Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Jenn Adams in regards to her experience being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Jen comes from a Mormon background and she tells her story not only from a clinical perspective… but also how her religious framing affected how she perceived aspects of her mental health and treatment options. They discuss lots of common issues people face: how does one separate their own identity from a mental health diagnosis, role of family history & mental health, how manic episodes can influence impulsive behaviors that then get caught up in ecclesiastic disciplinary processes, and how spirituality and emotions can get conflated within clinical symptoms. They also talk about some of the things that ecclesiastical and auxiliary leaders can be aware of when ward members might present with these medical issues.

Mentioned during podcast:

Living with Bipolar Disorder as a Spouse Part 1

Living with Bipolar Disorder as a Spouse Part 2

Living with Bipolar Disorder as a Spouse Part 3

Sunstone

12 Ways to Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder

 

Natasha Helfer Parker runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions and writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith. She also hosts the popular podcasts, Mormon Mental Health & Mormon Sex Info and creates the sex educational resource, Sex Talk with Natasha.