So, as I’ve said, I’ve been diagnosed with
Clinical Depression
Bi Polar Disorder
and
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Thank you for asking Questions. I am honored by your interest and am grateful to those who are trying to understand my journey.
The first Question that I would like to try and answer is
What are practical ways to support someone with these diagnoses?
Answer
Oh boy. There is a lot to unpack here and I do tend to chase rabbits, so please bear with me.
First of all, please remember that I am one person who has had over forty years of experiences that are unique to her and no one else. My thoughts, my passions, my education, my prejudices, my preferences, my loves, my relationships and all kinds of “my” things are going to be different than anyone else.
You may meet someone else who is Clinically Depressed.
You may meet someone who has Bi Polar Disorder.
You may meet somebody who has been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
You may meet someone who, like me, is doing their best to live with all three.
That person will not be me. They will not call chocolate their boyfriend. They will not cry at every Hallmark commercial ever made. They won’t carry a book with them every where they go because, well…doesn’t EVERYONE need some kind of security blanket?
And they CERTAINLY won’t be a person who does the London Tipton clap every time they feel proud of themselves…or, if they do, they won’t be the type to announce this peculiarity on social media.
Do you understand the point I’m trying to make?
I am more than willing to discuss my experiences (in fact, I’d PREFER to discuss them than to be speculated about). I can and will offer tips.
I cannot, however, make the experience of caring for someone with these mental illnesses a uniform one.
One size, in this case, does NOT fit all.
My hope, however, is that what I am going to post next does help some of you.
Because doesn’t everybody need that really?
Even if it’s just every now and then?