It has been an interesting week for The Bipolar Writer. To be honest, it’s been a long month. I am working on some of my anxiety, and I have been so busy I needed a day off yesterday. I think it did me some good, and at the same time, it didn’t really help me.
I talked to my therapist this week which helped now that she up to speed. We made the decision to work on my panic attacks first before we tackle the issues with my social anxiety. It makes sense. I need to get my panic attacks back under control. It is never easy but I am hopeful looking towards the next few weeks. It is a good thing that February is a short month.
With that said here is the wrap-up of the last week on The Bipolar Writer.
My Depression is Not My Story
This first blog was by Alan Wolfgang one of the contributor writers here on The Bipolar Writer blog. In this post, Alan chronicles some of his experiences with depression. In this piece, he also talks about his experiences with suicide. It is a good read especially at the end where the author shares his thoughts about being glad that he is still alive.
A Time To Let Go
This blog post is a talented contributor writer Kilee Goecke about love and when it is time to let go when someone doesn’t love you back. It’s a great piece about life and moving on, something everyone with a mental illness can relate to. I especially like this quote from the piece:
“There is so much more life out there. Happiness, friendships, and open doors. Go seek them out, feeling confident you gave it your best. Because in the end, you didn’t lose, they did.”
Is It Really That Bad?
I have been featuring over the past few weeks the expansion of The Bipolar Writer blog, and this blog post is from another talented contributor— Chelsea Owens. This is a very thought-provoking piece. It opens up in a great way with a question.
“Throughout my life, I’ve wondered if I have or will have a mental illness. How would I know?”
This is a really great piece where Chelsea explores this very important question that we all face. This is a great piece by a great contributor writer for my blog.
Making Changes, Again
In my life, I often overdo things. I am always working my ass off because, well I lost so many years. In this Bipolar anxiety filled life that I live it is all about the adjustments that I have to make to move forward. I have been dealing with increasing anxiety and panic attacks. In this blog post, I explain some of the changes I have made this week.
Music That Changes my Mood – Part 13
This is another great edition of music that changes that mood. It features some of my music from my playlist of music that changes my mood.
Sorry, That Doesn’t Fit With my Schedule
In this blog post by contributor, writer Belababbles talks about a recent appointment with her psychiatrist in the throes of a manic episode. In this blog post the contributor author talks in depth about self-care. Here is an excerpt from the post:
“Self-care is so incredibly important. When we nourish our minds and bodies they are in a much better place to care for us. There are so many things/activities/acts that can qualify for self-care. Wearing a nice dress and doing your makeup. Getting a message. Going for a walk. Making a good, nutritious dinner. Taking a shower. All these things count as self-care.”
The Thoughts of a Depressed Mind
Another great post from contributor writer Alan Wolfgang. In this post, he shares his thoughts on depression and what it means to actually live through a really tough depression episode. Here is an excerpt from the post
“My brain is usually an endless stream of thoughts like this, and it is always very tiring. I think it’s probably one of the greatest strengths in my writing because it allows me to write as the story flows through my head. I mean at times it’s wonderful. But, I’m sure you can imagine what this was like at the rock bottom of my depression.”
What it Has Meant to me to Expand The Bipolar Writer
In this post, I talk about my expansions of The Bipolar Writer blog since its inception. It has truly been an amazing journey to see my blog grow over the last six months and in this post I talk about the possibilities that are in store for my blog.
Victoria’s Interview Feature
In my only interview feature blog post this week I explore the journey of Victoria. In this blog post, I explain a new subject never before talked about on The Bipolar Writer Blog— Victoria’s Struggle With Vaginismus. It has lead to depression and anxiety in her life. It was such a great feature to share on my blog. Here is a quote from the blog post:
“After having sex for the first time. I discovered excruciating pain that went along with it,” she explains. “I did a Google search and “vaginismus” came up.”
Masquerade
This blog post was a poem written by contributor writer Alternativesunnydays. In the poem, it talks about a range of topics all related to anorexia, mental illness, depression, and self-acceptance. Here is a couple of stanzas from the poem.
i simply saw dark circles and ugly ribs
and a confused little girl who needed to confront her demons
before they destroyed her soul
the same way they had killed her body
so instead of fighting for frailness
and holding on to the illness
that had for so long pretended to be my friend
i finally began exposing the voices that haunted me
Depression & Dave Chappelle
In this blog post from the talented contributor, writer Blogsfromthedge talks about David Chappelle and his genius, and also his struggles with depression. It seems it is very common among comedians. Here is an excerpt from the blog post:
“I think oftentimes in the mental health community we are too quick to overlook the different faces of depression. Chappelle may not have clinical depression (don’t quote me on that) but he sure as hell wasn’t/isn’t experiencing heaven on earth. This type of depression is something he carries with him because of society. The heaviness weighed him down so much that he had to walk off stage.”
Why I Don’t Regret My Suicide Attempts, and Neither Should You
Suicide is such hard topic to discuss, but in the same breath, I can’t express the need for the topic to be discussed. Alan Wolfgang this week shares his own thoughts about his suicide attempts and why he doesn’t regret his past. It is agood way of thinking because those of us who have survived suicide know that it never ends there, we will be living with our past. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Here is an excerpt from the blog post:
“But the truth of the matter is that I do not regret attempting to take my own life. What’s done is done, I can’t ever take it back. So I’ve moved on and learned through each experience. I’ve come to realize, that when it comes down to it, I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t tried to kill myself. That I wouldn’t even really be who I am now.”
An Update on My Social Anxiety Life
This small post is just an update about my current struggles with my social anxiety and where I go from my latest struggles. Social anxiety is my major life theme of 2018 and it is important to me to update how things are going. It seemed this was just the start of my social anxiety posts this week.
The Scars of My Past
In this post, I talk a little bit more about what self-harm has been like in my life. I really liked the responses to this post as so many of my fellow bloggers shared theirs on experiences with self-harm. I am so glad that this post received such positive sharing of stories because it is an important subject to discuss.
Lemons and Lemonade
This another great post from my contributor writer Bellababbles where she talks about when life gives you lemons. Here is an excerpt that I thought would explain the blog post perfectly:
“There has been a saying, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade!” Of course, it is not saying to make a glass of lemonade when something bad happens (unless that helps you deal with the situation). It is metaphorical in that it suggests that when we are given something that is sour, damaged, misleading or not what we expected, to turn it into something that is sweet, enjoyable and that has more of a positive connotation to it, like lemonade. More or less, add sugar to a sour situation and make the best of it.”
Live Blogging Anxiety and Panic Attack
This was an interesting blog post. I had gone out of my comfort zone and went out during my worst time that my anxiety peaks (between 4-7 pm.) It was interesting because I had a panic attack but recovered quickly. It once again started in my car.
Dark Fantasies
This blog post was a short story about depression from contributor writer Alan Wolfgang. It is a short story but it is very interesting.
Holidays and Kids
In this blog post by Kilee Goeke talks about a tough week in her mental illness struggles. Here is an excerpt from the blog post:
“Then, later in the week my youngest son, only 17, signed up and got sworn into the United States Marine Corps. He leaves either April or May. When did my baby grow up? To hear your child say the words “I swear to protect my country from all enemies, foreign and domestic…” (rephrased) that’s pretty hard to hear as a mom. My older two also went into the Marine Corps. While I couldn’t be more proud of them, it’s tough being a Marine mom. Very tough.”
That is it for this week. It has been a busy one for The Bipolar Writer blog. It has been good is of contributor writers and my own musings this week. I think it will be really great to see what new and exciting topics we discuss this week.
James Edgar Skye
Photo Credit:
unsplash-logoEster Marie Doysabas
The Bipolar Writer Mental Health Blog 
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