DNAinfo.comNew York posted an article “How to Help Others While Helping Yourself During Sandy’s Aftermath, by Morris Cohen.”
How are you all doing?
Category Archives: Bipolar Disorder
DNA Info: How to Help Others While Helping Yourself
First Day Out After Superstorm?
A lot of commuters in the tri-state area are headed back to work/school tomorrow morning for the first time in a week after Superstorm Sandy.
Even if you’ve had power this past week, heading outside of your home or neighborhood for the first time will be stressful – for everyone! The thing we know about Monday is that it’s going to be a wait-to-go situation. Here’s what I’m doing to prepare (I’ll be taking the subway and walking):
–Charging my cell fully;
–Wearing layers for the commute;
–Packing fingerless gloves and silk underwear for my unheated office;
–Choosing a paperback, rather than reading from my iPad when it’s so cramped on the commute, (and also so I stay alert);
–Packing medicine for Monday night and Tuesday morning, just in case;
–Planning my route this evening as best I can, using the MTA’s resources, but know that it may change; and
–Trying to sleep well tonight.
My office understands that we’ll have some trouble getting in, so I know that I can let a few full trains go by if they’re too full. If I take care of myself tonight and tomorrow, I’ll be able to do a better job when I get to the office.
Best of luck!
Word Out: Helping Friends With Mental Illness
I just called in to The Brian Leher Show on WNYC for the segment on helping each other through the storm:
Said that if you know someone with a mental illness, this is a very high-stress situation and episodes may be preventable.
It’s important to stay on medication/meal/sleep schedule. If you have a friend or neighbor, invite them in for a meal, or call to check in on them.
***I was on NPR, talking about mental illness! Major life goal achieved.***
Storm Outside, Calm Inside
We’ve been hit by Sandy in the NE. Those of us with a health issue have additional considerations:
1) Keep to your medication/ meal/ sleep schedule as much as possible;
2) Limit your exposure to news about the storm. I watched the NY & NJ press conferences, and will now stay away from the news until about 4:00 pm. That gives me a break, and it’s all repeats until then, anyway;
3) Take advantage of healthy escapism. If you are at home, do things that are fun that you normally wouldn’t: Play a board game, Watch a movie that is very different from the current situation; Get extra sleep; and
4) Call the NAMI help lines if you need help with a mental health question. Call someone if you feel suicidal. If you’re alone, think about staying with a friend or family member that you can get to safely. Precaution is sensible. Those of us with mental illnesses know a lot about precaution. Trust those instincts.
Best of luck!
Here’s Where I Am
I’m doing pretty well because of the support I’ve had, and because of the support I’ve had, I’m doing pretty well.
Here’s Where I Am, sung by Tiffany Taylor. One of my favorite songs, perfect for rounding out the week.
Infographic from @GOOD
@GOOD has posted an Infographic: Facing Mental Illness by the USC School of Social Work.
What have you found for National Mental Health Awareness Week?
National Mental Health Awareness Week!
It’s National Mental Health Awareness Week!
If you’re reading this, you’re reaching out already. Go ahead and give someone a link to this blog. Or look up how to help family/friends/co-workers on the NAMI website. Or invite a friend with mental illness for a walk. Or … lots of options. Have a great week!
Brian Wilson, Barenaked Ladies, and Me
When I was a senior in college, I had a car. I’d loved driving ever since I got my license – driving around the county, the state. I had loved figuring out how to get somewhere I hadn’t been since I was six. And, as everyone knows, music always sounds best when you’re driving, at night, passing the exit for where you’re supposed to be.
Those nights, when I was a senior in college and when I wasn’t able to sleep, or when I was freaked out, or when I was trying to do everything I could think of to NOT think, I would get in my teal Taurus wagon and head away from my apartment. And as soon as I signaled for my first right, I’d get my copy of Gordon ready. By the time I passed the second-hand CD store, I’d be well into the first verse of “Brian Wilson,” by Barenaked Ladies. I’d had the CD since 1993, but this song became the song.
Drove downtown in the rain/ nine-thirty on a tuesday night,/ just to check out the late-night/ record shop.
I was able to let go, to relax as the song looped and I drove toward the Conservatory or downtown or past new construction. The heater would eventually turn on, or I’d open all of the windows and breathe in the cold. I had a rule at the time: If I drove through two stop signs or red lights, it was time to turn back and head home. Until then, drive and sing to “Brian Wilson:”
Call it impulsive, call it/ compulsive, call it insane;/ but when I’m surrounded I just/ can’t stop.
The song just… matched me. Me, and how I felt whenever I got in that car, and how I felt as I drove. It was right. It was true. It was real. And so everything that was going on in my head and my life must have been real, too. The singer seemed to feel the way I did, and he seemed to think that was what it was like to be Brian Wilson. He (the singer) was reaching out to identify with someone. I was, too.
This week I read on BP Magazine‘s Facebook page that Steven Page, writer of “Brian Wilson” and lead singer of the same, has bipolar disorder. BP had attached a link to an article on MetroCanada about Steven Page‘s talk at Algonquin College, which has created support systems for students and staff with mental illness. (Read the article, the resources look great.)
The article stated that “being an artist makes it easier for him to talk about his struggles.” Being a listener helped me understand mine. Thank you, Steven Page.
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