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For many people living with mental illness, being committed to a psychiatric hospital is one of our deepest fears. Even people who aren’t mentally ill fear psychiatric hospitals – something that is on public display during Halloween.
Recently, Michelle had to take a friend to the hospital because of her friend’s thoughts of suicide. This was the first time Michelle had experienced the mental health system from any viewpoint other than that of a patient. In this episode, she describes everything she experienced and how it made her feel.
Our hosts, Gabe & Michelle, have discussed their experiences as patients in a previous episode titled Ep 6: Were You Ever in a Psych Ward? WE WERE! Stories from a Bipolar and a Schizophrenic. But they’ve never discussed what it was like the first time they visited a psych ward as a guest, advocate, or as someone who wasn‘t a patient.
Listen to this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast to learn more.
Highlights from ‘Psych Ward’ Episode
[2:00] Michelle shares a story about taking her friend to a psychiatric hospital
[4:00] Specific things that triggered Michelle while at the psychiatric hospital
[6:00] Gabe’s experience visiting a psych ward
[10:00] Frustrations and experiences with psychiatric hospitals
[14:00] Michelle's most triggering experience
[20:00] Discussing the problems with mental health care
Turkey. Stuffing. Families sitting down to dinner and… arguing? For many people, Thanksgiving Day isn’t a day to be thankful, but a day to dread, especially for people with mental illness who feel judged by their families.
In this episode, Gabe and Michelle talk about how things can go wrong during the holidays and share some of their best and worst moments during family gatherings. The show also includes practical advice that you can use and share with your loved ones.
Take a moment to relax and laugh this coming Thursday and – on behalf of all of us at A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast – Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy listening!
Highlights from ‘Thanksgiving with Mental Illness’ Episode
[1:00] Michelle and Gabe get ready for Thanksgiving
[4:30] Michelle loses her damn mind over the word “proud”
[9:00] People with mental illness want to be treated equally
[11:00] Our hosts debate traditions vs. obligations
[17:00] Someone once had a massive panic attack during Thanksgiving dinner
[21:00] Practical advice on how to have a better Thanksgiving
Most people with mental illness are diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 24. This means that many people managing severe and persistent mental illness – like major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia – have never faced serious physical illnesses before.
So what happens when someone with a long history of mental illness reports symptoms of a physical illness, especially if that illness is hard to diagnose, treat, or see? Is it possible that the symptoms we believe we are having are just symptoms of mental illness – or could it be something more?
Moreover, how do doctors react when someone with such a history reports these symptoms? Do they take our concerns seriously or do they suggest we follow up with our mental health providers? And are they wrong to think this way?
What happens when a person with an invisible mental illness develops an invisible physical illness? How do we get the medical community to take us seriously? We discuss this – and so much more – with special guest Rachel Star, a young woman who lives with schizophrenia – and who went to her doctor to report that she had the symptoms of the plague.
Highlights from ‘Doctors’ Episode
[0:30] Michelle and Gabe welcome the “Schizo Stunt Girl” Rachel Star to the show.
[4:00] Rachel tells us how, for the first time in her life, her physical health has failed her.
[8:00] Rachel explains how her doctors marginalized her concerns because she has schizophrenia.
[13:00] Was Rachel Star put in isolation because of physical or mental illness?
[18:00] Do people with mental illness struggle to get good physical health care?
Yes. That plague.
On the same day as Gabe’s father-in-law’s memorial service, a synagogue was attacked in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gabe wonders if Michelle, as a woman of the Jewish faith, is processing the synagogue attack differently than he is. During the discussion, it is evident that both events affected our hosts, but in different ways.
Gabe listens as Michelle warns about living life in fear of danger. Michelle listens as Gabe discusses delivering the eulogy for a man he didn’t particularly get along with when he was alive.
Whether you live with mental illness or not, everyone deals with regret, fear, and/or grief. So, this episode should really be listened to by everyone on earth. If you’re wondering if this episode is meant for you, Gabe and Michelle feel confident the answer is “yes.”
Highlights from ‘Regret, Fear, or Grief’ Episode
[1:00] Gabe and Michelle talk about the recent shooting targeting a Jewish temple.
[5:00] Gabe and Michelle discuss things that scare them.
[7:30] Gabe’s story of a friend dying by suicide.
[11:00] Our hosts discuss dealing with fear.
[12:00] Gabe discusses his father-in-law’s funeral.
[21:00] Stigma and judgment about mental illness is discussed.
[27:50] Michelle discusses being triggered at a wedding.
Gabe’s granny likes to say that the only thing you need to start a competition is two people. And while we all accept that people like to compete over their successes – who’s faster, prettier, or richer – it may come as a surprise to you that some folks compete over who is sicker.
Gabe dubs this contest “the suffering Olympics” and readily admits to having played this game, himself. “I wanted to prove I was sicker and it seemed important I was the sickest person in the room,” Gabe said after realizing what he was doing. “The reality is that we are all suffering, we are all afraid, and sharing those experiences doesn’t need to turn into a competition. In fact, it’s much, much healthier to not compete.”
In this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, Gabe and Michelle discuss who has it worse: Gabe for living with bipolar disorder or Michelle for battling schizophrenia. It shouldn’t surprise anyone how ridiculous such a discussion sounds. Listen in and learn from the two most competitive mentally ill people we know.
Highlights from ‘Mental Illness Suffering Olympics’ Episode
[0:30] Gabe and Michelle play the suffering Olympics. [3:00] Gabe tells a ridiculous conference story.
[6:10] Michelle makes the case that people with schizophrenia “have it worse.”
[7:00] Gabe counters that people living with bipolar have a harder time and suffer more.
[10:00] The debate rages on, with each side describing the negatives of each mental illness.
[15:00] Gabe & Michelle take a moment to consider the appropriateness of this conversation.
[17:00] Michelle tells the story of how she made a woman cry.
[19:30] Gabe & Michelle discuss what makes them different from each other and take a moment to reflect on what they have in common.
Fan favorite Two Truths and a Lie is back again! Listen to our hosts play the ever-popular game with the caveat that all the stories must center around depression and depression symptoms.
Michelle kicks us off telling stories of her college days and skipping class; Gabe follows up with his high school days of being too depressed to go to class. In round two, Michelle discusses her religious experiences, while Gabe recounts the potentially true story of calling his insurance company to make sure his life insurance will pay out on his death.
Finally, Michelle brings death, taxes, and guns into the mix, while Gabe tells the daring story of driving 100 miles per hour while manic.
Stories aside, the biggest question is to determine which stories are true and which are entirely fictional.
Is life stranger than fiction? You be the judge on this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast. Listen Now!
Highlights from ‘Depression Truths and Lies’ Episode
[1:25] Round One Stories: “Didn’t go to class due to depression” & “Too depressed to go to class 2.”
[5:30] Round Two Stories: “Preacher saved Michelle’s life” & “Called insurance company to ensure payoff after suicide.”
[12:00] Round Three Stories: “Overdosed/Death/Taxes/Guns” & “Car crash temptation.”
[19:00] Can Gabe and Michelle figure out which stories are true and which one is the lie?
Depression is an inconsiderate illness. It doesn’t care whether you have nothing going on or a lot going on. It will strike whenever it feels like it. Depression doesn’t care if you have a home filled with people, family obligations, or even a podcast to record. If this symptom of mental illness wants out, it’s coming out.
In this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, our hosts attempt to record an episode, but Gabe breaks down and confides to Michelle that he isn’t doing well. The recorder was running and Gabe’s attempt at faking it until he makes it backfired. However, a vulnerable and honest look at depression resulted.
Listen in to find out what Gabe is like depressed and how Michelle rises to the occasion to support her co-worker and friend.
Highlights from ‘Depressed’ Episode
[0:30] Michelle helps Gabe with his depression.
[7:00] What triggered Gabe’s depression?
[9:00] Society's reaction to mental illness and/or depression.
[18:00] Is Michelle mad at Gabe for being depressed on the job?
[21:30] Gabe explains his frustrations and concerns and Michelle listens.
People are constantly labeling people who live with mental illness as dramatic, liars, and actors. Society, in general, often thinks people who live with bipolar, schizophrenia, and depression are being insincere when it comes to their illnesses.
The reality is that people with mental illness are often being misleading, just not in the way most people think. They will say they are “fine” when they are not. They say they’ll be okay, when they don’t believe that at all.
These people don’t want to lose friends or alienate people, and they are afraid of being judged. By saying they are okay when, in fact, they aren’t, they can keep the status quo. And while the status quo might not be all that great, at least they have someone asking if they are okay – and that beats accidentally running them off.
Listen to this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast now!
Highlights from ‘Fibbed About Being OK’ Episode
[0:30] Gabe and Michelle discuss lying about their mental illnesses.
[7:00] What should we do better in a crisis situation?
[12:30] How did Gabe end up in the psych ward?
[22:00] How do friends and family help in crisis situations?
[26:00] Continue to educate yourself about mental illness, even after you have recovered.
[29:00] Can anyone have a panic attack?
Normal. It’s one of those words that we all pretend to understand, but honestly, none of us really do. People living with mental illness are usually striving to be normal, or act normal, or feel normal – but how do we know when we’ve succeeded? What is normal?
In this episode of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, Gabe and Michelle discuss the various ways that people living with mental illness typically react to different events in their lives versus the way people living without mental illness may react.
In every scenario, our hosts talk about mistakes they’ve made, do-overs they’d like to have, and in some cases question whether the typical reaction is really all that reasonable to begin with.
Highlights from ‘Normal’ Episode
[1:30] Gabe and Michelle are discussing “Normal” Reactions vs. How People with Mental Illness React.
[2:15] What Michelle was first taught about Mental Illness. Gabe explains the accurate definitions.
[4:50] “Normal” person vs. mentally ill person: Reactions to a mistake at work
[6:30] “Normal” person vs. mentally ill person: Friends cancel plans on them
[7:50] “Normal” person vs. mentally ill person: How to make their momma happy
[9:20] “Normal” person vs. mentally ill person: Losing a lacrosse game
[14:00] “Normal” person vs. mentally ill person: How to be successful at school
[20:00] Exploring the different ways we grieve death before and after recovery.
[23:00] How should we react? Is there a correct way?
Everyone, of every age and from every walk of life, has goals. Sometimes they are life goals (like get married and raise a family), career goals (such as start and run a successful company), or daily goals (as in just getting through the day). People with mental illness have all those, too, but often have specific goals related to their particular mental illness.
In this episode, Gabe and Michelle share some of their personal goals, talk about how those goals have changed over time, and discuss why goals themselves are important – especially for those of us living with mental illness.
Highlights from ‘Goals with Mental Illness’ Episode
[:30] Michelle and Gabe designed a shirt! (And you can buy it here!)
[2:00] Discussing the goals we have in our lives, careers, and advocacy.
[7:00] Gabe and Michelle would both love to not be mentally ill.
[14:00] Discussing unreached goals.
[20:00] Acknowledging the goals that got us to this point in our lives.
[22:00] People with mental illness make future plans, too.
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