13 comments

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  Tris Hussey

  10 months ago

  Micah, Thank you for writing this. As one who suffers from moderate depression I get your depressive times. I don't get the manic times, I just come out of it. Yeah, sleep is good. Okay chocolate is better.
  
  I think the more openly we talk about mental illness the better we'll all be able to cope and understand.
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  micah

  10 months ago

  There are so many people that suffer from various mental disabilities,
  but think they are alone. I know people that are in complete disbelief
  that I suffer from anything (other than a serious case of constant
  babble).
  
  I dont want anyone to feel like they are dealing with this alone. Its
  just too fucking hard.
  reply
• 

  lisamariemary

  10 months ago

  This is a really great post. Your description of rapid cycling is entirely familiar to me, as that is the reality in which I also live. And I think it's a good way to describe it so that others can understand, too.
  
  I enjoyed learning about Van Gogh, as well. I had thought he mailed his ear to a girlfriend, and I didn't know about his hospitalization or the painting (which I love) being painted while there. Knowing that and looking at that painting, I can so relate to him. How weird. And very cool, too. I think I might get a print of it now - now that I know more of the story behind it and how closely it rings true for me.
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  Connie Bensen

  10 months ago

  Hey Micah,
  I saw in Facebook that Tris had commented so I popped on over.
  I have come to embrace this illness & appreciate the energy & creativity it gives me. That took me a long time though. I'll let you guess which side I tend towards.
  
  When I see/hear people suffering I reach out to them. I agree that no one should think they're alone. Although I also believe that community managers from all over the world should connect too! I'm working on that also. :)
  
  Feel free to connect on Twitter & Facebook if you'd like. I'm always around. cbensen on Twitter
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• 

  micah

  10 months ago

  Thanks Connie. You should check out my social media best practice
  post: http://learntoduck.com/socialmedia/be-available you seem to be
  doing just that...
  reply
• 

  RiceWenchie

  10 months ago

  You rawk, Micah! You are funny, smart, sensitive...and I pick those up just from Twitter. Not being able to keep things level emotionally is something I comprehend exceptionally well.
  
  I do NOT pretend to know what struggling with bi-polar issues is like. My issues are different: ADD & depression for myself; my son with autism & depression. I do understand how nice it is when things are calm, level, seemingly balanced. :o)
  
  I love! Van Gogh's work. I have always enjoyed the depth of his work. I think he might have been 'emo'... Just sayin' :~D
  
  
  "The brush on the canvas goes swish, swish, swish, swish, ..."
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  micah

  10 months ago

  I think Van Gogh was the first emo painter of all time. I love his
  work. You can just see the struggle in his brush strokes. I think
  thats why he resinates with people, and they dont know why...
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• 

  teresacaldwell

  10 months ago

  hmmm As a woman going through hormonal changes as the years go on, I find myself feeling these same feelings. I have alway related these feelings to the hormones decreasing in my body, the mood swings, depression, being lethargic, then being on top of the world when I do feel good and almost being to energetic and talkative.
  
  I feel your pain.
  
  
  I also remember that song, my kids listened to it when they were small.
  
  All the best to you.
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  Tris Hussey

  10 months ago

  An interesting bit of trivia about Van Gough and his works. Turns out that his mental illness truly coloured his world. He perceived blues and yellows more intensely than "normal". So the line between genius and insanity...maybe there is no line!
  
  Connie you're bang on, you have to embrace it to help. I have (more than) a touch of ADD so ... yeah I can be quite focused.
  
  It is the feeling that you are alone is the worst. It's want makes the "bad thoughts" become darker. Having friend who keep tabs is so vital.
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  micah

  10 months ago

  Along those lines a person with bipolar will hear, smell and see
  things that are not there. Certain colors are more vibrant or deeper.
  There is a reason most of the art and tattoos I have include blue,
  yellow and green.
  
  It's in part because the extra and incorrect chemical reactions going
  on in my head.
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• 

  smazurov

  10 months ago

  I am curious, when do you do most of your writing on learn to duck? If you post during your low state, do you though the same analysis as with everything else? How does that affect what actually gets posted?
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  micah

  10 months ago

  Is the question what state am I in during most of my writing? It
  really varies. I do think that it's self-evident. The more "intense"
  posts tend to be in a depressed state. The startup stuff is often in a
  manic or normal state. The last two posts were in a normal state.
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  Sean Bohan

  10 months ago

  Outstanding post Micah... thank you for sharing this.
  reply