Depression Mania Bipolar Understanding Mental Illness and a Quote by Khalil Gibran

UPDATE: August 10, 2021 scroll down to the bottom of the article

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar experience high and low moods—known as mania and depression—which differ from the typical ups-and-downs most people experience, known as distimias.

Depression

The lows of bipolar depression are frequently so debilitating that patients are unable to get out of bed. Typically, people experiencing a depressive episode tend to have difficulty falling and staying asleep, while others sleep far more than usual.

When patients fall into depression, even minor decisions such as what to eat for dinner can be overwhelming and difficult. They tend to become obsessed with feelings of desperation, loneliness, loss, personal failure, guilt or helplessness; what is very worrisome is that this negative thinking can lead to thoughts of suicide.

A SHORT STORY BY KHALIL GIBRAN “The Asylum”

“So I decided to enter this asylum. At least here I can be myself.’ — Khalil Gibran

Mania

Most of the time, people in manic states are unaware of the negative consequences of their actions. With bipolar disorder, suicide is an ever-present danger because some people become suicidal even in manic states. Learning from prior episodes what kinds of behavior signals “red flags” of manic behavior can help manage the symptoms of the illness.

An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness

“But if love is not the cure, it certainly can act as a very strong medicine.” — Kay Redfield Jamison.

In the largest study of its kind, involving more than 50,000 subjects in 14 countries, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and more than 200 collaborating institutions have identified 20 new genetic associations with one of the most prevalent and elusive mental illnesses of our time — bipolar disorder.

Judging Others Hurts – Short Video with Sweet Loving Ending

“Things aren’t always what they seem. The first impression deceives many. The intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.” —Phaedrus

“The self-righteous scream judgments against others to hide the noise of skeletons dancing in their own closets.”
— John Mark Green

“Open your mind to the world and the many different ways that can be found in it, before making hasty judgments of others. After all, the very same thing that you judge from where you are— may very well be something totally different in meaning on the other side of the world. The problem with making hasty judgments is that it will emphasize your ignorance at the end of the day.”
— C. JoyBell C.

“Those who are critical don’t like being criticized, and those who are insensitive have a deficiency in their senses.”
― Suzy Kassem

“If you believe in yourself, everything is possible. Live the life of your dreams. Let it be!”— dramacn

Words of Wisdom: Mental Flexibility to Help You Thrive in Difficult Times

Contemplation by Professor Michele Lynn Pruitt

Today we face many changes, different ways of doing our daily chores, and huge differences in the way we purchase our necessities in life.

It was interesting to see the changes in just our phone habits in the course of a few short years: home phones to flip phones to iphones. Now our phones seem a part of us in ways never thought 20 years ago.

We wait in line to buy food, wear masks, don’t hug or shake hands and cannot see smiles.

Our best choice is to be flexible in this situation in order to survive.

Flexible, independent thinking will help navigate these uncertain times. Listening, learning, and making decisions that are best for ourselves is the way to make it.

Learning Wednesday: Depression And Brain Inflammation

Depression Can Cause Permanent Brain Damage!
Depression not only makes a person feel sad and dejected – it can also damage the brain permanently, so the person has difficulties remembering and concentrating once the disease is over. Up to 20 percent of depression patients never make a full recovery.

PROPOSAL SOLUTIONS:

The mere fixation on anti-depressants will not solve this problem as the inflammation is very probably not limited to the brain. Silent inflammation is becoming more and more visible as the driving force behind chronic diseases.
An anti-inflammatory lifestyle with antioxidant-rich nutrition, physical activity, and the avoidance of toxins must be the logical conclusion for starters.

Forgiving, is it really possible?

Forgiveness means different things to different people. Generally, however, it involves a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. Forgiving is good for our mental health.

The act that hurt or offended you might always be with you, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help free you from the control of the person who harmed you. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy, and compassion for the one who hurt you.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the harm done to you or making up with the person who caused the harm. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

Learning Wednesday: Panic Attack vs. Heart Attack How to tell the difference

The symptoms of a panic attack and a heart attack can be very similar, making it difficult to tell the difference.
If someone thinks they may be having a heart attack, they should seek emergency medical attention.
Having a heart attack also can cause someone to panic, which may make the situation more confusing.

Inspiration Monday: Depression Getting Rid of Negative Thoughts Part 2

Don’t let yourself wallow in negative thoughts. Not only is that unproductive, but it’ll only make you feel worse. Negative self-talk is something that most of us experience from time to time, and it comes in many forms. It also creates significant stress, not only to us but to those around us if we’re not careful.

By letting go instead of pushing, your mind opens up and stays more relaxed. This also keeps your mind open to receive different thoughts. In fact, it may take a little while for a newer, more positive thought to take root, especially if you have a long-standing habit of negative thinking. Have some patience as you gradually introduce your brain to more positive thinking.

Raising Awareness About Mental Health: Music Helps Fight Depression

Depression is a common problem that cause changes in mood and loss of interest and pleasure. Music therapy, an intervention that involves regular meetings with a qualified music therapist, may help in improving mood through emotional expression.

Music therapy seems to reduce depressive symptoms (e.g. maintaining involvement in job, activities, and relationships).

“There’s just something about music — particularly live music — that excites and activates the body,” says Loewy, whose work is part of a growing movement of psychiatrists, music therapists, and psychologists who are investigating the use of music in medicine to help patients dealing with pain, depression and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease.

I LOVE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CONTINUES MUSIC LISTENING!

“Music very much has a way of enhancing quality of life and can, in addition, promote recovery.”