Live Well Bipolar ™7 Okt 2024

220: The Journal That Changed Everything

Finding Solace: Amanda McNamara's Journey with Bipolar Disorder and Monarch Mental Health

Amanda has become a dear friend of mine after shipping me a beautiful care package, which included her journal that helped me A LOT. Amanda McNamara, founder of Monarch Mental Health, joins Paris to discuss her personal journey with bipolar 1 disorder, diagnosed in 2010. Amanda shares how her journey began with journaling, initially a lifeline for communicating her suicidal thoughts when young, leading to her development of a color-coded brain log to track her symptoms.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lengthy depressive episode and a stay in a mental hospital, Amanda's resilience led her to establish Monarch Mental Health. Her advocacy work aims to break the stigma around bipolar disorder and empower others in their mental health journeys.

The discussion covers Amanda's past experiences, her involvement in mental health advocacy, and her creation of a journal designed to help individuals manage their mental health symptoms.

Grab your own journal here! 00:00 Introduction to Amanda McNamara 00:39 Amanda's Early Struggles and Coping Mechanisms 01:18 Founding Monarch Mental Health 02:42 Personal Reflections and Impact of Journaling 03:46 Amanda's Diagnosis and Family History 06:21 Initial Treatment and Challenges 08:44 High School Experiences and Coping Strategies 11:52 Transition to Adulthood and Medication Struggles 17:55 Taking Bipolar Disorder Seriously 24:05 Medication Adjustments and Environmental Changes 26:35 Deepest Depressive Episode 27:21 Questioning Medications and Side Effects 29:49 Hospitalization and New Medications 31:36 Manic Episode and Suicidal Thoughts 35:32 Creating the Brain Journal 39:33 Founding Monarch Mental Health 42:52 The Importance of Journaling 45:59 Connecting with Monarch Mental Health

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(245)

244: We're Having a Baby!

In this heartfelt episode of Live Well Bipolar, Paris shares the exciting news of expecting a baby girl in February 2026. Reflecting on the journey since finding out on June 24th, she discusses the in...

28 Okt 202527min

243: From Bipolar Darkness to Devotion in Motherhood

Paris speaks with Daniela Skinner, an artist, corporate professional and mother who shares her journey navigating bipolar to raise her now 9 year old son. Diagnosed at 27, Daniela recounts her challen...

20 Okt 202538min

242: From Lived Experience to Nonprofit Leadership

Jessie Bucci-Carter is a mental health advocate, regional manager at a mental health nonprofit supporting youth mental health advocates and a rescue dog lover, foster, and volunteer who shares her com...

13 Okt 202537min

241: From Late Bipolar Diagnosis to Creative Redefinition

In this week's episode of Live Well Bipolar, Paris welcomes Ashley Dutta, an artist, writer and mother with 15 years of experience in foreign policy, communications and technology, most recently at Mi...

6 Okt 202535min

240: What Bipolar Once Took to Build Hope

In this solo episode of Live Well Bipolar, host Paris Scobie addresses her fears related to living with bipolar and how she manages them through therapy, writing, and support networks. Paris shares ad...

29 Sep 202531min

239: Big Steps on the Run with Bipolar

Paris is joined by Gordon Strain, a filmmaker, college professor, mental health advocate as well as the dad/husband of a very busy blended family.Gordon shares his journey living with bipolar, from hi...

22 Sep 202536min

238: Behind the Bipolar Curtain with Polly

Paris welcomes Polly Wiseman, a theater maker from the UK who uses their skills in writing, acting and a dash of comedy to spread awareness of bipolar and challenge stigma, online and on stage. Polly ...

15 Sep 202535min

237: Cultivating Strength Through Sach

Sachini (Sach) Vithanage is an aspiring forensic psychologist and mental health advocate who shares her personal journey living with bipolar and how you can cultivate strength.She speaks about experie...

8 Sep 202534min