The majority of people with bipolar disorder have experienced “bipolar anger,” a level of rage outside the “normal” range. But, what exactly is it? There are many types of anger associated with bipolar disorder. Putting aside stereotypes is difficult, however. Not every single angry episode can be attributed to mental illness. Just as people who like football have [...]
Learning to put an end to blaming yourself for bipolar disorder symptoms is not easy, but the benefits can last a lifetime. There are, of course, more than three ways to stop blaming yourself for bipolar disorder. This list is in no way exhaustive and I am in no position to say that any of [...]
A manic episode can be destructive and even dangerous, but NOT being manic can sometimes feel like a loss. When a person who has bipolar disorder reaches recovery, it means that the spectrum between depression and mania has been shortened enough to allow for “normal” functioning. In other words, there is no more bouncing between [...]
We’ve all heard about bipolar disorder mania & depression, but here is what everyday life is like for a person with bipolar. When writing about bipolar disorder, it is very easy to fall into the habit of discussing the more sensational parts of the illness. Mania, depression, and hypersexuality in bipolar disorder are all topics that I [...]
When it comes to bipolar disorder, what people don’t understand greatly outweighs what people do understand. The internet is filled with blog posts titled, “What I wish the world knew about . . .” and then filled in with something that, while seemingly common, like “being on food stamps,” is actually quite misunderstood. I love [...]
“My name is Gabe Howard and I have bipolar disorder.” I start many a speech that way because it gives the audience an idea of who I am, and why I am qualified to give a speech on the subject. But, if I were being honest, it really isn’t that descriptive at all. It doesn’t narrow [...]
The compulsions associated with hypersexuality can be as damaging as addiction. So, what exactly is it? I’ve long said that society discusses human sexuality less than bipolar disorder. I don’t mean pop culture sex talk, but openly and frankly discussing sex. Despite using half-naked models to advertise pretty much anything, we seem remarkably unwilling to [...]
Living with bipolar disorder presents a number of challenges, from the obvious – dealing with the depression, mania, and other symptoms – to the lesser understood challenges – such as discrimination, managing medical care, and handling family concerns. It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone that living with a life-long and chronic illness is going to [...]
Transcript For “No Apology, I’m Mentally Ill” Video Q: Why do I have to apologize for things that I did when I was really symptomatic? I was sick, it’s not my fault! People bring this up to me a lot. For some reason, they think if you have a symptom of an illness, that you [...]
Talk Back: What suggestions can you share to help a reluctant person see a therapist? What techniques have worked on others or worked on you? There are no wrong answers and please read the comments to look for inspiration. Thank you, Gabe “Loved One Therapy” Video Transcript I get asked a lot how people can talk their [...]
