Dbsalliance

I asked Flipswitch fans on Twitter to finish this sentence, "My least favorite myth about people with bipolar is..." Hear people's answers here! Finish the Top 10 Bipolar Myths here in Part 2! https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/flipswitch-10-bipolar-myths-pt-2 Your Thoughts?: What's your least favorite myth about people with bipolar disorder?

Last week, I started to reveal people's answers in Part 1 (link). Now here is the second half of people's answers to "My least favorite myth about people with bipolar is ____________." Hear these 5 myths. Break stigma! Share truth. Listen to part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/flipswitch-top-10-bipolar-myths-pt-1 Your Thoughts?: What is your least favorite myth about bipolar disorder?

This is the second half of my interview with popular rape advocate and blogger, 19-year old Sara. In Part One, she talked about her life--her rape, how treatment changed her life, and how she helps so many others also find hope and healing. In this installment, Sara define's society's "rape culture" and where it is on TV, the media, and pop culture. She talks about how you and I can end it. She also shares her thoughts on Penn State and the Jerry Sandusky Trial. I also share multiple resources for survivors and their loved ones. Read Sara's blog here at http://sarapenrod.tumblr.com/ (If you need immediate help, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.) For part one go here: https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/ending-rape-culture-pt-1 Your Thoughts? Does Sara's story give you hope? Do you know someone that could benefit from hearing this podcast?

19-year old Sara will talk about how she survived the trauma of her rape and how you can help yourself if you've been raped or sexually assaulted. Sara also gives advice for people who know someone who has been raped. At the end of this podcast, I share multiple resources for survivors and their loved ones. Read Sara's blog here at http://sarapenrod.tumblr.com/ (If you need immediate help, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.) Finish Sarah's story with Ending Rape Culture Part 2: Survivor Discusses What WE Can Do & Her Thoughts on Penn State https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/ending-rape-culture-pt-2 Your Thoughts? Were you inspired by Sara's story? Could you use some of these resources?

People with bipolar disorder know that staying up late can lead to mania or hypomania, which is often followed by depression. But sometimes it's hard for friends and family to understand. In the summertime, people with bipolar are torn between attending late-night events with friends and sleeping on time to prevent mania. This podcast discusses the relationship between sleep, mania, and depression. It outlines 5 steps for explaining the "Bipolar Bedtime" to friends and family. Your Thoughts?: Do you have friends and family who don't understand why you have to sleep earlier than they do? Can you use these strategies to help people understand?

One word associated with all Olympians is success. Sadly this word is not associated with mental illness. But Jerry, a Special Olympics athlete who has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Apserger's Syndrome (a form of Autism), is the epitome of success. He is a college graduate, Coordinator for Project UNIFY the Special Olympics, and a Special O athlete who competes in 6 different sports. You'll hear him talk about the stigma associated with mental illness and autism and how he uses it to fuel his success. Your Thoughts?: Were you encouraged by Jerry's story? Can you use stigma as motivation?

In this podcast, we learn how ADHD affects school by hearing Erin, a successful 29-yo with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. She'll identify 3 common problems for students with ADHD and tell us how she went from academic probation to the Dean's List when she was in college! This is Part 1 of 2 Parts in the "Back to School with ADHD" Series. To check out the resources that helped Erin, visit the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada at www.caddac.ca! Finish Back to School with ADHD here in Part 2! https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/back-to-school-with-adhd-pt-2-of-2-3-strategies-you-need-to-survive Your Thoughts/Suggestions for Comments? Could you relate to the 3 problems Erin talked about? Did you learn something new from this podcast?

Erin continues the story she began in Pt 1 (of 2) in the "Back to School with ADHD" series. She tells us about a problem students with ADHD face called Working Memory Disability or Executive Functioning. Erin also explains 3 strategies students with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can use to finish high school or college using her own experience as someone who went from academic probation to the Dean's List! She also shares some ADHD books that guided her. For more info, just visit the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada at www.caddac.ca! Did you miss the first half of this interview? Hear Pt 1 of Back to School with ADHD here: https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/back-to-school-with-adhd-pt-1-of-2-3-problems-adhd-students-face Your Thoughts: Do you have a problem with Executive Functioning? Can you use any of these strategies (using a recorder, switching classes, put a list of items on door for backpack, etc)?

Ever feel alone? Lacking support from your own parents as you parent a child with a mood disorder? Hear from a mom of two (a 2-year old and a 5-year old) as she tells us how The Balanced Mind Parent Network changed her life for the better. Erica is a volunteer on 'Roberta's Place' Chat Room and the Very Young Support Network. Your Thoughts? Do you need support? Do you have a story similar to Erica's?

It's back to school season! For college freshmen or transfer students, it can be nerve-wrecking. As someone who transferred schools my sophomore year, I've experienced those new student jitters. I outline 3 steps for a smooth transition to college life so you can do well in school and find friends. High school and junior high school students can also use these 3 steps. Soundtrack featured: Saved by the Bell theme song. Your Thoughts? Do you know someone who could use this podcast? Can you use any of these 3 strategies?

Do you have bipolar disorder and wish your friends and family understood? OR Are you someone who loves someone with bipolar but doesn't know what to say? Either way, you can benefit from this short podcast. Your Thoughts? What are the worst (and best things) someone's said to you about your disorder? Do you know people who could benefit from hearing this podcast? Share it--email, Twitter, Facebook.

I'm re-releasing Flipswitch's most popular podcast ever, 5 Things NOT to say + 5 Things TO SAY to a Depressed Person. The very first month it came out Flipswitch received 7,000 visits. After receiving this heartfelt email from a listener, I decided to re-release the podcast. "The flipswitch podcast i listened to a few months ago was probably the most important one i will ever hear on how to help someone with depression...This is likely against your policy, but i wonder if you could run this podcast again or if possible, every couple of months. It is the best thing i have seen for me to send to friends, some of whom have been depressed, but have never been on that edge or attempted to take their lives. This is not to say their depression is not hell, just that when they try to "encourage" those of us in depression, it can be the very worst thing to do and even trigger episodes...This podcast succinctly tells people just what they need to know to stop putting salt in the wounds and even to start helping."

Last week I released the Top 12 Flipswitch podcasts and articles of 2012--the most popular items of the year. This week I toyed with the idea of sharing my thoughts on my most favorite Flipswitch podcast of 2012, which is 5 Things NOT to Say + 5 Things TO SAY to a Person Who's Been Raped or Sexually Assaulted. (This podcast was the fifth most popular Flipswitch item of 2012.) The overwhelming support I got from survivors of rape who wrote in to tell me how this podcast touched them is something I will never forget. Re-releasing this podcast is also timely in light of the stories in the media this week, surrounding the gang rapes in India and Steubenville, Ohio which highlight two things 1) rape culture is a problem that affects everyone everywhere and 2) through social media, you and I have great power to change the world! Responses from Survivors of Rape and Assault : When I put together the podcast, I was motivated by the women in my life who have been victims of rape--some of them were abused by a fam

One of the most essential wellness tools, though often overlooked, is humor. In this podcast, I've interspersed scenes from comedian/playwright/actress/Psychology Today blogger Victoria Maxwell's one-woman show, That's Just Crazy Talk, with our interview. Join us as we laugh despite the heartache that is common to the bipolar experience! We talk about humor's role in breaking stigma and surviving bipolar disorder.

When we get depressed, it's easy to get involved in activities that make the depression worse because we're not thinking rationally. In this short podcast, I list 5 things NOT to do and 5 Things TO DO when you're depressed. What can you do the next time you're feeling depressed?

Halloween is coming and nothing says Halloween quite like a superhero costume. Who's your favorite superhero? Superman, Batman, Spiderman? What can your superhero do? Fly, leap over buildings, web people? My superhero, Winston Churchill, had the power to defeat Hitler. Churchill's bravery precipitated the end of World War II and the Holocaust! Defeating depression prepared him for standing up to Hitler and rallying Britain when she had no allies. This is Pt 1 of the Mental Health Superhero Series, which celebrates people with mental illnesses who changed the world. Also featured in podcast: Superman theme song composed by John Williams, actual audio of Churchill's soaring oratory, and a reading from Anthony Storr's brilliant book, Churchll's Black Dog, Kafka's Mice, and Other Phenomena of the Human Mind. Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Were you encouraged by Churchill's resilience? Will you dress up as Winston Churchill for Halloween? Part 2 https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/mental-healt

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the number one cause of disability. Indeed, depression can be debilitating. But there was a time when a man with chronic depression became America's greatest President. Abraham Lincoln is credited with both preserving the union and ending slavery in the U.S. Hear 2 lessons we can apply from Lincoln. Featured: Superman theme song composed by John Williams for the film franchise starring Christopher Reeves. Your Thoughts?: Can you develop 1) profound empathy and 2) rock-hard resilience while fighting depression or bipolar disorder? Were you encouraged by Lincoln's resilience? Part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/mental-health-superheroes-pt-1-how-defeating-depression-prepared-churchill-to-defeat-hitler Part 3 https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/mental-health-superheroes-pt-3-bipolar-babe-helps-young-people

Hear Andrea Paquette, also known as the Bipolar Babe, as she talks about her journey including her first episode, getting a bipolar diagnosis, and helping others. Andrea is the Executive Director of the Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia. She talks about how hard it is to accept help--be it a diagnosis or taking prescribed medication--but why it's worth it. Even superheroes need help sometimes. Part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/mental-health-superheroes-pt-1-how-defeating-depression-prepared-churchill-to-defeat-hitler Part 2 here: https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/mental-health-superheroes-pt-2-how-fighting-depression-helped-lincoln-fight-slavery

Today we welcome back blogger, 19-yr old Sara, who talks about her journey with anorexia nervosa. She shares advice on supporting someone with an eating disorder (ED) and survival tools for people who are fighting ED. Hear about the warning signs, symptoms, and treatment.

Nadia, a 36-year old healthcare worker, describes growing up with undiagnosed bipolar disorder and being labelled a problem child. She also tells us how treatment for bipolar changed her life. Nadia reveals her 3 tools for managing bipolar before finally sharing some hopeful words for parents of children with bipolar disorder.