Bipolar Disorder

[Guest]

Do you need help explaining to those who love you how your illness affects you on a day to day basis?

There is a new poet who writes insightfully about her own illness which can allow others to become vocal about their own.

“Poems of Survival” by Sue Holt
ISBN 0 9542218 9 3
Chipmunkapublishing

I have read a lot of Sue’s poetry. The poem that I could identify with the most was ""Manic Mind". Sue has eloquently expressed raw and emotional feelings. As I read, I was transported back to times when I had gone through the panic of mania, the fear, the craziness, and all the things Sue felt deep within her because I have been there, and I know those feelings all too well. Then having to battle the hole of depression - almost clutching for life, self-harming and shame. Knowing someone could understand what I go through moved me. Oh! How this is a demon we fight. I thank Sue for giving this as an explanation for those we desperately want to understand.
Thank you Sue for sharing your vulnerability and your talent.

Melanie Vancouver, Canada

Manic Mind

The mind is a very complex web of reality and unreality.
Does God really interact with a mere mortal?
Guiding and encouraging showing a different aspect to life, or is it pure mania?
Mania what does it mean?
It represents imprisonment and freedom.
Imprisonment by reality or a section of the Mental Health Act.
Are the two the same?
Behold the world through manic eyes.
Colours clearer, vibrant.
Vivid greens, intense yellows, passionate reds.
Speed, speed, speed.
Falling in love all over again.
Intensity, Diversity, Richness,
Idealistic goals, Perfection, Wholeness.
Love. Love. Love.
Abandonment, carefree.
Dreams, Ideas, Fantasy.
Purity.
Art, Music, Worship, Culture.
Finding the answer to the meaning of life!
Superhuman, Supernatural, Super Mania!
Thoughts and feelings influenced by the television, newspapers and by God.
The world is my oyster. I am invincible!
Super sexy! Sex kitten! Sex goddess!
Tumbling head over heels in love with a stranger!
Red-hot passion.
Freedom!
Mania is a forest fire cosuming all in its path.
It needs to be extinguished.
Hospitalized. Medicated. Sectioned. Supervised.
Restricted. Labelled. Classified. Categorized. Imprisoned.
Sedated. Controlled.
Denial. Lack of Insight. Confusion. Anger. Rage.
Hostility. Un-cooperation. Delusions of grandeur.
The mania continues to smoulder. Anti-psychotic drugs administered orally or injected.
The flames are extinguished.
The deep dark cavern awaits.
Hopelessness. Guilt. Shame. Embarrassment. Grim stark reality. Suicide. Helplessness. Despair. Death. Apathy. Fear. Intense pain. Loneliness. Paranoia.
Self harm. Self hate. Self loathe. Self pity.
No energy no motivation. Hiding in a cocoon. Hiding in the dark.
Submission! Desperation!
A willingness to take medication. What other answer is there?
The bitter pill swallowed. The depression lifts. Mania is smothered.
A time to reflect. A time to hope. Until next time………

www.freewebs.com/manicpoet/

[Guest]

melanie from vancouver i am desperate to talk to you about bipolar as i thin k i might have it but not sure, please contact me if you can! Help!
[quote] Do you need help explaining to those who love you how your illness affects you on a day to day basis.

There is a new poet who writes insightfully about her own illness which can allow others to become vocal about their own... [/quote]