As most people know, I suffer from bipolar disorder. They know because I have been very public about it. And I have been very public about it because I want to know that you can suffer from a debilitating mental illness and still lead a normal, happy life.
Jared, this incredibly well written. As soon as I read this I called up my aunt and read your article to her. She has a son with bipolar 1. She said your article was better than entire books she has read on bipolar over the years. I'm printing this out and we are going to give it to relatives so they can all understand my cousin better. Amazing work. You have touched the lives of many just in my family alone with your article.
This newsletter resonates with me and brought tears to my eyes. I am not quite there yet with being the happiest person in the world, but I share the same sentiment that my battle with mental illness has given me strengths that others do not have. I do not feel sorry for myself nor pity from others. You rock, Jared!
Jared I have much respect for the transparency & honest you have about the true struggles of Bipolar & Depression. There are months that can go by where all seems well with the world but sometimes you get a day that knocks you on your ass- today was that day for me...
This post was well appreciated & exceptionally timed.. :)
Not gonna lie, I started sobbing about half way through. Not because of your journey, but because of my own, which I guess gave me the smallest of insights into... Hmm. Maybe it was your journey that made me sob. But the memories were mine.
Your wife has to be a saint in your mind, because I can imagine the enormous amount of patience she must have.
I'm so glad your medication works. It sounds like it has worked like a miracle on your mind which is encouraging to those who don't like the idea of taking a daily pill.
I don't think I'm depressed, but I do have a problem, because everyone has something. I think everyone dislikes me so I'm a bit of a loner, because I don't want to punish people with my presents. I feel I'm not interesting to talk to as well. I wonder what the consensus is, do people think loners isolate because they don't like people or because they think people don't like them? I think a lot of people in the western world are very lonely. People don't know their neighbors and families are weak in the west so there's not much to bond people. Maybe I wrong, but I also feel people are affair of saying something wrong to the people around them, because people will dismiss you in a heartbeat. I remember when I was a kid hearing family say someone should "mind their own business" and now I think people practiced that and are now experts. After all, we here, people online, probably knows more about Jared than any of his neighbors, those people who are actually close by. I wonder how many people look out their window, before checking the mailbox at the end of the driveway... you know, if a neighbor is out there, just wait until he's gone, then check the mail.
How you have handled your illness is amazing. You have a great attitude.
The mania part is kind of funny, that it makes people brag on themselves. DJT is 100% bipolar.
Thank you Jared. Just finished No Worries and enjoyed in immensely. I hadn't heard those figures about the difference between bp1 and bp2. Diagnosed here in the UK 5 years ago with three episodes which put me in hospital. Working my way through Be Smart. Thanks for such an eloquent piece!
Just arrived. Thank you for sharing and for your honesty and bravery. I am also Bipolar 1 - those who know, know - those who do not, may never. Also in a very Happy and Free place but it’s been 51 years so, not easy. I share your mission to help others who are now or will be suffering, either from the terrifying highs or soul-crushing lows. Like you, I don’t believe it is solely a biological phenomenon or one that can be uniquely treated by pharmaceuticals, though they are useful. I believe it is a fundamental condition affected the body, mind and soul. The finest medicines I have found are humility, patience, empathy and compassion - a daily practice that includes honest, vulnerable connection with others and good habits of sleep and physical activity. The hardest part to accept has been turning over some degree of control to others who can see what I sometimes cannot - it is however essential and has paid enormous dividends. Thank you again for sharing and in the same spirit I’ll share in the form of music, the songs that I’ve collected that carried me through with faith. I hope they inspire you and others in some little way and that you feel in them what I have, the hope, strength and knowledge that you are not alone. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZDRdrORqXIw6QvgferMEY?si=RT7zZuyGT2S8l-7YOJ2pUQ
Jared, a searingly honest piece - it rings many bells, you're like a brother from a different mother!
I'm Type 1 too, having done the psychosis thing several times, but now near miraculously stable thanks to a working medication combo - despite a lot of irresponsibly hard living all the way. Lithium for 29 years, zyprexa/olanzapine for 20 years. I've swelled up and down like a barrage balloon on the zyprexa - it is damned hard getting pounds off on that stuff, but I wouldn't skip it if you paid me.
Gift or burden? I am firmly in the 'gift' camp, despite all the difficulties over the years. There's pluses to everything. The most 'interesting' month of my life was when I was hospitalized during my first breakdown at 21 - it quite literally opened up my worldview. Mental health had been a massive personal blindspot up to that point. I had a rude awakening.
I try and listen to most of your tunes - keep up the good work, but a personal request is to get some more piano bits in if possible? Always uplifting and bouncy. If I do ever make it across the pond when one of your parties is on, I will insist on you including in your set Gat Decor - Passion as a condition of ticket purchase!
Jared, this incredibly well written. As soon as I read this I called up my aunt and read your article to her. She has a son with bipolar 1. She said your article was better than entire books she has read on bipolar over the years. I'm printing this out and we are going to give it to relatives so they can all understand my cousin better. Amazing work. You have touched the lives of many just in my family alone with your article.
This newsletter resonates with me and brought tears to my eyes. I am not quite there yet with being the happiest person in the world, but I share the same sentiment that my battle with mental illness has given me strengths that others do not have. I do not feel sorry for myself nor pity from others. You rock, Jared!
Jared I have much respect for the transparency & honest you have about the true struggles of Bipolar & Depression. There are months that can go by where all seems well with the world but sometimes you get a day that knocks you on your ass- today was that day for me...
This post was well appreciated & exceptionally timed.. :)
Not gonna lie, I started sobbing about half way through. Not because of your journey, but because of my own, which I guess gave me the smallest of insights into... Hmm. Maybe it was your journey that made me sob. But the memories were mine.
Thanks for sharing. Go fuck yourself.
Your wife has to be a saint in your mind, because I can imagine the enormous amount of patience she must have.
I'm so glad your medication works. It sounds like it has worked like a miracle on your mind which is encouraging to those who don't like the idea of taking a daily pill.
I don't think I'm depressed, but I do have a problem, because everyone has something. I think everyone dislikes me so I'm a bit of a loner, because I don't want to punish people with my presents. I feel I'm not interesting to talk to as well. I wonder what the consensus is, do people think loners isolate because they don't like people or because they think people don't like them? I think a lot of people in the western world are very lonely. People don't know their neighbors and families are weak in the west so there's not much to bond people. Maybe I wrong, but I also feel people are affair of saying something wrong to the people around them, because people will dismiss you in a heartbeat. I remember when I was a kid hearing family say someone should "mind their own business" and now I think people practiced that and are now experts. After all, we here, people online, probably knows more about Jared than any of his neighbors, those people who are actually close by. I wonder how many people look out their window, before checking the mailbox at the end of the driveway... you know, if a neighbor is out there, just wait until he's gone, then check the mail.
How you have handled your illness is amazing. You have a great attitude.
The mania part is kind of funny, that it makes people brag on themselves. DJT is 100% bipolar.
Thank you Jared. Just finished No Worries and enjoyed in immensely. I hadn't heard those figures about the difference between bp1 and bp2. Diagnosed here in the UK 5 years ago with three episodes which put me in hospital. Working my way through Be Smart. Thanks for such an eloquent piece!
Just arrived. Thank you for sharing and for your honesty and bravery. I am also Bipolar 1 - those who know, know - those who do not, may never. Also in a very Happy and Free place but it’s been 51 years so, not easy. I share your mission to help others who are now or will be suffering, either from the terrifying highs or soul-crushing lows. Like you, I don’t believe it is solely a biological phenomenon or one that can be uniquely treated by pharmaceuticals, though they are useful. I believe it is a fundamental condition affected the body, mind and soul. The finest medicines I have found are humility, patience, empathy and compassion - a daily practice that includes honest, vulnerable connection with others and good habits of sleep and physical activity. The hardest part to accept has been turning over some degree of control to others who can see what I sometimes cannot - it is however essential and has paid enormous dividends. Thank you again for sharing and in the same spirit I’ll share in the form of music, the songs that I’ve collected that carried me through with faith. I hope they inspire you and others in some little way and that you feel in them what I have, the hope, strength and knowledge that you are not alone. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZDRdrORqXIw6QvgferMEY?si=RT7zZuyGT2S8l-7YOJ2pUQ
Thank you for another excellent read Jared
Thank you for continuing to educate me.
Jared, a searingly honest piece - it rings many bells, you're like a brother from a different mother!
I'm Type 1 too, having done the psychosis thing several times, but now near miraculously stable thanks to a working medication combo - despite a lot of irresponsibly hard living all the way. Lithium for 29 years, zyprexa/olanzapine for 20 years. I've swelled up and down like a barrage balloon on the zyprexa - it is damned hard getting pounds off on that stuff, but I wouldn't skip it if you paid me.
Gift or burden? I am firmly in the 'gift' camp, despite all the difficulties over the years. There's pluses to everything. The most 'interesting' month of my life was when I was hospitalized during my first breakdown at 21 - it quite literally opened up my worldview. Mental health had been a massive personal blindspot up to that point. I had a rude awakening.
I try and listen to most of your tunes - keep up the good work, but a personal request is to get some more piano bits in if possible? Always uplifting and bouncy. If I do ever make it across the pond when one of your parties is on, I will insist on you including in your set Gat Decor - Passion as a condition of ticket purchase!