Hi, I’m Rachel, I’m 37, and I’ve been treated for Bipolar II Disorder since I was 18.
Bipolar first reared it’s ugly head when I moved away from home to university, where I lasted 6 weeks before severe depression took over. My first hypomanic episode was diagnosed about 3 years later.
My New Perspective.
Since being diagnosed I now have a more holistic perspective of my symptoms- mainly as very high sensitivity coupled with reaction to childhood trauma.
I love hearing from people, so please comment (only if you want to say nice things)!
If you want to know more, please check out the video below where you can see me as a real person who talks and everything!
Or for more on my own spiritual perspective please see Bipolar Disorder: A Spiritual Perspective.
You can also find more on high sensitivity on a guest post I contributed for Mental Health Talk here: Bipolar Disorder and Highly Sensitive People.
I am also nurturing my creative self by revisiting my love of drawing, please see my gallery.
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Hi! I found your great blog in doing a search on “bipolar” and “self-forgiveness.” I love what you said and can really identify with it!
Here’s to being who we truly are….
Thank you so much, it’s so great to hear when someone really identifies with what’s been written. I just think being who we truly are is one of the most important things in life, even if we are really different!
Thanks again for your kind comment.
Rachel
I share your same battles and fiction choices too. Are you on goodreads? So we can freak each other out further with similarities… x
No I’ve not heard of goodreads, will have to have a look!
Another Tag! Enjoy! http://asthependulumswings.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/another-round-of-tag/
Hi, I came across your blog and it worries me because im scared I have the same thing. Ive often thought about it but never really done anything about it, I have horrible days where I think everyone at works hates me, that they think Im awful at my job and that everyone is bitching about me. I also eat excessivly when im on my own and I spend too much money and am in incredible denial about alot of things. I have always known I dont think the same as everyone else but im scared to do something about it…I feel depressed at the moment but I cant explain it properly to anyone.
Hello Sophie,
Thank you so much for getting in touch.
Have you heard about the HIghly Sensitive Person (HSPs)? Have a little look into HSPs first- I’m an HSP too, as are a few others of the regular commenters on my blog. I have a few posts about high sensitivity, here’s one that you might relate to:
You’re So Sensitive: https://rachelmiller1511.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/youre-so-sensitive/
If you’re feeling depressed I would definitely recommend going to see your doctor- if you haven’t already. Explaining how you feel can be very daunting, but doctors are very understanding of depression these days- they see a lot of it! You’ve described really well here how you feel- tell that to your doctor. Try and be really honest about how bad things can get for you. They will take everything into consideration. There are a couple of diagnoses you might possibly fit into- but I’d definitely look into high sensitivity first!
The things you describe sound very like me- paranoia at work, eating excessively- but hiding it, spending too much etc. I think we often suppress a lot of pain we’ve been through. I really, really hope you can get some help.
If you want to chat some more I can give you my email address, I’d be happy to help :).
Rachel
Hi Rachel. I’m new to blogging in the hope that I can connect with others who have BP. I identify with a lot about what you’re written in your blog; you cover a wide spectrum of topics. I’ll be back to visit regularly. I admire your honesty. Mental illness is not an easy topic to write about.
Hi bipolarmoms!
Thanks for reading and saying hi. It’s great that you’ve decided to start blogging about Bipolar- I think you’ll find the blogging community is extremely supportive! 🙂
I’m glad you can identify with some of what I’ve written- that’s why I wanted to blog, so people can come together in understanding and support each other.
Looking forward to reading your blog.
Rachel
xxx
Hi. I have nominated you for the 2012 Inspiration Award because I love your blog and your writing inspires me. Check it out on my post http://infinitesadnessorwhat.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/an-ungrateful-cow-maybe-thats-unfair-on-the-cow/
Congratulations!
Cate 😛
Aw bless you! Thank you so much! What a wonderful award to get! I feel so lucky, that’s my second in a few days! Thank you so so much 🙂 xxx
Hi Rachel! I’ve nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World of Bloggers Award. You can read about it here. 🙂
http://mybipolarbubble.com/2012/08/05/seven-very-inspiring-things-about-the-sisterhood/
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for checking out my blog! Like to see what others dealing with Bipolar, how they handle situations. All for 1 and 1 for all.!!!! Lol
Love Paula x
No problem! I think us Bipolar-types have to stick together- we’re the only ones who can truly “get” what we’re all going through. Enjoy the weekend xx
This is true!
Had a great weekend!…Thankyou xx
Hi Rachel, I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award if you wish to accept it. The details are on my blog.
Aw- thanks so much! Always so lovely to be given an award! Well done to you too! Rachel xxx
You’re welcome 😀
hi Rachel – I have been reading your blog for a few months now. I admire your spirit. I have just started my own website about Generalized Anxiety Disorder and have put a link to your site in one of my blogs. I hope you don’t mind.
Thanks, Denise
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for reading my blog! I will definitely come and have a look at your site. Thanks for putting a link to mine- that’s brilliant 🙂
Rachel
xx
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Hello Rachel,
I wanted to say a big “thank you” for choosing to follow my blog, I feel honoured.
I have read some of your posts and you have inspired me, I admire people that write another their own personal experiences, you are so brave.
Bless your heart!
Popette
Aw bless you! I connected with your spirituality, anxiety/OCD and love the pinkness and flowers of your blog!!
That was a very quick response to my follow!!
Have a great day xxx
I found your blog when looking around on WordPress for other mental health bloggers, its so hard dealing with other mental health issues. 🙂 Thanks for helping inspire me to push forward and write more.
I’m so happy I have given you a little inspiration to write more!!!
Congratulations, Rachel Poetic Healing http://wp.me/p33yiN-2oO 2014 Thepublicblogger Awards Best Poetry/Spiritual Healing blog or post Nominees
That’s wonderful! Thank you so much! 😀
Hello Rachel. If you haven’t done so, please visit post and check in. You are most appreciated.
Hi Rachel, just wanted to let you know that you were one of my nominees for ThePublicBlogger annual awards in the Poetry and Spiritual Healing category and you are in the final seven. congratulations. http://thepublicblogger.com/2014/10/30/poetic-healing/
Hi there! Thank you so much, that’s fantastic!! 😀
Counting down to the Year’s Best: ‘Spotlight on Poetry’ http://wp.me/p5lQMx-2u at The Neighborhood VIP Lounge
Hi Rachel – Hand delivering your private pass to The Neighborhood VIP Lounge as a 2014 Nominee. The entire venue, every room, was built for you and the other nominees.
VIPs Entrance http://wp.me/P5lQMx-1
KP
If you’re not still using this blog you need to! I just came across it and it feels as if I have found exactly what I needed to forgive myself and move forward. I have been diagnosed with depression,and anxiety with bipolar tendencies. I’m not quite sure what that means yet, but I’ve been working with my therapist to try to figure out my proper diagnosis.
Thank you! The encouragement is appreciated. Sorry to hear that you experience difficulties in this area too- I hope you are getting some really great help.
Astounding how spirit leads us where we need to go, when we open ourselves and listen. I, too, have been diagnosed Bipolar long ago and recently had a spiritual (re)awakening, which is tangibly different from previous hypomanias. I’m so grounded this time. Thank you for placing this beacon on the path. I’ll be following.
Wonderful to hear from a like-minded soul! Thanks for stopping by!