Very interesting!! I have been wondering if bipolar are more progressives bc every bipolar person I’ve met and spoken to at length are on the far left. Idk if that’s a trend, but I’m glad I found this article. So well written and fascinating!
Such a brilliant post about mental health, privilege, and politics. On a very minor note, I smiled to see you were in the FFA. I was a Future Farmers of America sweetheart 2 years running—And I was certainly no future farmer! I want to find an FFA jacket on eBay and wear it every day to remind me of that time, at the height of my powers 😆
I so appreciate your open, honest reflection on your personal mental health and the lessons learned as applied to the political sphere. Your Wise Mind has much to say and share.
You can hold two opposing thoughts in your head and sharing that is a blessing. This from an Atheist.
It is funny how much the Wise Mind seems like applied nuance.
Thanks for pointing out the correlation between traumatic brain injury and presenting mental illness! None of the therapists I've seen have ever mentioned this!
Such a powerful essay from "wise mind". "So much paperwork" in DBT - I remember investigating CBT and stopping at about half an inch of printout, and that wasn't all the worksheets either. Tackling them all was the wrong approach on my part!
Keeping this as copy in my textEDIT--thanks Sherman, for this brilliant rundown, brave of you and a real gift to read for anyone who wonders about basic 'drivers,' of how friends/strangers and family members think and feel their way through life. Great information.
Never thought of myself as mentally ill (okay, only rarely thought of myself as mentally ill) but your thinking and experiences match mine nearly exactly. Except my craft requires me to center myself as opposed to leaning on my emotional mind. But I do like to write and I see that is totally my emotional mind's outlet. Anyway, thank you for laying this out so clearly, I understand myself better after reading your insights.
Thank you for your generous and open sharing of what it means to be bipolar. I have close relationships with several people who are bipolar. That includes my best friend of almost 50 years and my former sister in law. During their pregnancies they were off meds and did very well but had manic psychotic episodes soon afterwards. Medications and treatments have greatly improved since and they are stable. My friend has asked me to let her know if she seems off. Looking back I’m certain that an uncle was bipolar who self medicated with alcohol, decades ago. You’re a great talent and I appreciate your writings very much.
This may be the most personally useful work of yours I’ve encountered and I think k I’ve read everything you’ve shared. I recognize virtually everything you describe, perhaps only slightly toned down in intensity.. I will save it for repeated readings, post the DBT chart many places as a personal guide, treasure the times of calm (I forget the word you used, but will be using it often as I can!). I have been yelling at clouds a lot lately even when my emotional side is thinking “I love you, need you, treasure you.”
Sherman Alexie, thank you for this brave, open honest telling of your struggles with mental illness. You have so graciously shared your heart and mind and I thank you.
As for white privilege, you are correct, not all whites live in privilege. Many struggle in deep poverty and it is near impossible to break away from the "system" and poverty policies that trap the poor of all races from ever breaking free. I know this because I am white and I spent the majority of my adult life living in poverty.
We are blessed by your openess and willingness to share your struggles Sherman. Thank you...
Thank you. I needed to read this.
Very interesting!! I have been wondering if bipolar are more progressives bc every bipolar person I’ve met and spoken to at length are on the far left. Idk if that’s a trend, but I’m glad I found this article. So well written and fascinating!
Such a brilliant post about mental health, privilege, and politics. On a very minor note, I smiled to see you were in the FFA. I was a Future Farmers of America sweetheart 2 years running—And I was certainly no future farmer! I want to find an FFA jacket on eBay and wear it every day to remind me of that time, at the height of my powers 😆
I have never seen this explained so eloquently before. But just a reminder Sherman, it helps to forgive yourself also.
Parsing out how powerful this post is… measured by the fact no one pithy granular statement can summarize.
I so appreciate your open, honest reflection on your personal mental health and the lessons learned as applied to the political sphere. Your Wise Mind has much to say and share.
You can hold two opposing thoughts in your head and sharing that is a blessing. This from an Atheist.
It is funny how much the Wise Mind seems like applied nuance.
Thanks for pointing out the correlation between traumatic brain injury and presenting mental illness! None of the therapists I've seen have ever mentioned this!
the Artist in you.
I am grateful that you stayed on this earth. 🙏
Such a powerful essay from "wise mind". "So much paperwork" in DBT - I remember investigating CBT and stopping at about half an inch of printout, and that wasn't all the worksheets either. Tackling them all was the wrong approach on my part!
Keeping this as copy in my textEDIT--thanks Sherman, for this brilliant rundown, brave of you and a real gift to read for anyone who wonders about basic 'drivers,' of how friends/strangers and family members think and feel their way through life. Great information.
Never thought of myself as mentally ill (okay, only rarely thought of myself as mentally ill) but your thinking and experiences match mine nearly exactly. Except my craft requires me to center myself as opposed to leaning on my emotional mind. But I do like to write and I see that is totally my emotional mind's outlet. Anyway, thank you for laying this out so clearly, I understand myself better after reading your insights.
Thank you for your generous and open sharing of what it means to be bipolar. I have close relationships with several people who are bipolar. That includes my best friend of almost 50 years and my former sister in law. During their pregnancies they were off meds and did very well but had manic psychotic episodes soon afterwards. Medications and treatments have greatly improved since and they are stable. My friend has asked me to let her know if she seems off. Looking back I’m certain that an uncle was bipolar who self medicated with alcohol, decades ago. You’re a great talent and I appreciate your writings very much.
This may be the most personally useful work of yours I’ve encountered and I think k I’ve read everything you’ve shared. I recognize virtually everything you describe, perhaps only slightly toned down in intensity.. I will save it for repeated readings, post the DBT chart many places as a personal guide, treasure the times of calm (I forget the word you used, but will be using it often as I can!). I have been yelling at clouds a lot lately even when my emotional side is thinking “I love you, need you, treasure you.”
Love you Sherman. Nothing like a good 4th Step
Sherman Alexie, thank you for this brave, open honest telling of your struggles with mental illness. You have so graciously shared your heart and mind and I thank you.
As for white privilege, you are correct, not all whites live in privilege. Many struggle in deep poverty and it is near impossible to break away from the "system" and poverty policies that trap the poor of all races from ever breaking free. I know this because I am white and I spent the majority of my adult life living in poverty.
We are blessed by your openess and willingness to share your struggles Sherman. Thank you...