Blogs
I’m worn out from my borderline personality disorder pushing me into hyperproductivity and distorting my sense of mental wellness. I used to think my worth was tied to my output, but now I see that this endless chase for productivity is actually undermining my mental health, leaving my mental wellness more fragmented.
Living with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. The recurring episodes of consuming large quantities of food quickly, often to the point of physical discomfort, were accompanied by overwhelming feelings of shame and guilt. Unlike other eating disorders, BED doesn’t involve purging, excessive exercise, or fasting, making it feel even more isolating.
I’ve been driving to my intensive outpatient program (IOP) five times a week despite my schizoaffective anxiety about driving. It’s not a very far drive, but it’s a start. Here’s how I have been able to beat my schizoaffective anxiety and drive to the IOP.
A little over four years ago, I came across an opportunity to write about a topic that I have been passionate about for quite some time. The chance to write for HealthyPlace was exciting and so important to me, but at the same time, it was a bit daunting knowing that I would be sharing a part of myself with an audience of readers that I didn’t know. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
Have you ever wondered how to practice self-care when your therapist is away? As someone taking a break from therapy, this question is often on my mind nowadays. While it is possible to get by without your therapist, the ultimate goal is to thrive and not just survive. To do so, regular self-care is essential.
Eating disorders can normalize dysfunction to the point where it starts to feel comfortable, even when it's miserable—but the road to healing breaks that cycle of mess and misery. During those years I spent under the influence of anorexia, suffering was my baseline. I resented this pain, but I also pursued it, like a magnetic pull into the chaos that seemed predictable, familiar, and secure because it was all I knew. Healing showed me an alternative in which mess and misery are no longer the constants, and inner peace is attainable, no matter the circumstances.
For much of my life, I struggled with my mental health, and my self-esteem suffered deeply as a result. Anomalous thoughts and perceptions shadowed my every step, draining the color from my world and leaving me feeling isolated and insignificant. One day, however, I discovered a tool that helped me find a way out of that darkness: ecstatic dance. This form of creative expression brought unexpected joy and a newfound sense of self-esteem into my life.
Navigating dating as a young adult in college is challenging enough, but adding the complexities of managing bipolar disorder turns it into an even more intricate balancing act. I went through my first breakup when I was eighteen, and due to the emotional toll, I decided to take a break before I attempted to date again. At nineteen, I had my first manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar 1. The emotional toll of processing the trauma related to that manic episode was much worse than the breakup. As a result, I began to fear adding dating back into the equation while my mental health still seemed out of control. I also feared that nobody would be able to understand me after this experience. I became so avoidant towards dating that I did not go on another date until I was manic four years later.
Many times during treatment, you may have to consider whether to change your bipolar medication. This is a complicated question and a personal one. The answer varies from person to person. If you're considering changing your bipolar medication, here are some things to think about.
Gambling addiction is a battle fought largely in silence, but recovery support groups can change that. The shame and stigma associated with the addiction make it hard for most to open up about their struggles, making recovery even more difficult. One of the tools that has been truly helpful in my journey is participating in recovery support groups.