Bipolar Disorder (Mental Health)

Well Hello Bloggers, 

We are back for another blog post and today’s entails mental health. Today will be about being bipolar, what it means to be diagnosed with bipolar, the types of treatment they recommend, and some other odds and ends. If you know someone who is bipolar, or if you, yourself has been diagnosed with being bipolar, do not be ashamed of it, and do not feel as though every case is the same. I realize this information will be vague, so please fill us in with more information, experiences, stories, etc in the comment section and share this post with others so I can help bring awareness. 

What does being bipolar mean?

Good question! The bipolar disorder is having mood swings that range from depressive lows to maniac highs. In other words, going from a very low state to a very high state in your moods. Each individual has some differences. 

 

Fun Fact:

There are different forms of bipolar: bipolar 1 disorder, bipolar 2 disorder, cyclothymic disorder. Now this is 2017 and things might have changed, but from my knowledge these are the main groups but this doesn’t mean there are not others written somewhere. 

Bipolar 1 disorder:

Maniac episodes that last atleast seven days and/or manic episodes that are severe enough to have a person end up in the hospital.  Some people will experience depressive episodes as well that can last up to two weeks. 

Bipolar 2 disorder:

A pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes but NOT full blown maniac episodes.

 

Cyclothymic Disorder:

Numerous periods of hypomanic episodes and depressive symptoms that are known to last two years (and 1 year for children and adolescents). 

 

Signs and Symptoms:

 
  1. Manic episode (signs/symptoms)
  • Feeling very “high” or elated
  • Usually has a lot of energy
  • Increased activity levels
  • “jumpy” or “wired”
  • sometimes have issues with sleeping
  • Talk really fast
  • could be agitated, irritable or touchy
  • feel as though their thoughts are going really fast
  • Usually believe they can manage a lot of things at once
  • Do risky things that aren’t always wise decisions

     2. Depressive episode (signs/symptoms)

  • Feeling of sadness, empty or loneliness
  • very little energy
  • decreased activity levels
  • may sleep too much or too little
  • don’t feel as though they can enjoy anything
  • feeling much worry
  • tend to forget things a lot
  • Eating too much or too little
  • feeling tired
  • sometimes thinks of death or suicide

Fun Fact:

It possible for some to have symptoms of both, called “mixed features”  (they may feel very sad and hopeless but at the same time have tons of energy). 

 

Many people with bipolar disorder may even have mood swings that are less extreme and can still manage to function, feel good, highly productive (the person may not feel as if anything is wrong) but normally family and friends can see the difference in their moods and actions. If these people don’t seek help they could end up with severe mania or depression. 

 

Some have bipolar along with other mental health conditions and some have symptoms of other illnesses, so it makes it difficult for one to diagnose someone with this disorder. People with bipolar disorder are said to be at higher risk of thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. 

 

There are cases where someone with bipolar may have psychotic symptoms as well (hallucinations, and/or delusions). 

 

Anxiety is usually also diagnosed with those with bipolar disorder.

 

A higher chance of possible substance abuse, perform poorly at work/school, relationship problems. 

Possible Risk Factors:

  • Genetics
  • Family history
  • brain structure and functioning

Treatment possibilities:

  • Medications
  • Psychotherapy
  • Electroconvulsive therapy

Keep in mind that bipolar disorder is a life long illness. Also remember to speak with a specialist and/or doctor who can be of more assistance to yourself and others. Thank you for reading!

 

Your Fitness Blogger,

Shay-lon xoxo

 

Taking Risk|Three Channels of Risk

Risk = Opportunity, but not all Opportunities are good.

In a vlog video today I talked about taking risk and my take on risk and how they can be effective and provide opportunities but at the same time can be what kills us (physically or mentally).  My video was aimed for fitness/health people but this blog will speak to the general population and the same rules will apply but maybe different circumstances. Pay close attention for my post for it may be somewhat beneficial for some of you. 

 

I believe that risk comes in three channels, these channels are: death, depleting of oneself and prosperity/growth. From these channels, you are obviously aware that the last one would be the goal or the most beneficial for us and this is very true. I will break down the differences and discuss each one briefly but somewhat like I did in my video, i will then leave you in thought. 

 

The first channel: Death. 

 
  • This particular channel means literally dying or mentally decaying yourself to the point of exhaustion. 
  • An example of death: eating disorders, addictions, suicide, depression.. and the list continues. 
  • Most of us know someone or perhaps ourselves can relate to this channel of risk. 
  • This particular channel of risk is dangerous, and normally the ultimate downfall unless we seek help in time. 

The second channel: Depleting self.

  • This channel poses a threat because it can lead us to the channel of death if we are not careful.
  • An example of depleting self: Trying to be something or someone we are not in order to fit in, allowing others to take advantage of us, having been bullied, traumatic experiences, among many other things
  • Again we have either dealt with this channel ourselves or know someone who is/has. 
  • This particular channel is giving us a choice in how we respond to this particular risk- in most cases people go into death , but others will grow and learn from it. 

The third channel: prosperity and growth.

  • This channel is about taking a risk that has made you successful, motivational, inspiring, and possibly wealthy in many more ways than just money. 
  • This channel takes sacrifices , but they are sacrifices you can handle and or deal with and not regret it down the line if you made the right choice. 
  • This channel only turns into a bad risk if you choose to react to it in a greedy nature or make yourself seem more inferior to others. 

Now that I have covered these three channels of risk, you are probably asking yourself, why would one want to choose death and/or depleting self.. how does one not know that is a bad risk? Well, it isn’t necessarily that one is choosing to be depressed or choosing to be bullied, risk create opportunities and not all opportunities are good ones, so when one chooses to risk losing weight by choosing to eat less and less.. they aren’t necessarily wanting to die they want the opportunity that comes from it – which is being skinny. Now this is may be all very confusing and you can choose to make sense of it however you want, no right or wrong way. I just found myself rambling and decided to share some insight with you. The bottom line is every risk we take effects us either negatively or in a positive manner, we don’t always know until we have taken the risk. Just think about what risk you are willing to take but don’t stop taking them in order to avoid opportunities. 

 

If you are someone who wants to better understand my thoughts, please feel free to watch my YouTube video from today speaking on risk and hopefully it makes some sense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZPKcM7iw4. Thanks for reading, feel free to leave comments, share and or like. 

Your Fitness Blogger,

Shay-lon xxoo

Learning to do a proper handstand.

Many of you probably had the chance to read my post on “handstands” and how they have advantages and their benefits. I told you in that same post I would write another post in the later weeks discussing how to train for a proper handstand – and although there is a million different ways to do so and everyone has their own technique, I believe the best way is to practice and build up to it, like any other movement. Handstands are more advanced movements, they aren ‘t considered easy and even though they may be easier for some, they can be quite more difficult for others like myself. 

 

When beginning training for a handstand, it is best do them on a flat surface and preferably one that won’t cause you much harm if you should fall or occasionally hurt yourself trying – I don’t want anyone to end up in the emergency room. This particular post will go over some neat ways to train for a handstand and give you some good tips doing so, now don’t fret if you learned another way, please just add it in the comment section so all of my readers can look into what works best for them and also, feel free to google anything that you might not understand or to ask a professional for help. I would advise asking your doctor if any of you have conditions or injuries that would prevent you from being able to perform a handstand. Shall we begin?

 
 
  1. Wall work– many of you have probably heard of this term before, especially if you have done CrossFit because many CrossFitters start their handstands by using the wall – especially those that are beginners and starting out. 

 

  • Start with going into a plank pose with your feet close to the wall. Place your hands underneath your shoulders while feet are firmly on the ground. You will slowly start walking your feet up the wall (as far as you can) whatever point you have reached, try holding that position for 15-30 seconds and focus in on your breathing. The point of this exercise is to eventually make it up the wall in a plank pose with your hands close to the wall instead of farther away. It will take much practice and will seem easy at first, but don’t forget to focus on breathing and balance.  To reduce risk of injury, make sure to do a warm up prior to this so that your wrist and the rest of your body is warmed up and ready. 

 

      2. Use An App– It was brought to my attention by a fellow blogger that there are    multiple apps that will help you to learn a proper handstand by following their steps. I have never used them but thought about doing so and giving a review so that some of  you may know which ones to use. I think using an app is an awesome idea if you plan on training yourself but for those of you who are not comfortable wiith training yourself  yet, I would recommend going to a professional who can be there for assistance and  guidance. If any of you have tried any of the handstand apps, let me know in the  comment section.

      

       3. Work on strengthening the muscles used: This may seem obvious but there are exercises that will help improve your chances of landing a  handstand, exercises that will help with balance and strength and will build your  confidence so that you can perform this movement. I won’t post a long list of exercises, but only give you a couple of ideas so you can have a starting point, then feel free to  research and develop a personalized plan for it. 

  • Pike rolls with swiss ball (stability ball)
  • handstand wall walks
  • chest against the wall holds
  • Superman pulses

        4. Using your head first: this idea came from someone else who learned           how during yoga class, they practiced their handstands by first developing one using  their heads as a support and then progressing into a full blown headstand without  having to be on their head. I am not sure how effective it is, but if this how you learned, please feel free to let me know in the comment section and explain how it helped you.  Also, if you think this is not a safe way of learning to do one, feel free to add that as well. Personally I might try using my head and seeing how far I get and then  progressing, but then again I don’t mind trying new things as long as I am not putting  myself in danger or doing harm to my body. 

 

So here we have it, 4 ways that can build your handstand. Some of which were coming from my own experience and research and others coming from someone else who taught themselves how to perform the movement, As I mentioned before, there are many different ways people have taught themselves, so feel free to add your way if it isn’t list. Thank you for reading, be sure to leave a comment, share, like and follow. 

 

Your Fitness Blogger,

 

Shay-lon xxoo

 

In Order to Gain Respect, Females should show more half naked shots?

Sex Sells. Yes. 

 

BUT 

 

Why can’t knowledge sell just as well?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3zC2tIQ02E&t=26s

Watch my video explaining the advice I received from someone and my thoughts around the idea. This maybe just interesting enough to grab your attention and ladies feel free to share your thoughts as well.

 

Shay-lon

Happy Easter Bloggers!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter To All My Blogger Friends

I know that not many of you celebrate this Holiday, but know that doesn’t matter to me, Happy Sunday to all of you as well. For some people, Easter is a religious holiday and for others, it means a bunny hops along giving out Easter eggs full of candy, no matter what your beliefs are, and why .. I want ALL OF YOU to have a wonderful Sunday and spend it with people you love and cherish if possible, like any other day but hold them tight and tell them you love them because you never know when it will be the last time. 

 

Thank you to all of you who have wished me a Happy Easter as well, I appreciate it! 😀