Dbsalliance

Tired? Stressed out? Feel like you've done everything in your power to manage bipolar disorder or depression? Have you considered adding something new to the mix like a new hobby? * In this podcast, I explain 3 important reasons to find yourself a new hobby. The rarely discussed relationship between a new activity, mania, and routine is discussed. Also discussed are easy-to-follow examples of finding hobbies beginning with a story of my 3-year old nephew, Mikko, and the song "Single Ladies" from Beyoncé. *A new hobby is a supplement (not a substitute) for standard tools for managing mood disorders which include: diagnosis, therapy, and (if prescribed) medication. Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Has a new hobby ever transformed your life? Is there something you haven't done yet but want to try? Could you relate to the manic desire for excitement? Could you use any of the ideas in the podcast to find a new hobby?

Continuing Hanh's riveting story from Part 1, Hanh describes how she turned her life around in Pt 2. Hear about the conversation that changed her life--the words a loved one said that motivated her to get professional help! Hear how she persevered and overcame American and Vietnamese cultural barriers to finally get a diagnosis. Hear how Hanh is doing today; learn about the steps she took to transform her life. Also discussed: Hanh's suggestions for people trying to explain their depression or bipolar disorder to their parents. Hanh also gives advice for parents trying to support children with bipolar disorder. Your Thoughts? Were you encouraged by how Hanh turned her life around? Could you relate to any of Hanh's struggles?

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! To kick off our series about minorities in mental health, we're starting with Hanh's story. Hanh, a 30-year old woman with Bipolar II, came to the U.S. when she was just 10-months old with her family through a refugee sponsorship program. She discusses turbulent times like the Fall of Saigon, concentration camps, growing up in a Vietnamese-American family, and her earliest memories of depression and mania. With refreshing insights on how being a racial minority in America affects one's ability to get help for bipolar disorder, Hanh teaches us about the crushing effects of mental illness stigma. But her story also offers hope for young people who do not yet have the support of their parents as well as insights for parents struggling to understand their children. Your Thoughts?: Do you have a difficult time making your parents understand how you feel? What cultural backgrounds would you like to see Flipswitch discuss?

Pastor Victor concludes the dramatic story that began in Part 1–when he spoke about: his Puerto Rican heritage, Hispanic culture & mental health stigma, and having both depression and bipolar disorder in his family. Now, in Part 2, He tells us what happened to his daughter. In this podcast, he also reveals specific steps he took to educate himself on depression & bipolar disorder, and how he supported his family members through these illnesses. Also revealed: Suggestions for how to talk to your parents about your bipolar disorder. Your Thoughts?: Could you use any of his suggestions to talk to your parents about depression or mania? Have you taken NAMI's 12-week Family-to-Family course like Pastor Victor did? For more on NAMI's Family-to-Family program, click this link.

In Part 1 of his interview, a Puerto Rican American Pastor named Victor discusses his experiences leading a racially diverse church. Victor shares his observations about the delicate relationship between culture, stigma, and mental health. He also tells the story of his wife's diagnosis with major depression and his 20-something daughter's uphill battle with bipolar disorder. Your Thoughts?: Could you relate to Victor–have you cared for someone with depression or bipolar? Do you think your culture makes it easier or harder to get help?

In this podcast, we honor the late great African American author and mental health advocate, Bebe Moore Campbell. Though she died in 2006, her legacy lives on today. In 2008, Congress declared July Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In this tribute, I reenact (with the help of friends) 2 scenes from her spellbinding novel, 72 Hour Hold. We unpack 3 lessons for anyone fighting bipolar or depression or anyone who loves someone fighting this battle. 72 Hour Hold is about a mom (Keri) fighting for her daughter (18-year old Trina) who is in the trenches of bipolar disorder. Your Thoughts?: Can you relate to Keri's unconditional love for her daughter despite Trina's manic outbursts? Can you use any of the 3 lessons in either 1) fighting bipolar disorder or depression or 2) loving someonewho is fighting these illnesses?

In Part 1 of Melody's Story, we met Melody Moezzi, a 32-year old Iranian-American Muslim who has Bipolar I. Melody is a successful attorney, author, and advocate. She's been a commentator on NPR and CNN. She blogs for the Huffington Post, Ms. Magazine, and bp magazine (aka bipolar magazine). Her first book, War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims, was published in 2007. (To learn more about Melody's work, visit her website at www.melodymoezzi.com.) In the previous podcast, Melody described her worst experience with anti-bipolar stigma and harmful stereotypes society has of Muslims. In this podcast, Part 2, Melody tells us how she does it all. How does she manage to be so successful despite bipolar disorder? Can a person actually use her mental illness to become successful? Your Thoughts?: Were you encouraged by Melody's success? Has having bipolar disorder actually helped you pursue goals?

An Iranian-American Muslim, born in 1979, the year of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Melody Moezzi's life reads like a novel. She describes the displacement of her family–how the 1980 Iranian Hostage Crisis forced her family to leave the United States but the Iran-Iraq War also meant they could not stay in Iran. In this interview, Melody Moezzi, a 32-year old award-winning author and attorney with Bipolar I, describes her worst experience with anti-bipolar stigma. She also talks about Islamophobia and myths people believe about Muslims. Her ability to laugh in the face of pain is intriguing; her success despite stigma is uplifting. Interested in learning more about Moezzi? Then, check out her website, www.melodymoezzi.com, or look at her book, War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims, published in 2007. Your Thoughts?: Have you ever experienced mental health stigma like Melody did during her hospitalization? Do you know someone who might be encouraged by hearing Melody's story?

Society is so fond of talking about success as if the keys to success can be purchased at Ace Hardware. But rarely do we ever discuss failure and HOW to bounce back from it. Because failure causes everyone pain at some point in time, it's important to address the subject. While strategies in this podcast can be used in and outside of school, it is especially relevant for those of us starting school soon. Knowing how to bounce back from failure can be the difference between a happy school year and a miserable one! Using a story from my life–how I got a D+ on my first test at Northwestern University when I was in college and how I reacted–this podcast helps listeners form a Comeback Plan–3 Steps to boucing back from any failure or setback. Anyone with depression, bipolar disorder, or any mood disorder needs to know how to make a Comeback Plan. Resilience is also an essential lifeskill for people without mood disorders. Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Were you encouraged by my story? Did you e

Have a messy bedroom? Cluttered dorm room? Ever wake up on a bad day feeling depressed and then look at your messy room and feel worse? Do you keep telling yourself I'll get to cleaning my apartment (or house) but just don't know where to start? If you feel intimidated by all the clutter, you're not alone. This podcast outlines 3 simple strategies for de-cluttering your room or house. We explore the subconscious reasons we keep things. Have you ever fallen victim to the "Some Day Mentality"? Do you ever confuse the gift with the giver? Not sure what I'm talking about? Then, listen as I unpack the faulty reasoning that keeps our rooms cluttered. This podcast also gives extra hints for people with depression, bipolar, ADHD, or OCD. Need to give away stuff? Want to give to others? Check out www.freecycle.org, a great resource for those of us purging our closets! Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Could you or someone you know use any of the 3 strategies in this podcast? Has your disorder ev

Ellie helps us finish the Friendship Series with Part 3! Here, we explore 3 qualities people with mental illnesses & mood disorders should demonstrate in friendships. These qualities are essential to finding and keeping friends. This podcast also helps people without mental illnesses better understand how to support their friends because it outlines the relationship obstacles people with mental illness face AND the qualities of people with mental illnesses that actually make them great friends! Through a story from Ellie's life, we will learn how to harness painful experiences into a force for good and help others. (And, yes of course, we're gonna close out the series with the iconic Friends theme song, The Rembrandts' I'll Be There For You!) Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Do you agree with the 3 qualities we listed for being a good friend? Do you have a secret to successfully maintaing relationships despite mental illness? Did you learn anything surprising or new in the podcast?

Ellie's story continues. Contrasting her experiences with unsupportive friends in Part 1 of the Friendship Series, here in Part 2, Ellie shows us how good friends have helped her deal with ADHD and Depression. She also talks about a painful experience many people can relate to--a breakup. She tells us specific actions her friends took that made her feel better. Together, we outline 3 qualities of a good friend, and give tips on how to be a good friend to someone who has a mood disorder or mental illness. (And yes, in honor of friendship and Friends, we are playing The Rembrandts' I'll Be There For You!) Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comment: Could you relate to the story about Ellie's breakup? Have friends ever helped you through a difficult season in your life? What qualities do you look for in a good friend?

Ellie's back! You may remember her from our very popular podcast, In Other Words Pt 2: Top 2 Misuses of "ADD;" College Student Unveils 4 Strategies for Fighting ADHD. Ellie will now help us kick off a series of 3 podcasts in the Friendship Series. Here, in Pt 1, Ellie describes her worst experience dealing with depression and ADHD. She tells us about surviving the difficult season of her life and specific things friends said that actually made it worse. Ellie also tells us 3 qualities of an "unsupportive friend"--it's an eye opener for anyone who wants to support someone with a mood disorder or anyone with a mood disorder who wants to find quality friends. In Pt 2, Ellie will tell us about 3 qualities of good friends. In Pt 3, we'll talk about how to be a good friend when you have a mood disorder. (And yes, in honor of friendship and Friends, we are playing The Rembrandts' I'll Be There for You!) Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Can you recall a time when a friend actually made you feel wor

It's back to school season! For those of us who are college freshmen or transfer students, it can be a nerve-wrecking time. As someone who transferred schools my sophomore year of college, I've experienced many of those new student jitters. In this podcast, we 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 build strong friendships and do well in class by applying these 3 steps. Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Could you (or someone you know) use any of the 3 strategies in this podcast? Have you experienced the connection between stress and frequency/intensity of depressive bouts? Where do you find community?

Before the Internet, when you got angry, you had time to cool down and rethink things before saying something you might regret. Now with email, gchat, forums, Facebook, & Twitter, it's easier than ever NOT to think before hitting send. Everyone is presented with an opportunity to hit "send" and spew forth all their pent up frustration. Do you hit send? This podcast presents 3 steps to sending (or not sending) an angry email/making an angry post. Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Have you ever sent an email (or made an online post) you regret? Can you use the 3 steps in this podcast when you're feeling angry? Has online communication improved or hurt your relationships?

Picking up where we left off in Part 1 of the Tribute to Legend Patty Duke, in Part 2, we learn 3 vital lessons for people fighting mental illnesses and those who love them. You'll hear dramatic reenactments of scenes from Duke's bestselling autobiography, Call Me Anna. What's more impressive than all her awards (she's won the whole trifecta--an Academy Award, Emmy, & Golden Globe), is Patty's resilience in the face of constant adversity. For anyone who's ever felt discouraged by bipolar disorder, depression, other mental illnesses, or even the daily stress of life, Duke' story is a beacon of hope! Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Were you encouraged by Patty's resilience? What requires strength in your life? Could you (or someone you know) use the 3 tips/lessons in this podcast?

This podcast is Pt 1 (of 2 parts) in a tribute to legendary actress and mental health advocate, Patty Duke. Through reenactments of scenes from her bestselling autobiography, Call Me Anna, we unpack 2 vital lessons for people fighting mental illness and those who love them! What's more impressive than her resume (Broadway star at age 12, Oscar winner at 16, her own TV show at 17, etc.) is all the adversity Duke has overcome, which may come as a surprise to many. With or without bipolar disorder, her life would be a diffcult one by any standard. When you hear the Flipswitch tribute, you have no choice but to be filled with HOPE! Check out bp magazine's article (author: Elizabeth Zavala) on Patty Duke in their current issue (Summer 2011) http://www.bphope.com/Item.aspx/845/the-one-and-only-patty-duke Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Does Patty Duke's story give you hope? Have you read her autobiography, Call Me Anna? Can you use the 2 lessons/strategies in this podcast?

We welcome back, Hanh, a fitness coach who has bipolar disorder. She'll tell us how exercise helped her turn her life around and lose weight. She will share 5 strategies that will keep you motivated and exercising regularly. Hanh Nguyen is an Independent Team Beachbody® Coach. To learn about her services in nutrition and fitness, visit www.healthyhanh.com or email her at healthyhanh@gmail.com! [Note: Exercise is a supplement to (NOT a substitute for) prescribed medication and therapy if you have a mental illness.] Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Has exercise changed your life? Do you find it hard to exercise every week? Could you or someone you know use any of the strategies in this podcast?

We continue the 2-part series on ending manic or hypomanic debt. In this podcast, we examine 3 solutions to temptations people with bipolar disorder face from the numerous credit card offers college students get to how to stop splurging on guilty pleasures whether its shoes or video games. Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Do you have any "guilty pleasures"? Could you use any of the 3 strategies here to control your spending? Will you try using one of these tips?

It's no secret that overspending can happen to people with bipolar disorder! But oftentimes overspending isn't as obvious as buying a house or car you don't need after seeing a "for sale" sign. Some activities that also lead to bankruptcy don't seem so bad at first. We examine the roles mania and hypomania can play in bankrupting persons with Bipolar I and II, respectively. In Pt 1, we examine one safeguard. In the next podcast, Pt 2, we will look at multiple safeguards to stop overspending. Your Thoughts?/Suggestions for Comments: Have you (or someone you know) ever spent too much money because of mania or hypomania? What kinds of things are you tempted to spend too much money on? Could you or someone you know find this podcast helpful?