If This is High Functioning..?
Since being officially diagnosed as bipolar in my late twenties (no on ones’ surprise) I have been described as “High Functioning” by three different psychiatric professionals. The first was the psychiatrists that gave me my official diagnoses and first medication. I liked him. He understood that as a creative I had a slightly different take […]
If It’s Not One Thing
Last week I went to the optometrist because the UV coating on my glasses was peeling off. This was annoying, to say the least. It made the lenses blurry and it’s coming into summer and any and all UV protection is very important in New Zealand. I have terrible vision to begin with. I’m incredibly […]
Social Anxiety and Trying To Not Screw Up My Kid
For two hours every week my kid is in a preschool Maori Language play group. It’s a great little program. The kids sing songs, listen to stories, have snack time and a free play time all designed to encourage language skills, social skills, and cultural awareness. I hate it. It is the worst two hours […]
The Manic End of Manic Depressive or Why I Have a House Full of Jam
Those lacking personal experience with Manic Depression or Bipolar Disorder often assume that the opposite side of the depressive bit is Happy. Manic is not happy. Manic is fast. Manic is the brain refusing to shut down, rest, or relax no matter what the underlying emotion is. Manic might be happy but it isn’t a […]
It’s Like Living with a Monkey – My Grand Personal Analogy for Mental Health, Treatment, and Getting Through the Day
It’s like living with a monkey. Not one of those cute helper monkeys, or even one of those little plague monkeys from the movies. It’s living with a big, angry, wild, possibly rabid, monkey. It spends every day throwing shit at your walls. It pulls all the dishes from the cupboard and smashes them on […]