The brilliant Natasha, who I appreciate very much for her insights as a fellow “traveler” in a life with Bipolar Disorder, has written: “What’s the Worst Mental Illness?”
Excerpt:
What I’m saying is that my struggle with bipolar disorder is mine and unique to me. I have a unique set of symptoms, a unique set of challenges and a unique set of techniques that I find helpful. Bipolar disorder and all mental illness are heterogeneous that way.
Yup. I agree.
Also this…
But believe me when I tell you, no matter what the diagnosis, no matter what the illness, no matter what the pain scale, no matter what the statistics say, it doesn’t matter. Because when you’re on the floor of your kitchen with a razor blade in your hand, you know one thing for sure – your mental illness is surely the worst in the world for you at that moment. And you’re absolutely right.
I agree with that, too, but…I have this.
In the Heart of Christ are this pain and sorrow totally and completely transformed into love. This love in turn permits us to embrace our pain and delight in our sorrows.
Not everyone deals with Bipolar Disorder in the same way because we are all, as Natasha says, quite unique. I do think that it is helpful to all, however, in those moments, to try your best to hold on to the fact that you are not just a walking sack of meat. You have dignity. You have value. You are worth something to someone, no matter what your brain might be telling you.
Thanks, Natasha. You’re very helpful to me.
