An Experimental Life

In my last essay on this topic, I discussed the futility of telling someone with a mood disorder to snap out of it. Eventually we'll get to treatments, coping, and other stuff for people with mood disorders like bipolar disorder and unipolar depression and their friends and family, but first, I want to talk about what it's like from the inside.  read more »

(This is the first part of what will eventually be a series of essays on bipolar and unipolar disorders, including treatments, both synthetic and homeopathic, and tips on coping with these illnesses for both sufferers and their friends and loved ones.)

Mental illness is often misunderstood and stigmatized, which is one reason I'm very open about having bipolar disorder (also called manic depression)--As long as people are ashamed of mental illness, the stigma will continue. Our illness does not define us, but it is a part of our daily lives, and those close to us (or who want to be close to us) need to understand our illness to deal with us, just as we need to understand and learn how to deal with them and the things that affect their lives.

Here is part one of what friends, family members, and loved ones need to know about mood disorders like bipolar disorder (manic depression) and unipolar depression.  read more »