The Top 10 Things I’ve Done Since Being Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
It’s time for some good ol’ Top 10 lists here at b5media’s Science & Health Channel, and I thought we’d step just slightly out of mental health-related topics for this one.
Just slightly.
Today, and in no particular order, I’m going to list:
The Top 10 Things I’ve Done Since Being Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
- Saved up the money to buy a new car. Well, new to me, ha.
- Developed my own Web site and furthered my freelance writing and editing career.
- Organized, launched into action, and continue to lead my county’s NAMI support group.
- Agreed to do - and did - a news special about the NAMI support group and mental health awareness in general.
- Was approached about doing some professional writing and editing for NAMI West Virginia, though I still need to confirm my interest, ha - withdrawing from Cymbalta sort of put a hold on everything.
- On that note, realized the importance of learning everything I can about a particular medication before blindly accepting it from a doctor.
- Survived one manic and one depressive episode.
- Successfully encouraged a close loved one to seek mental health help - successfully because a) he finally agreed, and b) is glad that he did.
- Became a vegetarian and stopped buying any products made of or tested on animals.
- Began learning more than I ever thought I would about mental illness. The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks helped that learning along immensely. (Note: I am not an Amazon Affiliate - I don’t make any money if you purchase the book or not. The link to her book is simply to encourage the rest of you to read it.)
Initially, and considering October is Health Literacy Month, I had other plans for this Top 10 list. However, I thought this version would be a better way of showing just how “normal” a person living with mental health issues can live. Life doesn’t end. We don’t just crawl up and die.
Now, tell me some of the things you’ve done or learned about yourself since being diagnosed with a mental illness.
POSTED IN: Bipolar Disorder, Inspiring News, Medications, Mood Disorders, Sites of Interest, Theme Days, Withdrawal
9 opinions for The Top 10 Things I’ve Done Since Being Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
Kristen King
Oct 16, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Great list, Alicia, and nice graphic. ;]
kk
b5media - The Science And Health Channel Brings You Community Wide “Top 10″ Lists…
Oct 16, 2007 at 1:41 pm
[…] Alicia at Mental Health Notes is very real as always, and that is why I love her, by letting us in on The Top 10 Things She Has Doe Since Being Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder […]
laura
Oct 16, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Alicia,
great list!
I 100% agree with reason # 6. I often leave my doctor’s office with a handful of literature (and a list of websites to check out) instead of a prescription. It may take a little longer to get things sorted out- but at least I get to make an informed choice. And I would much rather be safe than sorry.
Top 10 List Take 2- Come On Over And Check Them Out!
Oct 17, 2007 at 8:03 am
[…] Alicia at Mental Health Notes is very real as always, and that is why I love her, by letting us in on The Top 10 Things She Has Done Since Being Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder […]
ali
Oct 17, 2007 at 9:29 am
This post was such a good idea and is inspiring to anyone - whether they are living with a mental health challenge or not. Great job, on all of it! - Ali
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Oct 17, 2007 at 11:22 am
Thanks so much, ladies :)
james
Oct 17, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Wow, your illness has had some really positive outcomes. For me one of the main ones is slowing down. I’m living a much more balanced life spending more of my time on the things that I truly value.
alicia
Oct 17, 2007 at 11:09 pm
James, that is such a good point! Slowing down is very important, I found. Well, it was for me, and obviously it was for you, too. I won’t even get into the number of ways I’ve tapped or flat out slammed on my brakes - that’d be a book in itself, haha. But, once I finally did, it helped more than I ever imagined.
Mona Sax
Oct 20, 2007 at 11:25 am
nice
:)
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