities are a cherished and vital part of the clinical appointment.
AI Can Make Mistakes — and Miss Warning Signs
Most importantly, AI tools can, and do, make mistakes. They may sound confident and reassuring while giving incomplete, misleading, or even inaccurate health information.
It can be hard to know whether information, even when it sounds plausible, is outdated, incorrect, or completely made up (an AI “hallucination,” a term for when the system invents information that sounds believable but isn’t).
AI also lacks the ability to recognize emergencies. Someone searching phrases like “I can’t go on,” “I feel hopeless,” or “how to hurt myself” may receive generic wellness advice rather than the urgent, clear direction to reach crisis services. For individuals in distress, delays or misdirection carry serious risks.
Human emotions and suffering are enormously complex, and it must be recognized that a significant number of individuals who die by suicide have seen a care provider in the weeks prior. Suicide is notoriously difficult to predict.
Chronic and pervasive thoughts of wanting to pass from this world are common among those living with mental health conditions. What are the signs of imminent action? Many who spend time with a provider in the weeks before death by suicide do not reveal a plan. If they had, the provider would be expected to put in place the process for immediate help.
What they wouldn’t have done is what AI did in the past year, namely, helping write an explanatory letter about their upcoming suicide.
Privacy Risks Are Real
There is also the major concern of privacy. Most AI systems collect data, more than we users realize. What you type into a chatbot is likely stored, used in some way, and may be shared with other systems. It’s important to be thoughtful and cautious about sharing personal details.
Using AI Safely: A Helpful Tool, Not a Decision-Maker
So what is the safest way to use AI in mental health? Think of these tools simply as what they are: tools. Use them to gather background information, learn about treatment options, or locate community resources. AI can help you understand the vocabulary of mental health care, remind you of questions to ask your clinician, and empower you to participate more fully in your treatment.
But when it comes to making diagnostic decisions, adjusting medications, interpreting symptoms, or determining whether a treatment is right for you personally, AI should never replace the guidance of a trained clinician.
Mental health care involves listening, observing, collaborating, and understanding people within the context of their lives. Follow-up questions for clarification are the hallmark of an experienced clinician. No matter how sophisticated the technology becomes, these human dimensions cannot be automated.
A Helpful Companion, With Careful Limits
AI is a useful tool, and I use it daily, as do many of my patients. But like any tool, it must be used carefully and wisely. Stay curious, stay informed, and above all, stay connected to the professionals who can provide the clinical judgment and personalized care that AI cannot.
Remember AI is a tool for basic information but is not factual.
Agoraphobia is a common but often misunderstood anxiety disorder that can make everyday situations feel overwhelming or even impossible; understanding the signs and seeking the right support can help you reclaim your freedom,
Many mental health conditions are simply extreme degrees of minor challenges that most people face regularly. It’s perfectly natural to feel some nervousness when you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before or going to a crowded place where there are a lot of people you don’t know; But, agoraphobia is different.
If that slight tinge of nervousness becomes intense anxiety that prevents you from doing things you normally would, it might be a condition called agoraphobia.
What Is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is an intense fear of situations where there may not be an easy way to escape or where you may feel trapped or helpless.
At its core, it’s a phobia of being in a situation where you’re panicking and there’s not an easy way out. This typically translates into a fear of familiar places, crowds, public transportation and very open areas like large parking lots and open water.
In any given year, about 2% of people experience agoraphobia. That is about 6.8 million people in the US. It’s more commonly diagnosed in women than in men.
Agoraphobia can have a profound impact on your daily life. It can range in severity from avoiding certain activities you might otherwise enjoy, like parties, concerts or other large social events, to being unable to leave your home.
Some people become homebound for years or are unable to maintain a career and care for themselves because of it.
The Relationship Between Agoraphobia and Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Agoraphobia, like any other phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder. But it also has a unique relationship to panic disorders.
Agoraphobia often develops after a panic attack in a public place where escape feels impossible. Even if you were able to get out of the situation the first time, you have a fear that next time you won’t be able to.
Symptoms of Agoraphobia
The symptoms of agoraphobia include an extreme fear of:
Unfamiliar places
Public spaces, especially crowded places
Waiting in line
Leaving home by yourself
Using public transportation
Enclosed spaces outside your home, like elevators or movie theaters
Large open spaces like parking lots or open water
Agoraphobia is specific to these types of circumstances, where you might not have a clear path to safety. Extreme anxiety in situations other than these might indicate other anxiety disorders.
Where’s the Line Between Worry and Agoraphobia?
One of the tricky aspects of phobias is understanding the difference between a “normal” amount of anxiety about a particular situation and a phobia. While only a mental health professional can diagnose agoraphobia, you could have this condition if:
Your level of anxiety in the situation is out of proportion with the actual danger
Your fear prevents you from doing things you would otherwise enjoy, like certain social outings
You stop doing certain things or going places unless you have a trusted companion with you
You’re experiencing these symptoms for six months or longer
When you’re in a situation that triggers your agoraphobia, the symptoms can manifest in physical, emotional or psychological and behavioral ways.
In these situations, physical symptoms can include:
Tightness in your chest
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath or hyperventilating (breathing too fast)
Dizziness or disorientation
Shaking or trembling
Sweating even though you’re not warm
Upset stomach
Meanwhile, the emotional or psychological symptoms can include:
Dread
Fixating on what could go wrong
Feeling a loss of control
Fear that you’re dying
During agoraphobia triggering situations, you may also have these behavioral symptoms:
Avoiding certain situations, like crowded places
Only going to certain places if you have someone with you
Only going to certain places or events after planning out escape routes or what to do if you need to get out
Causes and Risk Factors of Agoraphobia
How do you know if you’re at risk for developing agoraphobia? It usually develops in the teenage or early adult years and does seem to have a genetic link. People who have a close relative with agoraphobia are more likely to develop it. Some studies indicate that the heritability is as high as 48-61%.
Genetics isn’t the only factor, though. There are often traumas and life experiences that contribute to agoraphobia, especially trauma that occurs in childhood. This can include abuse, being attacked or the loss of someone with whom you felt safe, such as a parent.
It’s also important to note that many people with agoraphobia have other mental health conditions too, like panic disorder, depression or PTSD. In particular, a large number of people with agoraphobia already had a panic disorder.Their agoraphobia may have been triggered after having a panic attack in a place where they felt unsafe or helpless.
While a panic attack in a public place might trigger agoraphobia, often these people already had some level of anxiety in these situations. So it may be a combination of panic disorder and existing agoraphobic tendencies.
How Agoraphobia Affects Daily Life
One of the hallmarks of a phobia or other anxiety disorders is its impact on your daily life and the limitations that it creates for you. It can affect your work, romantic relationships, family relationships and social life in numerous ways.
You may decline social events and invitations due to anxiety about the situation, or struggle to complete work assignments if they involve situations that make you anxious. You could be limited in the types of jobs you can accept.
Maybe you can only able to perform jobs where you can work from home or jobs that don’t involve situations in public or crowded places. Finally, your relationships may suffer because you aren’t able to join loved ones for the things they enjoy doing.
Agoraphobia can even prevent you from taking care of yourself and living independently, especially when it is severe. It could prevent you from doing essential tasks like going to the grocery store or running other errands, such as going to the doctor.
Finally, agoraphobia can have a substantial impact on your mental health, especially if you have co occurring conditions already. It can worsen conditions like depression, because you feel trapped at home or aren’t able to do activities that could boost your serotonin. In some cases, it can make substance use disorder worse, too.
Agoraphobia changed my life over five years ago. I don’t drive, walk outside of house, only leave the house for doctors appointments or to see my hairdresser. It’ also affected the activities I did in the past with my husband. I’ve read some great information on how to slowly gain confidence on being by myself. I have a plan to start as soon as my shoulder heals from surgery.
If Agoraphobia is impacting you quality of life, I hear you, and wish you all the best at venturing out when the time is right for you.
I am in no way supporting the site or it’s service offers, it is just the great information.
I want to say a special thank you to Laura Sebright, Marketing & Ecommerce Executive at Trigger Publishing for sending this very interesting book for review.
About the Author
On October 18th 2014, Adelaide was in a bike crash that would change her life. She went through the driver’s side window of a car that pulled in front of her, suffering injuries that almost killed her – and emotional trauma that would continue for years to come. In addition to facing the physical injuries and PTSD, Adelaide worried about how the crash would affect her ability to cope with her bipolar II. After an arduous recovery, she returned to riding, eventually qualifying to become a professional triathlete. She is an advocate for cyclists’ safety and strives to help others who have suffered life-threatening crashes. Adelaide lives with her husband Kennett and their dog Maybellene.
Blurb
When the red Fiat pulled out in front of Adelaide, she squeezed her bike’s brakes so hard that she left 50 feet of skid marks along the highway. The last thing she remembers is being lifted into the ambulance and someone saying, “Her face is peeled off.”
She spent five days in a medically-induced coma, during which surgeons picked glass from her face, reconstructed bones and inserted a stomach tube. She spent another six days unable to talk, at times gasping for air, enduring leech treatments to keep her necrotizing lip alive, and fearing a crippling bipolar episode. Without knowing what neurological damage or permanent disfigurement she’d be left with, her boyfriend Kennett proposed to Adelaide daily in the hospital, until she became conscious. But her recovery would extend far beyond the hospital and the visible physical injuries.
DEGLOVED is about perseverance as well as failure, written to give hope to those living with mental illness, and anyone who has had a traumatic event thrust upon them, which threatened to destroy their lives.
My Thoughts
Where do you go after an accident almost cost took your life? For Adelaide, it’s moving forward slowly with an eye on recovery and sharing her story to help others. Not only was she in a coma, but also had reconstructive surgery, leech treatments, and fears that her Bipolar Disorder will pop its ugly head.
When you suffer from a traumatic injury it can cause PTSD and slow the recovery process. It can be more complicated if you have a mental illness, like Bipolar Disorder. For me, stress is a huge trigger for my Bipolar Disorder and it’s something I have to keep an eye on. It can throw me into depression very quickly.
Degloved is a book of tragedy and triumph with great lessons to learn about life after unsurmountable odds. Adelaide is a strong person and her perseverance against the odds gave her life back. She’s also a walking example of what our body can do when it comes back from hell.
Adelaide pushes herself thru unimaginable odds to go on to not only compete again but is now a professional Triathlete.
This book is for anyone who has been involved in a traumatic event or knows someone that has. The book is great for caregivers.
I recommend the book hands down. It’s a great read and a very inspiring story.
Trigger Publishing
TriggerHub.org is the first mental health organization of its kind. We are bringing mental health recovery and balance to millions of people worldwide through the power of our books. We have built a first-class resource of curated books produced and published in-house to create a unique collection of mental health recovery titles unrivaled in quality and selection. We work with experts, psychologists, doctors, and coaches to produce our books, but we also work with real people looking to share their stories to reach out to others and provide hope, understanding, and compassion. These brave authors also aim to raise awareness of mental health’s “human” face and its impact on everyday lives.
After the shock wore off, I would cry for the photos of my Grandparents lost and any cherished items they handed down to me. Then I would have to get a grip the best way possible and be thankful for a roof over my head, food to eat and that my family is alive.
Things are nice to have, pretty decorations, art work, books, and list goes on, yet we don’t need those to survive. All we have to do is look around our own country and many other countries where so many people live in poverty and we can see how a simple act of kindness puts a heartfelt smile on their face. A simple gesture like repairing a leaky pipe for an elderly couple brings joy, tears and most important they don’t feel forgotten. I got a bit of course there.
I’m blessed in life, in poverty and in riches, I’ve found joy and a will to keep moving forward.
Bipolar can make disrespect feel overwhelming. Reframing others’ behavior keeps the focus on their actions — not your worth.
Did you know that no one can disrespect you?
That’s right! No one can disrespect us. When we feel disrespected, we’re taking someone’s words or actions personally, and we choose to feel disrespected. We assign to our response feelings like invalidation or disrespect. In actuality, they are not disrespecting us. Here’s why.
You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s absolutely true: People’s actions are a reflection of the person they are. They are projecting their behavior onto us.
Don’t Take Disrespect Personally
Learning not to take things personally is so important to our mental well-being and happiness. When we think people are being disrespectful, invalidating, or rejecting, that’s when we’re taking their behaviors personally and making their behaviors about us.
Another person’s behavior is not about us. It may feel like people are acting a certain way because of us, but the way people act is always about them.
When we feel disrespected, this is our cue to start reframing the situation for clarity and perspective. Instead of taking things personally and feeling bad about ourselves, we need to change our thinking to find perspective, objectivity, and clarity.
Reframe Negative Thoughts for a Healthier Perspective
I used to feel disrespected all the time, like I didn’t matter, and people put me last or trampled my boundaries. We can feel very low and cultivate a lot of negative thinking about ourselves when we have this perspective. This is not good for promoting a solid sense of self, healthy self-esteem, or positive self-image.
We need to protect ourselves from emotional hurt and invalidation. I’ve found that when I can reframe hurtful actions as experiences rather than taking them personally, it helps me cope with people who may be unaware or hurtful.
Not having the situation be about me makes it easier to maintain perspective, distance, and detachment.
How do you do this? Instead of claiming disrespect, detach from that idea and reframe the situation in terms of how the disrespectful person was behaving. Your thought process is no longer, They were disrespectful to me, which hurt my feelings! Instead, it becomes:
They were being rude
They were acting like a jerk
They were being insensitive
They were being disrespectful
And here’s the important part, … but that is a poor reflection of them and not hurtful to me.Again, the key here is, that’s not hurtful to me.
Why Strong Boundaries Protect Your Mental Health
The most important dynamic in human behavior and healthy relationships is creating and maintaining boundaries, in my opinion. Boundaries allow clarity, perspective, and detachment because they keep us in a safe space and separated from what crosses our boundaries and creates anger or hurt.arated from what crosses our boundaries and creates hurt or anger.
Professional support groups and networks play a vital role in addressing challenges faced by those living with bipolar disorder and their families.
Finding the right support can make a world of difference when living with bipolar disorder. National and international organizations offer resources, education, and community — helping individuals and families feel informed, empowered, and less alone.
These care networks — such as peer and professional support groups — create a sense of connection and belonging and provide practical insights for navigating the often complex mental health care system. They also offer valuable tools, such as self-help strategies and lifestyle recommendations, which empower individuals to manage their symptoms more effectively.
In addition to providing support and resources, some national networks are actively involved in research, clinical trials, and the development of innovative therapies.
Here’s a roundup of the best bipolar support organizations contributing to a brighter future for those who live with bipolar disorder or love someone who does:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a range of programs designed to educate you and your family about bipolar disorder, including a peer-to-peer program specifically for adults living with mental health conditions.
They also feature a helpline on their website that offers free, confidential support, as well as referrals to local services, and guidance from trained volunteers. With local chapters all over the United States, the national organization can provide you with direct assistance, including access to support groups, educational initiatives, and community outreach programs.
As advocates for improved mental health policies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness actively works to enhance access to care, safeguard your rights, and increase research funding. Plus, they share the latest research findings in bipolar disorder management, helping you stay informed and empowered.
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
As a leading national organization specializing in depression and bipolar disorder, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reaches millions of people each year with its extensive selection of resources. A key feature of their support system is the array of both in-person and online support groups, which are led by individuals who’ve had personal experiences with mood disorders. These groups provide a safe and comforting space where you can share your experiences, gain support, and learn coping strategies. And if you’re interested, they also provide training so you, too, can lead support groups and share your experiences with others.
The organization also offers dedicated resources for support partners, families, and friends. They provide an online community where your support network can connect with others in similar situations to exchange advice and gain support.
In addition to these support groups, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has plenty of educational materials to help you better understand your diagnosis, learn about treatment options, and find strategies for maintaining your bipolar stability.
Mental Health America (MHA)
A reliable resource to guide you on your journey with bipolar, Mental Health America offers a wealth of helpful information. This includes detailed insights into symptoms, understanding the diagnosis process, exploring various treatment options, and practical strategies for day-to-day coping.
Through their website, they offer various tools, including online screening options, to help you identify potential bipolar symptoms, insightful articles about the mood disorder, and hosting educational webinars and podcasts.
Understanding the value of shared experiences and community in managing bipolar disorder, Mental Health America promotes its peer-support platform, Inspire. They also conduct public awareness campaigns to help reduce stigma and advocate for research to enhance our understanding and management of this diagnosis.
International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF)
A valuable support, the International Bipolar Foundation provides a range of educational tools, including informative webinars and detailed blogs to help you — and your loved ones — understand and manage your condition more effectively. If you’re newly diagnosed, they offer a free book to guide you through this journey.
Recognizing the importance of having people around who understand what you’re going through, the foundation maintains a list of support groups worldwide. One of their main goals is to help you connect with these groups and mental health professionals, ensuring you can always find the help you need.
In collaboration with global organizations and experts, the International Bipolar Foundation is dedicated to advancing research to improve our knowledge and treatment of bipolar disorder. They’re also active in raising awareness and reducing stigma through various campaigns, promoting greater societal understanding and acceptance. For anyone in a crisis, they list international suicide hotlines.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Dedicated to promoting mental health through research, education, and advocacy, the American Psychiatric Association offers valuable resources for individuals with bipolar disorder and healthcare professionals. They create guidelines that doctors use to diagnose and treat bipolar, ensuring that you’re getting care based on the most current knowledge and research.
They also educate psychiatrists and health providers about the latest findings and treatment methods for bipolar disorder, which helps keep your health team updated and well-equipped to support you.
The association also conducts research and advocates for policies and funding that improve mental health care. This work can lead to a better understanding and treatments for bipolar disorder in the future. You can find informative articles, webinars, podcasts, and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, all aimed at increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and improving overall care. If you need to find a psychiatrist in your area, consider trying their Find a Psychiatrist tool.
Mayo Clinic
This top U.S. hospital provides personalized care and support for people living with bipolar disorder, which includes everything from diagnosis to treatment. Mayo Clinic’s team of specialists, including those from their Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, work together to create a treatment plan designed specifically for you. This could include medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a mix of these.
Mayo Clinic provides educational resources to help you better understand your condition, manage your symptoms, and make informed decisions about your treatment. Plus, they offer support services like stress management assistance and help with any related school or work challenges.
They also have a comprehensive outpatient evaluation and treatment program at the Mayo Clinic Depression Center, along with the Mood Disorders Unit and the Mayo Mood Clinic.
And as part of their ongoing efforts to improve bipolar management, Mayo Clinic conducts research, which means you’d have access to the latest treatment options and may even be able to participate in clinical trials.
A rich source of information about bipolar disorder, they maintain an extensive collection of educational materials on their website, providing in-depth insights into the symptoms, causes, diagnostic process, and treatment methods related to the disorder.
The institute invests in research and clinical trials to improve how we diagnose and treat bipolar disorder, and evaluate new treatment possibilities. They also collaborate with other organizations to raise public awareness about bipolar disorder and reduce its stigma. This helps everyone, from the general public to healthcare professionals, to better understand and respond to the complexities of this mood disorder.
Additional Mental Health Associations and Organizations
The following additional organizations spread awareness and understanding about bipolar disorder, the treatment of clinical depression, and mental health, in general. If you seek additional information about bipolar disease and depression treatment for yourself, a child, or loved one, we encourage you to explore these websites:
United States
American Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry • aacap.org
America Foundation for Suicide Prevention • afsp.org
American Psychiatric Nurses Association • apna.org
The morning after you killed yourself, we went to secure the house. I knew immediately you suffered slowly. Among the papers, trash, and clothes and I found your lockbox. The divorce paperwork to my mother, every card I gave you as a child. I found the pad you were writing on. Your Bible on the coffee table, dried tears as you were reading Job in the Bible.
The note had 11:30 a.m. written in the corner. I could see you called your best friend and the phone number to a suicide line. There were words and a drawing that made no sense. Granny paralyzed, crying, asking why. The house ransacked, nothing anything made sense to her.
Dirty dishes piled high, nothing in the refrigerator, how did you live like this, how long? You phoned me several times in the months before your death. Delusional and highly paranoid each time. Someone was tapping your phone, they were trying to get you and the rest I could not understand, you were already gone. As much as I hated you, I cried, begged you not to kill yourself, trying to reason with him that Granny would never be the same. I paid your bills for months. You weren’t in touch with reality.
The outcome will not change if determined. I knew you would take your life and told no-one. I’ve wondered what went through your mind in the hours doodling to writing the note, then killing yourself. I received the call at 10:00 p.m., Gramps said your dad has done away with himself. I called right back to see if you were dead or going to the hospital.
The boxes of cassettes next to your bed, taking months to listen to. You were mentally ill, not under the care of a Psychiatrist, no medications. Your temper went 1-10 in seconds, obnoxious, loud, racist, screaming, out of control.
You had hit the bottom and I didn’t know because we were estranged,
I’ve experienced being suicidal more than once, God and my husband saved me. If you are thinking about suiside, call your Psychiatrist right away or go to closet hospital, be open with your doctor and follow all medications instructions, these actions may save your life. I’ve stayed in Psychistratic Hospitals multiple times, I had 21 ECT Treatments, and I feel no shame. My mental heath is critical to living a balanced life.
I am a huge animal lover who is concerned about climate change, mental health, helping others and enjoying life. How I look doesn’t matter, that’s the last thing I want someone to remember. I’m a whole person and it’s important to show who I am on the inside.
Whether you put on your cap and gown last week — or last century — these honest answers can give you some insight and guidance.
“If you don’t know what you want to do with the rest of your life, you’re not a failure. Give yourself time and get yourself experience to figure things out.” — Angela Duckworth (TED Talk: Grit — the power of passion and persistence)
“Although I think I already knew this back when I graduated from college, I didn’t do it enough: trust your instincts. Deep inside you, you already know what you need to do to pursue your goals. And just as importantly, do not seek permission to pursue your goals. Pursue them. Only by doing so can you show the world what you had in mind and get the support of others.” — Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado (TED Talk: To solve old problems, study new species)
“Don’t take yourself, your decisions, your outcomes or even your mistakes so damn seriously. There’s nowhere special to get to and no special accomplishment to check off the list. The moment is now; the place is here; the person is you. Make choices that make you feel alive. But here’s my advice about my advice — I couldn’t have possibly done this myself when I was a new college graduate because I was Wrapped. Way. Too. Tightly. This would have sounded like loosey-goosey hokum to me, and I’d have rolled my eyes and gone back to alphabetizing my soup shelf. Truly, what I wish I’d done differently during the past 20 years is enjoyed the ride and engaged in less hand-wringing over my decisions. I wish I’d trusted myself more, trusted the universe more, trusted the love and support of family and friends more, and realized this: ‘I’m enough, and it’s all going to be great.’ Because it has been marvelous.” — Casey Brown (TED Talk: Know your worth, and then ask for it)
“It’s okay to quit your first job — even if it was really hard to get it, it paid well, and everyone seemed to admire you for getting it. If you hate your job, you’ll be wasting your life acquiring skills, contacts and a reputation that you don’t want to use. The sooner you find something you love, the better.” — Tim Harford (TED Talk: How frustration can make us more creative)
“The world can only thrive when people know what they’re talking about. Find the thingthat makes you want to know what you’re talking about. Then talk about it.” — Ruth Chang (TED Talk: How to make hard choices)
“The advice that I wish I’d gotten when I graduated from college is: Pay attention to the difference between the quick hits of excitement that come from that first kiss of a new relationship or job and those feelings you get when you think about your strong connections with family or friends. Don’t get fooled by shiny things — that shine fades over time, while the gold of strong relationships never tarnishes. Remember the differences between these feelings to help you make decisions as you go forward.” — Judson Brewer (TED Talk: A simple way to break a bad habit)
“1) Your high heels are not too high, even if you are a scientist. Someday, your unusual shoe choice will be just the right height to carry you into prestigious research labs and important business meetings, and help you peer into a wasp nest and discover a microorganism that will change the beer-brewing world. Your heels are just right for your journey. 2) There can be great beauty and great utility in what at first evokes feelings of fear and disgust, so dare to explore. 3) Remember to stop and sniff the microbes. This will probably help you gain perspective, but it will definitely help you discover future microbial technologies.” — Anne Madden (TED Talk: Meet the microscopic life in your home and on your face)
“Regarding relationships of all categories (platonic, romantic, professional, etc.): Don’t let someone take up your emotional real estate if they aren’t paying rent.” — Sarah Kay (TED Talk: If I should have a daughter … )
“Never stop learning. When we graduate college and start our careers, we often understand that we have a lot to learn, so we approach our jobs with a learning orientation. We ask questions; we observe others; we know we may be wrong; and we realize we’re works in progress. But once we gain competence in our jobs, too many of us stop learning and growing. The most successful people — in work and in life — never stop deliberately continuing to learn and improve.” — Eduardo Briceño (TED Talk: How to get better at the things you care about)
“I felt a lot of urgency to ‘do good’ right out of the gate after college, working in nonprofits and government right away. I wish someone had urged me to build my skills instead, so I would have received mentoring on my professional performance and communication early on. Then, when I transitioned into the social good sector, I’d have had a good set of tools and habits to bring with me.” — Jessica Ladd (TED Talk: The reporting system that sexual assault survivors want)
“Graduation is a euphoric moment, but soon after, people often experience withdrawal symptoms. One reason is that your immediately accessible social network has been pulled out from under you, and entering ‘the real world’ means that you lose the effortless social interaction from dorm life, organized clubs and regular parties. Rather than feeling down, be intentional about maintaining and building a social world that brings out your richest self. And, when you hit your lowest points, in addition to turning to your strongest and closest relationships for support, have the courage to widen both your thinking and your networks as well.” — Tanya Menon (TED Talk: The secret to great opportunities? The person you haven’t met yet)
“Look for people’s inner worlds. Imagine their hopes and fears and what it feels like to be them. Seeing into other hearts can make you more effective in achieving personal and professional goals. It may also give you the comfort of remembering how deeply alike we all are.” — Bill Bernat (TED Talk: How to connect with depressed friends)
“I was the first to attend college in my family, so neither my parents nor my siblings could advise me on my graduate school or career plans. I heeded my inner calling and pursued two master’s degrees in information systems at same time, and it all worked out well. Remember: your best academic counselor and career advisor is your heart.” — Navi Radjou (TED Talk: Creative problem solving in the case of extreme limits)
“I know the anxiety-provoking notion that you have to specialize or you will never become successful is weighing heavily on you right now. There’s good news! It just isn’t true. You can do and be many things and still thrive professionally. Over the next ten years, you’ll meet amazing people who are doing all kinds of things, such as a programmer/comedian/author and a filmmaker/teacher/carpenter. It’s OK to be a complex, multifaceted person who doesn’t fit neatly in one box. In fact, it’s actually a lot of fun.” — Emilie Wapnick (TED Talk: Why some of us don’t have one true calling)
“Be less afraid of getting older — way, way less afraid. Our fears are way out of proportion to the reality, and we squander a ridiculous amount of our youth worrying about it.” — Ashton Applewhite (TED Talk: Let’s end ageism)
“Give yourself more time. So many college graduates immediately start wanting to make all their dreams come true at once — this can go wrong in many ways. The first is the frustration that you’re not ‘there’ yet. It’s going to take time to find (or build) your dream career. The second is burnout. If you find your career early, you can find yourself setting all sorts of unrealistic goals with arbitrary deadlines and chase them until you drop from fatigue. You can have it all — but not all at once.” — David Burkus (TED Talk: Why you should know how much your coworkers get paid)
“Whenever possible, get as uncomfortable as possible. Challenge yourself to get outside of your comfort zone regularly — spend time with people you deeply disagree with, read books about experiences you will never have, travel to places where you don’t speak the language, and take jobs in industries you’ve never worked in before. And if you feel yourself resisting, try again. Those experiences will help you build deep empathy, and we could all use more of that.” — Anjali Kumar (TED Talk: My failed mission to find God and what I found instead)
“Surround yourself with people who help you be the best versions of yourself. Avoid those who don’t. And get enough sleep.” —Lisa Feldman Barrett (TED Talk: You aren’t at the mercy of your emotions)
“When I graduated, I wish I’d known the research showing that future success doesn’t lead to happiness. I sometimes got paralyzed by the fear that happiness existed only if I found the perfect job, degree or position. In truth, the research is clear: happiness exists down almost any life path as long as you are grateful for the present, and develop meaningful relationships. Choose optimism and gratitude now and invest more in others, and happiness will be a lifelong advantage as you pursue your dreams.” — Shawn Achor (TED Talk: The happy secret to better work)
“You don’t have to pursue what you studied. I followed my heart, and now I’m happier and more satisfied with life than I could have ever envisioned. We kill ourselves looking for jobs in our fields of study, while there are a million other things we are able to do. I also wish somebody had told me money doesn’t equate to happiness. When you get a job and start working, don’t forget to live.” — Kasiva Mutua (TED Talk: How to use the drum to tell your story)
“You don’t have to do something extraordinary to lead a meaningful life; you don’t have to cure cancer, become an Instagram celebrity, or write the Great American Novel. Freud said that the meaning of life lies in love and work. So: In your relationships, lead with love. Be generous, be vulnerable, give of yourself to others, and don’t do the expedient thing just because it’s more convenient for you. Make the effort to put others first. In your career, find work that makes you proud and adopt a service mindset — remember how what you’re doing helps others, no matter how big or small the impact may be. Touching the life of just a single person is a powerful legacy to leave behind. Finally, make gratitude a part of your daily life; don’t save it for Thanksgiving. Every day, reflect on one or two things that happened to you which you’re grateful for. Not only will it make you happier, but it will also put you in touch with what really matters. Then, when you experience setbacks or hardships, it will also be a good reminder of how blessed you really are.” — Emily Esfahani Smith (TED Talk: There’s more to life than being happy)
“When you finish college and begin your first job or internship, you’ll be keen to learn all you can and impress your employer so you can start on the path to promotions and raises. But the important thing that you might not see amidst all this excitement is the great idea that could someday become a great business or entrepreneurial venture. I’ve found the most interesting employment that life offers is often something of your own creation that you do full time or in addition to your main job. So, after you graduate from college, take the time to identify a venture that you’d like to do by yourself or with friends, and start building it. One day, you’ll be glad you started early.” — Washington Wachira (TED Talk: For the love of birds)
“Move toward the light — toward people, activities, ideas that make you see more, that nourish you. Do this for at least five years. At that point, you can take stock and decide if you need to do some utterly practical, careerist, traditionally ‘wise’ thing. But give yourself a chance to follow your heart and your mind first. The best careers are built by people who have had a breadth of experiences on which to draw. Don’t get anxious if for a while your life seems to be made of a lot of fragments; in time, they will seem like facets of a diamond.” — Sherry Turkle (TED Talk: Connected, but alone?)
“That adage about pursuing things you’re passionate about does eventually pay off. When? No one knows. I suppose that’s why it’s a pursuit.” — David Sengeh (TED Talk: The sore problem of prosthetic limbs)
“It’s traditional at graduation to offer neat, packaged stories of triumph over difficulties. But life isn’t like that — it’s open-ended, subject to a million contingencies and constant change. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make plans. But it does mean you should be alert to all the changes in the world and in yourself that could render your plan suddenly obsolete, unattractive or perverse. Be open to change. Be prepared to experiment. Take risks. Keep learning. Make your life your own.” — Margaret Heffernan (TED Talk: Dare to disagree)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebekah Barnett is the community speaker coordinator at TED, and knows a good flag when she sees
This is not a question I’ve thought about before, I like to keep looking outwards. The favorite thing about myself is the ability to get up after being knocked down, the strenght within has brought me a happy life.
The tagline on my blog was Keep Moving Forward and that describes my general thought process. If we don’t move forward we stop growing and become stagnant.
I would love to talk with my granny for hours, asking all the questions that have come to mind after her death. I do talk with her but it’s a one-sided conversation for now but I know we’ll be together again.
I have many sentimental items placed around the house that would sting if they were lost in a fire but the most dear items I have are the photos of my grandparents, their parents, and those of me and my husband. Losing those would be devastating yet in the big picture items are not what we need to survive.
It is important to acknowledge that women’s stereotypes still exist and need to be challenged for us to promote growth. This blog post will discuss 5 of the most persistent women’s stereotypes and how they limit and reduce women’s potential.
We will also explain why it is important to break these clichés in order for us to continue to progress and promote gender equality.
This is one of the most common stereotypes about women, and it’s simply not true. Women are just as capable as men with cars, whether in terms of knowledge or skill. Many women have played a decisive role in bringing the automotive industry forward, such as Florence Lawrence, who created the brake lights, for instance.
Women are taking on DIY car repair projects and are becoming experts in their own right as much as men. Women are often seen as passive passengers, but the reality is that they can be just as involved and knowledgeable when it comes to cars.
The first step in breaking this stereotype is for women to become more directly involved and knowledgeable about cars. This can start with simply becoming more familiar with the specificities of their vehicles via the owner’s manual. You can also buy a manual online if there is none with your car, such as here for the Ford Transit Connect owner’s manual. Learning about basic car maintenance, researching car parts, and troubleshooting easy faults are steps supported by the manual that can dismantle this cliché.
Women Are Weak
The stereotype that women are weak has been perpetuated by society for centuries. This notion has been reinforced by the fact that biologically speaking, women have less muscle mass than men. However, this does not mean that women cannot be strong. In fact, with proper strength training, they can become incredibly strong. Take a look at some of the strongest women in history, starting with Abbye Pudgy Stockton, who balanced her husband above her head.
Women Aren’t Good At Math
The stereotype that women are not good at math has been around for centuries. Its origin dates back to the 1600s when it was believed that women did not possess the intellectual capacity to comprehend complex mathematical concepts. This idea was perpetuated through cultural beliefs and stereotypes that favored men in intellectual pursuits.
Ultimately, the stereotype that women are not good at math or science, in general, is both outdated and incorrect. Girls and women can be just as talented in mathematics as their male counterparts, but they may need more resources and encouragement to reach their full potential.
Studies have found no difference in intelligence or math ability between men and women. The same studies have also found that girls typically perform better than boys in elementary and secondary school mathematics courses. The real issue is that girls and women are often held back from pursuing careers in the sciences due to a variety of gender-based barriers. These include a lack of access to high-quality education, a lack of support from family and peers, and even a lack of female role models in the sciences.
Women Don’t Make Good Leaders
It’s time to break the stereotype that women aren’t good leaders. While it may be true that there are fewer women in leadership roles than men, this does not mean that women cannot lead effectively and successfully. History counts many successful female leaders, and countless modern businesses have also chosen female CEOs as their heads.
In fact, research suggests that women tend to have different qualities that make them better leaders. For example, studies show that women have greater emotional intelligence, which can be an advantage when leading a team. They are also more likely to focus on collaboration and communication, which helps to create an open and productive work environment. Additionally, research indicates that female leaders are more likely to be seen as nurturing and supportive of their employees, leading to higher morale and greater productivity.
Women Are Mothers
This is an important stereotype to break. More and more women choose against having children for a variety of reasons. They are often at the receiving end of harsh criticism. Social expectations have not evolved during the past centuries and continue to perceive women’s role as being a mother. Motherhood doesn’t define an individual’s purpose in life. Women can be anything they want to be, whether this includes being a mother or not. Not having children doesn’t make you any less of a woman.
Sisters, mothers, and besties, it’s time to unite our voices and break these stereotypes, one after the other.
A teacher, psychologist, crisis-line supervisor and others share their suggestions for what you can do.
Bullying knows no borders — it occurs in every country in the world — and its impact can last long after the incidents end. For National Bullying Prevention Month, we asked people from the TED community who have firsthand experience of the problem to offer their best advice.
1. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness …
“Don’t think that letting someone else know you’re being bullied or asking them for help is a sign of weakness or that it’s a situation you should be able to handle on your own. Going through it alone isn’t a sign of strength on your part, because that’s what the bully wants. They want your isolation, they want you to feel helpless, and if they think they got you in that position, then they’re often emboldened. That was a mistake I made as a kid. It made things worse. When you don’t reach out, you feel like nobody understands what you’re going through and nobody can help you. Those monologues in your mind start getting louder.” —Eric Johnson, sixth-grade teacher from Indiana and a TED-Ed Innovative Educator (TEDxYouth@BHS Talk: How do you want to be remembered?)
2. … And telling someone about being bullied is not snitching.
“Often, kids have this fear of what they call snitching. But if you feel significant stress when you come to school, if it’s too hard for you to come into the building, or if you have the fear that someone will bother you by saying something or touching you inappropriately, then you must tell someone. This is not snitching — you’re protecting yourself.” —Nadia Lopez, principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, The Bronx, New York (TED Talk: Why open a school? To close a prison)
3. Surround yourself with allies.
“Bullies tend not to want to bully someone when that person is in a group, so make sure you’re with friends, people you trust and connect with. Knowing you have defenders around you who will stand up for you can really help.” — Jen James, founding supervisor of the Crisis Text Line (Watch the TED Talk: How data from a crisis text line is changing lives from Crisis Text Line founder and CEO Nancy Lublin)
4. Try to pity, rather than hate, your bullies.
“I was bullied as a child, and I like to think the experience contributed to my sense of empathy. I want to see people treated with dignity, always. But for those who are being bullied, the key thing for them to remember is that bullying is not a show of strength but a show of weakness on the bully’s part. And if you can pity those who are bullying you — which I know is not so easy to do — then you can defend your inner self from their behavior.” —Andrew Solomon, professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University Medical Center and author of Far from the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity and The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression (TED Talk: Love, no matter what)
5. It’s possible to triumph over bullies in your own mind.
“Fighting back on the inside can be as important as what happens on the outside. There was a study of 81 adults who were held as political prisoners in East Germany. They were subjected to mental and physical abuse, and decades after release, about two-thirds of the prisoners had struggled or were still struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder; one-third of the prisoners had not. Why? The smaller group had fought back in their own minds. Even though they complied with guards and signed false confessions, they prevailed on the inside in ways no one could see. Secretly, they refused to believe they were defeated, and they imagined that, sooner or later, they’d triumph.” —Meg Jay, clinical psychologist and associate professor of education at the University of Virginia (TED Talk: Why 30 is not the new 20)
6. Focus on everything that’s great about you; others notice those things, too.
“If you’re being bullied, remind yourself of all the good and beautiful things about you. You, like most of us, are here to make the world a better place. Nobody is liked by everyone, so just because one bully or one group of bullies doesn’t like you doesn’t mean other people don’t see all your amazing qualities.” –Shameron Filander, sixth grade student and member of a TED-Ed Club in Capetown, South Africa
7. The traits singled out by your bullies are the ones that make you the wonderfully singular person you are.
“Bullies think and think about us to come up with various ways to make us feel down. But whatever reason you’re bullied for, that’s exactly what makes you unique! Do they call you fat? Correct them: you are not fat; you are just easier to see! Do they say you have a big nose? Tell them you breathe better than other people do! Everything about you is unique, like nothing else in the world.” –Donara Davtyan, college freshman and former member of TUMO TED-Ed Clubin Yerevan, Armenia
8. If you’re considering retaliating against your bullies, stop before you act.
“Pause for a moment, and understand that what you’re about to do or about to say can have long-range implications. What you do or say will be how you’re remembered. So think: how do you want to be remembered? As somebody who was kind or mean?” –Eric Johnson, teacher
9.If you ever witness someone being bullied, show them your support.
“This can be in the moment or afterwards, and it can consist of sending them a text, an anti-bullying emoji, or asking them to sit with you. Stepping into a bullying situation can sometimes be helpful if handled in the right way, but that’s not always right for each situation or each upstander.” — Monica Lewinsky, social activist (TED Talk: The price of shame)
Has your teen just passed their driving test? It can be an extremely exciting time for them. Being able to drive and having the independence that comes with having their own car can be exhilarating. But for parents, it can be a time of increased worry and stress. This is only natural, especially when statistics show that young drivers cause 16% of all fatal car accidents in the US.
However, there are many different ways you can help your teen driver as they embark on their driving career to not only put your mind at ease but ensure they are safe too.
Read on for some tips on how to help your teen as a new driver.
One of the best things when your teen starts driving alone is to stay calm. Whether you are with them or waiting at home. Remember how it felt to be a new driver, and use this to help boost your teen’s confidence. The more faith you have in them and their abilities, the calmer they will be on the road, with or without you. Remember, they have to pass a test and will have all of the basic skills and knowledge they need.
Talk About The Rules
There are driving rules and laws for a reason, and all of them ensure the safety of all road users. As a driver, your teen will now have to adhere to these laws. Keep your discussions out of the car; doing so while driving will only further distract them. Talk about the dangers of driving while under the influence, using a mobile phone when driving, and the number of distractions having passengers can cause. It can be a good idea to talk about their reaction to other drivers and how to react should they encounter road rage or other poor driving habits from other drivers on the road.
Car Maintenance
Maintaining a car is a great responsibility, and as such, having a good mechanic and some knowledge of the internal workings of an engine and components can serve them well in their driving career from teen to old age. A simple but essential step is to talk through all aspects of car maintenance, how their actions will affect the vehicle they are driving, and how safe it is. If your teen knows the common faults of the car they are driving and how to identify when something is wrong, they can call for help and be better prepared for breakdowns or getting repairs fixed quickly.
Car Safety
There is a lot involved in being a safe driver. Your teen needs to be safe on the road, but they also need to be confident that all their passengers and other road users are safe. Some of these issues might not be at the forefront of their minds for teens, especially in those first few weeks or months of driving, from the importance of everyone wearing seatbelts to the distraction of loud music and conversations to speeding and driving appropriately for different weather conditions. It can be a good idea to look into take an advanced driving class to improve their skills or ask them if they want you to ride them when driving after dark for the first time or in wet and windy weather conditions.
Emergency Responses
With nearly 20,000 car crashes daily on the roads in America, there is a high chance your teen may be involved in one at some point in their driving career or witness an accident. Knowing what to do should this occur can give them the tools they need to make the right decisions. From calling emergency services to documenting the scene and contacting their insurance company, these are vital tips they will need to know before an event, not after. Make sure they have all of their documents with them, are up to date with their insurance, have breakdown and recovery services they can contact, and know they can call you anytime in an emergency for help and support, not criticism.
Conclusion
Learning to drive is a rite of passage for many teens, and every driver can remember how it felt to finally get behind the wheel and onto the open road without relying on others to get from A to B. However, as parents, you can help your teen become a better driver by giving them the knowledge you have from your driving experience and the skills and tools they need to be a better and safer driver on the roads.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is significant to me because I have been assaulted. I know the pain and anger that followed; it took many years of therapy to work through the trauma. Women and men experience sexual assault, and it’s important to reach out for support to process your assault.
Every 68 seconds another American is sexually assaulted.1
1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed, 2.8% attempted).4
About 3% of American men—or 1 in 33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.4
From 2009-2013, Child Protective Services agencies substantiated, or found strong evidence to indicate that, 63,000 children a year were victims of sexual abuse.5
A majority of child victims are 12-17. Of victims under the age of 18: 34% of victims of sexual assault and rape are under age 12, and 66% of victims of sexual assault and rape are age 12-17.6
What was the survivor doing when the crime occurred?7
48% were sleeping, or performing another activity at home
29% were traveling to and from work or school, or traveling to shop or run errands
12% were working
7% were attending school
5% were doing an unknown or other activity
Most of the time, loved ones of survivors want to do anything they can to help— but aren’t sure what to do. Whether someone you love has disclosed to you already, or you just want to be prepared for the moment someone does, taking the time to proactively learn how to support a survivor as they disclose can make all the difference. When the time comes to support a survivor in your life, remember this important acronym about how to TALK. Learn more from RAINN’s Family and Friends Toolkit.
I know it’s difficult to reach out for support, but it’s the first step to dealing with the trauma and healing.
Mood stabilizers help keep my bipolar symptoms in check, but they still affect some areas of my life in unexpected ways.
In a previous blog, ‘6 Things I Didn’t Realize About Taking Antipsychotics’, I wrote about some of the impacts that taking antipsychotics can have on your life. But I don’t just take antipsychotics for my <a href=”http://DON’T GIVE UP, MARY! I have had so many bad days, weeks, months, and years even, but when you stick it out, things always get better–sometimes much better than you ever imagined. I encourage you to contact the SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE at 1-800-273-8255. They also have an online chat here: http://chat.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx. I’ve been in that space before, Mary, and it gets better. I PROMISE! Depression tricks us into believing the world is better off without us, but I PROMISE YOU, THE WORLD IS BETTER OFF WITH YOU IN IT! Please stay…and please stay in touch. bipolar disorder. I also take mood stabilizers. I have been taking mood stabilizers since my diagnosis, but it took two years to get the combination right.
I now take two different mood stabilizers and am happy to say that I am euthymic. Although I experience few side effects from mood stabilizers, taking these medications still impacts some areas of my life.
It’s worth noting that while mood stabilizer is a commonly used term among clinicians, it’s not an official classification of medication. For bipolar disorder, this category typically includes anticonvulsants and lithium.
1. Tremors
In the beginning, the tremors caused by my mood stabilizer really bothered me. I was on such a high dose of one particular medication that I had to choose between managing my maniaor dealing with wild tremors. It was frustrating, but at the time, the higher dose was necessary to keep my symptoms in check.
I remember being a student nurse on my mental health placement and meeting a young man my age who was on the same mood stabilizer. His tremors were so severe that they made daily tasks — eating, brushing his teeth, writing, brushing his hair, and even getting dressed — incredibly difficult. It took him so much effort just to do things most of us take for granted.
I had no idea then that, just a few years later, I would be struggling with the same challenges — while also trying to write a thesis and work as a nurse in the emergency department. The tremors exhausted me, and I was embarrassed by them. What was hardest was that I couldn’t play the piano or cello, something I truly love. On top of that, the constant tremors felt like a visible reminder that I had bipolar disorder.
Every time my dose was lowered, I would become elevated. During a particularly severe manic episode, I was prescribed an additional mood stabilizer. That second medication, combined with my original one, finally helped keep my mania at bay. More importantly, it allowed me to reduce the dose of my first mood stabilizer without destabilizing my mood. As a result, my tremors are now very mild.
It’s important to point out that the tremors caused by mood stabilizers are different from tardive dyskinesia, a potential side effect of antipsychotics. While both involve involuntary movements, they have different causes and feel distinct from one another.
2. Thirst
Need I say more? Mood stabilizers make you really thirsty. As I mentioned in my previous post, antipsychotics can cause a very dry mouth. Combine that with the thirst from mood stabilizers, and it’s not exactly a pleasant experience.
3. Regular Blood Tests
Some mood stabilizers can make you toxic if they’re over the therapeutic range. To measure this, routine blood tests need to be taken as the level of medication shows up in the blood. I don’t know how many blood tests I’ve had since commencing mood stabilizers, but there have been lots.
When first starting on mood stabilizers, blood tests have to be done very frequently while the dose is titrated up to a therapeutic range.
When I’ve been hospitalized for mania, I would get a blood test every morning. Once the optimal dose has been established for the individual, the blood tests become less frequent, but levels still have to be monitored. I usually get blood work done every two months, but if my dose changes, testing ramps up again.
When that happens, my Saturday morning routine begins with a trip to the local pathology clinic and for a blood test. Fortunately, I don’t mind needles, but I can see how this could be a real challenge for someone who does.
4. Fluctuating Blood Levels
Sometimes, the levels of mood stabilizers in my blood fluctuate. I can always tell when they get too high: I struggle to concentrate, I feel weak, my tremors worsen, and I experience nausea, dizziness, and hot-and-cold flushes.
The first time this happened, I had no idea what was happening to me. I was studying in the university library and seriously considered asking a colleague to take me to the hospital. I didn’t — but looking back, I probably should have. It happened a few more times before I finally made the connection that my medication levels might be too high. Blood tests confirmed it, and my psychiatrist adjusted my dose.
Now, it doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s always when I’m dehydrated — which makes sense since dehydration can increase blood levels. Because of this, I have to be extra careful when exercising or on hot days. If my levels spike, it can completely wipe me out for a day or two.
5. Minimal Side Effects
Aside from toxicity — which is extremely serious and requires immediate medical attention — I’ve been surprised at how few side effects I experience from mood stabilizers, especially compared to antipsychotics.
When my tremors were at their worst, I wouldn’t have said this, and I know not everyone has the same experience. But of the three types of medication I take for bipolar, mood stabilizers are the ones I prefer. I owe my quality of life and mentally healthy mind to them.
Sally lives in Victoria, Australia. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago when she was 22, however she has been dealing with extreme moods since she was 14. When she experienced her first episode of depression, she was too embarrassed to get help even though she knew that something was wrong. Throughout high school she battled depression after depression, each one getting worse. At university she continued to have depressive episodes and when she wasn’t depressed she was extremely happy, incredibly driven and unusually energetic. Everyone thought this was her normal mood, herself included and so the elevated times went unnoticed. The turning point was in her final year of university when she was referred to the university counsellor. She was diagnosed with depression but after many failed treatments she saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with type II bipolar disorder. However that quickly turned into a diagnosis of type I bipolar disorder after a psychotic manic episode. She is currently completing her honours degree in nursing and works as a nurse in the emergency department. She blogs for The International Bipolar Foundation and has written for several publications. She also volunteers for a mental health organization where she delivers presentations about mood disorders to high school students. Although relatively new to this world, she is passionate about mental health promotion and thoroughly enjoys writing about mental health.
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