We hear the term thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean to be “grandiose?”
Well, some people think that they are better than other people; some people think they cannot be understood by anyone else unless it’s someone very special who understands them. Some people feel that they have special capabilities, at times even entering the delusional—they think that they are the only person who can solve all of the world’s problems.
I always thought that living with a mental illness was the hardest thing I ever faced in my life, but coming out was just as hard. I struggled to discover who I really was and what I wanted. Was I bi-curious, bisexual, or lesbian? It was all too perplexing. Coming out of the closet exacerbated the severity of my mental illness. I wondered if God loved me even though I was bisexual.
In honor of Mental Illness Awareness week we interviewed Mental Health Advocate and motivational speaker Emily Wu Truong. Emily shares with us about her struggles with depression and anxiety, and how they led her to the work that she does now. Also in this issue, is the latest mental health column from Christine F. Anderson about fear and bipolar disorder.
I went to the psychiatrist this week and we discussed fear: fear as it pertains to causing paranoia and anxiety in bipolar disorder.
There are different types of fear. There are everyday-life apprehensions; there’s the fear of making a mistake, of upsetting someone, of not trusting your appearance.
For a newlywed who’s just returned from her honeymoon with hubby Wally Boyd, Skye Denison is surprisingly stressed out. Some of that can be attributed to their honeymoon cruise being unexpectedly crashed by their families, friends, and a murder. The married couple's professional lives are not exactly stress-free either, as their positions—Wally as police chief and Skye as school therapist/police consultant—have them both navigating a maze of local politics and relatives.
Why is it that bipolar individuals seem to alienate nearly everyone who cares for them?
I’m going to tell you why. Bipolar people tend to be known for a few things. We are artists when it comes to lying, we are suspicious (or most commonly referred to as paranoid, because we think that everyone lies to us the same way we lie to them), and we are moody. So it’s not so much that we are in a good mood or a bad mood; it’s more like a manic mood versus a depressed mood. That makes each person wonder on a day-to-day basis, just how you are going to be—and how they’re going to connect with whatever person they’re getting today.
If you are reading this, you’re either here because you are Bipolar or you love someone who is Bipolar. I’m not going to bore you with the details on what Bipolar Disorder is or the statistics. If you’ve come this far and you’re reading this, you probably already know what it is. All be it, you may not like it. That’s why we’re here…acceptance.
My name is Julie Lambeth Pitts, and I am the author of the recently released book Scar Wars Forged In Fright. This book is a very powerful read. Some of it is so sad and heartbreaking that at times I had to stop writing because the emotions were washing over me like tidal waves. You see, this is a story about a little girl who was physically, mentally, and sexually abused. This child was raped at eleven and again at sixteen because she did not think anyone would believe her, and so she never told. This child was me.
For better or worse, whether you are “on” it or not, there's no escaping Facebook. And while there are plenty of good reasons to use it, there are also some interesting themes arising that speak to the organic process of human experience. So, for all its pros and cons, let's not overlook Facebook's ability to work therapeutic wonders. It really is a fascinating study in human nature.
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with mental illness. Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May; it reaches millions of Americans through the media, local events, and screenings. It gives Americans an opportunity to replace stigma with hope by bringing much-needed understanding and education to others.
