My Testimony

one year ago 44

My love languages are Gifts & Acts of Service. If you ask my friends, they will tell you that I would do anything or give anything without wanting in return. That�s what Gary Chapman says in his book, �The...

My love languages are Gifts & Acts of Service. If you ask my friends, they will tell you that I would do anything or give anything without wanting in return. That�s what Gary Chapman says in his book, �The Five Love Languages.� People don�t just want to get love shown to them in these languages, this is how they show their love as well. My �Act of Service� to the mental health community is managing an Instagram account @livingthisbipilarlife to show people with a mental illness that a �normal� life is possible & to show everyone else that it�s not all psych wards & straight jackets. Because let�s face it, if you tell someone you live with a mental illness, that�s what they think of. I did. When I was first told at 19 that I had Manic Depressive Disorder, I about all but laughed at the therapist. I started my denial process. There was no way I was going to have Nurse Ratchet take care of me in a mental hospital. I�d try little remedies here & there for my depression. Some worked, some didn�t. All while my life slowly deteriorated. Most of my good times, I was hypomanic & my bad came with no support because I hid in the shadows & put on a happy face. One thing about mental illness is you can try to ignore it but it will be heard & it will be seen. Finally, after 9 years I was hit with the diagnosis again. This time, it came from my trusted Physician. He started me on a medication regimen & referred me to the psychiatrist I still see today. I would love to say it got better, but it didn�t right away. I was in & out of episodes, trying to be a good mom, a good wife, & a good employee. The first half of my thirties was me struggling to find balance after my marriage ended & I quit work. I thought I was alone. It wasn�t until I met my husband that I felt the courage to speak out. He wasn�t ashamed of me so what did I have to lose. Now, I�m 40. I still struggle, unfortunately that comes with the illness. But I found my balance. For the last 3 years, I have spoken up & put myself out there. Friends of my kids talk to me & friends refer their friends to me. I share my experience (because I�m not a medical professional, that�s all I got!) I share what I know and articles I find. Sometimes it�s boring & sometimes it�s fun. That is pretty much what life is. Above everything, else, I share my love. Isn�t love all you need?


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