by Muffy Walker
Stigma, although powerful, does not have to be inevitable. Countries around the world are joining forces to combat stigma and its harmful effects. Anti-stigma campaigns, legislation, public education, mobilizing communities in anti-stigma efforts, and personal commitments to end stigma are all underway. Changing the belief systems of those who inflict stigma is only one aspect to producing change, the second of which is to challenge the internalized negative beliefs of the stigmatized.
by Muffy Walker
Webster’s Dictionary defines stigma as “any mark of infamy or disgrace; sign of moral blemish; stain or reproach caused by dishonorable conduct; reproachful characterization.”
by Jesus Ibarra
If you saw the trailers for Silver Linings Playbook, you probably thought you would be getting another raunchy romantic comedy starring two of the hottest actors right now: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. Well let me tell you these trailers were completely misleading. I am not the biggest fan of rom coms, but I loved the talent involved with this movie. Aside from the leads, the film also includes Robert DeNiro, Jackie Weaver, and Julia Stiles.
by Lorie Lewis Ham
When I saw Britney Spears on the news on a gurney with paramedics, sirens blaring, a team of policemen, two helicopters, chaos, and a lot of paparazzi and she was placed on a 5150 my heart was breaking and tears filled my eyes. I said to myself, “Oh my God! Even a pop princess can have a mental breakdown.”
by Muffy Walker
As 2012 comes to an end, and a new year awaits, millions of us around the world will formulate our New Year’s resolutions. In fact, according to Statistic Brain, about 52% of Americans will make resolutions.
by Muffy Walker
For some, the holiday season is a time filled with great joy, family gatherings, gift exchanges, and festive parties, but for others, it can be a time of stress, disappointment and loneliness. If you have a mental illness, the holidays may be especially unsettling, and in some cases, destabilizing.
by Muffy Walker
Founded by four mothers with children who have bipolar disorder, IBPF is a not for profit organization based in San Diego, CA and present in over 25 countries. The mission of IBPF is to fund scientific research; to enhance and promote care and support services; and to erase associated stigma through public education.
by Ashley Brandon
Suicide. Scary word, right? Every year over 36,000 people take their own lives. Every 15 minutes someone commits suicide in the United States alone. That’s a little over one hundred people a day and that does not include failed attempts.
by Muffy Walker
As we approach National Suicide Prevention Week September 9-15, and World Suicide Prevention Day September 10, we wanted to share some articles dealing with the issue of suicide and mental health. So we share with you this article by Muffy Walker of the International BiPolar Foundation about stigma of mental illness & how suicide touched her life, and an interview with To Write Love On Her Arms. Learn more about what you can do to make a difference during National Suicide Prevention Week and beyond, check out this website & the website for World Suicide Prevention Day.
by Deborah Harter Williams
TNT’s new series Perception (Monday night, 10 p.m.) stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as Dr. Daniel Pierce, a likable neuroscience professor with paranoid schizophrenia who helps FBI agent Kate Moretti (a former student played by Rachael Leigh Cook) solve crimes. Sure he has hallucinations, but they bring messages from his subconscious to help him spot clues that a normal mind would miss. Perception was behind only Dallas and its 6.9 million viewers among summer debuts and tied the Rizzoli & Isles‘ season opener.
by Sandra Levy Ceren, Ph.D.
A woman worried about falling asleep had taken a highly advertised sleep medication after embarking on an overseas business trip. Seated in first class, she had awakened shocked and embarrassed to find herself sprawled, clutching hands with a sleeping stranger—a male passenger reclining next to her. Her clothes were in disarray—panties on the floor, bra open. She had no memory of anything that happened after she had swallowed the medication.
by Lorie Lewis Ham
Over the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of seeing here in the Valley the productions of three Tony Award winning and incredible musicals! One of those was Next To Normal presented by StageWorks Fresno. I had seen this show before presented by a touring company in San Jose with some of the original Broadway cast, so I was very excited to see it again.
by Lorie Lewis Ham
This week author Maricela Estrada joins us with a guest post about her struggle with bipolar disorder. We also have a review of her memoir, Bipolar Girl and instructions on how to enter to win a copy at the end of this post.
by Emily Durbin
& Sherry Walling
The broader umbrella of a self-defeating or self-sabotaging pattern includes a fear of success, a fear of failure, a fear of disappointing others and the relatively new construct called the “Imposter Phenomenon”.
