Category Archives: mixed states, dysphoria mania

The Hopelessness of Mental Illness

March 8, 2012 · by · in believer, darkness, depression, despair, despondancy, difficulties, discipleship, Jesus Christ, lost causes, medications, mental illness, mixed states, dysphoria mania, personal comments, personal testimony, Serving Mentally Ill Christians, spiritual lessons, symptoms, understanding, Very helpful

I’ve seemed to have settled down into a blackness that defies all explanation. I’m dodging being hospitalized, and they can’t put me where I don’t want to go. Hopelessness swirls me around and I feel like a bug going down a drain. Thoughts of suicide are becoming more concrete and despair is becoming a frequent visitor. [...]

Sorting Out What is Real

November 21, 2011 · by · in believer, bipolar disorder, Bryan's editorial, church life, despondancy, devotional, discipleship, heaven, Jesus Christ, mental illness, mixed states, dysphoria mania, mood swings, moods, personal comments, SAD, Serving Mentally Ill Christians, spiritual lessons, understanding, Very helpful, wisdom

It’s a terribly cold, gray day here in Alaska.  Very typical for the end of November.  Just as typical  is that I  have had a heaviness descend on me, just like when the fat kid sits on the little kid at the bus stop.  This grayness seems to be a premonition, I feel, of what I face trying [...]

The Meat Grinder

May 12, 2011 · by · in believer, discipleship, failure, faith, life lessons, manic, medications, mental health, mental illness, mixed states, dysphoria mania, mood swings, personal comments, personal testimony, Serving Mentally Ill Christians, stigma, suicide, understanding, weakness

I feel like I am going through a meat grinder. Pushed against my will (and desire) I’m finding myself in a place I’d rather not be. My therapist confirmed today that I’m in a “mixed state” where bipolar mania and depression come together.  I compare it to two massive ocean currents smashing into each other.  (please Google, “mixed state“). [...]

24/7 Crisis Lines

January 23, 2011 · by · in alcohol and drug abuse, anorexia, autism, believer, binge eating, bipolar disorder, Borderline, BPD, bulimia, caregivers, children, counseling, crisis, crisis hotlines, cutting, depression, despair, difficulties, drug abuse, dual disorders, failure, faith, GAD, gay, mental illness, mixed states, dysphoria mania, mood swings, OCD, pain, panic attacks, paranoia, PTSD, runaways, SAD, schizophrenia, Serving Mentally Ill Christians, sexual abuse, suicide, talk therapy, teens in crisis, Very helpful

List of Hotlines–1-800 Phone Numbers In general, hotlines have three things in common: 1) they are available to call 24/7 2) they are 100% confidential 3) they are free Here’s a list of hotlines that may help you in whatever situation you find yourself in: Christian Counseling Services-General New Life Clinics 1-800-NEW-LIFE National Prayer Line [...]

Misconceptions

December 13, 2010 · by · in believer, bipolar disorder, comfort, confusion, counseling, depression, despair, discipleship, faith, family, Jesus Christ, medications, mental illness, mixed states, dysphoria mania, Serving Mentally Ill Christians, understanding

Misconceptions BY MARJA BERGEN Excerpt from A Firm Place to Stand I’m disappointed when friends and family who know me well say things that reveal a gross misunderstanding of depression and how it affects those of us who suffer from it. One person close to me thought depression was something we bring on when we [...]

Ten Tips in Taming Your Depression

October 20, 2010 · by · in believer, depression, despair, devotional, discipleship, encouragement, Jesus Christ, mental illness, mixed states, dysphoria mania, Serving Mentally Ill Christians, spiritual lessons, understanding

1. Do not expect too much from yourself too soon, as this will only accentuate feelings of failure. Avoid setting difficult goals or taking on ambitious new responsibilities until you’ve solidly begun a structured treatment process. 2. Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what can be done, as it can [...]