More ‘Bipolar Art’!
May 30, 2012
Here are a couple of paintings I’ve just finished; they represent the hightened perceptions that accompany the hypomanic phase of bipolar illness.
Month: May 2012
Life Satisfaction and Resilience
May 24, 2012
Universitad Autònoma de Barcelona researchers posit that an individual’s capability to bounce back from stress and adversity, their resilience, has a predictive effect on their levels of satisfaction with life. The good news is that resilience is not an inbuilt or innate characteristic, rather it is a skill that can be developed and improved. It is … More Life Satisfaction and Resilience
Embracing Vulnerability
May 21, 2012
Vulnerability is something that our culture doesn’t often encourage us to share. But those of us who struggle with mental health issues know all too well what vulnerability is all about; we live it in our daily lives and it is a constant companion. Some time ago I took the decision to be completely open … More Embracing Vulnerability
Reflecting Hypomania 2
May 19, 2012
Yesterday I posted a painting of an Angelfish, the purpose of which was to reflect something of what hypomania feels like. At first glance, the painting looked very straightforward, but beneath the surface was a deeper, more nuanced meaning. Today I’m posting the second in the series – this time the ‘object’ is a Macaw. … More Reflecting Hypomania 2
Reflecting Hypomania
May 18, 2012
I produced the painting below of an Angelfish a few weeks ago to reflect something of what hypomania feels like. At first glance, the painting looks very straightforward. A second glance though reveals that the colouring is not quite as it should be – the vivid yellow on the body of the fish should in … More Reflecting Hypomania
Transformed by Pain
May 11, 2012
The mystic Khalil Gibran’s majestic prose poetry ‘The Prophet’ is perhaps his best known work. The section dealing with pain is worth reflecting on; his words are a great reminder that pain, whether it be physical, emotional or psychological, offers a unique encounter with the divine. The experience of pain can take us to a … More Transformed by Pain
Kay Redfield Jamison: The Stigma of ‘Coming Out’
May 10, 2012
In this short, but excellent interview, Johns Hopkins Clinical Psychologist Prof. Kay Redfield Jamison talks candidly about the difficulties which accompany ‘coming out’ and making one’s bipolar disorder status public. Prof. Jamison knows from personal experience exactly how risky this strategy is, particularly in circumstances (or occupations) where stigma is still rife. My own personal … More Kay Redfield Jamison: The Stigma of ‘Coming Out’
The Pros and Cons of Antipsychotics
May 6, 2012
‘While antipsychotic drugs are seen as the most effective treatment of psychotic episodes, they are also recognised to have devastating side effects‘, so writes Melissa Hogenboom of BBC News. In a well-balanced article, Hogenboom weighs up the pros and cons of taking antipsychotic medication, an issue that will resonate with many bipolar patients. You can read … More The Pros and Cons of Antipsychotics
An Uneasy Awakening: Bipolar Musings 