The Bipolar Lens

Relationships

The Impact of Mental Illness on Intimacy

Terri Cheney on May 3, 2024

Personal Perspective: It’s time for people with a mental health diagnosis to stop hiding their true selves. Here why.

Personal Perspective: It’s time for people with a mental health diagnosis to stop hiding their true selves. Here why.

Bipolar Disorder

Sleep and Bipolar Disorder: A Rocky Relationship

Terri Cheney on April 2, 2024

Personal Perspective: A healthy sleep cycle eludes many people with bipolar disorder, yet few things are more important for recovery.

Personal Perspective: A healthy sleep cycle eludes many people with bipolar disorder, yet few things are more important for recovery.

Bipolar Disorder

Is Mental Illness Fair?

Terri Cheney on March 5, 2024

Personal Perspective: It may seem unfair to have a mental illness, but sometimes it brings profound benefits.

Personal Perspective: It may seem unfair to have a mental illness, but sometimes it brings profound benefits.

Bipolar Disorder

Are You Putting Off Life Because of Mental Illness?

Terri Cheney on February 5, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Being too cautious about relapse can be just as bad as not taking proper precautions.

A Personal Perspective: Being too cautious about relapse can be just as bad as not taking proper precautions.

Suicide

The Continuing Miracle of Surviving Suicide

Terri Cheney on January 4, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Hope can still infuse one’s life after a suicide attempt.

A Personal Perspective: Hope can still infuse one’s life after a suicide attempt.

Are you troubled? Mindfulness meditation is a marvelous way to find peace in the present moment.

Bipolar Disorder

What a Bipolar Mixed State Really Feels Like

Terri Cheney on November 3, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The mixed state—a dangerous combination of mania and depression—is hard to describe but important to understand. Here's an insider's account.

A Personal Perspective: The mixed state—a dangerous combination of mania and depression—is hard to describe but important to understand. Here's an insider's account.

Ghosting

Confessions of a Ghoster

Terri Cheney on October 4, 2023

Personal Perspective: Mental health needs to be protected, but it shouldn’t be used to avoid social responsibility.

Personal Perspective: Mental health needs to be protected, but it shouldn’t be used to avoid social responsibility.

Anger

Anger’s Role in Women’s Depression

Terri Cheney on September 5, 2023

A Personal Perspective: It’s important for women to outwardly express their anger to avoid depression.

A Personal Perspective: It’s important for women to outwardly express their anger to avoid depression.

Bipolar Disorder

Apologies and Mental Illness

Terri Cheney on August 2, 2023

Personal Perspective: It’s painful but necessary to apologize for bad behavior, even when it’s the result of illness.

Personal Perspective: It’s painful but necessary to apologize for bad behavior, even when it’s the result of illness.

Therapy

How Electroshock Therapy Changed My Life

Terri Cheney on July 3, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Even in mid-life, it’s possible to change one’s identity through unexpected means and experience benefits.

A Personal Perspective: Even in mid-life, it’s possible to change one’s identity through unexpected means and experience benefits.

Bipolar Disorder

How Much Is Me, and How Much Is My Bipolar Disorder?

Terri Cheney on June 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: It can be difficult to distinguish between ordinary moods and bipolar symptoms—but identity exists apart from a diagnosis.

A Personal Perspective: It can be difficult to distinguish between ordinary moods and bipolar symptoms—but identity exists apart from a diagnosis.

Loneliness

Oprah and the Surgeon General on How to Fight Loneliness

Terri Cheney on May 8, 2023

We are facing an epidemic of loneliness, but offering validation to others can change that.

We are facing an epidemic of loneliness, but offering validation to others can change that.

Friends

How to Keep Friends Despite Depression

Terri Cheney on May 2, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Do you assume others can’t handle your depression? You may be depriving yourself of wonderful friendship opportunities.

A Personal Perspective: Do you assume others can’t handle your depression? You may be depriving yourself of wonderful friendship opportunities.

Fear

Are You Terrified of the Weather?

Terri Cheney on April 5, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Although weather phobias are common, mindfulness might ease them.

A Personal Perspective: Although weather phobias are common, mindfulness might ease them.

Cognition

Hear Something, Say Something

Terri Cheney on February 28, 2023

Casual insults about mental illness can do serious harm and need to be confronted.

Casual insults about mental illness can do serious harm and need to be confronted.

Psychiatry

Are You Ambivalent About Your Psychiatric Medications?

Terri Cheney on February 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Feeling traumatized when a medication stops working is normal, and may be a blessing in disguise.

A Personal Perspective: Feeling traumatized when a medication stops working is normal, and may be a blessing in disguise.

Depression

The Post-Party Blues

Terri Cheney on January 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Scientific theories explain why we may feel sad after holiday parties or other celebrations.

A Personal Perspective: Scientific theories explain why we may feel sad after holiday parties or other celebrations.

Bipolar Disorder

A Delicious Way to Improve Disordered Eating

Terri Cheney on December 4, 2022

Can a person with bipolar disorder have a normal relationship with food? Here’s one way to help achieve that.

Can a person with bipolar disorder have a normal relationship with food? Here’s one way to help achieve that.

Do you feel you’re not handling the journey of aging well? Try this technique instead.