Category Archives: All Aboard the (Bi)Polar Express

Let The Games Begin

It’s a little early for the spring festivities to start, but with the nice weather we had last week I’m not only out of the depression, I feel like I’ve been CATAPULTED out of the depression. While I wouldn’t call this hypomania, I can feel something like it stirring under the surface, manifesting itself in aContinue reading “Let The Games Begin”

The Last Visit

Well, the long-dreaded parting with my psychiatrist has finally happened: thanks to my insurance, which will only pay for care received in my county of residence, yesterday was my last visit with Dr. Awesomesauce. And all I can say is I’m thankful I’m not in crisis at this point, because I’m not fond of the idea of getting my mentalContinue reading “The Last Visit”

Going Inpatient: One Year Later

I will never again be able to think about Halloween without remembering where I was on October 31st, 2014. I’d written a short post here saying that I’d hit bottom and was going to the hospital, then after my psych eval I sat in the “safe room” in the ER for six looooong hours waitingContinue reading “Going Inpatient: One Year Later”

Shower Power

And now, a few words on a subject bipolar people don’t like to talk about: our reluctance to shower. I honestly don’t know what it is about performing personal hygiene that’s so hard, but it’s a real phenomenon among many of us, especially when we’re depressed. It just seems like too much of a bother. We’re not afraid ofContinue reading “Shower Power”

Even More Things I Wish People Knew About Bipolar Disorder

1. The vast majority of us are non-violent. The media seem to love targeting the mentally ill by insinuating that almost everyone who commits a heinous crime has some sort of psychiatric problem. I’ve ranted on this topic elsewhere in this blog (check out “Bipolar and Off His Meds” if you want to read myContinue reading “Even More Things I Wish People Knew About Bipolar Disorder”

More Things I Wish People Knew About Bipolar Disorder

1. Not everything has to do with bipolar. We have bad days just like everyone else. We get mad, sad, frustrated, upset, but it doesn’t have to be due to our illness. In fact, it’s kind of patronizing to accuse us of having a mood swing when we’re really just having a crappy time of it. We are allowedContinue reading “More Things I Wish People Knew About Bipolar Disorder”

This Is The Life!

Day Six of the Geodon experiment: so far, so good! My brain has not missed the 20 mg to date, and I’m feeling hopeful. One baby step at a time. Which brings to mind the fact that I’ve been in remission for five months now, with a couple of very minor hiccups when the cherry blossoms first made theirContinue reading “This Is The Life!”

Great News!

I have been putting this off for weeks, fearing the worst, but I finally called Dr. Awesomesauce’s office today to find out if they accept Medicaid (which is the health insurance program for the poor). At first the receptionist told me they aren’t contracted with Medicaid, but then she asked me if I was withContinue reading “Great News!”

A Not-So-Happy Anniversary

Strange as it may seem,I have a habit of marking the dates of all kinds of occasions, not just cheery events like weddings and birthdays. Such is the case with today being the day I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Three years, countless med changes and a hospitalization later, I’m on much firmer footingContinue reading “A Not-So-Happy Anniversary”