Man I love that book. I love Dickens in general and identify with dichotomies so well living with bipolar disorder. Today was one of those days that on any other occasion of having symptoms, would’ve sent me through the roof. I maintained, I performed, I rose to the challenge. I used every coping skill I … Continue reading The best and worst of times.
Tag: Mental health
Controlled chaos, a tale of returned hypomanic symptoms.
I have attempted with every ounce of my being to prevent the hypomanic symptoms, but it seems it has appeared, beyond my control. For those unfamiliar with hypomania it is classically defined in the DSM-5, as elevated mood, increased energy, rapid thinking, heightened anxiety, assertiveness, less need for sleep, irritability or inability to focus. Hypomania … Continue reading Controlled chaos, a tale of returned hypomanic symptoms.
Reassurance and relief
I continue to struggle as Monday August 29 marks two weeks of interrupted sleep patterns. Two days in from a recent cpap level adjustment, it is still very difficult to continue to sleep past the threshold of 4 hours of sleep using the machine. I continue to awake today at the lovely hour of 230pm. … Continue reading Reassurance and relief
Why dont you Sleep….just a little bit longer?
Cleverly, or maybe not so much, borrowed that line from the famous verse, Stay....just a little bit longer....say you will! Inserted my sleep issues into the line intentionally. Well. I wont bore you with too many details...Those who know me well know that when I do not get enough sleep I have the potential to … Continue reading Why dont you Sleep….just a little bit longer?
Dream On
Last night I had a scheduled sleepover with Mayo Clinic for a long-awaited sleep study. I arrived in a tizzy at the Basso Building on the West Campus of Mayo Clinic with two giant bags, a body pillow, and a fuzzy Ugg blanket. Along with a full day of school orientation for the kiddos, remote … Continue reading Dream On
Just the way you are
Reflecting on one of my favorite songs by Bruno Mars: Cause you're amazingJust the way you areAnd when you smileThe whole world stops and stares for a while'Cause girl, you're amazingJust the way you are We are conditioned to automatically self-reject compliments, positivity or positive reinforcement. The belief to be perfect and never measuring up. … Continue reading Just the way you are
Hurry up and wait
I have had to make the difficult decision to defer my graduate school start till next semester. Many factors led to this decision, mostly due to a defaulted loan that I could not pay in full before registration. I hope to not only have the loan paid by the spring, but also to be mentally … Continue reading Hurry up and wait
Lax Box FL adult League= SG back in the cage
I hesitantly and begrudgingly signed myself up for Women’s Lacrosse league, in Jacksonville for the summer. The league runs for 6 weeks, last Tuesday was the first week of meeting. This women’s league is for recent hs/college grads or post college graduates. Given its been almost 17 years since I last saved a crucial lacrosse … Continue reading Lax Box FL adult League= SG back in the cage
MAY. Mental Health Awareness Month, obligatory testimony.
I have grown accustomed to sharing my struggles with mental health over the years. Whether as a outreach presenter with NAMI sharing my story with various types of audiences, or writing a brief post here and there on social media. Whenever May rolls around every year, I am always inclined to share with others, what … Continue reading MAY. Mental Health Awareness Month, obligatory testimony.
There’s no place like home—GAL Fundraiser
Spent the later half of the Friday evening volunteering with Guardian Ad Litem with their annual fundraiser, this year’s theme mimicked a Wizard of Oz theme toting, “There’s no place like home.” I arrived to the empty factory, that had been transformed to a fancy venue space called the Glass Factory, in downtown Jacksonville. A … Continue reading There’s no place like home—GAL Fundraiser
NAMI Connection Facilitator Training Spring’22
I recall that moment in 2008, when I first attended a NAMI Connection Support group. In that moment I was nervous to step foot into a mental health support group, not even considering sharing with strangers my own struggles. I lived in Southern Maryland with my parents at the time. I was living in recovery … Continue reading NAMI Connection Facilitator Training Spring’22
My second chance.
Today, I half-heartedly committed to an outreach opportunity. After coaching Ellas game in the morning, I headed straight to the event. In a state of obligation. Begrudgingly already upset that I had overwritten and booked up my weekend. What happened took me by complete surprise. I reconnected with myself, through the various speakers at this … Continue reading My second chance.
Sarbear’s Home Health Care
I guess I should consider a career change. A lot of home health care in my past and present, hopefully not too much in my future. Two days ago I flew into Maryland to help care for my mother since she left the hospital and home recovering from surgery. I am thankful that she was … Continue reading Sarbear’s Home Health Care
The Unsinkable Melinda Ruth
In speaking to my father chatting today about Mom, he mentioned the old military favorite of the waiting game when it comes to her health. Hurry up and wait he said, the all too familiar saying and I didn’t swallow that well for many reasons. Mostly as I hardly have the inclination to remain patient … Continue reading The Unsinkable Melinda Ruth
NAMIWalks Jax 10/9/21
NAMI Jacksonville held its inaugural in-person walk on this past Saturday, October 9th, 2021. As Programs and Volunteer Coordinator for NAMI Jax I mostly assisted with set up and volunteer assignments. The event was an amazing success. We raised around 75,000 dollars in donations for the walk itself, 190 walkers, and everything went rather seamlessly. … Continue reading NAMIWalks Jax 10/9/21
The Seascapechronicles 