"OF TWO MINDS" STARTING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT BIPOLAR DISORDER


There were quite a few things that came together and made Tuesday night a wonderful experience. One was living in Tucson where we have The Loft. It's a non-profit art house that celebrates independent  and  specialty cinema the way it should be celebrated. The second was the one night showing of the award wining documentary about Bipolar Disorder: "Of Two Minds." The third being that I was asked to sit on the Q&A panel with the director and a few others afterwards to facilitate the ongoing conversation about mental illness. Flattering and totally inspirational.



Watch this movie. If you have a mental disorder (many of us do) or you know someone who does (and really, all of us do) this eloquently filmed documentary is the perfect catalyst towards more exploration. Many commented that those featured tended to be incredibly eccentric, vivacious, and artistic. They wondered if those who didn't have those qualities were going to be represented as well. There are many who maintain more of the bitter downs connected to Bipolar (and we need to talk about them too), but my experience is (and many many many studies have shown) that there is a high correlation between brilliant creativity and "madness". There is even a conference about it. I loved that this film showed that.



The film also introduced me to Liz Spikol, a fucking fantastic journalist that is well known for her honest, candid, and hilarious representation of living with mental illness. I know I will be just one more email in her inbox, but she needs to know how much I identify with and love her. SO MUCH LOVE.


Most of the discussion following the movie came from those concerned about how to help a family member who has a diagnosis. This was a needed reminder that while I'm comfortable working within the world of recovery... there is a lot of knowledge and education that needs to be shared with the public. And in this way, I feel that this movie is a critical contribution. Bipolar is the conversation starter. The term may be flippantly overused, but there is something to be said for the fact that society doesn't cringe when hearing it nowadays. It's also considered by some a "contributory" illness meaning that while experiencing mania, people with Bipolar Disorder become inspirational and productive superheros! And that's viewed as a good thing, right? NPR covers this in The Unquiet Mind.

While it's difficult for me to isolate "one diagnosis" and not talk about the rest (seeing as the spectrum of mental health is completely nebulous), I was grateful for Doug Blush for framing such an emotional subject and transforming it into a brilliant work of art. The movie stirs people, and that internal motion is the first step towards change.

What are your thoughts on the best way to start talking about serious issues like mental illness?

23 comments

  1. It's me again! The Flufficorn! I am a bipolar person! Though I admit, my bi-polarism is not as acute as it is in say, my dad who I get it from, or other Bipolars I have met. Generally, I keep my being bipolar very under-wraps because it has such a negative stigma attached to it. Often when people think of bipolar disorder, they think of someone like Billy from Six Feet Under. I often tell people that even my dad, whose bipolar disorder runs his life, is nowhere even nearly as bad as that Billy character, and that people that have bipolar disorder that bad are incredibly rare.

    To me, living with my bipolar disorder is about managing myself. I have come to recognize when I am about to be hit with a down, and when I am in a high, and even when those lows and highs are going to inspire me to create.

    Can I just reiterate that I absolutely love your blog? I am so happy I found it, and for the brief conversations we have had! You have inspired me to love myself more, and this post: even moreso. I am also taking a page from your book and a-la Baker Babes, I want to make a section of my blog dedicated to awesomely crafty women.

    You are a force for good, and an inspiration to many. You will change the world!

    -K.C.

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  2. Oh Jes, thank you so much. I've been happily reading your blog for the past week and you've touched many nerves for me.

    I have been living with relapsing-remitting MS, depression and bi-polar disorder for over 15 years and it's still a struggle at times to accept my body and its limitations. Your fierce and fearless, honest and kind entries about body acceptance and self love are very inspiring. I also dig the recipes. I love baking (and eating said baked goods)

    Thanks again for the smiles and crumbs on my lips

    xo
    Cathy

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  3. Yes, I love this! We need to start talking about it. Family members have a hard time understanding because "well you seem so normal" or "he is so nice, I would have never thought". I am hoping that it will be easier for them to get it if they see movies like this.

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    1. I think you're right. My husband gobbles up information so he can better understand me. It is so touching.

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    2. ^That just makes me so happy.

      I remember working with a lady diagnosed with bi-polar and she would joke all the time that if anything she was EASIER to date than other women because she came with "how to" books!

      Just look in the psychology section! ;)

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  4. I have not had much experience with mental illness but I think the conversation has to start like every other. Just start talking, being honest, sharing our real lives with each other. I did it when I had my miscarriage (a surprisingly underdiscussed experience), when I wanted to blog about domestic violence and when my parents died and I didn't fit the - "Ok, I've grieved and now I'm fine (read: Stoic)".
    Thanks for bringing this up, Jes. You boldly go where so many have not. <3

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  5. I recently watched a different documentary on this subject at the behest of my husband who is forever diligent in his support of me and my condition. I was so sadly comforting to hear other people say what I've always had inside. I'm looking forward to watching this one, too. I never talk openly about my condition (this would be the first time to mention it publicly), but maybe it's time.

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    1. Absolutely, and I just have to say that you are so brave.

      In behavioral health, the money and effort goes into supporting peer navigators. One of their purposes is to talk about their mental illness and share their recovery stories with those trying to get better... It's all about bringing hard stuff to the surface and talking about it! It's the first and most important step.

      You can always talk to me about it if you want... Its one of my favorite subjects! ;)

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  6. This looks amazing, and really makes me realize how important it is to be honest about these things with the people close to you. I'm not Bipolar, but I do have Social Anxiety, and I am driven CRAZY by comments that my husband's aunt makes to me. "Well why don't you get a job?" "You should go outside and talk to the other moms so your kid can make friends" (I'm a stay at home mom) etc etc.

    It infuriates me, because if she only knew how these situations affect me... Ugh.

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  7. You know what I think the best way to start discussion on mental health is? Things like this post, right here. Like the documentary that prompted it. Safe environments where people can speak out, share experiences and ask questions. Particularly when this happens in format which can be shared with the world to create further discussion and awareness.

    I've lived with mental illness for most of my life, not bi-polar (though it was suggested for a while) but other conditions. Every time I come across an article, blog or video which talks about mental health in an open way that seeks to promote understanding it makes me happy. It makes me feel less alone. It makes me feel more able to talk about my own experiences.

    So, huge thanks once again for writing yet another inspirational and awesome post.

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  8. I have to see this movie. Thank you so much for this valuable post, and thank you for being a passionate mental health blogger! You have motivated me to become a more "real" blogger. Your posts are inspiring and your content isn't shallow. I am very grateful to you.

    Jenna

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  9. Great post. I love how open you are in this blog.

    As for mental health, I am biased. I grew up with a mentally ill mother & cousin and no one in the family wanted to talk about it. I learned about mental illness in college. I reluctantly went into mental health as a career. Now I cannot stop talking about it. I talk about mental health at work, at home, to anyone who will listen. It helps my mental health, as well as my clients. I do my best to educate everyone around me. I try to discuss mental health with my relatives when they are open to it. May is mental health awareness month and I am bugging people even more.

    Keep up the good work! Education and awareness is so crucial to cease the stigma.

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  10. I start conversations with persistence! Four years ago, I realized my dearest, oldest and "bestest" friend (in the world) was suffering from something far beyond my ability to help her. I fought and advocated with and for her in hopes of getting someone to listen as she was absolutely certain I'd been corrupted in "the game" (I was one of the only people she had left in the end, everyone else had turned away or she'd shut out because they'd been drawn into 'the game'). Finally, after recruiting two other friends and bombarding her family with pleas for help (as here, where I am (as I'm sure it is elsewhere), short of reporting someone as a 'danger to themselves or others' to the police, there is nothing a friend can do to help), they responded and started to admit her 'odd' behaviour may be more than selfishness (can you believe that? I yelled at her step mom at one point over it)...

    Anyway, it's a long road and mental illness can happen to anyone at anytime and it takes frequent and open communication, the sharing of knowledge and experiences to just start to get people to listen.

    Another recent (and appreciative fan) - you amaze me, thank you!

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  11. I'm a Tucsonan who just recently discovered your blog. I am so bummed I didn't hear about this, as I work in mental health and love the Loft! Guess that is what happens when you hole up for finals. Anyways, just commenting to say I am a new reader :-)

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  13. I'll have to look into seeing the movie. I work for EMPACT-Suicide Prevention Center (La Frontera is the Tucson component of the company) as a crisis counselor and I see mood disorders (well, the whole mental health spectrum) daily at work. It's great to see these conversations being started in a society that views mental health as a dirty, disgraceful issue.

    People aren't ashamed of taking insulin, but no one wants to admit to prozac, welbutrin or lithium. Why is physical health okay (in most cases) to talk about, but mental health is taboo?

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  14. I really liked this movie too. I started the conversation with my blog, www.bipolarspirit.com and being a minister who openly talks about their mental illness. Also, my ministry is in providing programs for people with mental illness because there is just not enough free community support for us out there.

    Thanks for this post and raising awareness!

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  15. I liked this movie as well. I decided to start the conversation with my blog, www.bipolarspirit.com and deciding to be a minister who talks openly about their mental illness. I also provide programs for people with mental illness because there is not enough free community support for us.

    Thank you for this post and for raising awareness!

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  16. This is my first visit in your page. I usually don't leave comments in blogs I don't follow, but I had to say thank you!
    I've just discovered my boyfriend has 'two minds' and, although I love both of them, it's a very stressful situation.
    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

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  17. I'm openly bipolar at work and I think it is my responsibility to model behavior that shows my coworkers thst, yes, it is a clasdified disease with treatment protocals, and also that discipline and a sense of humor can be used to regulate mood and daily functioning. I want to demystify the condition and help people understand that we are sort of like diabetics....we take meds, we have to eat right and exercise . We have bad days like everyone else. So what? I know lots of people with rotten tempers and crappy attitudes and people downgrade them to "crabby" and tolerste them, especially if they are male.

    You are good annd it's not a crime to have crappy seratonin. If you had crappy insulin you wouldn't be beating yourself up, right? It's tough, I know you can do it.

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  18. I still identify more as a depressive rather than as bipolar, though I certainly have Bipolar II tendencies. How do I talk about it? Honestly, I just talk about it ALL THE TIME. I hid it for a several years prior to my diagnosis, but everyone at work could see the symptoms---specifically, they could see that I was becoming spectacularly less social and my work output was screeching to a halt.

    The stigma of talking about depression in an employment setting terrifies me, because of course people do lose opportunities when their employers don't want to hire or promote a known mentally ill person. Technically that's illegal under the ADA, of course, but it's almost impossible to prove. (And what is an employer supposed to do with a worker who doesn't produce 3-6 months of the year, every other year? Recommend disability?) Etc, etc.

    But it's so obvious I'm depressed. As long as I'm torpedoing my career anyway, I might as well talk about why it's happening. I might as well try to normalize the discussion and ease the stigma for all the other depressives hiding their condition from their employers and friends.

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  19. I still identify more as a depressive rather than as bipolar, though I certainly have Bipolar II tendencies. How do I talk about it? Honestly, I just talk about it ALL THE TIME. I hid it for a several years prior to my diagnosis, but everyone at work could see the symptoms---specifically, they could see that I was becoming spectacularly less social and my work output was screeching to a halt.

    The stigma of talking about depression in an employment setting terrifies me, because of course people do lose opportunities when their employers don't want to hire or promote a known mentally ill person. Technically that's illegal under the ADA, of course, but it's almost impossible to prove. (And what is an employer supposed to do with a worker who doesn't produce 3-6 months of the year, every other year? Recommend disability?) Etc, etc.

    But it's so obvious I'm depressed. As long as I'm torpedoing my career anyway, I might as well talk about why it's happening. I might as well try to normalize the discussion and ease the stigma for all the other depressives hiding their condition from their employers and friends.

    ReplyDelete

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