- tips to living in Chicago (i.e., it's ok to drive the wrong way on a one-way street as long as you're going backwards)
- pictures and anecdotes of my cats, which have already begun to appear on this blog
- my goalie stats and pictures from recent games, like this one from 2007:
- bipolar disorder/depression, anxiety, coming to terms with having to go on disability (which I still haven't fully come to terms with), and fighting the stigma towards mental illness
Eventually I came to realize that I wasn't my disease. Bipolar disorder, which I deal with every day, does not define me; it's just a part of me, like being a Star Wars nerd is a part of me. I stopped saying that I am bipolar and started saying that I have bipolar or that I live with bipolar. I came across this post recently, and I think this woman says it best: I have Bipolar Disorder, I am not Bipolar.
Good for you stand strong!I agree bi-polar does not define you. Ellen's article was fantastic, thanks for sharing! Keep up the writing, you can do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
Deleteabout six years ago, i remember nervously asking my shrink if my anxiety stuff qualified me as 'mentally ill.' he was kind and said that maybe the DSMIV would say so, but we are what we are. these things are parts of us but they aren't us. happy you're back to blogging, bee, anon or no. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy :)
DeleteLove the hockey pic! I used to figure skate and kinda miss the ice...
ReplyDeleteI kinda miss the ice, too. My husband (who also went to UNI!) is encouraging me to play in non-league play, but I don't know. The group I'm thinking about plays outside!
DeleteThat's definitely good advice about Chicago! I live in the suburbs...not as many one ways around here!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the burbs! It's a lot easier to drive out there, that's for sure! And so much more parking....
DeleteYes! I 100% completely agree that your diagnosis does not define you. I think that is such an important and liberating thing to learn.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
It took me years to figure it out, but yes, it was definitely liberating. It completely put me into a different, more positive mindset.
DeleteI love that...have, not am. I hate the "I suffer from depression" statement. I mean sure it isn't rainbows and unicorns by any stretch but "suffer" makes it seem even more oppressive, like a self fulfilling prophecy. Brw found you on yeah write!
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out the oppressive quality of saying "I suffer from depression." That had never occurred to me, and you're so right. Sometimes though, the depression is bad enough that people do suffer physically, emotionally -- as do their loved ones. But when the disease is being managed, then yeah, I agree -- saying that you're suffering is almost like asking for pity.
DeleteDepression hasn't touched me directly but several of my loved ones live with it. The "with" is super-important. They don't live "for" it or "around" it--they live "with" it. And so do you, from the reads of things. Oh, and hi, yeahwriteme pal!
ReplyDeleteExactly. I "live" with it. That's so important to remember, and that it isn't who a person is. I'm doing my best to live with it lol. Thanks for stopping by!
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