What I Want Someone Who ’s Overwhelmed with Their Mood Disorder to Know

You have depression, or bipolar disorder. And on some days, you feel like you’re treading water—at best. You’re tired of struggling. You’re tired of regularly feeling tired. You’re angry that your to-do list just keeps getting longer and longer. You’re angry that you have to deal with so much darkness day in and day out. Some days are just hard. Some days you feel so overwhelmed. It is on these days that you probably feel like the only person on the planet who’s struggling with persistent symptoms. Thankfully, you’re not. And thankfully, it will get better. We asked individuals who live with depression or bipolar disorder to share what they’d like others who are feeling overwhelmed with these same conditions to know. Most of the individuals are speakers from This Is My Brave, a fantastic nonprofit organization that hosts live events and aims to “end the stigma surrounding mental illness through storytelling.” Get treatment. T-Kea Blackman, a mental health advocate and speaker who lives with depression and anxiety, stressed the importance of seeing a therapist who can help you identify triggers, learn healthy coping tools, and set boundaries, along with a psychiatrist if you need to take medication. (For bipolar disorder, both medication and therapy are vital.)  Blackman emphasized not getting discouraged if the first or third medication you try doesn’t work, or the first or third therapist you see isn’t a good fit. “It can take time to fin...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Bipolar Depression Disorders General Inspiration & Hope Self-Help Mood Disorder overwhelm peer support Source Type: blogs