depression

Mental Health: Supporting a Loved One With Depression

April 23, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

The past year that we have all had has taken its toll in many different ways. Physical health has been impacted, as well as family dynamics, finances, and not forgetting mental health. Anxiety, depression, and loneliness has been reported as being on the increase, with more people talking to a doctor about these issues. You may be even feeling them yourself. But today, it is all about how to help a loved one with depression. It can be a challenge, but if someone close to you has depression, then you may wonder what on earth you can do to help. Here are some of the things that you can do to help understand them, help them, and help them to be able to cope.

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Encourage Treatment

When someone has depression it can be hard for them to pinpoint it themselves. They might not recognize that they are depressed or be able to acknowledge that they are depressed. They themselves may not know what the signs of depression are, and if it has been going on for a while, may not realize that it isn’t normal to feel the way that they do. Many people can feel ashamed or embarrassed by being depressed, and if they do acknowledge it in themselves, may think that they can manage it by themselves. You can help them, though, as without treatment, it is rare to feel better. Encourage them to seek professional help and advice and be a support to them when they need it.

Help them to live a healthy lifestyle

Although most medical treatments can help those with depression, there are some things that people with depression can do to give themselves a fighting chance to feel better. When they move more and eat a balanced diet, it is going to give them the energy that they need to get through the day, even when they don’t feel like it. If you live with someone with depression, encourage them to exercise and work together to cook healthy foods and make healthy meal choices. Of course, you can’t get them to stop all of their negative habits. Stopping smoking when depressed could be too much for them, so you could support them with pink pre-rolled cones to make things easier until they are ready to quit and feeling like they have more willpower. Small, healthy steps can make a big difference.

Know the signs and symptoms to look out for

For a lot of people with depression, some of the signs and symptoms can be quite subtle, but for others, it can be quite obvious. If there are noticeable changes in how they go about their day-to-day activities, then it means that there is an issue. People can feel sad or low, but depression can mean lack of interest in anything, changes in appetite, anxiety, interrupted sleep, suicidal thoughts, physical ailments, and others. Being aware of what the signs and symptoms of depression are can really make a difference and help you to help them, perhaps before they even know that they need help.

Thank you for reading!

Health

The Strange Reasons Why You Should Chill The Heck Out

January 28, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 4 Comments

Stress and anxiety have been a part of the human struggle since time began. Both are evolutionary responses to circumstances in our environment, and adaptation allowed for them because they help us survive. It’s better to be anxious and stressed in the face of certain doom than it is to be calm and relaxed, because people who were stressed were more likely to take action to survive.

But in the modern world, we rarely face threats to our lives. Rather we experience a kind of chronic activation of our stress-response system, which is unhelpful.

The problem with stress, though, is that it’s not just something in our heads: it has a direct effect on the body, too. And while many of us know about the visible signs of stress, like heart palpitations and sweating, few of us are aware of the stranger, less common side effects.

Stress Undermines Your Immune System

Blood Cells Virus Helper Cell Defense Immune System

Max Pixel

Your immune system is in a constant state of war against pathogens trying to overwhelm your defenses. Healthy people can repel the majority of attacks, but when the body is under stress, it can actually produce fewer immune cells. You often see this in people who do a lot of strenuous exercise – the number of white blood cells in their body goes down by about 50 percent – but it’s also common among the chronically stressed.

I can attest to this. This past December, I was so incredibly stressed, more than I’d ever been before, that I became physically ill. I was nauseous every day and night, I found myself throwing up at work, and I couldn’t eat or sleep. Stress is very, very real.

Stress Makes You Constipated

Stress is a response to danger – or at least that’s what it was in our evolutionary history. And so when our bodies get stressed, they tend to shut down other vital systems not required for immediate survival, like digestion. Most westerners are constipated anyway because of a lack of fiber in the diet, but stress can lead to a cessation in bowel motility, meaning that the bowel no longer transports waste products from one end to the other. Sure, that’s a good thing when you’re running away from a bear, but not so good when you’re sitting at your office desk, fighting a deluge of emails.

Stress Can Result In Heart And Lung Problems

Flickr by mararie

One of the reasons you might want to take advantage of a cheap vaping deal (opposed to smoking cigarettes, or quit altogether!) is the effect that stress has on the heart and lungs. Stress causes the HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) axis to go into overdrive. Cortisol, a stress-related hormone, gets released, causing elevations in breathing and heart rate. While cortisol is safe over short periods, it’s the chronically elevated levels that start to lead to problems. People with higher circulating cortisol suffer a faster heart rate, which has been shown to be correlated with shorter life span, high blood pressure (a leading killer worldwide), and increases in asthma attacks.

Stress Can Hurt Your Jaw

One of the problems that people with stress have is bruxism – or the unconscious grinding of their teeth. Bruxism usually occurs during the night while sleeping, leading to jaw ache and damage to the teeth. The tension can then spread from the jaw area to the surrounding tissue and muscles in the face and neck. It may also be a contributing factor to TMJ. I have TMJ and it is incredibly painful.

I’m not a stress expert, and I’m not a doctor, of course. These were just a few things I wanted to share about!

*This post was a collaboration.

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Bipolar Disorder

An Episode of Bipolar Depression, In The Raw

November 5, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 9 Comments

You know that quote by Laurence J. Peter, “Speak when you are angry, and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret”? Well, this post may be along those lines, except delete angry and add depressed.

I’m going to share about my experience of the current bipolar episode I’m in, and I’m hoping that come morning, I won’t think to myself, “oh geeze, what was I thinking?” I feel as if a big part of that thinking is because of the stigma attached to mental illness. Is me sharing about this episode too taboo? Either way, that’s a conversation for a different time and I’m going ahead with this post.

Bipolar is a sneaky B-word. It’s challenging enough trying to manage bipolar disorder; throw in random mood swings, and you’ve got yourself A LOT to handle. Yesterday, I was as happy as a clam (what does that even mean?). I mean sure, it was raining and cold and it just started getting dark at 4:59pm (ugh), but I went out with my boyfriend to a fancy social get-together in the Hollywood Hills, met some friends, and enjoyed my evening.

But come this morning, it was practically a full 180 (hence why it’s called bipolar). I had trouble sleeping (even more so than I usually do), and once I woke up, I knew getting out of bed would be hard. I called off work right away (I am SO grateful to have a job where my employer is understanding; many jobs/employers aren’t). For some, I’m sure it sounds silly to have such difficulty getting out of bed. But I’m not talking about it’s too cold, I’m so comfortable, I don’t want to work difficulty; I’m talking the mere thought of pulling the covers off is exhausting, I don’t think I can make it to the shower, I’ll break down crying once I get to the kitchen difficulty. And it’s serious.

During my worst depression episode in 2013, I barricaded myself in my living room for almost 6 months. My boyfriend took the mattress off the bed and set it on the living room floor for me (that was the only room with AC). I watched shows on my laptop, and if I was lucky, I’d take a shower. It was exhausting. And horrible. And the deepest despair you could ever imagine. I cried literally every single day.

Today, I tried to make myself do things. I made myself go outside (it was sunny today), especially before it got dark. [Side note: daylight savings time strongly affects those with bipolar disorder and mental health conditions. Circadian rhythms play a huge role in bipolar disorder. When it gets dark earlier, depression tends to set in.] I took a shower. I played with my dog, I made sure to eat frequently (blood sugar affects moods, as well; hence why people get hangry). I wanted to clean up so badly (my apartment is a disaster), but I could only muster up the energy to lay on the couch (and simply sit there, because barely anything brings comfort when depressed).

I felt/feel as if I could break down crying at any moment. I was telling my boyfriend about what I was feeling, and my body was trying to get me to cry, but I fought it. Sometimes crying helps, but I simply didn’t feel like dealing with it. It feels like I have a storm of sadness and anxiety swirling in my chest and my head. I can’t make sense of anything.

Luckily, I’ve learned to manage my bipolar (after much trial-and-error) since diagnosis in 2008. Because of that, I know I will get out of this by taking it easy, doing only what I need, meeting with my therapist, and probably my psychiatrist to tweak any medications if need-be. However, even knowing that, it still hurts like hell.

I guess there really isn’t much point to this post, except that I wanted to share about it in the moment that it was happening. It’s often hard to describe depression when you’re no longer in it.

I will get better, as I always do. And to everyone reading this who has bipolar and/or depression, I want you to know that you’ll get better, too. As my therapist once said (and I turned into my own quote),

“Pay attention to how you feel, and then take one step to help you feel better; whether it’s staying in bed a little longer, going for a walk, or eating a pint of ice cream.”

To happiness, stability, and everything in between,

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal

After An Entire Year, My Mindset Is Finally In Alignment

May 28, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 40 Comments

I have so much excitement and happiness, I don’t even know where to begin! The past year has been wonderful, but very rough. I moved to Los Angeles from Cleveland in February 2013, and the life event threw me into the worst bipolar depression I have ever experienced. It hit me hard at the end of April/beginning of May 2013. I barely left my apartment for five months. I laid on our mattress.. in my living room.. on the floor.. in the AC.. with the blinds closed.. for FIVE MONTHS. I watched 14 seasons of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. That takes serious dedication (to my living room floor).

During this time, I didn’t care about my physical health. When my mental health is that messy, it’s hard for me to even shower (my boyfriend can vouch for this). As hard as it was to admit, I gained a lot of weight. I ate the worst possible foods, and my addiction to soda showed up again (I had given it up for good that past December).

Fast forward to today. I read somewhere that our mindset needs to be in alignment with our nutrition plan, or we won’t stick to it. Well, guess what? My mindset is finally in alignment with my goals! Oh my gosh, it feels SO good! I have had a serious sugar addiction that seemed almost impossible to get through. I’m currently detoxing and withdrawing from sugar, and these are the symptoms I am experiencing right now:

itchy ears (how weird, right?!)
itchy eyes
sinus congestion (immune system becomes suppressed)
severe migraine (withdrawal is no joke, I have no idea how I’m even looking at a computer screen lol)
hives

But it is worth it. Because these symptoms will eventually go away, and I am finally able to not have soda! I’m finally able to not have chocolate, or ice cream, or grains, or refined sugars/carbs. Yeah, it’s still challenging, but my mind is so clear on my goals that I am able to not have those things! I so badly want to be healthy. I want my digestive issues (candida, leaky gut, etc) to be better. I want to lose this weight (not necessarily to look better, but to feel better). I want to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) this year. I want to be able to somewhat control my moods and emotions.

I posted this status on Facebook yesterday:

“It’s an amazing thing, when you REALLY start to pay attention to how certain foods affect your body. Something that is healthy for one individual may not be as healthy for another individual. I always ate what I perceived to be “healthy” and never truly paid attention to how my body was affected by it. This is why one “diet” (diet meaning what you eat.. the actual meaning of the word) is not best for everyone. I follow mostly a paleo diet, however there are certain paleo-approved foods that I cannot have (and certain non-paleo foods I can have). Tailor your diet/nutrition to whatever fuels YOUR body best.”

Life is completely different when you learn to eat for your health, as opposed to weight loss. When you learn how to have a sustainable diet (again, diet meaning what we eat). I am even learning how to cook and enjoying it! I have never liked cooking haha.

cookbooks

I am loving my Practical Paleo and 21-Day Sugar Detox cookbooks from Balanced Bites! I used them to make dinner for my boyfriend yesterday (which he loved!). *Side note: the 21-Day Sugar Detox comes in two parts: the cookbook and the guide book.

I am learning to love my body and myself each and every day. People who say “I’ll be happy when I am this weight.. this size.. this wealthy..” and so on, those people will not find happiness. Not authentically, anyway. I used to be one of them. But we get to live in the moment, and love ourselves every single day, as we are.

Photo of me at a self-love yoga session with my friend & mentor Elyse

So my point of all this is that it feels so good to have my mindset on track after an entire year! I cannot stress enough how important it is to practice self-love and personal development (read books, go to therapy, join a support group, whatever it is for you), and also to really listen to your body. Pay attention to the foods that serve you and the foods that don’t. Eat for your health. Our bodies are so incredible, they fight so hard for us, don’t we want to fuel it properly?

xo, Lyndsay

How do you get your mindset in alignment with your goals?
Was it easy for you, or a struggle? Share below in the comments! 🙂

Ambassador Fitness Nutrition

I Am A #SweatPink Ambassador!

May 10, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 9 Comments

A few weeks ago, I was accepted as a brand new #sweatpink ambassador with Fit Approach! It has been an amazing few weeks already!

This is the Fit Approach mission (borrowed from the Fit Approach website):

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick.

How awesome is that?! The mission is what attracted me to Fit Approach in the first place. Pink is my favorite color, so this was a no brainer! I am all about pink shoelaces. As a welcome, I was sent a #sweatpink tank and some pink shoelaces:

Everyone in the #sweatpink community is SO welcoming! I love the feeling of being a part of a community of like-minded people, and knowing that I can go to any of them even though I don’t physically know them! I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. <3

If you’re interested in becoming a #sweatpink ambassador, apply here! 🙂

Check out Fit Approach on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Personal

How Fitness Has Impacted My Bipolar Disorder

May 5, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 18 Comments

It’s interesting thinking back to all the times when my bipolar was unstable. There are many reasons why I cycle one way or another (mania or depression), but the biggest factor (in my experience) has been my nutrition/fitness.

Here’s a little bit of background on my disorder:

I currently take lamictal (mood stabilizer) and trazodone (antidepressant to help with insomnia) daily. I have taken almost every medication on the market, but this is what works for me right now.
My medications help me to function and focus, which helps me to have the energy to exercise.
My disorder affects everyone in my life, not just me. For example, my boyfriend (whom I live with) sees my mood go up and down every day, and is always the one who takes the “hit” when I am upset or depressed. He also has to deal with my mania when I am up until 4 a.m. He is extremely supportive, and he actually helps me to be more cautious of those around me.

When I am feeling manic, cardio is the best thing for me. I have a lot of energy, and usually have difficulty relaxing and sleeping, so it’s important to get my heart rate up. This way, I get rid of the energy and I am able to sleep. Plus it’s awesome, because I am able to stay fit! As opposed to depression, when it’s nearly impossible for me to exercise.

This is where yoga comes in.

Yoga has been a life-saver for me! How I got through life without it, I have no idea. I tried yoga for my first time in 2013, and not only did I feel great physically, I felt great mentally. The yoga I do is perfect because I am able to go to a “happy place” mentally, but also get my sweat on. Because of this, it’s good for when I am depressed OR manic!

I must note that it’s important to wear quality active wear when doing yoga. Too many times have I been in a class where either I was wearing see-through pants, or my yogi friends were. Not cool. You want to be comfortable during yoga, so wearing clothes that fit well is really important too. I make sure to wear Katie K Active all-inclusive active wear during all my workouts! The pants, shorts, and shirts are soft, cute, moisture-wicking, and not see through! 😉

Visit KatieKActive.com and use code LYNDSAY25 for 25% off your order + FREE shipping (I receive a portion of purchases made using my code)! The shorts are brand new this spring/summer (2016) and they’re amazing.

How Yoga Has Helped My Bipolar:

I stated what fitness I like to do for bipolar, but I’ll get a little more vulnerable with how it’s helped me. I’ve been doing yoga recently and truly found a passion for it, so that’s my fitness of choice. I know for many people with bipolar, yoga isn’t enough– they need that fast-paced cardio. But for me, it’s perfect, no matter the mental state I’m in.

Since starting yoga, my moods have been more stable. Usually I am extreme one way or the other, but it’s sort of like yoga is my daily way to stay within the “normal” range (whatever normal is for you). When I start my day with yoga, I have a fabulous day! I feel calm, centered, happy, and clear. I feel awesome because I got my exercise in, but I also feel awesome because my mind feels clear and free.

By adding in yoga with a healthy diet, I have learned to better control and manage my bipolar disorder. It’s a difficult disorder to manage, but I cannot stress enough how important nutrition and fitness are for overall, optimal health.

What is your favorite fitness?
Have you noticed a change in your mental health through your healthy, active lifestyle?

May is Mental Health Month.

Thank you for reading!

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Bipolar Disorder Nutrition Personal

My Current Nutrition Plan, & Why It Has Nothing To Do With Anyone But Myself

April 26, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 16 Comments

There are two main reasons for this post.

To hold me accountable and to document my progress with my new nutrition plan
To clear up any confusion as to WHY I am doing this nutrition plan

Let’s start with what the plan is. It’s called the GAPS diet. GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome and was developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. Basically, my digestive system is in poor health. When I am stressed, I eat a lot of sugar and refined carbs. Read my previous post about my sugar addiction for a little bit of a background. In addition to this, I have bipolar disorder. I don’t want to take medication for the rest of my life, and I am very aware that good nutrition and regular fitness are very important for both physical and mental health. I decided to take a mental health coaching program from a holistic wellness coach who has bipolar disorder, and has successfully managed her bipolar without medication for one year.

I started the program with her almost two weeks ago, and officially started the GAPS diet this past Wednesday. My coach, Nellie, recommended this nutrition plan for me because I need to get my digestion under control. Every symptom I’ve been having is directly related to an unhealthy gut. I have candida, which is a fungus that overgrows when we consume too much sugar and refined carbs. I have almost every single symptom of it (and now it all makes sense!):

chronic fatigue
digestive issues
difficulty concentrating/foggy brain
irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety
seasonal allergies and itchy ears (I’ve never had itchy ears before- so weird)
strong sugar and refined carb cravings (oh my gosh, it’s awful)
skin rashes — I have had hives 3 times in the past 4 weeks. A couple nights ago, I woke up at 4:30 am with severe hives on both my arms. Here’s a picture (it was not pleasant and rather scary, actually):

It’s not only physical, but also mental. The GAPS diet is used for people with various mental health conditions, like depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, and so on. Having bipolar disorder, the GAPS diet is perfect. I told Nellie that I would be completely open and be the client (I’m used to being the health coach), and try out what she recommended for me. It has worked for her (and countless others), and I am really excited to see how it helps my mental stability! And of course the healthy body and weight loss will be great. 🙂

It really is a different feeling when you’re eating for health as opposed to eating for weight loss. It’s so much easier. Don’t get me wrong though, it is by no means EASY. It’s been four days and I am struggling. Sugar addiction is no joke. I crave it and I get really moody when I don’t have it. But I am finding alternatives, and today has been a really great nutrition day! So I feel optimistic about it.

While on the GAPS diet (however long I decide to be on it- at least five weeks), I cannot have grains/gluten, dairy, sugar, anything processed, and soy.

This leads me to the second point of this post.

I have been a health coach with Herbalife for exactly one and a half years in May. Herbalife has completely changed my life, and I am forever grateful for the company, the products, and the people who have helped me lose weight and go after my dreams! However, Herbalife meal replacement shakes contain soy. It was never a problem for me (like I said, it helped me to lose weight and feel amazing!), but I told Nellie I would be completely open, so that means stopping Herbalife for the five weeks or so that I am her client. I was hesitant about it at first, but not only am I paying my coach for the mental health coaching, I am committed to finding ways to treat my bipolar disorder holistically. Why would I do this program, and spend the entire however many weeks/months not doing what my coach asked me to do? As a coach, I know how frustrating that is! Having clients who you spend time on and give your all to, but they just won’t do what you ask them to do. I would be a hypocrite. It’s like what Seth Godin (my favorite blogger) said,

“If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, then you don’t have the time to do it over.”

Because I am doing a nutrition plan that does not allow soy (which therefore does not allow Herbalife meal replacement shakes, except allergen-free, which is totally fine), I do not feel authentic when talking about it at this time. I get that some people will not understand this. That since I have been with Herbalife (and I am successful with it), I should only promote Herbalife, no matter what. And okay, I do get that for some people. But it doesn’t feel right in my heart promoting something that I am not currently doing. It is not authentic. It denies me integrity.

I will eventually introduce certain foods back into my diet, like my Herbalife shakes (trust me, I miss them!). I still love the products, I can still share about my experiences with them, and I still love the company. My current nutrition has nothing to do with Herbalife as a company or even a product. My current nutrition/situation has nothing to do with anyone or anything BUT ME.

I am still coaching clients. I am still building a team in Ohio. I feel good about the decision I’ve made, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. I just figured I’d clear a few things up. 🙂

I will be posting updates about my mental health coaching and GAPS diet weekly!

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal

Health Coaches Need Coaching, Too; My Struggle With Sugar Addiction

April 14, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 28 Comments

As most of you are already aware, I am a health & fitness coach, and I also live with bipolar disorder. A couple weeks ago, I was talking with my psychiatrist, and he said to me,

“Lyndsay, you are always taking care of your clients and inspiring them. You’re taking care of the kids you babysit and the dogs you care for. It’s great, but let me ask you, who inspires you?“

A simple question, but it hit me hard. In that moment, I wanted to break down and cry. I absolutely LOVE what I do as a coach. The progress my clients make, the breakthroughs, helping others to live longer.. it’s absolutely amazing! I am in awe every day of how wonderful my clients and friends are. I love the feeling of being needed. I’m sure there is a specific reason behind that, but like Miss Maudie said in To Kill A Mockingbird, “All anyone wants is to feel needed.” My career brings me satisfaction, happiness, and hope.

But at the same time, I am giving all my energy to my clients, and completely neglecting myself. How can I be a good coach/mentor if I am not taking care of my mind and body? Who can I go to when I am not feeling strong? When I need inspiration, motivation, and help with my nutrition? Yes, I know a good amount about health, nutrition, and fitness, but I don’t know it all.

As much as I don’t want to admit this, I am going to, because honesty is incredibly important. Not only for the people you’re talking to, but also for yourself. I have a sugar addiction. Like a hardcore, legit, anxiety-fueled addiction to sugar. I have dealt with this on and off throughout most of my life, but when I get incredibly stressed, I lose control completely.

I have felt myself slowly spiraling out of control over the past two months. Poor nutrition, poor fitness, poor mental health. It is a vicious cycle. I feel sad/stressed, so I want to eat something that will release dopamine and endorphins, so I eat sugar (it’s comforting). But the comedown from that sugar causes me to feel depressed/anxious/stressed… and the cycle continues.

This photo represents the cycle of addiction. Any addiction. Did you know sugar addiction is similar to heroin addiction? It is very, very real.

This is specifically what happens in your body when you consume sugar. Endless, awful cycle.

You know how they say that people come into your life for a reason, and at the perfect time? It’s amazing! I was searching through blogs and stumbled upon Lifelong Wellness Coaching with Nellie Russell. I originally found her through her blog, Bipolar Out Loud, and saw that she offers mental health coaching. It’s something I’ve never considered, but something I definitely wanted to try. It’s similar to therapy, but I also get a meal plan catered to me and my physical/mental health issues.. plus Nellie has bipolar disorder as well, so she totally gets me. It’s a little different getting life coaching from someone who lives with what you live with, as opposed to someone who only studied it. Totally not discounting what therapists do, but it’s just a different experience.

My first session was tonight, and oh my gosh, I already feel like a new person. I have hope again. I don’t feel stressed (and I’ve been stressed ALL day.. hellooo taxes). It feels so good to allow myself to be the client, and to go into a coaching program with an open mind. I get so caught up in helping other people transform their lives (which again, I LOVE), that I forget to transform my own life. I am excited for what these sessions bring, and I am excited to improve my life. Physical and mental health go hand-in-hand, and it is time for me take full control of them both!

Have you ever dealt with any type of food addiction? If so, how did you get through it?
If you are a coach (or in any profession like it), how do you stay inspired? Who helps you?

Bipolar Disorder Personal

Being Just Crazy Enough

April 9, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

“Maybe, ya know, there’s no such thing as crazy. And being diagnosed with a mental illness doesn’t mean you’re crazy. But maybe it means you’re just more sensitive to what most people can’t see or feel. Maybe, no one’s really crazy, everyone is just a little bit mad. How much depends on where you fall on the spectrum. How much depends on how lucky you are.”

My wonderful boyfriend sent this video to me this morning, and kept telling me to watch it because he knew I would like it. He sends me videos ALL the time, and often times, they’re pretty boring (sorry babe!). But this one.. this one still has me smiling so big.

I’ve told people that having bipolar disorder makes me a more sensitive person, but in a good way. I am more sensitive to someone’s thoughts and feelings, and can relate to them much more than your average person. I may have a little bit of “crazy” in me, but that’s what makes me, ME. My passion, my intensity, my drive, my emotions… those all make up Lyndsay. I think without bipolar, I’d be boring. I’d much rather be intense than boring. 😉

What do you think about what Joshua Walters shared on this video?

Bipolar Disorder Personal

World Bipolar Day 2014

March 30, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 10 Comments

Six years ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I always knew there was something different about me, I just never knew what it was. I often felt depressed and anxious, and other times, very chatty and overly happy. When I was diagnosed (it was my parents who noticed the mood swings), I was more relieved than anything. After years of feeling like I was just weird, I finally had a diagnosis that made sense.

For those who don’t know, bipolar disorder is defined as “a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior.” For me, I cycle about every 8 months, from feeling really depressed, then stable for a short period, then hypo-mania sets in. I have severe difficulty with holding down a 9-5 job, or even a job longer than a year for that matter. Having a routine is great, but at the same time, I strongly dislike having a schedule.

The longest and worst depression I can remember was actually last summer, after moving to California. Such a dramatic life-changing event triggered a depression that lasted from April through the end of September. I didn’t leave my apartment. I barely even left my bed. In October, I became stable. It is such a weird feeling.. thinking back to just a few weeks prior and thinking it’s so strange how I couldn’t physically do anything, yet when stable, it’s no problem. Does that make sense? Like even now, thinking that I could barely get myself out of bed to take a shower.. I was a completely different person. But that’s what bipolar is- two poles. Two people. Two worlds.

Now I am in a manic episode, and luckily I have an amazing psychiatrist in LA who is helping me to calm it. Mania is somewhat better than depression in some regards, but it’s really the same as depression, but opposite. Okay that probably doesn’t make sense, but it does to me. Depression and mania are both dangerous. They both physically hurt. I barely have control in either state. With mania, I say it’s somewhat better because at least I can function. I’m able to leave my apartment, babysit, work at the wellness center, etc. But the lack of control is rough. My biggest issue during mania is spending money. During a manic episode, I can’t have any credit/debit cards or cash on me. After over $12K in debt (from age 18-26), I have finally figured that one out.

The reason behind World Bipolar Day is to create awareness and end stigma associated with mental illness, or as I prefer to call it, mental health conditions. It’s interesting realizing that I let the stigma affect me, even if I say I don’t. I’m very open and honest about bipolar, and my experiences with it. I am not ashamed of who I am (I was for the longest time.. probably until about a year and a half ago). But even as I write this, I am asking myself, “Should I really be this open on my public blog? My blog is focused on nutrition and fitness.. will my followers think less of me for having bipolar disorder?” And that’s so silly! If someone were to judge me for having bipolar disorder, that is their issue, not mine. Like Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

The way I look at it now, I feel that I have a gift to offer to the world. Yes, I am emotional, sensitive, often unstable, dramatic, a little off-the-wall.. but those traits are what make me, me. Because of my emotional and sensitive personality, I feel that I am able to connect with people on a much deeper level. I can truly feel their feelings when we talk. I can help people at their lowest point because I’ve been there.

Plus, having bipolar helps me to be creative. One of my all-time favorites quotes is from Alice in Wonderland:

“Have I gone mad?”

“I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

This World Bipolar Day, March 30, 2014, I invite you to learn a little bit more about mental health conditions. Ask a friend with bipolar what they love about it. If you know someone who could be suffering from a mental health condition, find a way to get them help. If you have bipolar disorder, take some time for yourself, get a journal, and truly reflect on how amazing you are! Share your story with someone. Tell a loved one with bipolar disorder why you love them. Whatever it is, spread positivity, love, and acceptance for not only people living with bipolar disorder, but for everyone. All of us needs each of us. Much love to you all! <3