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Bipolar Girl Reaches for her Goal to Become a Mental Health Advocate

March 15, 2010 Cristina Fender

I couldn’t get to sleep last night. My mind was too full. I’m planning to go back to school and there is so much to do. There’s the financial aspect, there’s what I’m going to do with the girls, there’s applications and FAFSA’s to fill out. My biggest worry, though, is whether or not I can do it. Am I capable enough to go back to school and be successful despite my bipolar? Is it possible to even be making these plans not knowing if my bipolar disorder is going to be under control enough to do it? I’m not getting any younger. If I want to enter the work force and become a mental health advocate, I need to do it soon or I’ll regret it.

mentalhealthAll these worries reminded me that I need to get some more counseling. I haven’t seen my therapist since October. And although she is a fine therapist, it’s a bit far for me to drive an hour to see her. It’s time to see a new one. I hate looking for a new therapist, but it needs to be done. My psychiatric nurse says that I don’t cope with stress well and stress is a-coming. Going to school is a stressful thing. I need to be able to cope well.

I’m arming myself with battle weapons against my bipolar.

I’m determined to finish this goal in my life and I won’t let bipolar disorder stop me. I will survive. I will do more than survive. I will thrive! I’m making a change in my life for the better. I’m jumping off the edge. I don’t know where I’ll land, but right now I don’t care. I’m moving forward and that feels fantastic. My whole body is tingling.

I’m doing this more than for myself. I’m doing it so I can become an advocate for the mentally ill. I think of all the people who end up in a psychiatric hospital because of bipolar disorder or other mental illness and don’t understand what’s happening to them. I think of the ones who fear that they’re never getting out of the mental hospital. Those are the people I want to help. I want to do good in the world of mental health. I want them to have an understanding ear. Who could understand better than me?

And so I work toward my goal. I’m doing more than dreaming right now. I’m actively pursuing my goal to help others. And in the process, I’ll heal myself.

APA Reference
Fender, C. (2010, March 15). Bipolar Girl Reaches for her Goal to Become a Mental Health Advocate, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, March 28 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/bipolarvida/2010/03/bipolar-girl-reaches-for-her-goal-to-become-a-mental-health-advocate



Author: Cristina Fender

Cyndi G
February, 25 2023 at 4:32 pm

Is this blog still active? I see some old postings. My 37yo daughter is now married but is making her husband life a living hell and I’m afraid it won’t last. They ARE trying talk therapy but he is always wrong and she is right in HER REALITY. Is inpatient a viable option to interrupt her insulated unreal reality. She’s not happy and I’m wondering if being stable and happy might eventually kick in so she can remember those feelings of reality and peace.

Mrs. D
April, 8 2010 at 4:54 pm

I need so much help. My son has bi polar, he has been in the hospital 3 times. He has such potential when healthy......but he refuses the medication and life becomes hell for all of us.
His dream of a degree from UofT is always so close, then he takes another dive.
I want him well. I want him alive......I just want him back.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
April, 9 2010 at 1:11 am

Mrs. D,
I'm so sorry for all you're going through. It's hard to see a person deteriorate right before your eyes. Does your son say why he refuses medication? Perhaps it leaves him fuzzy or makes him sick. A lot of those side effects ease with time.
All you can do is to be there for him and hope he'll eventually make the right choice for himself. I know that I was in denial for so long after my diagnosis. I refused to see this as an illness and more of something I had done to myself. I wonder if he would go to talk therapy even if he refuses his meds?
I wish you all the luck. Please let me know how he's doing.
Cristina

JourneyBeyondSurvival
March, 15 2010 at 4:14 am

Those sound like good manageable things to do. Good luck finding a therapist to help.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
March, 15 2010 at 5:42 am

Thanks, Journey. It will be a journey of a lifetime.
Cristina

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