Archive for ‘General’

  • Mental Illness Awareness Week
    Although I’ve been involved in a bipolar relationship for a number of years, I’ve only recently truly embraced my situation as an opportunity to not only better myself and my marriage but to share some critical information with others that are either in a similar situation now, or will be soon and they just haven’t been formally introduced to this...
    by Rich Wallace at October 7th, 2009 at 09:10 am
  • Bipolar: You Can’t Take it Personally
    In a previous post, I highlighted the importance of not taking blame for a loved one’s affliction with bipolar disorder. The more I research the supporting side of the illness, the more I see people willing to walk away from a potentially strong and loving relationship with someone with bipolar. From reading blog posts, forum discussions, direct interaction and...
    by Rich Wallace at October 1st, 2009 at 05:10 pm
  • My Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder, Now What?
    When one is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, unless the practitioner specializes in the disorder, the individual is sent out of the office with a pamphlet, a prescription or two and maybe a followup appointment or regularly scheduled psychiatric sessions and/or a psychological referral, if they are lucky.  From the point of view of a supporting loved one, unless you are...
    by Rich Wallace at September 30th, 2009 at 09:09 am
  • 5 Most Common Bipolar Disorder Triggers
    Bipolar disorder on its own is frustrating and confusing enough, then we have to include the causes and triggers that can possibly push our loved one into an episode, either manic or depressive, although these events may seem to be day-to-day tasks and considered trivial to the non-bipolar community. Although most episodes do not necessarily need a trigger in order for...
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
  • True vs. Manic Happiness
    Happiness, to the non-bipolar world, is under constant pursuit as to achieve a feeling of fulfillment, euphoria and peace with the world around us. We have a distinct and clear sense of when we are happy and when we are far from being happy, but we also know how to get back to this state when all is right with the rest of our environment. Too often, the non-bipolar community...
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
  • Why Bipolar Disorder Fights Dirty
    The individual didn’t ask for the illness, nor did they do anything to deserve being cursed with such a destructive attribute of their being. Regardless of how beautiful and warm-hearted its host is, however, bipolar disorder hates them and everybody associated with them and will do anything within its power to control, manipulate and consume the person it has leeched...
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
  • Recognizing and Resolving Anger
    Oftentimes, my wife will go into a downward spiral of uncontrollable and irrational bouts of anger triggered by any number of reasons. She plays the role of a stay at home mother and can typically do a good job of keeping herself in check with the daily stresses of running a household, other times, she’ll keep in constant contact with me via email or instant messaging...
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 09:09 pm
  • Supporting a Bipolar Mind
    During the infancy stages of bipolar disorder, the first episode is typically considered the worst for the bipolar individual, and as equally as traumatic and confusing to friends and family. Some cases, or types rather, of bipolar disorder, the first one or more episodes will display an extremely erratic set of symptoms that may last for days, weeks, months or even years....
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 09:09 pm
  • Amplified Anxiety
    We all have stress and have anxiety over unexpected challenges that we may be presented with. When one of our loved ones experience an anxiety attack and are already dealing with the complexities of bipolar disorder, the anxiety attack may be amplified to a level of which is hard to comprehend for their supporters and other acquaintances. For my wife, glimpses into my...
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 09:09 pm
  • It’s Not Your Fault
    If you haven’t been on the receiving end of a bipolar driven outburst from a loved one you are supporting, the event will surely be confusing and somewhat traumatic if you are not prepared for the event. After years of being a lone supporter of my wife and witnessing almost every possible curve her illness could throw at us, I’ve had to shift my defense mechanisms...
    by Rich Wallace at September 26th, 2009 at 09:09 pm
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