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?

Chris and Aime Lynn talk about the pro's and con's of online versus in-person support groups. They note that each have strengths, and each have potential drawbacks as well.

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 ever have a class that tested your character?

Could you or someone you know use the 3 strategies?