It’s back-to-school season, so with this post I thought I’d provide some tips for starting fresh. This advice is applicable not only to students but also to working people and anyone starting or restarting something. 1. Develop a routine. Think of things that you’ve got to get done regularly and build them into your calendar – even simple yet important […] The post Fresh Starts appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

As it relates to breastfeeding versus formula feeding, you’ve probably heard that breastfeeding is the preferred way to feed your baby. You may have also heard the phrase, “fed is best,” meaning that regardless of how you feed your baby, he or she will be fine so long as there is food in that tummy. I’m not here to argue […] The post Pour from a Full Cup appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

Taking care of my mental health looks different depending on the day. On the days that I work, my mental health does suffer a bit. That is primarily due to the environment and the long hours. Taking breaks when possible is helpful. I work 12-hour shifts at a hospital, and if I work those shifts back to back, I am […] The post Give Yourself Some Grace appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

Financial burden is a barrier to health care and mental health care is no exception. This goes for both the uninsured and the insured. As a result of what I later learned was bipolar disorder, I was without health insurance for about four years while I recovered and essentially started my life over. I was able to find affordable mental […] The post The Cost of Effective Mental Health Care appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

I remember sitting in my apartment one night and getting a call from a good friend of mine. He was ready to take his life, but ultimately he didn’t. At least not that night. It would be about another six years before he completed suicide. June is men’s health month, and that includes men’s mental health, which is largely overlooked. […] The post Men’s Mental Health and the Loneliness Epidemic appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

Planning is a big part of managing bipolar disorder, from scheduling your days and developing a routine to creating a crisis plan that prepares others help you in your time of need. I resumed therapy last month. Nothing new occurred to prompt this. Instead, I have been trying to find practical ways to manage anxiety and to ground myself. I’ve […] The post Creating a Reasonable Accommodations Plan appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

When I was still early in my first trimester of pregnancy, one of my great mom friends told me that parenting begins before your child is born. As I progressed through my pregnancy, I learned firsthand what she meant by that and also that she was right for saying it. Think about it: Growing a whole human being inside of […] The post Parenting Yourself with respect to Health Care appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

Bipolar disorder is a complex and unpredictable mental illness affecting millions worldwide. Those with bipolar disorder endure intense mood swings that can swing between the depths of severe depression to the heights of euphoric mania. The manic episodes can bring forth feelings of overwhelming joy and excitement, accompanied by a surge of energy and a decreased need for sleep. However, […] The post Maintaining Stability with IPSRT: How it Helps Manage Bipolar Disorder (A Guest Post by Dr. Joann Mundin) appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

Mental health is a critical aspect of overall health and well-being. With the rise of stress and anxiety in today’s fast-paced society, finding ways to improve and maintain mental resilience is becoming increasingly important.  Boxing is a high-intensity physical activity that has been shown to positively impact mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and increasing self-esteem and confidence.  In […] The post The Impact of Boxing on Mental Health: Improving Resilience in Life (A Guest Post by Richard Sison) appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more

As a former facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Connection Recovery Support Group, I began each meeting by reading a list of objectives provided by NAMI. One of the objectives states: Understand that mental health conditions are no one’s fault and can be traumatic experiences. To be clear, not everyone who lives with mental illness has experienced […] The post Healing from Trauma takes Work appeared first on The Bipolar Buzz ..read more