Wow, what a surprise!

A couple days ago I got an email from WEGO Health (if you don't know them yet you should check out their website and their facebook page. They are awesome). Well, I frequently get emails from them but this one was different because... Drum roll . . . . . . I was nominated for the Best Kept Secret Award in the 2012 WEGO Health Activist Award It has been quiet around here bit if you miss me, come join me on facebook! I would love to see you there.

Imagine my surprise

Once again, I have neglected the blog. Life just tends to get in the way and I get so busy that while I think of making a post, before I get to it, I forget. The last entry I made was back in May. So what brought me back? If you look a little further down the page you will see a 'Review Me' widget. Imagine my surprise when I received not one but two emails yesterday saying that I had new reviews. The last one I had gotten before that was in the summer of 2010. With some dread I went to check out these reviews thinking it would be about how the blog has been dormant for way too long. Yet when I read them, they were nothing what I expected. I don't know who the two of you are that left those reviews but from the bottom of my heart, a HUGE thank you. Knowing that people still find my blog and that it is helping them in some way is why I originally started doing this. If you still follow me here and have not joined my little facebook community, please come join us over there as well. I would love to have you there.

Money, money, money...

One of the many symptoms of bipolar disorder can be spending sprees, couple that with another symptom (poor impulse control) and you have the potential for disaster. There have been some cases like the recent one of Millionaire Ed Bazinet that have made the news just this February. Ed Bazinet "one of New York City's wealthiest men went on a manic five-day spending spree, reportedly buying more than $20 million in throw pillows, furniture and wall art before checking himself in to a psychiatric clinic." *

This is an issue all to common to those living with bipolar disorder. While we have nowhere near the money that Mr Bazinet has, we have had our fair share of spending sprees. For L they tend to happen not just when he is manic but also when he is depressed as an attempt to 'self-medicate' and to make himself feel better by doing nice things for others. It has caused some difficult situations and it is one of the things we are working hard on fixing though while things have dramatically improved to earlier years we still experience set backs and at there are times when it feels we always will.

Being able to save money can be taunting task under 'normal' circumstances. What are your tips and tricks?


* Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/millionaire-ed-bazinet-hospitalized-bipolar-disorder-manic-spending/story?id=15638053#.T8Le0sWbFqQ

I was all set

Lately it feels that as soon as I make headway there is one thing (or 10 of them) knocking me back. I was so excited about this year's #HAWMC. Ready to tackle it and participate all months long. I wasn't able to last year so I was determined to change that this time around. I did great the first few days. And then the bottom fell out. (No, L is doing okay, this one is not on him). Tuesday of last week I found out that my dad had fallen down the steps and broken two ribs. He was in the hospital. I was still doing okay though as always hated that I was so far away and unable to really be there for my mom. She had just gotten out of the hospital after surgery on her thyroid and then a second hospital stay with emergency surgery because of a blood clot. I could feel myself getting a bit depressed but figured I'd just need a day or two and things would start looking up. Thursday I went to drop the middle child off at preschool. Same as always. Just this time I managed to fall down the steps. A trip to the ER revealed that luckily it was not broken, just sprained badly. Saturday morning I was woken up at 5:30am by my youngest sister who let me know that our mom was back in the hospital for another emergency surgery for another blood clot. And Sunday was Easter. A time for family to get together and enjoy each others company. At least in theory though around here and especially for L it is an extremely stressful day. It is now Thursday and I am still not fully recovered from last week. I am getting there slowly but it is taking me a while.

One Tweet, 140 characters - Your message to others

Last night I had the honor to host my second #mhsm chat. I had done it sometime last year or maybe even the year before that. Either way, it had been a while. If you are not sure, here a quick note on it:

The #mhsm chat is in its second year after it debuted on 2/9/10. The original vision for the chat was "for this chat [...] to bring the entire mental health community on Twitter together so that we can raise awareness, end stigma and continue our education process together. This means professionals in the field, activists, advocates, and those who struggle with mental health issues themselves are all welcome and part of this effort. We are all working towards the same goal, better health, and together we can create something very special."

In these last two year it has become that and so much more thanks to the dedicated work of some wonderful individuals.

But enough reminiscing. As I said, I hosted last night's chat and chose the topic 'How to support a loved one with mental illness'. After all, that topic is close to my heart and very important to me. I had written down a basic outline for the chat and had decided on 5 topics/questions

1. First Signs that something was out of the 'norm'
2. What difference did a diagnosis make/ are you wishing it would make
3. Reaction by friends/family
4. How are you supporting your loved one
5. How are you supporting yourself

The chat was going well and I appreciated every single person that was sharing their own idea and experiences. To read the whole transcript just go here and I really hope you do.

As we were nearing the end of the chat I realized that we had the opening for one more question that had not even crossed my mind until the minute I posted it.

I think had I started the chat out with that question we still would have been able to fill that allotted hour with no problem. I loved the responses so much that I want to share them with you and I would love it if you added your own in the comments here.

EatsShootsEdits A6) I am more than my mental illness but I it is also part of who I am. #mhsm -8:53 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

VictoriaDevious A6: this is who I am. It isn't going to change but it won't define me. I am still me, just more interesting. ;3 #mhsm -8:53 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

bandback2gether A6: Mental illness does not define someone. You are more than your diagnosis. You are not alone! #mhsm -8:53 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

SimpLee_Serene A6 #MentalIllness is a disease! It is NOT a weakness of character. Learn about it - so you can help reduce the stigma #mhsm -8:53 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

stephintoronto A6.I am not my illness.I am worthy of love&friendship.I need to take everyday as it comes&life in my head is hard. #mhsm -8:54 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

ncrainbowgrrl T6: You know someone with MI, but do they think you'd be receptive to hearing about it? #mhsm -8:54 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

NAMIMass A6: You r not alone, it will get better, ask 4 help, get educated, & don't let the fear/stigma keep you from taking care of yourself #mhsm -8:56 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

bethany1699 A6. Mental Illness doesn't have to be scary. It has to be dealt with and is serious, but being ok is still possible. #mhsm -8:56 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

isalwayssick T6: I usually can't control it, so please don't blame me when things get a little "crazy" around here. #mhsm -8:56 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

NAMIMass A6: Mental illness is only one facet of us, we all have many facets that make us each unique, don't forget that! #mhsm -8:57 PM Apr 3rd, 2012

isalwayssick T6: My #mentalillness is usually a pain in my ass, but other times, it's part of what makes me interesting. Take me or leave me. #mhsm -8:58 PM Apr 3rd, 2012