Not Crazy (Archive)

“Mistakes are part of life” is something that some older relative tells every single child after they’ve messed something up. Generally, this advice is followed up with, “It’s how you react to the mistake that matters.”

Gabe Howard’s father taught him to apologize whenever he did something wrong, believing that it was important to own the mistake and make amends for it. “You can’t ask for forgiveness if you aren’t willing to make it right,” his father said. In true blue collar fashion, he would follow up with, “The mark of a good man is his willingness to say he’s sorry.”

But, what happens when the mistake isn’t something you chose to do? What if, during depression, mania, or hallucination, you made a mistake or hurt someone?

Are people with mental illness expected to apologize for mistakes caused by an illness? In this episode of A Bipolar, A Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, Gabe and Michelle discuss this and much more.

 

Highlights from ‘Apologizing for Mental Illness’ Episode

[1:00] Michelle shares a story about a romantic argument.

[4:00] Gabe explains what he thinks about caretaking.

[7:00] Honestly, Michelle is just losing her shit.

[8:30] Should you apologize after you freak out?

[12:45] Gabe and Michelle’s working relationship is . . .

[18:00] Michelle’s delayed dating due to schizophrenia.

[21:00] Michelle has fear of success?

In this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, our hosts discuss their own traumas as they relate to living with – and getting help for – mental illness. They both recall their time receiving treatment in the psychiatric hospital and Michelle tells the story of her encounter with a police officer that ended less than ideally.

Listen in to understand that trauma and mental illness are two separate issues that often go hand-in-hand.

Whether you are in an online or in-person support group or talking to your friends, if you are person taking psychiatric medications, you have probably encountered pushback. Some of these people are confused, some well-meaning, and some pushing their own agendas, but one message comes through to people with mental illness: You are different for taking medications.

In order to be diagnosed with any illness, a person must first show symptoms – in other words, something needs to go wrong. Living in recovery from mental illness doesn’t mean we are free from these effects; it just means that we’ve reduced our symptoms to a manageable level and learned to deal.

So, how do we do it? What’s life like on a day-to-day basis living in recovery? Do bipolar and schizophrenia still cause issues for Gabe and Michelle? Listen Now!

In this episode, Gabe & Michelle each share three stories about being manic. Two are completely true and one is a complete fabrication.

Can you tell the difference between the truth and a lie when hearing about mania? Listen now.

Is something as serious as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia so easily treated that doctors can just dole out pills and *poof* -- recovery? If it really is that simple, why are so many people suffering? In this episode, Gabe talks about the sexual side effects of his medications, Michelle discusses her reasons for initially refusing medications, and both hosts share the good, the bad, and the ugly about being “med-compliant.” Listen Now!

Listen in to hear how Gabe managed to find three women to marry, about Michelle’s experience on an online dating site targeting people with mental illness, and their thoughts on when you should tell a romantic interest about living with mental illness.

We really think you’ll fall in love with this episode.

Living with mental illness often means you make many mistakes, especially when it comes to how you treat the people around you. Some people believe that, because they were symptomatic, no apology is needed. Is that actually true?

Are people who are quirky and behave in interesting and unique ways mentally ill? If that’s true, wouldn’t mental illness be a good thing? IS mental illness a positive or negative? In this episode, our hosts explore those questions and share personal experiences. Listen in to be enlightened!

Our hosts are tired of the silence surrounding suicide, so they share their personal stories and related facts about this misunderstood psychiatric issue. Listen in now.