In this video, I discuss how this statement is shaming and stigmatizing, along with reasons why it's incorrect. https://youtu.be/kY00z90FtJM Receiving assistance from a therapist can be helpful. I have been working with individuals who live with Bipolar Disorder and have helped them live successfully. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, you can call, email, or self-schedule a phone consult. CLICK HERE to learn about telehealth. Ready ...read more
5 Building Blocks to Effectively Manage Bipolar Disorder by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
When it comes to effectively managing bipolar disorder, the first step is to start with the basics. At first glance, these steps might look trivial and simple, but they take time, practice, patience, and self-compassion. Sleep: When it comes to monitoring and managing mood symptoms, sleep is both an anchor and an indicator. Sleep works as an anchor because it assists in mood management. Establishing regular sleep patterns is the starting point for regulating mood. Sleep ...read more
Finding Stability During Times of Uncertainty in Bipolar Disorder by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Individuals living with mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder, are influenced by changes or lack of stability in routine. Stability and routine are the foundation for mood management in bipolar disorder, so much so that there is a therapy treatment for it called Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) by Dr. Ellen Frank (Frank, 2005). The social rhythm component of IPSRT ties daily routines and tasks to mood symptoms and fluctuations in mood. The interpersonal component ties life ...read more
How loved ones can be helpful in recognizing bipolar disorder by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Loved ones of individuals living with mental illness are valuable because they have experiences with the individual, observations of the individual, and information about the individual that have been gathered over time. If the individual is living with bipolar disorder, this information can be crucial in ensuring that the individual receives the proper diagnosis. Why does it matter? As therapists, we diagnose an individual based upon the information we receive. For bipolar disorder, one ...read more
How can therapy happen during a pandemic? by Robyn Tamanaha
Pivot, Pivot, Pivot The pandemic has led to many changes in multiple areas of life. We are continuing to do certain things, such as work, shopping, and being with loved ones, but in a different way. We have pivoted the way in which we do these things. This might look like working from home, shopping for groceries online, and chatting with loved ones through video. Video Isn’t That New When it comes to mental health, many people are having sessions through video. And it’s important to note ...read more
Dilemma: Not wanting to go to sleep because tomorrow will come sooner by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
For some, disrupted sleep is not due to difficulty falling asleep or difficulty staying asleep. The lack of sleep is an active effort, because there are difficulties in getting through the day. The Dread of Tomorrow The thought of tomorrow brings up the feeling of dread. Dread about the piled-up responsibilities. Dread about something in your schedule that you’re not looking forward to. Dread about another empty day or overall lackluster life. The Inevitable Doesn’t Make It Easier to Come ...read more
When “Just Getting By” Is Not Enough by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Some individuals are going through the motions, completing basic tasks. They are eating, showering, and shopping. To an outsider, things may appear like all is well, but the struggle is on the inside. Underneath the surface, the individual might be feeling emotionally empty, tired or bored, things feel lackluster or mediocre, and things that used to be semi-fulfilling are not anymore. Life may just be “blah.” Overall, they may be feeling unfulfilled. This is a tricky situation because ...read more
Quarantine Dilemma: Stressful Family Members by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Physical distancing and staying at home can create the potential for difficult and stressful interactions amongst family members. Collision of Different Types of Boundaries There are different types of boundaries. An individual who has rigid boundaries might avoid close contact, stay to themselves, not ask for help, or keep others at a distance during conversations or interactions. An individual who has loose boundaries might take up or get into others personal space, overshare information, ...read more
Depression and Isolation During a Pandemic by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
While in a depressive episode, the symptoms can make it difficult for an individual to connect with, or reach out to, others. The individual may also feel alone, isolated, worthless, and hopeless. It takes a lot of strength and motivation to muster up the will to go against what depression wants. Now, there’s an added challenge: the pandemic has led to precautions, such as a safe at home order, which means that in-person events have been eliminated, coffee shops and restaurants are closed ...read more
Coming Home Too Soon by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Some college students are being sent home as a precaution to help manage the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This was an abrupt change and can lead college students to be beside themselves with unknowns about their future, experiencing difficult emotions and thoughts, and confronting new and old stressors. Going off to college is a pivotal point in an individual’s life because it’s a segway into the future, which can open the door to many opportunities, and for some, it’s a ticket to leaving a home ...read more
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